We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Tiftarea Academy football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Panthers this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 1-9
- Points Scored: 253
- Points Allowed: 436
Key Losses
The good news is that the Panthers lose only a handful of seniors to graduation, but a few of those were some big-time contributors and their presence will be missed. That group includes OL/DL Anthony Mareus, who appeared in just seven games after transferring from Dougherty High but made his presence felt on both sides of the ball at Tiftarea. His stellar play has gained Mareus a spot on the Shorter Hawks’ roster.
Also gone are two skill position players in Kameron Brown and Matthew Malone. Brown was a RB who ends his TA career with 1,264 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs. Malone was a DB/WR who ends his Panthers career with 148 tackles over his last two seasons, along with 420 rushing yards and three TDs.
Who’s Back
Tiftarea Academy will return nine key contributors from last year’s team, including DE Jacob Joyner and LBs Dawson Butler and Caden Griner, all sophomores. The Panthers also bring back last year’s starting quarterback, JR Walker, who threw for 885 yards and 9 TDs as a freshman. Walker also rushed for 444 yards and 4 TDs on 92 carries, and he even contributed on defense with 14 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble. Five seniors return: RB Lane Cole, OL Jake Henderson, TE John White, and DEs Elie Stevens and Koen Flowers.
What to Expect
Soliday had a very young Tiftarea team last season, and their youth and inexperience showed as they struggled to a 1-9 season. But the veteran coach said the team is better now that the younger guys earned some valuable experience last season.
“We are still young in a few spots, but we are stronger than we have been,” Soliday said. “We have a little more speed than we had last year, and we go into this season with more depth. We should be improved in all areas from a year ago, with a good mix of older and younger kids.”
Prediction
This Tiftarea Academy football team is an improved unit in 2023 – look for a 6-5 finish.
Game to Watch
Tiftarea goes to Valwood on September 29.
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