We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Valdosta football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 4-6
- Points Scored: 242
- Points Against: 160
Key Losses
The Wildcats said good bye to 25 seniors, including a group of players that will see action on Saturdays this upcoming fall. They include RB/ATH Chris Wolfe, who takes his talents to Central Arkansas. He was a standout all-around player at Valdosta, ending up with 216 rushing yards, 463 receiving yards, 237 kickoff returns yards, and 98 punt return yards.
CB JaDarian Rhym signed with Auburn, and he leaves with 100 tackles during his career at Valdosta. The Cats will also enter the season without the services of OLB Jacquez McGowan, who is now at Tennessee Tech, and Head Coach Shelton Felton and his staff will need to replace 4-star OL Jacarrius Peak, who signed with North Carolina State University this offseason. Three-star safety Isaiah Holland has graduated and will suit up for the Panthers of Georgia State University this fall.
Who’s Back
Yes, Valdosta lost some really talented players, but they’ve also got some really good ones coming back in 2022. Leading the Wildcats into the season will be the returning Region 1-6A Player of the Year, DE Eric Brantley. The standout defender had 75 tackles last season, and 17 of them were tackles for loss. Brantley also had 11 sacks in 2021.
He will be a force for opposing offensive lines to handle this year, but there’s no relief on the opposite side as newcomer Gabe Harris will man the other end of the defensive line, giving Valdosta what is likely the best DE combination in the state. Both are being highly recruited by D-1 colleges, and they will be an absolute handful this year.
Another player who will attract attention from colleges is punter/TE Grayson Leavy. Sophomore ATH Khalil Mollay will help the Wildcats in all areas this season, including offense, defense, and special teams. Other returners include a couple of offensive linemen in Damauree “Smoke” Bennett and Ashton Harden, and NT TJ Morrison and ILB Amari Tomblin on defense.
The big question is QB, where it appears sophomore ATH/QB Todd Robinson will be counted on to lead the Valdosta offense into the season, according to Felton.
What To Expect
The Wildcats return several playmakers, and they’ll need every one of them as they return to Region 1-7A to face former region foes Lowndes, Colquitt County, and Camden County. Valdosta isn’t alone as the new member of the new-look Region 1-7A, as Richmond Hill also joins.
Coach Shelton Felton was officially named as head coach in the offseason after spending last season as interim coach. It will be his team, and I think this is a great move for Valdosta. He relates to his players well, and this should put the Wildcats in the hunt for a strong run in region 1-7A in 2022.
Felton says he and his troops are ready to go: “We look forward to the challenge of playing in one of the toughest regions in the state.”
Felton also acknowledged that the team has a different look than it did last season.
“Our depth chart looks completely different than it did a year ago,” he said.
Prediction
I like Valdosta a lot this season. I think they finish 8-5 with a few wins in the state playoffs.
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