We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Valwood 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: 3-9
- Points Scored: 229
- Points Against: 403
Key Losses
According to Coach Justin Henderson, the Valiants did not graduate a lot of players from last season, and that’s a good thing for a team still recovering from some depth issues over the last two seasons. “Our numbers declined coming out of the pandemic, and it has taken us a few months to get some players back out,” Henderson acknowledged.
That depth will help offset a few key players Valwood did lose to graduation, including running back Noah Pettigrew. An All-State wrestler who will attend the University of North Carolina on a wrestling scholarship, Pettigrew decided to come out and play football in his final season, and the brawny senior did not disappoint. He rushed for 1,250 yards with 14 TDs, and Henderson says Pettigrew’s physical style of play will be missed.
Receiver Tajh Sanders, who had transferred to Valwood before last football season, faced double teams most of the year, but is still being rewarded for his abilities with a scholarship to Western Illinois. A three-year starter who led the Valiants in tackles during his career at Valwood is also graduating, and will be missed. That would be OLB Demetris Rosier, who Henderson says worked his way back from a torn ACL incurred midway thru his sophomore year to finish with 153 tackles.
Who’s Back
Valwood has several key members coming back in 2022, which will be a big boon for Henderson and the Valiants. Leading the charge is returning junior lineman Connor Hutto, a GISA All-State selection last year as a sophomore offensive lineman. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound OL/DL will be the anchor for the Valwood line on both sides of the ball this season, and the head coach says he expects Hutto to keep growing.
Senior Worth Kimbro, a DE/TE will be counted on for his play not only on the field, but in the locker room as well. “Worth is a team captain and a leader for us,” said Henderson. Kimbro has eight catches for 82 yards as a TE, and defensively, he has come up with 73 tackles, including 10 TFL and two sacks.
Another returning two-way senior is Eli Pay, who will play receiver and defensive back in 2022. So far, he has nine catches for 87 yards with 42 tackles defensively. Other returners include QB Kyle Beath, MLB Scott Giddens and OLB/K Ean Henry.
What To Expect
Henderson says he expects to see major improvement from his team this season. “I really believe we have the team that can win seven or eight games this season,” he said.
The head coach said his team had a great spring, and for the first time in a couple of seasons, had enough players to field two separate units to go against each other in practice. “We had got down to 19 players two seasons ago, and that’s a tough way to make it through a football season,” Henderson said. This spring he had over 50 players out, and he hopes to possibly add to that number this summer with a move in or two.
Henderson stressed one thing Valwood must do a better job of in 2022. “Our kicking game must get better,” he said. Last season, the Valiants found themselves too often going for two on the point-after attempt, so Henderson made it a priority to become more sound in that area. Finally, he says he wants his team to be much more physical this season, especially with the increased roster size.
Prediction
Look for Valwood to do better in the win column by posting an overall 6-5 record.
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