We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Veterans 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: 2-9
- Points Scored: 188
- Points Against: 389
Key Losses
The Warhawks say goodbye to Head Coach Milan Turner, who steps away from Veterans to take a position with Georgia Southern. Josh Ingram takes over the head coaching position at Veterans. He was the former offensive coordinator under Turner for the last four seasons. Fortunately for Ingram, he doesn’t have to replace a lot of key players, but he does lose a couple of three-year starters in Nate Brooks and Deondre Kennedy.
Brooks leaves with 36 tackles, two INT, and a fumble recovery from his safety position, but he also made an impact on offense as a RB, rushing for 320 yards on 71 carries. He’s off to Mercer University, where he’ll play defense for the Bears. Ingram says that Mercer is likely to use Brooks as an OLB/S. His teammate and fellow three-year starter at DE, Deondre Kennedy, signed with Charleston Southern. In 16 games at Veterans, Kennedy finished with five catches for 79 yards and a TD. As a defender, he accumulated 31 tackles and two sacks. Offensive guard Alex Harvey has graduated and has chosen to not pursue football at the collegiate level.
Who’s Back
Ingram will have pretty much all of his skill position guys back this season, as QB Matthew Bruce, All-State Receiver Damare Franklin, and ATH Preston Bird all return. The coach says he’ll have eight total starters returning this season. Bruce was an All-Region selection last season, and for good reason. He threw for exactly 2,000 yards and 10 TDs. He also rushed for 510 yards with five TDs. Ingram said that his junior signal caller had off-season shoulder surgery but should be recovered in plenty of time for the start of the 2022 campaign.
Junior ATH Preston Bird, a player Ingram describes as “very dynamic,” is back in 2022 and will be counted on to provide a spark wherever he’s needed. Last season, as a sophomore, Bird racked up 958 all-purpose yards, including 661 receiving yards on 38 catches. He added four TDs last season, also.
All-State receiver Damare Franklin is a huge weapon returning to the offense this season. The senior finished with just over 1,000 yards receiving on 63 receptions, and is being heavily recruited by college programs. Senior Jaron Benjamin is another returner who will be counted on to contribute in several ways. He will serve as the team’s “wildcat” QB and will be a feature RB.
Others returning include OL Jake Perdue, who played center last year, but will be moved out to tackle this season. Guard Brian Nguyen, FS Samuel Mitchell, and NG Jalen Banks are also returning this year.
What To Expect
What a difference a year makes. Last season, Veterans was going into the season having lost practically every skill position player. There was no doubting that 2021 was going to be a struggle – and it was. Fast forward to one year later, and those youngsters who were forced into action as freshmen and sophomores are now a year older and have gained valuable experience.
The Veterans team moves from 1-5A to 1-6A, going from region foes such as Warner Robins, Ware County and Coffee to 1-6A opponents Lee County, Tift County, Thomas County Central, and Northside Warner Robins. Ingram says fans can expect a few changes to the Warhawks’ approach on both sides of the ball this season. “We will shake it up a little bit, based on our personnel looks.” He said.
Prediction
Major improvement from last season. Warhawks finish 7-5 with a playoff win.
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