We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Westminster 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: 5-5
- Points Scored: 231
- Points Against: 255
Key Losses
Westminster Head Coach Gerry Romberg lost some really solid talent from all three areas, and almost every one of them has moved on to the college level. Headed off to State College, where he will play for Penn State University, is punter Alex Bacchetta. The three-year starter was a Class 3A All-State selection in each of those seasons at Westminster. He was named as a Max Preps All-American punter for his sophomore season performance for the Wildcats.
Bacchetta averaged 40.3 yards per punt last season, and as the Wildcats’ kicker, Bachetta converted a perfect 24-for 24 FG attempts inside 45 yards during his three seasons. Focusing on his punting duties last season, Bachetta attempted only one field goal, making it successfully from 46 yards out. He holds the Georgia high school record for field goals in one game, with five. He was rated by Kohl’s Kicking as the nation’s No. 1 punter.
Other Wildcats who are moving on include TE Holden Staes, who’s off to Notre Dame, and DB Robert Clarke, who will play collegiately at Hampden-Sydney. DB Denton Shamberger and WWRJacob Fleming are both headed to UGA as preferred walk-ons.
Who’s Back
Returning to Westminster this season will be a host of seniors led by RB Quinton Ezzard, who has received an offer from Prairie View A&M, but will likely be getting additional offers during his final season with the Wildcats.
Senior John Collier, a 6-foot-3 pro-style quarterback, is back to lead the Wildcats’ offense this season. He spoke to ITG Next about the new offensive coordinator he’ll learn under this season.
“Coach Neema Salimi is our new OC. He has been the previous defensive coordinator here for the past several seasons,” said Collier.
Collier said he currently has an offer from Columbia University, but has not made a final decision yet.
One of his primary targets this year will be senior WR Henry Chartrand. Kicker Josh Brockman will return to handle kicking duties, and junior OL/DL Phillip Moore is back to man both sides of the line of scrimmage.
What To Expect
It will be interesting to see the new scheme introduced since the Wildcats moved Salimi over from defensive coordinator to run the offense.
Westminster is one of many teams changing classifications this season, moving up from Region 5-AAA to Class AAAA, where they will be a member of Region 6-AAAA. While most fans would anticipate the competition to be tougher going to a higher classification, that may not be the case here.
Westminster did have Carver Atlanta, Cedar Grove, and Sandy Creek as region foes. Now, as a member of 6-AAAA, they’ll join the likes of Clarkston, Druid Hills, Hapeville, Miller Grove, Stone Mountain, SW Dekalb, and Stephenson. Holy Innocents will likely be the toughest opponent of them all, although they are moving up four classes, from the former Class A-Private.
Prediction
Look for Westminster to compete for a championship in their new region, finishing with nine overall wins.
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