We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Worth County football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Rams this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 8-3
- Points Scored: 361
- Points Allowed: 296
Key Losses
The Rams, coach Jeffrey Hammond, and Worth County fans know they will likely never see another quarterback as talented as Chip Cooper, who has graduated and is off to Georgia Military. Cooper was truly a great player as well as a leader on and off the field. He leaves some very big shoes to fill, with 5,560 yards passing and 1,919 yards rushing over a three-year career as the Rams signal-caller. He combined for 77 TDs – 54 through the air and 23 more rushing.
Joining Cooper at GMC will be LB Jaleb Fluellen, while LB Quentin Cole will continue his career at Maryville College. Quantavious Frier, a DB/WR, and WR Parker Weaver will not return to the 2023 Rams football program.
Who’s Back
The Rams will have some talent returning that should keep them headed in the right direction this season. That group of returning contributors from last season’s eight-win team will include a couple of skill positions in junior WR D’ontae “Dee” Fulton and RB Kaden Chester. Fulton had a breakout season in 2022, catching 61 passes for 910 yards receiving and 11 TDs, while Chester enjoyed a freshman season to remember, carrying the ball 148 times for 734 yards rushing and 8 TDs. Chester also was effective as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 33 passes for 350 yards and a TD.
Worth will have Tristan Carter and Chase Foley returning on the offensive line, while the defense will welcome back defensive linemen Danny Wilkerson and Andrew Dixon, along with LB Sherman Smith and SS Hunter Barber.
What to Expect
The key to the Rams being able to maintain the excitement and winning culture Hammond brought to Sylvester last year will come down to finding a suitable replacement for Cooper, and that’s not going to be easy. Hammond said there are two likely candidates to take over: Freshman Lyndon Worthy was an eight-grade QB last season, while junior Drake Jones is a standout pitcher on the Rams baseball team who will compete for the job, too.
But look for the Rams to maybe lean heavily on their ground game with Chester at RB. The Rams can hopefully shore up a defense that allowed 27 points per game last year, and with eight starters returning, they’ll definitely have the experience on that side of the ball to be successful.
Prediction
Hammond is a winner, and he proved it last season. Can this Worth County football team do it again in 2023? I say yes. Look for another eight-win season.
Game to Watch
The last-regular season game of the year (November 3) against Cook in Sylverster could have playoff implications. Don’t miss this one!
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