An FCN SPORTS publication | 2022INSIDE: Season previews for 9 local teams
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OctOber 6 Cumming Country Fair & Festival Mon- Thurs 4 pm - 10 pm Friday 4 pm - Midnight Sat. 10 am - Midnight Sunday 12:30 - 9:00 pm Fair Admission: 11 & up - $10.00, 10 & under - FREE Advance Tickets Available through October 5th - $7 Free Parking Sept. 2nd -Sept. 4th IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) World Championship Rodeo Friday & Saturday 8 PM • Sunday 7 PM Admission (Advance Tickets Available): 13 & up - $15.00, 5 - 12 - $10.00 4 & under - FREE, Seniors 65+ $10.00 8 Event Rodeo includes: Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Calf & Team Roping, Cowgirls Breakaway Roping www.CummingFair.net 770-781-3491 235 Castleberry road • Cumming, DO YOU NEED A DEPENDABLE CATERING SERVICE? Stop by and get the best catering service in all North Ga, choose a delicious meal from our selection of menus items. You know you're hungry, but it's hard to decide what to order so instead, let us do all the work for you with dozens of different options on hand! So whether you need an appetizer or dessert-we'll make sure that your event is SPORTS EDITOR Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com SPORTS REPORTER Derrick RIchemond drichemond@forsythnews.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Cover Photo By Derrick Richemond Interior Photos Courtesy of Altura Social ADVERTISING Tim Anderson Advertising Sales 770-205-8968tanderson@forsythnews.comManager Stacy Clark Multimedia Account sclark@forsythnews.comExecutive David Smithson Multimedia Account dsmithson@forsythnews.comExecutive Team Previews East PinecrestNorthWestLambert.........................................................16SouthForsythHorizonDenmark.........................................................6Forsyth...................................................4ChristianAcademy..........................8Central.............................................10Forsyth...............................................14Forsyth.................................................18Forsyth................................................20Academy.......................................22 ContributorsTableofcontents 3Fall 2022 2022 pigskin preview |
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In order for the Broncos to achieve their full potential, Allison wants his team to be hard-nosed football players, who can run the ball, throw the ball when needed, and have a three-and-out defensive team. Defensive lineman Garrett Wiggins and wide receiver Brandon Peoples believe that attendance and effort were the main reasons why this year’s Broncos team is different from last“There’syear. been a lot more effort to be there and the ener gy,” Peoples said. “We had a couple of 7v7s and shoulder pads camps. The energy has been crazy, everyone is getting hyped and everyone is playing really hard and physical.” With most of his starters coming back, Allison believes that the offensive line has improved.TheBroncos (2-8 in 2021) will have junior Alex Day returning to the football field. Last season, he started all 10 games, grading out at 84 per cent with 59 knockdowns and just one sack given up. On defense, he made 15 tackles, including five tackles for loss. “The offensive line has got ten much, much better, espe cially being able to have an offseason and get in the weight room,” Allison said. “I feel good about the progress we’ve made in the last 6-7 months, especially this summer. I think it will be a different product on the field Friday nights this fall.”In early June, the Broncos hosted a local 7v7 tournament. “We did some really good stuff, and we had a Forsyth County 7v7,” Allison said. “We were able to compete against some of the other schools in the county. I felt like 7v7 is not equivalent to Friday night in the fall, but I feel we were able to compete in 7v7 and I like what we did.”
Broncos looking to take next step in Year 2 EAST FORSYTH BRONCOS
By Derrick Richemond drichemond@forsythnews.com
What to expect from the Broncos this season is a muchimproved product on the field. “I think our offense pro gressed a lot,” Peoples said. “It’s been different. We got a new wide receiver coach. He came in and he’s great. We’ve done a lot more studying, more thought into our routes, better with blocking plays, and the techniques have gotten a lot better. As far as plays, they extended the playbook a little, because we’re able to do a lot more this year.” As for the defense, Wiggins said he expects big things from the“Fast,unit. physical, tough, not giving up,” the senior said. “Coming from a different school we didn’t really do stunts with the D-line, and I definitely think it will come in handy.”East Forsyth will open the 2022 season on Aug. 26 at home against Seckinger, a new Gwinnett County school. Unlike in their debut cam paign, when they weren’t eligi ble for the postseason, the Broncos will have an opportu nity to reach the Class 4A playoffs this fall. “We had a really good off season as far as the weight room goes and [keep] building what we did previously in spring practice and summer workouts,” Allison said. “A lot of guys have come around and done great things this summer, and we’ve seen a lot of improvement from them.” SCHEDULE 19 — BYE Aug. 26 — Seckinger at East Forsyth Sept. 2 — East Forsyth at Cedar Shoals Sept. 9 — BYE 16 — East Forsyth at Johnson Sept.(Hall) — Walnut Grove at East East Forsyth at East Hall 7 — Cherokee Bluff at East Oct.Forsyth14— East Forsyth at North Oct.Oconee20— Madison County at East East Forsyth at Chestatee 4 — North Hall at East Forsyth 8-4A game, Sub Region Brian Allison At East: 2-8, second season 148-121, 28th season
*Sept.
*Sept.Forsyth30 —
2022
“In year one we were trying to learn the kids, learn the coaching staff. It was a very simple process in what we were trying to do,” head coach Brian Allison said. “This time we’ve been able to be more specific in what we’ve been teaching, a little bit detail-ori ented, focusing on the small things. Last year it was kind of focusing on the big things.”
NEIGHBORHOOD 4 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
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*Oct.Forsyth28 —
*Nov.
Overall:
Aug.
With the East Forsyth Broncos now having a full year under their belt, they are look ing to have a positive result in their upcoming season.
A THE COACH
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Denmark
*Region 6-7A game
DENMARK
*Oct. 28 — Milton at Denmark *Nov. 4 — Denmark at Forsyth Central
*Oct. 7 — West Forsyth at
2022 SCHEDULE Aug. 19 — Denmark at Roswell Aug. 26 — Cambridge at Denmark Sept. 2 — BYE Sept. 9 — Harrison at Denmark Sept. 16 — Denmark at Sept.Pebblebrook23—Denmark at Dacula Sept. 30 — BYE
THE COACH Mike Palmieri At Denmark: 14-8, third season Overall: 177-48, 18th season hoping to repeat as region champions DANES
Denmark rode a stellar defense to the program’s firstever region championship last fall. While the Danes will expect to take a step forward offensively in 2022, the team’s hopes of repeating likely rest on the shoulders of the defense once again.Last fall, Denmark allowed a total of 147 points in 11 games — an average of just over 13 points per contest, the secondbest mark in Class 7A. That average drops to 11.2 points per game when removing the 35-21 season-ending loss to Grayson in the second round of the state playoffs.“They have pride,” head coach Mike Palmieri said of his defense. “They know we fin ished second in the state the last two years in total defense. We’re looking to be No. 1 this year. They practice like it. “The coaches understand what our players do well, and they play to their strengths.” During the regular season, the Danes didn’t allow more than 17 points in a single game. However, due to some offensive inconsistency, Denmark dropped two of those contests. Even still, the Danes captured the Region 6-7A title, and that served as a major confidencebooster throughout the offseason. “We’re a high-level program, and we proved it to other peo ple,” senior wide receiver Lake Thoman said. “People inside this program knew what we were capable of. Just being able to do it gave us more confidence going into this year. It gave us a big boost.”Itwould make sense for Denmark (8-3, 5-1 in 2021) to take a significant step forward on offense this year. Senior running back Amon Williams returns after compiling 976 total yards, including 855 on the ground, last fall. Williams scored four offensive touch downs, matching Dee Crayton and Thoman for the team lead. Crayton and Thoman are both back, as well. The former will be asked to anchor the Danes defense from his middle line backer spot but could still see a few carries per game. The latter paced Denmark in receptions (34) and receiving yards (603). Meanwhile, quarterback Jacob Nelson will enter his junior cam paign with a full year of experi ence under his belt. “He’s gotten stronger; he’s gotten more mature,” Palmieri said of Nelson. “We expect great things out of Jacob. He had a good season last year. He was only a sophomore. He learned a lot.“I think the players around him have gotten a lot better, too. That helps when you’ve got good players around your young quarterback. I think these guys will be able to pick him up, and he’ll pick them up.” It will help Nelson and Co. that Shamurad Umarov is still blocking for the Danes. A 6-foot6, 337-pound mountain, who is rated as one of the top offensive tackles in the country and best overall players in the state of Georgia, Umarov announced his intent last month to play colle giately at Tennessee. With Crayton, the reigning Forsyth County News defensive player of the year, roaming the middle of the field, Denmark brings the type of imposing pres ence that every standout defense needs. The Clemson commit, who is ranked just two spots below Umarov among Georgia high school seniors, managed 91 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks last year. Overall, the Danes retained enough key pieces from their region championship season to certainly challenge for another title this “Winningfall. the region champi onship helped us with the confi dence in the locker room and in the weight room,” senior line backer Charley Cronier said. “But at the end of the day, we show up and do the same thing — regardless of whether it’s a win or a loss.”
By Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com
*Oct.Denmark14— South Forsyth at
6 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
*Oct.Denmark21— Denmark at Lambert
WATCH US MAKEDENMARKMARKOURDANEs 2022 SENIORS Row (kneeling)1 L-R: D. Paulk S. Patterson J. Miller D. Ferrer A. Moreno J. Wilkins H. DiBoyan Row 2 A. Blackman A. Williams B. Wagner C. Martinez E. McCord E. Adams A. Brozena K. Yearwood J. Hibbard Row 3 B. Cruz R. McDaniel A. DeCarlo I. Kruchten W. Hodges C. Cronier L. Thoman M. Moore C. Dickey D. Crayton Row 4 C. Ojarikre E. MartholFloydM. Hutchinson T. Woodruff J. Cook S. Umarov C. Johnson Twitter: @ DenmarkDanesFB Instagram: @ denmarkdanes_football Facebook: Denmark HS Football
*GAPPS Region 1-2A game
HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIORS
Johnson Ferry Christian at Horizon Christian Oct. 21 — BYE
Horizon Christian Academy plans on being the fastest offensive team in Forsyth County.Asfar as offensive perfor mance went, Horizon didn’t disappoint in 2021. It is worth mentioning that the Warriors scored 40 points or more in all but two of their regular-season games in the 8-man division of the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools. However, a few things are going to be different for Horizon at the beginning of the season in hopes of having mul tiple Warriors reach the end zone with a new offensive coordinator.“Itwon’t be a secret soon,” head coach Damon Taylor said. “We’re going to go fast this year. Have you seen how fast Tennessee goes? We’re going Tennessee fast. It’s pretty cool to watch. We have a lot going onTheoffensively.”playerscertainly seemed excited to test out the updated offensive identity. “We’re going to have a new offense, but we have a lot of new players, which means they haven’t seen our old offense,” senior Jackson Harris said. “Our new offense is going to be really good. I believe that we have confidence in that. It’s lookingTaylorgreat.”emphasized that his team will be young coming into this season “We have a lot of young guys that are able to contribute quicker,” he said. “Last year, we had one or two guys. This year we have so many guys that can step up to the table now.”Despite returning just three seniors from last season, the players believe they can all get on the same page in time to put together a successful cam paign.“Being disciplined and to push through the struggle because every year it’s like a new thing, basically a new team,” junior Carson Chapman said of what it means to be a Warrior. “We lost the older guys, but we have to adapt to that. Playing football as a Warrior, I said it last year and I’ll say it this year, ‘We have a lot ahead of us.’” During the offseason, the Warriors team emphasized how team bonding is a key focus. “We did a lot of stuff outside of football like hanging out, for the older guys at least,” Andrew Williamson said. “Now we’re bringing in these freshmen and everything to prepare them.” For Taylor and his coaching staff, they keep their goals for every new season straight for ward.“We just want to get better every day, simple as that,” Taylor said. “We want to posi tion ourselves to be successful in the playoffs, and our end goal is that we want to win a championship.”Astheseason approaches, running back will be the posi tion with the most competition for the Warriors. “We have a few of them this year, [Avery Blanton and Jackson Harris] play and they have a couple of guys behind them,” Taylor said. “The dynamic is going to be differ ent. I don’t think we’ve ever had that.”
*Sept.Baptist23
*Oct. 7 — Horizon Christian at Fideles
A player always hopes to enter a game with the expecta tion of playing well and win ning. Against King’s Way, Horizon didn’t take too kindly to how the game went. The Warriors have vowed to avenge that loss this time around. “You can expect to see the group get better every game,” Taylor said. “These kids fight just as hard as the team last year, so I mean you can expect to see a team that’s going to go out there and fight every single game.” 2022 SCHEDULE Aug. 19 — Holy Spirit at Horizon Christian Aug. 26 — BYE Sept. 2 — Horizon Christian at New Creation Christian Sept. 9 — King’s Way at Horizon Christian Sept. 16 — Horizon Christian at Victory
8 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022 By Derrick Richemond drichemond@forsythnews.com
— Lafayette Christian at Horizon Sept.Christian30—
Horizon Christian planning to utilize its speed
*Oct. 28 — Horizon Christian at Unity Nov.Christian4— Central Christian at Horizon Christian
*Oct.Christian14—
BYE
THE COACH Damon Taylor At Horizon: 24-14, fifth season Overall: 24-14, fifth season
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Bulldogs aiming to improve in
By Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com
Heading into his debut season as Forsyth Central head coach, David Rooney noted how tough it would be to compete in Region 6-7A.“We’re all capable of being region champs,” Rooney said entering the 2021 campaign, “and we’re all capable of going 0-6.”Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they wound up with the latter result. The stats were far from ideal. The closest region game was a 23-0 loss to North Forsyth. In the six region setbacks, Forsyth Central allowed more than 33 points per game, while scoring a total of 26 points. To bounce back this season, Rooney knows it will take contri butions from across the board. The key, though, he thinks resides along the offensive line. After making it through last season, which did include a 2-2 record in non-region play, with no seniors up front on offense, Forsyth Central is primed to return an experienced unit. The belief is that the O-line could be the difference in helping the Bulldogs turn things around. Another year older, another year wiser and another year stronger. That’s what Rooney is expecting from his players in the trenches.“Weworked all summer on getting stronger,” he said. “Last year, we were young across the board. We had zero seniors on our offensive line. As everybody knows in football, you’re going to go offensively the way your offensive line goes. “The biggest thing [during the offseason] was getting stronger. These four and the rest of the team really bought into that. They lived in the weight room and got a ton stronger from where we were a year ago today.” Luke Sacchetti, a senior and two-time all-county performer, is expected to lead the group. “We had a very young O-line,” Sacchetti said of last year, “so having another notch on their belt of varsity football and anoth er year in the weight room, I think we’re really going to sur prise some people with what we’ve got up front. We’re going to be very big, very strong. We’re just going to play bully football and drive people around.”
*Oct.
THE COACH
2nd year FORSYTH CENTRAL BULLDOGS
*Nov.Forsyth4 –
In hopes of increasing the team’s offensive production, while also eliminating the need to make wholesale changes every offseason, Rooney is implement ing an offense that can more eas ily be tailored to Forsyth Central’s strengths each year. “We have an offensive system that we think is a lot of fun,” Rooney said. “It gives us the flexibility to really use the talents that everybody has year in and year out. Depending on what kind of talent happens year in and year out, it’s not like we have to start over from scratch. It’s a very multiple and flexible kind of offense. ... “It’s going to be a fun offense to watch, that’s what I really believe.”
*Oct. 7 – Lambert at Forsyth Central
*Oct. 14 – Forsyth Central at Milton 21 – Forsyth Central at South – Forsyth Central at West Denmark at Forsyth Central Region 6-7A game David Rooney At Central: 2-8, second season Overall: 2-8, second season Rooney’s
10 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
Meanwhile, Andrew Carrizo and Koby Balthazor — a former quarterback — should help anchor the Bulldogs defensive line, which is similarly looking to be the backbone of its side of the“Iball.love hitting people,” Balthazor said. “I wanted to make the switch. It’s more aggressiveness. It’s more getting involved in the game every play. I love my defensive linemen here.”It’s going to take big steps for ward from both sides of the ball for Forsyth Central to suddenly jump into the playoffs, especially given that the new-look region features five playoff teams from 2021. But if the new offense proves successful and the defen sive line can wreak havoc, the Bulldogs might not be staring down another winless region slate.“If we can not listen to the out side noise and just worry about ourselves,” Rooney said, “then we’re going to surprise a lot of people.” 2022 SCHEDULE Aug. 19 – Chattahoochee at Forsyth Aug.Central26 – North Forsyth at Forsyth Sept.Central2 – Forsyth Central at Etowah Sept. 9 – BYE Sept. 16 – Habersham Central at Forsyth Central Sept. 23 – Forsyth Central at Seckinger Sept. 30 – BYE
*Oct.Forsyth28
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2022 ForsythCentralFootball.comFORSYTH CENTRAL BULLDOGS FOOTBALL
*Nov. 4 — West Forsyth at South Forsyth *Region 6-7A game COACH Troy Morris At South: 8-3, second season Overall: 8-3, second season Eagles set to challenge for region crown
It’s going to be tough for any of Forsyth County’s five Region 6-7A members to prevent Milton from winning the league title, but South Forsyth might pose the biggest threat to the Fulton County powerhouse. For one thing, the War Eagles boast the strong quarterback play often needed to compete in the state’s highest classification. Ty Watkins will enter his sec ond season as the South Forsyth starter after registering just under 2,000 yards passing as a junior. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior posted an impressive 18:2 touch down-to-interception ratio, while adding six rushing scores. Despite the half-dozen touch downs on the ground, Watkins doesn’t really consider himself a dual-threat quarterback. (He totaled only 151 rushing yards in 2021.) But when the time is right, Watkins isn’t afraid to call his own number. “I can run it when I need to,” he said, “mostly short yardage.” In addition to Watkins, the War Eagles (8-3, 5-1 in 2021) bring to the table a strong mix of speed at the skill positions and strength along the line of scrim mage.South Forsyth will hope to get big contributions from brothers Chris and Josh Nelson at wide receiver and defensive back. Both players are extremely quick, with Chris Nelson com ing off an incredible spring, dur ing which he won Forsyth County News male track and field athlete of the year. Last fall, Chris Nelson had a large advantage in receptions (46-28), but Josh Nelson posted slightly more receiving yardage (645-642). Chris Nelson did add 209 rushing yards, while Josh Nelson held a slim 7-6 lead in touchdowns and a 3-1 edge in interceptions.“Theyareelite track athletes, and they are elite football play ers,” War Eagles head coach Troy Morris said of the duo. “They have high expectations of themselves and compete like crazy, in a healthy way. “We expect big things out of them this year to build off what they did last year.”
The senior converted 22 of 24 extra-point attempts and 5 of 8 field goals in 2021. Simpson’s longest successful field goal was a 47-yarder, but during the sum mer, he posted a video to Twitter of himself drilling a 60-yard try from the right hashmark. Granted there was no defense during the kick, but it showcases the leg strength Simpson pos sesses. The kind of strength that could earn him a chance to attempt a kick from 50-plus yards in a “Simpson’sgame.got that kind of a leg,” Morris said. “We’ll throw him out there and give him a chance.”Given all the aforementioned factors, Watkins doesn’t see any reason why South Forsyth shouldn’t be able to compete for the region title this season. “I think we all learned from our experience last year,” he said. “... I think our mindset is different. I think we’re hungrier than we were last year. We defi nitely learned the things we have to improve on to win the region championship.” 2022 SCHEDULE Aug. 19 — Lanier at South Forsyth Aug. 26 — South Forsyth at Harrison Sept. 2 — South Forsyth at North Sept.Oconee9— BYE Sept. 16 — South Forsyth at Clarke Sept.Central23 — South Forsyth at *Oct.Sept.Brookwood30—BYE7—Milton at South Forsyth
*Oct. 14 — South Forsyth at Denmark
14 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
By Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com
THE
War
SOUTH FORSYTH WAR EAGLES
*Oct. 21 — Forsyth Central at South *Oct.Forsyth28 — South Forsyth at Lambert
In the trenches, South Forsyth won’t be pushed around. While the county includes plenty of tal ented offensive linemen, two of the best are senior War Eagles. A four-star prospect on the 247Sports Composite, Nathan Efobi is considered one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country. Even though Efobi gets most of the attention, Kristian Dawson earns his spot among the county’s elite at the position.It’sathankless role to play at times but doing so for South Forsyth makes it all worth it. “It means everything for us,” Efobi said of the importance of football season, “because that’s what we live for.” Lastly, the War Eagles bring back one of the top specialists in the area in Tyler Simpson.
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LAMBERT LONGHORNS 16 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
If the Longhorns do return to the postseason, they will be among the most battle-tested teams in the state. Eight of Lambert’s opponents reached the playoffs last season. Four of the team’s five nonregion games and four of the team’s five region contests will come against 2021 postseason qualifiers. Three of the teams — Denmark, Dawson County and Flowery Branch — won their first-round playoff game. “When we step on the field, our motto is ‘Expect to Win,’” Beach said. “I expect to win every play. I talk about this, when you get up in the morn ing, expect to win the day, expect to win the test, win the girl, win your job, win your position and win the game.”
By Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com
*Oct. 28 — South Forsyth at
*Oct. 7 — Lambert at Forsyth
THE COACH Marc Beach At Lambert: 0-0, first season Overall: 0-0, first season
Tyre should be thrilled with the decision. Under Beach’s direction, Tyre has compiled 2,000 yards passing, 25 passing touchdowns and just two inter ceptions, while splitting time as a sophomore before earning the starting nod as a junior. With graduated wide receiver Kojo Antwi plying his trade for Ohio State, Tyre becomes the unquestioned lynchpin for Lambert’s offensive success. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs, which carried him to a team-high 500 yards and four scores on the ground in 2021, strikes fear in opponents. Wide receiver Brandon Jones will be tasked with filling in for Antwi as the top receiving option, after finishing with only 28 fewer yards last year. A big jump will be expected from tight end Luke Logan. The senior, who recently committed to the Air Force Academy, recorded 13 catches as a junior but averaged 16.5 yards per reception and hauled in four touchdowns. “Offensively, we’re a little behind the eight ball,” Beach said. “We didn’t get coaches until the first day of practice, but we are keeping the same concepts.”Whilethe offense still should be expected to rack up plenty of points, the Longhorns (7-4, 3-3 in 2021) will likely go as far as their defense takes them. Following a strong start last fall, when they held their first four opponents to 21 or fewer points, the Lambert defense gave up 27-plus points in four of its final seven games. That included a 56-13 defeat to even tual Class 7A state champion Collins Hill in the first round of theBeach,playoffs.though, has been impressed with what he’s seen from his defense during the summer, leading to optimism that the unit can take a step for ward this fall. “I think we’re ahead defen sively,” Beach said in discussing the offseason. “We had two OTAs that we attended. We were top 10 in scoring defense at those OTAs. We had really good quality opponents — played Buford, played Creekside, played Stephens County, played Newton. Defensively, I thought we held our own and did very well.”
After earning its first postsea son berth since 2016, Lambert wound up searching for a new headThecoach.Longhorns didn’t have to look far to find the right person for the job, promoting offensive coordinator Marc Beach to the position. Beach spent the previ ous two seasons as the OC for previous head coach Tommy Watson, who departed for Harris County. A former OC at Tift County and head coach at Seabreeze (Florida), Beach received a strong vote of confidence from players within the program dur ing the coaching search. “We all wanted Beach as the head coach,” senior quarterback James Tyre said. “Right when Watson made the call he was leaving, we all went to the AD and said, ‘We want Beach as our head coach.’ We fought for it, and that’s what we got. We’re all excited.”
2022 SCHEDULE Aug. 19 — Lambert at Sequoyah Aug. 26 — Dawson County at Sept.Lambert2— Mountain View at Sept.Lambert9— BYE Sept. 16 — Lambert at Flowery Sept.Branch23
*Oct.Central14 — Lambert at West Forsyth *Oct. 21 — Denmark at Lambert
— Lambert at East Coweta Sept. 30 — BYE
Former OC Beach ready to guide Longhorns
*Nov.Lambert4— Milton at Lambert *Region 6-7A game
EXPECT2022to WIN
While the running back position could be the key to the offense this year, the strength of West Forsyth’s defense is clearly at the line backerForsythposition.County is loaded with top-notch linebackers, and the Wolverines boast two of the best.in seniors Raleigh Herbert and Riley McKee.
Wolverines
18 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
^Forsyth
At Forsyth County News media day, Svehla brought along Streko, Stewart, Herbert and McKee. West Forsyth’s third-year head coach, who won a region title in his first season at the school in 2020, believes that the group repre sented not only his top players but also his best leaders. Svehla hopes the mindset those players bring will help vault the Wolverines back to the top of the region standings. But even if it doesn’t, the team-centric attitude has made for a positive coaching experi ence.“They understand that foot ball is the ultimate team game,” Svehla said. “You’re not going to accomplish much as a team if all you’re worried about are your own stats day in and day out. ... “I’ve had this discussion with my coaches. I don’t know how we’re going to be this year. No predictions whatsoev er. But I love coming to work each day and coaching these guys.” 2022 SCHEDULE ^Aug. 18 — Archer at West Forsyth Aug. 26 — Marietta at West Forsyth Sept. 2 — West Forsyth at North Sept.Forsyth9— Cambridge at West Forsyth Sept. 16 — Cherokee at West Forsyth Sept. 23 — BYE Sept. 30 — BYE *Oct. 7 — West Forsyth at Denmark *Oct. 14 — Lambert at West Forsyth *Oct. 21 — West Forsyth at Milton
*Region
THE
for loaded region WEST FORSYTH WOLVERINES
By Nicholas Sullivan nsullivan@forsythnews.com West Forsyth will bring a new offensive identity to the table in 2022 to try to keep pace in a strong Region 6-7A. Following a season that saw the spotlight shine brightest on tight end Oscar Delp and quar terback Keegan Stover, the Wolverines are prepared to heavily lean this fall on its run ning back tandem of Peyton Streko and Ryder Stewart. Streko and Stewart com bined for more than 1,150 yards on the ground last sea son.The former is a senior com mitted to the Air Force Academy, while the latter is a junior who has 840 rushing yards in his career, including 343 as a freshman. Last year, Streko racked up 793 total yards and 13 com bined touchdowns in just five games. He put together one of the greatest performances in Forsyth County football histo ry against Walton, rushing for 267 yards and six scores. Stewart scored four touch downs last season and finished second on the team with 28 receptions.Delp,of course, led the Wolverines (5-6, 3-3 in 2021) in all major receiving catego ries, posting 59 catches for 923 yards and eight touch downs. However, he’s now playing for the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.Stover, meanwhile, trans ferred to Rabun County after throwing for 2,409 yards and finishing with 25 touchdowns to three interceptions as a junior.“We were a good football team last year,” head coach Dave Svehla said. “We had a lot of good individual football players. We stepped on the field, and we competed. We beat some really good teams last year. We beat Walton, who played in the Final Four. “We had some good players, but I don’t feel like the whole was bigger than the parts last year. I feel like we were maybe not as unified as we should have been last year. That comes from the top, and that comes from the leader ship. I could have done a bet ter job as a leader last year.”
Herbert, who committed to Furman over the summer, racked up 110 tackles last year. McKee chipped in with 78 stops of his own. Both players recorded 11 tackles behind the line of “Thisscrimmage.year,there is more of an emphasis on getting every body to run to the ball as fast as they can and everybody be in pursuit,” Herbert said. Added McKee, “Coach [Dan] Devine has really been preaching about knowing what you’re doing, pursuing to the ball and flying around with 100% effort every play.”
*Nov.Forsyth4 — West Forsyth at South Corky Kell Classic 6-7A game COACH Dave Svehla At West: 14-10, third season Overall: 63-51, 11th season looking to reload
*Oct. 28 — Forsyth Central at West
2022 WestFootballForsyth
FRONT ROW ( L TO R): Ryder Smith, Jack Duncan, Raleigh Herbert, Brody Sanderson, Lincoln Nelson, Peyton Streko, Riley McKee, Aiden Cook, Peyton Sapp, Brian Tawuo, Elisha Nash, Noah Smart, William Orris, Will Fulkerson, Anthony Guaracino, Jace Kile
BACK ROW (L TO R): Sierra Edmondson, Braylan Bull, Greyson Brockman, T. J. Putman, Peyton Wall, Dixon Musgrove, Santiago Ochoa, Ruth Talbot, Jack Tomlinson, Bowen Orr, Carson Taylor, Justin Barker, Jackson Mallcott, Brady Gillis, Hayden Meyers, Radison Gravitt
SENIORS NOT PICTURED: Zach Hauck, Tyler Wentzel, Jake McIntosh
*Oct.
*Sept. 16 — North Forsyth at Jackson Shiloh at North Forsyth Sept. 30 — BYE 7 — Lanier at North Forsyth Oct. 14 — BYE
*Oct. 21 — Habersham Central at North Forsyth 28 — North Forsyth at Gainesville 4 — North Forsyth at Apalachee Kell Classic 8-6A game COACH Robert Craft At North: 31-34, seventh season Overall: 80-53, 13th season hoping chemistry transition to
2022
The amount of time these guys spend together as a group is so important. You see that pay off on the football field. You see the relationship, and the trust in one another due to the fact of how tight they are as a group.” Fierce competition will be present in the secondary and along the offensive line, accord ing to “WeCraft.dodefensively have sev eral new starters,” he said. “The secondary is one specific spot. In our secondary Logan contrib utes a bit. Then we have some guys coming in for their junior and senior years, and they’re ready to Againstplay.”North Atlanta at 5:30 p.m. August 18, the Raiders will be one of the Forsyth County teams competing in the annual Corky Kell Classic. “We were excited and flat tered to be invited,” Craft said. “It shows a lot about our pro gram and our school going. It’s a great opportunity for us as a program to showcase our foot ball program across the whole state.”Coverage of the Raiders dur ing spring football gave a glimpse of what might be for North Forsyth, but now they will be able to see what they have learned throughout this offseason, as a means of prov ing that they will be a contender for the region title in the near future. SCHEDULE ^Aug. 18 — North Forsyth vs. North Atlanta, at West Forsyth Aug. 26 — North Forsyth at Forsyth Sept.Central2 — West Forsyth at North Sept.Forsyth9— North Forsyth at Creekview
eases
20 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022 By Derrick Richemond drichemond@forsythnews.com
6A NORTH FORSYTH RAIDERS
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As a result of being relegated to Class 6A, the North Forsyth Raiders will face new oppo nents this season. To be ready to square off against their oppo nents, Raiders head coach Robert Craft and his coaching staff have been preparing all summer.“There are a lot of new teams in the region,” Craft said. “It’s going to be new to all our play ers on our roster; it’s going to be new to our coaching staff. With that brings a lot of excite ment, and I think that’s the big gest thing. We’re just excited to take our brand of high school football at North Forsyth and expose that to other counties, to the new region and classifica tion.”One of the opponents Craft is no stranger to is Gainesville, which slipped down to Region 8-6A, as well. The last time they met it was the Raiders who were victorious, winning 38-13. “No team is ever the same,” Craft said. “A lot of offseason study, including what we do in the weight room, what we do in speed training, offseason devel opment, then getting to the Xs and Os of the football season, making sure this team is pre pared for that.” Not all hope is gone for the Raiders to only face teams out side the county, as Forsyth County residents will still be able to watch them as they face off against their rivals Forsyth Central on Aug. 26 and West Forsyth on Sept. 2. The Raiders are confident in their season with big names returning on the field, including Collin Miller, the all-county, all-region and all-state lineback er; Logan Curry, a versatile wide receiver and defensive back; defensive lineman Chris Herock; and quarterback West Roberts.Players unanimously agreed that chemistry separates last year’s team from this year’s. “For me on the defensive side of the ball, we were a lot younger last year,” Curry said. “We do have a lot more chemis try as a whole than last year. Now it’s getting the kids to trust the process the same way the older kids did for us.” His coach has seen a differ ence, too. “A lot of these guys mention team chemistry, and that’s something that’s undervalued,” Craft said. “You can’t place a price tag, so to speak, for how much team chemistry means.
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raider valley North Forsyth Football www.northforsythfootball.com 2022
Forsyth County News Football media day was the first opportunity for the Pinecrest Paladins to showcase their new Under Armor foot ballThisjerseys.year the numbers on the jersey are white and outlined by Vegas gold, the green is more saturated, and they now have the Paladins across the front of the jerseys. “GAPPS has been very good for us,” said Paladins’ strength and condition coach Carson Adams, who filled in for head coach Shawn Coury during media day. “Not only are they more structured for our schools and the size that we are, but they also provide a lot of great opportunities for our [multi] sports athletes so the schedule won’t conflict. It also allows us to focus on their academ ics.”
22 | 2022 pigskin preview Fall 2022
The program could be among the sharpest dressed teams in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The Paladins’ football pro gram has been dominant these last two years, only losing four total games. As far as balanc ing expectations of greatness and staying focused on the cur rent season is concerned, the Paladins do not think it will be a challenge.“Whatcan help us continue our streak of winning is not being complacent and expect ing it,” center Jackson McCray said, “and [instead] making sure we continue to work for it. I believe we can do that.”
Adams believes that the Paladins’ team identity is that they are tenacious, and the defensive line will be the par ticular position group that the Paladins thrive off. “We’ve been well these past couple of years,” Adams said. “I think this year we’ll be very fast there, but everywhere on the field; we’re going to be fast. That’s the brand of foot ball we bring to the table, and we want to make it a track race.”Said wide receiver Sean McCabe, “We lost a lot of seniors but this year we’ve improved a lot in the sense that our rising underclassmen are very fast, intelligent. Everything they do has a pur pose, and I have a lot of faith in Inus.”the grand scheme of things, every player wants to go into a game thinking that he will play his best and win the game.However, the game against Cherokee Christian was one that the Paladins dropped last season, and they plan on avenging that loss. Pinecrest, which opens its season versus Notre Dame Academy Aug. 19 at home, plans on retaining its offensive rhythm, as it was the highest scoring team in Forsyth County, averaging 29 points perThegame.Paladins will rely on Brock Barbee, a senior who shines on both sides of the ball. In 2021, his versatility allowed him to ground and pound the ball 113 times for 662 yards and eight touch downs and to disrupt the offen sive flow of opponents with his Forsyth-leading 136 tackles. “What helps us win games is that we’re efficient, we know the play, we’re very smart [and] we can execute very well,” Barbee said. “So if we keep doing that, we will have a great chance of winning a lot of games.” SCHEDULE Aug. 19 — Notre Dame Academy at Aug.Pinecrest26— Calvary Christian at Pinecrest Sept. 2 — BYE Sept. 9 — Harvester Christian at Sept.Pinecrest16— Pinecrest at Skipstone Pinecrest at Lanier Christian Sept. 30 — BYE Oct. 7 — Community Christian at Oct.Pinecrest14— Pinecrest at Creekside Pinecrest at The King’s Cherokee Christian at Nov.Pinecrest4— Pinecrest at Walker GAPPS Region 1-2A game COACH Shawn Coury At Pinecrest: 19-3, third season Overall: 23-19, fifth season dominant in GAPPS
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By Derrick Richemond drichemond@forsythnews.com
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Paladins could suit up for home games with an all-green uniform or green jerseys with white pants, and for away games, Pinecrest will rock the all-white look.
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Paladins expecting to remain
PINECREST ACADEMY PALADINS
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770 - 888 - 8888 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm www.cummingpediatricgroup.com Dedicated to providing your children comprehensivewithcompassionate&healthcare. 1800Cumming,ForsythNorthsideDriveSte460GA 8/12 Rock Springs 7:30 PM 8/19 Notre Dame 7:30 PM 8/26 Calvary Christian 7:30 PM 9/9 Harvester Christian 7:30 PM 9/16 @ Skipstone 7:30 PM 9/23 @ Lanier Christian 7:30 PM 10/7 Community Christian 7:30 PM 10/14 @ Creekside Christian 7:30 PM 10/21 @ The King’s Academy 7:30 PM 10/28 Cherokee Christian 7:30 PM 11/4 @ The Walker School 7:30 PM “We are a family. Our coaches make a constant effort to teach us not only the great game of football but to help us grow spiritually and strengthen our bonds as brothers. This is what makes us a great team, leading to successes on and off the field. We are committed to and love one LOVE-PRAY-WORK-SEEK.”another. Sean McCabe, Pinecrest Academy Senior
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