Journal-Sun 2022 Football Preview coverage

With the dawn of a new school year comes the shrill noise of a whistle and echoes of voices from coaches ringing off of the surrounding pines which signals football season is upon us.

Atlanta and Linden-Kildare are both under new leadership.

The Rabbs hired Tyler Morton as its new AD/HFC and the Tigers welcomed Jarrick Farmer as its new AD/HFC.

Morton came over from Arkansas High and Farmer’s last stop was Clarksville. Both have plenty of coaching experience to help turn around their team’s outlooks.

District realignment didn’t change too much for the Rabbs, but L-K dropped a division and the teams will be familiar to Coach Farmer.

Queen City AD/HFC Eric Droddy looks for the Bulldogs to keep improving albeit in a tough district once again.

Atlanta – 6-3A DI

The Rabbs return 20 letterman which includes three starters on offense and nine starters on defense.

Players to watch are: Markeylin Batton, Caden Walker, Xavier Nash, Russell Limbrick, Kameron Dickerson, Dimoree Limbrick, Carmello Henderson, Marquavion Owens, Peyton Harrison, Kheaton Kinney, Isaiah Chandler, Christian Banks, Amani Jackson, Jamarion Owens, Carlos Cortes, Jalarrion Andrews and Braylen Rowe.

First-year Head Coach Tyler Morton had this to say about what he’s seen so far out of the team.

“The attitude of the players has been great, the guys have been positive and energetic, and we haven’t had any issues with anyone,” Coach Morton said. “I’ve also been impressed with our senior leaders who we knew needed to be in the fold of helping lead the underclassmen in this new system.”

“We have guys who have played varsity ball coming back and anytime you have someone who has played on the varsity level before it’s an experience they can help pass on to the guys who haven’t,” Coach Morton added. “With a new playbook everyone is on even ground learning it together, and in the short time we’ve been able to practice the kids have done a great job learning the new system. So far we can see the kids have bought in to what we are trying to do, they are hungry and they understand which direction we want to go.”

Per the schedule, the Rabbits scrimmage Hooks in Hooks on Aug. 12, and Daingerfield at home on Aug. 19, before the season opener against Elysian Fields at 7:30 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Atlanta Rabbit Stadium on Aug. 26.

The Rabbs play at Redwater on Sept. 2, with a 7 p.m. kickoff time, then welcomes New Boston to town with kickoff slated at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9.

On Sept. 16, Atlanta travels to Liberty-Eylau and then hosts Brookhill on Sept. 23. Both of those contests begin at 7:30 p.m.

After a BYE on Sept. 30, the Rabbs open district play at Sabine on Oct. 7, hosts Jefferson on Oct. 14, plays back-toback away games at White Oak on Oct. 21 and Gladewater on Oct. 28, before finishing the schedule with a home game against Tatum on Nov. 4.

All of the district games are scheduled at 7 p.m. ***Atlanta’s Athletics Hall of Fame will induct three more members into the coveted hall on Sept. 9, Homecoming is Sept. 23, Senior Night is on Oct. 14, and the Education Foundation will have its annual event Nov. 4.***

Queen City – 11-3A DII

The Bulldogs return 15 letterman which includes equal numbers of starters (6) on both sides of the ball.

Players to watch are: Jeremiah Drayton, Clint Wiley, Ke’Idie Harrison, Mason Stringer, Delvon Federick, Kaden Fincher, Rylee Green, Kaden Satterfield, Ryhen Pope, Clint Wooding, Brayden Wiley, Daniel Jones and Logan Chamblee.

Head Coach Eric Droddy had this to say about the upcoming season’s outlook and how he feels the team has done so far after a few practices.

“District play was tough last year and after realignment it is going to be pretty tough this season as well,” Coach Droddy remarked. “We have a great group of guys returning with some additional guys from last year’s JV team so we’re locked in we just need to put guys in the right spot which will come the closer we get to the season opener.”

“We have a really good freshman group coming up,” Coach Droddy added. “Coach Garner has done a great job with those guys. We are looking forward to watching that group excel on the JV team. ”

“As far as district goes we’re hoping to sneak up on some teams this season that are going through coaching changes such as Waskom and Elysian Fields,” Coach Droddy said. “Factor in how some of the other teams in district fared with graduation losses and it could be interesting. We need to win four games in district to finish third and that’s a tough order to fill.”

“Team-wise we want to get better up front on both defense and offense,” Coach Droddy said. “We feel like we have a good crop of skill kids. Clint Wiley will be under center again as a sophomore, running back Jeremiah Drayton will be a senior this year, Rylee Green, Ke’Idie Harrison, Mason Stringer are coming back. Our junior class is really big this year.”

When asked about how importance of strength and conditioning is for the guys, the ex-Marine answered, “I feel we were just a prepared if not better than most of the teams we played early on last season when it came to conditioning especially since we play so many of the kids both ways. The lack of depth against schools with bigger numbers can hurt when you’re playing kids both ways all game long, it makes a big difference.”

Queen City scrimmages Maud/Redwater beginning at 11 a.m. in Redwater on Aug. 13, and then scrimmages Simms/DeKalb at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18, in DeKalb.

The Bulldogs kickoff the regular season with a home game against Rivercrest at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, plays New Boston on the road at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2, hosts Como-Pickton at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, and travels to Clarksville on Sept. 16, with that contest beginning at 7:30 p.m.

District play begins the very next week on Sept. 23, as the Bulldogs travel to Elysian Fields with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

After a BYE week on Sept. 30, the Bulldogs host Waskom on Oct. 7, travel to Harmony on Oct. 14, host Daingerfield on Oct. 21, travel to Hughes Springs on Oct. 28, and finish up its schedule with a home game against New Diana on Nov. 4.

All of the district games are scheduled at 7 p.m. ***Each home game brings excitement to Smith-Wall Stadium and those in attendance. On Aug. 26, the Little Bulldogs will be honored, Homecoming is Sept. 9, Breast Cancer Awareness is Oct. 7, Military Appreciation is Oct. 21 and Senior Night is Nov. 4.***

Linden-Kildare – 9-2A DII

The Tigers return equal numbers of starters (7) on both sides of the ball.

Players to watch are: Tae’Shun Mitchell, Jakyric Nard, Asher Wells, JaCorey Birmingham, Ruston Hargett, Jayden Parton, Charles Kirkland, Max Belford, Colton Justice and Michael Lane.

First-year Head Coach Jarrick Farmer had this to say after a few practice sessions as a team.

“Things are trending in the right direction. Our kids are ahead of expectations but still have things to get better at executing,” Coach Farmer said.

As far as the kids getting used to a new system Coach Farmer replied, “We have been processing new information fairly well. All phases of the game has changed a little and the kids are adapting well.”

Linden-Kildare scrimmages Hawkins on the road at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 13, and scrimmages Bishop Gorman/ CCA-Colleyville at 10 a.m.in an away situation on Aug. 20.

The regular season starts with back-to-back home games against Ore City on Aug. 26, and Alba-Golden on Sept. 2. Both of those games begin at 7:30 p.m.

On Sept. 9, and Sept. 16, the Tigers travel to both Big Sandy and Union Grove respectively with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. in both of those contests.

On Sept. 23, L-K welcomes Overton to town for Homecoming with that game slated for 7:30 p.m.

After a BYE week on Sept. 30, the Tigers travel to Clarksville to open district play, travels to Simms on Oct. 13, to take on James Bowie, hosts Cumby on Oct. 21, travels to Detroit on Oct. 28, and finishes up the regular schedule on Nov. 4, as they host Maud on Senior Night.

All district contests begin at 7:30 p.m. as well. ***Homecoming will be on Sept. 23 and Senior Night on Nov. 4. For any other special events keep an eye on the L-K CISD website and Facebook page.*** All schedules have been copied from schedules posted on school websites and Facebook pages. As always check those places for any changes and/or information that is added.