quarterback that did not make many
mistakes. Hicks threw 22 touchdowns
compared to only four interceptions,
leading the G rizzlies to a Class
AAAAAA state playoff appearance.
“It was really helpful to get that
experience,” G uest said. “Being
out there with the seniors last year
helped. Everything is faster at the
varsity level, and when I got up
there last year, I j ust flowed with it.”
G uest spent his summer, like
Savasir, in the weight room, hoping
to become stronger and finetune
his game with film. Heading
into his first year as the starter,
G uest sees Creekview’s potential
if he can limit mistakes.
“I try to be a leader, and I think
the guys look up to me,” G uest said.
“With the weapons we have on offense
and my running ability and
passing, we can be pretty dangerous.”
Etowah, River Ridge and Sequoyah
do not have the clear-cut
starter going into 2022, but all
three have viable options.
Sequoyah runs a rather unique offense
with the Wing-T, and it brings
two inexperienced quarterbacks to
the field in junior Jaxon Nesbitt
and sophomore Hunter Scoggins.
However, coach James Teter sees
talent and potential in both.
Nesbitt is the more tested player in
the duo because of his time as the j unior
varsity starter in 2021. Scoggins
was on the Chiefs’ freshman squad
last season, though he was primarily
a linebacker, and got his first real
quarterback experience in the spring.
“We had to prepare to switch up
the gameplay because, with Matthew
( Traynor) , it was more, not just
quarterback running, but more of a
fast-paced downhill game,” Nesbitt
said. “We are more pocket passers,
so we are not running the ball or out
of the pocket as much. I think we
have been doing a great job with it.”
Nesbitt said practices and drills
were much smoother as he and
Scoggins became comfortable. Both
players will see the field for Sequoyah
this season.
“Things are going well,” Scoggins
said. “It is obviously a big change,
but Jaxon and I have to step up. I
have a good relationship with these
receivers. We have a good connection
right now, and if we stay on
this pace, we can be pretty good.”
River Ridge is a case where the
hot hand will see the field. Sophomore
Ethan Spector and junior
Isaiah Coughlin bring completely
different skill sets to the table.
Coach Michael Collins will not
hesitate to play both guys on a
given night.
“It is about being prepared,”
Spector said. “You have to know
the plays, run the plays and make
them perfect. You have to be prepared
for everything.”
Both players said knowing senior
Jackson Head is catching passes
from them helps foster an added
level of comfort. Head led River
Ridge with 69 5 yards and 10 touchdowns
last year.
Coughlin transitioned to quarterback
this season after playing primarily
on the defensive side of the
ball in 2021, registering 22 tackles.
Now he takes over as a dual-threat
for the K nights as they look to build
on two straight winning seasons.
“I can run and throw the ball,” Coughlin
said. “That will make it much harder
for defenses to play against us. I am
ready to go in at all times because I
know it can be unpredictable.”
Woodstock has the lone returning
starting quarterback in Cherokee
County in senior Dan Comeau.
He was productive last season for
the Wolverines in terms of yardage.
Comeau completed 51% of his
passes for 1,36 3 yards, six touchdowns
and 14 interceptions.
With last year’s starter, Braden
Bohannon, gone, Etowah and coach
Matt K emper have a few options.
Junior Jack Strickland and sophomore
X avier Mahoney will handle
quarterback duties for the Eagles.
Etowah’s calling card has been its
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defense over the last few seasons,
though with Strickland and Mahoney
taking over with diverse skill
sets, K emper hopes to turn the Eagles
into a consistent scoring threat.
He expects both Strickland and
Mahoney to play, especially early.
“Jack Strickland throws the ball
extremely well and is a heady football
player, with a great football IQ , but
not really a running threat,” K emper
said. “Mahoney is the fastest kid in
the program, and it would be foolish
not to take advantage of that.”
For Strickland, staffing the quarterback
position at Etowah is a
dream come true. He got a taste of
the action as a sophomore, though,
connecting on his lone passing attempt
for 74 yards and a touchdown.
“It means a lot,” Strickland said.
“I have always wanted to be the
quarterback, and I am very excited
for what is in store for this team. I
bring my good passing ability and
leadership to this team.”
Mahoney believes the duo is ready
to help Etowah win in 2022. His
goal is to speed up the Eagles’ attack,
helping to move the ball and
score at will on opponents.
“It is continuing to work hard
and practicing out on our own,”
Mahoney said. “I’ve had good discipline
and watched what I eat. I
am working out every day and trying
to be in the best shape possible
for this season.”
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