2022 Season Preview: Catawba Ridge Copperheads

Brandon Stockdale July 17, 2022 @ 06:17 PM

Catawba Ridge is headed into year four as a football program in a growing part of York County and year 3 in 2021 had its fair share of ups and downs. They finished 6-5 and won three out of their last six games, including a first round playoff win on the road at Westwood before falling to Greenwood in the second round. Could 2022 be the year they make a deeper run in the playoffs? Copperheads coach Zac Lendyak likes what he has seen out of his group this offseason. “I have been extremely pleased with the attitude of the team and the work ethic they have shown in the weight room this summer,” Lendyak said. Nate Thomas did not start at quarterback last year, but you can expect him to be the starter at quarterback. He came in and impressed with wins at Lancaster and Indian Land in overtime, respectively. He’ll have [player_tooltip player_id="262619" first="Tyler" last="Jones"] (pictured above) (209 carries, 1081 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2021) at running back who can run with power and authority with the ball in his hands and should be a vital part of the Copperheads offense in 2022. Three starters return on the offensive line in Tyler Morrow, Tony Atkins and Chayson Anderton, all of which should spark Jones in the run game in 2022. The question for the Copperheads on offense will be who will step up at wide receiver? [player_tooltip player_id="202755" first="Brandon" last="Raysor"] is the only returning starter, and he will be looked at as the leader. Raysor’s productivity will need to increase in 2022 – he had 14 receptions for 156 yards in 2021. Just like on the offensive line, the linebacker position for the Copperheads defense returns a solid core from 2021. Most notably out of the names returning is [player_tooltip player_id="202756" first="Brody" last="Tesimale"], who missed the 2021 season due to an injury. He was an impact player in 2020 and made plays from sideline to sideline. [player_tooltip player_id="351791" first="Evan" last="Hamilton"] and Jackson Burger return at linebacker as well. Resean Marajah is a returning sophomore defensive end and Lendyak told us that he’s a guy that no one knows about, but you will as we move forward in the season. The secondary for the Copperheads is expected to be strong as well as Sheldon Crawford and Ira Mister return. Region realignment will give Catawba Ridge a challenge in 2022 with games against Northwestern and South Pointe, both on the road. The early season non-region slate includes games against private Charlotte power, Charlotte Latin and Chester, a game that was canceled two years ago due to COVID-19.