2022 Season Preview: York Cougars
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Youth is probably one word that can be used to describe the 2021 York football team that finished 7-3 and lost the region title to eventual 4A state champion South Pointe. Now as they look ahead, Coach Dean Boyd likes…
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Continue ReadingYouth is probably one word that can be used to describe the 2021 York football team that finished 7-3 and lost the region title to eventual 4A state champion South Pointe. Now as they look ahead, Coach Dean Boyd likes what he’s seen out of the leadership of his team heading into 2022.
“We’ve got what we call a Cougars captain council and we’ve got 13 guys on that and they’ve done a real good job keeping our team grounded and headed in the right direction and doing the right things, and getting on one another when they’re not doing right and you know, we’ve done a lot of community service stuff and we had (the Youth football) camp out there and it’s been really good,” Boyd said.
The strength of the Cougars is expected to be the offensive line with a trio of seniors, Ethan Brown, Zach Moss and Jim Totherow all returning along with Hunter Lane.
Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB York | 2024 State SC (pictured in cover photo above) returns for his junior season at quarterback after rushing for 900 yards last year and has gotten stronger and put a lot of work in during offseason workouts. He’s one of the leaders on the team and Boyd has been impressed with what he’s seen out of him.
“He hasn’t missed a workout that I’m aware of, that I can remember, since his freshman year. He’s done everything and he’s dedicated to it. He’s on our captain’s council. He’s a guy that will hold you accountable. He’ll tell you when you’re messing up, he’ll tell you directly. But our guys enjoy that. They know that he’s reliable, he’s accountable and he’s going to be there and he’s going to do what he’s supposed to do.”
Javarus Guthrie is expected to be the primary back in 2022. Guthrie played on defense in 2021 but ran the ball well when he got his touches last year. Boyd said they have a stable of running backs that they can lean on.
The question for the Cougars on offense will be what will happen at wide receiver? They’ve already lost two wide receivers due to offseason surgeries. Boyd says they will have DeMaurion Stewart back but they will have to use him wisely.
“We’re having to move him around because we’re missing so many other pieces so we’ve played a lot of guys this summer in 7on7, (wide receiver is an) area that we thought was going to be a real strength. We’re having to play younger guys but they’re getting better. They’ve gotten reps so we’ll see how that goes.”
The strength of the Cougars in 2021 was their defense, which allowed 15.9 points per game but this year will be different as they’ve changed their defensive scheme from the 3-4 to the 4-3.
“We lost some head hunters over there and most of our secondary. And that’s where we’re going to have to really grow up real fast.”
Junior linebacker Dalton Russell Dalton Russell 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB York | 2024 State SC returns as one of the leading tacklers last year, accompanied by senior linebacker Matthew Conn. Demonte Thompson was a guy who did not play varsity football last year but is making the leap in 2022 and Boyd said he was one of the better JV players and is a guy that you should keep your eye on.
On the defensive line, nose tackle AJ McKinley and defensive end Trey Wanger all return. Tay Byers will return after missing the 2021 season with a knee injury. York feels like their defensive line will be stronger because of the shift to a four down linemen look.
The question on defense for the Cougars lies in the secondary, where they have a lot of youth. York added sophomore Jonathan Tobias, who Boyd believes will be able to have a huge impact. Debo Hall Debo Hall 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB York | 2024 State SC returns at corner while Tyler Thomas returns after missing the 2021 season with an injury. Bryson Steele will make the jump from JV to varsity and Keyshawn Sanders will anchor things at corner and maybe some at receiver, according to Boyd.
But the biggest boost for the secondary will come from the other side of the ball. Who exactly? Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB York | 2024 State SC .
“He’s just too valuable not to have in there at times. We’re not going to make a living with it but he’s going to have to play some.”
After a scrimmage against Clinton in the Bill Pate White Rose Classic on August 12, York will open the season against Nation Ford on August 26. Another notable game is the rivalry against Clover at home on Sept. 9, a game that was canceled last year due to COVID-19.
The Cougars will have more company in the realigned 4A in 2022, as Northwestern joins the picture. Boyd called the region the “SEC North” and he knows the Cougars have their work cut out for them.
“Every Friday night, ought to be a good old fashioned slobber knocker and you know, that’s what you want to see so we’re looking forward to it and we’re going to try to do what we can to get better as the season goes along but adding that crowd in there makes it tougher. And then our non-region schedule is pretty tough so, every week is going to be a test. Every week ought to be fun but I want a challenge. I want the best. You want to get those tests early and just survive and get into the playoffs and see what can happen.”