2023 Preview: Powdersville Patriots

With the two best seasons in school history in the rearview mirror, Powdersville is moving forward. They're not expecting to go away any time soon.   "Expectations are high, and they're going to stay that way," Patriots' coach Robert Mustar said. "You don't go in predicting a state title. But you do focus on playing the best non-region schedule you can to be ready for the region. You focus on playing your best in those region games. You focus on putting yourself into the best position heading into the playoffs. And all that has to be done a game at a time. So right now, while our expectations are high, our focus is on getting ready for a really good Broome team in Week Zero, and that's it."   While the Patriots have a number of key returners, it starts with QB [player_tooltip player_id='448984' first='Eli' last='Hudgins']. He helped lead the Patriots to the Upper State championship, throwing for almost 2,800 yards and 27 TDs. He added 16 more scores on the ground on 843 rushing yards, averaging nearly 6.5 yards per carry.   "He's just a pleasure to coach and to have in the program," Mustar said of Hudgins. "He never took a JV snap for us. He's been a starter since ninth grade. He gives other teams problems, because he's not just a great quarterback, he's a great athlete. You have to guess what he's doing. We have to guess what he's doing in practice, and it makes our defense better to see him every day. He's a competitor, he's a coach on the field, and he's just a great, great kid."   Here's a look at some others who will help lead the Patriots.   STARS SET TO SHINE   Joshaun Knuckles DB - A two-year All-Region player, Knuckles is an all-around player for the Patriots. "He's just an exceptional athlete" Mustar said. "He plays corner, he plays on special teams, and we'll use him for the first time at WR this season.   Dajuan Wardell OL - How good is Wardell? Folks outside the program can't say enough good things about him, as he was voted the Anderson TD Club Offensive Lineman of the Year in his junior season. "He's so deserving," Mustar said. "He's an amazingly talented, really smart player. You tell him something once and he just gets it. He understands philosophies, concepts, and exactly what we're trying to do."   [player_tooltip player_id='1253958' first='Elijah' last='Huggins'] ATH - Huggins can line up at a bunch of skill spots, and he's an electric kick returner and punt returner as well. "He's one of our hardest workers," Mustar said. "And he just gives people fits. He's hard to defend."   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='267456' first='Harrison' last='Jeffries'] LB - Jeffries is an active, hard-hitting LB who does a great job at the second level for Powdersville. He was injured for much of last season, but still had a huge impact for the Patriots. He's physical, fast, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.    BIGGEST LOSS   Thomas Williams ATH - Now at Virginia Tech, Williams was a standout all over the field for Powdersville, playing DB, WR, and RB last season.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='209382' first='Jayden' last='Pepper'] RB - While new to the Patriots, Pepper is a familiar name to the area. He transferred from Greenville, and should have an immediate impact for Powdersville.   Landon Fowler ATH - "He's been quite the find for us," Mustar said. "We had him at QB as a freshman kind of out of necessity, but now he's stepped into the backup QB role and he plays linebacker and special teams."   Desmond Hunter ATH - Hunter is another guy who lines up a bunch of places and who can help the Patriots in a bunch of ways. "He played mostly JV for us last year, but he can play running back, defensive back, receiver, and can return kicks," Mustar said. "He's gonna be special."

With the two best seasons in school history in the rearview mirror, Powdersville is moving forward. They're not expecting to go away any time soon.