2024 Preview: Andrews Yellow Jackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Andrews coach Scott Durham looks down the bench this season, he knows he only has a few options in the senior class. But that doesn't leave the veteran coach having sleepless nights as he prepares for his 11^th season at the school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets are coming off an 8-4 season in which they lost to Hampton County in the second round of the Class AA playoffs. But while young, the talent is there to make the next step. That is something Durham is ready for the program to make.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have to take that next step from just being good,” he said. “We've been good for a while, it's time to go be great. We're changing things schematically a little bit, both offensively and defensively, to fit our personnel a little bit better.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013038' first='Khalil' last='Dorsey']</strong> is one of seven senior players. He will play tight end and defensive end while trying to lead the younger players to greatness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've been working hard in the weight room and getting the young people to grind and go harder,” Dorsey said. “We have a really young team, so we have to get everyone involved and be ready when the lights go on.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young does not translate to inexperience in this case. Andrews have eight starters returning on offense, including quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013054' first='Brandon' last='Cumbee']</strong> and talented running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395098' first='AJ' last='Lee']</strong>. Dorsey is back at tight end and the Yellow Jackets have five starters returning on the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Smith</strong>, <strong>Da'Viyon McNair</strong>, <strong>Jacolby Sanders, Connor Morris</strong> and <strong>Riley Jordan</strong> all return up front. Jordan missed almost all of last season with an injury, but he started a full year as a freshman. He's going to slide into the center spot. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets don't throw it often but will be helped in the passing game with the return of senior <strong>Maddox Cooper</strong>, who didn't play football last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six returners will highlight the defense. Joining <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013038' first='Khalil' last='Dorsey']</strong> will be McNair and Sanders along the defensive front. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025808' first='Chris' last='Stewart']</strong> (pictured) will be the other defensive end. <strong>Aden Cooper</strong> returns at linebacker and budding star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734436' first='Kayden' last='Dorsey']</strong> returns in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We started six sophomores last year, so we have some guys with experience,” Durham said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013038' first='Khalil' last='Dorsey']</strong> DE/TE, 2025 – Dorsey shows good pursuit angles and gets to the ball carrier and quarterback quickly. He finished with 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, a sack and interception. He caught just two passes from his tight end spot but he's an extra blocker for an offense that ran for 3,733 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395098' first='AJ' last='Lee']</strong> RB, 2026 – Lee was the leading ground-gainer last season with 1,303 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added five receptions for 29 yards and another score. He will be a huge contributor to the ground game and might factor more into a revamped passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Da'Viyon McNair</strong> OL/DL, 2026 – McNair looks the part at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds. He's bullish in the Yellow Jackets rushing attack and takes up plenty of space on the defensive line. He had 27 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025808' first='Chris' last='Stewart']</strong> DE, 2026 – Stewart is only a junior and will only get better. He only played in 10 games last season but was fourth on the team with 47 tackles, but he was first with 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He's a hard hitter that forced five fumbles and recovered one. Stewart plays with great instinct which allows him to overcome some technique mistakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013054' first='Brandon' last='Cumbee'] </strong>QB, 2025 – Cumbee missed almost all offseason work while recovering from shoulder surgery. But he's ready to go after rushing for 996 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago while throwing for 664 yards and another five scores. He's a run first option with a quick first step and great vision. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17825280/6622a0d1616e622cca021bb8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b7bbd4dda8a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS(es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aarin Moore </strong>WR/DB – The Yellow Jackets didn't throw it much, but Moore was the leading receiver with 17 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He added 35 tackles with three interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lavon White</strong> RB – White was the grinder of the offense with 711 yards on 142 carries last season. He scored 15 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Cooper</strong> WR/DB, 2025 – Cooper will give the Yellow Jackets a boost after not playing football last season. He will see time at wide receiver and in the secondary. Players and coaches have raved about having him back on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley Jordan</strong> OL, 2026 – Jordan started as a freshman and only made it to week two last year before suffering a knee injury. He's healthy and will likely take over the center position. He plays with great effort and will be a key for the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1734436' first='Kayden' last='Dorsey']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Andrews","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b7bbd4df361"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dorsey showed last season that he has locked down coverage skills with his five interceptions and six passes defended. He added 26 tackles and two fumble recoveries. His strength is locking down the best receiver on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->