The DeKalb Middle School Saints football team has been working hard and are about to kick off the 2023 season with a home game this week. Head Coach Justin Poteete said the team will see some new faces this year with the team relying on some first-time players.
“We’ve got a lot of kids this year,” Coach Poteete explained. “It’s been a blessing. We lost a couple over the summer, so we’re going to rely on some 7th graders for the first time in several years. We’ll see how that plays out. It will definitely pan out next year.”
“I believe we’ve got a good, hard-working group. They’re going to have to keep their nose down, and on the grindstone to keep working each day,” Poteete continued. “There’s no doubt about it, our conference is pretty strong. They’re going to have to show up and work each and every day, and come to the realization that they get out what they put in. They’ve put in a few weeks of good hard work, but that mindset is going to have to be there throughout the entire season.”
“We’re looking forward to a good year. We’ve got some kids that haven’t played before, so we’ll see how it pans out when we start hitting someone else. Hopefully some of those key foundations that we teach are driven into their mindset. Hopefully those captains and 8th graders can lead by example and the rest will fall in line.”
As for the quarterback position, Coach Poteete said there has been some changes. “Our quarterback is going to be Preston Cantrell. He’s a first year guy. We made a little change through the summer. He was playing receiver in the spring and we moved him to QB. I’m hoping to see some good things this year on his feet. Throwing the ball is a little shaky right now, but he’s working on it. The receiver has got to get off the ball pretty quick, but I think he’s a gritty kid that is going to stick his nose in there.”
The meat of the Saints game has always been the ground game and Coach Poteete said that this year looks to be powerful in running the ball. “Our running backs, our H is going to be Preston Taylor and Collin Donnell, a little mixture there. Our running back is going to be Domminic Williamson and a little bit of Gavin Frazier. We had Reed Midgett in the mix there, but he’s a big gritty kid so we’ve had to move him to the line.”
As with any team, the lines are the first where the real game is fought. “I think that is going to be where our future lies, on that O-line. If they get off the ball and start pushing people around with some vinegar in their bloodstream, we’ll be alright. If they don’t, it’s going to be a long year. We have to be physical up front, that’s for sure.”
On the lines will be some new talent. “We’ve got some decent kids,” Poteete said. “Sloam Ramirez is going to be playing some D-line for us, the first year ever to play but he gets after it. We’ll have some good kids out there, but they have to grit it up. That’s where the physicality is going to be set, on the offensive and defensive lines. If the defensive line does their job and lets our backers roam free, we’ll be successful. If not, if there’s a lot of standing around, we’ll be running with some of those younger guys and see what happens from there.”
Middle School football is not known for the air game, but Coach Poteete said the team is working hard on some quick plays to its receivers. “We have some receivers. Getting the ball out there is going to be an issue. We’re going to try to get some stuff out quick, but the receivers have to get off the ball and be ready to block. In middle school football you don’t see a lot of passing it down the field. Every now and then you will. They’ve got to get off the ball and have that physical mindset when we do get the ball in their hands. We’ll spread things out but it’s going to be very quick or predesignated reads.”
Coach Poteete said that the schedule looks tough, but good competition builds good teams. “We start with York on Thursday at home, then we play Cumberland County the next Thursday. We’re still playing Sparta, Baxter, and Macon. Those are going to be the juggernauts in the region, and I’m sure York will be on the other side as well. We don’t want to shy away from competition. We want to play our best. York will be a good test right off the bat.”
With the new bleachers yet to be completed at the DCHS football field, fans may have to make a few changes early in the season. With the bleachers still not erected on the home side of the high school field, fans are urged to bring chairs, or be prepared to sit on the visitor’s side of the field. The game begins at 6:30 pm.
DeKalb Middle School Saints 2023 Football Schedule
Regular Season
August 3 Thurs. Fentress Co. H 6:30
August 10 Thurs. Cumberland Co. A 6:30
August 15 Tues. Macon Co.* A 6:30
August 18 Fri. Warren Co. H 12:15/Day Game
August 24 Thurs. Smith Co.* A 6:30
August 31 Thurs. Prescott Middle* (HC) H 6:30
September 7 Thurs. Upperman Middle* A 6:30
September 14 Thurs. White Co.* (8th) H 6:30
September 19 Tues. Watertown Middle A 6:30
Post Season
September 21 Thurs. Conference Playoffs TBD
September 28 Thurs. Championship TBD
*Conference Game (HC) Homecoming (8th) 8th Grade Night
JV Schedule
(all 6th & 7th graders unless told otherwise from a coach)
8/5 JV Jamboree @ Avery Trace Middle School (Morning Games)
8/31 Prescott 5:15 PM H (before varsity game)
9/7 Upperman 5:15 PM A (before varsity game)
9/14 White Co. 5:15 PM H (before varsity game)
*Conference
