August 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb Saints will open the 2022 football season at home Thursday, August 4 hosting Overton County. Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m.
Coach Justin Poteete sizes up this year’s Saints. “We have the possibility of being pretty good this year. We have a lot of athletes and many of them are new kids who either haven’t played before or haven’t played in several years. We will be looking to get them the ball in the open field. That may be a little bit of a challenge, but it is something we will try to do. We have some decent size and a little more physicality this year, but they will have to show up and work hard each day and give it everything they have,” he said.
Eighth grader and Captain Jesse Foutch will be the starting quarterback. “He is a kid who comes in and does everything the right way. You never have to ask him for effort. He is a good leader although he has to work on his communication a little bit. He gets a little nervous at times, but he is a kid who is always going to do the right thing. He has a pretty good arm although his throwing motion is a little weird. He throws the ball pretty, but his throwing motion doesn’t look the best,” said Coach Poteete.
“Receivers Foutch will be looking to throw to include eighth grader Carmello Davis (WR/DB) who is a first-year guy and eighth grader Kiece Hannah (WR/FS) also a first-year guy, but both are very athletic. Seventh grader J.T. Summers (RB/OLB) is going to play H for us this year. He is a very physical kid. He reminds me a lot of Josh May when he was here. Seventh grader Cooper Odom (WR/DB) will play for us this year. He is a little bit undersized, but he works hard every day and that’s all we can ask for as coaches,” added Coach Poteete.
As for size overall, “We have a little size this year. Eighth grader Hunter Ballew(G/DE) is a good-sized kid. He is learning some things. He will play guard for us this year. Chase Young, another eighth grader and Captain (T-DE), has good size and motor. He really came into his own this spring. We are looking for big things from him. Eighth grader Victor Locklear (G/NT) is a first-year player. He is a good physical player. Seventh grader Eli Jones (T/NT) will give us some reps this year at tackle. He has decent size. We are looking for big things from all of them,” he said.
“Defensively we looked pretty good in the spring. We are pretty physical. We just have to sustain that and get to the ball quick. We have some athletes out there. We just have to make sure we are disciplined especially inside with our linebackers and that each one of these kids does their job,” Coach Poteete concluded.
The DeKalb Saints Football Schedule is as follows:
August 4: Overton County-Home 6:30 p.m.
August 11: Macon County*-Away 6:30 p.m.
August 18: Gladeville Middle- Away 6:30 p.m.
August 25: Smith County (Homecoming)- Home 6:30 p.m.
September 1: White County*-Away 6:30 p.m.
September 8: Upperman Middle* (8th grade night)-Home 6:30 p.m.
September 15: OPEN
September 20: Prescott Middle* Away 6:30 p.m.
Post Season: September 24: (Conference Play-offs) TBA
September 29: Conference Championship/ Consolation : TBA