Coach: Denver Pate
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2020: 5-5 (6th in 6AAA)
2021 Outlook: The only question mark for the Phoenix headed into the off season is replacing All Region QB Brady Lackey who is off to the University of the Cumberlands this Fall. ’24 Jaxon Pate is the front runner to take over the role headed into Spring. He will be surrounded by a lot of returning players in both the skill positions and up front.
2023 RB Zach Lyles returns. He had over 1000 yards offense in ’20 with 9 TDs. A couple of All Region guys at WR will give the new QB options down field. 2023 Brant Bryant ,1st Team All Region on both sides of the ball, and rising Senior Nick Beddington. The Phoenix will have a Senior laden OL in 2021 with a trio of guys that have started since their Sophomore year. Jaxx Knight, Brandon Miller, Draven Peppers, McCoy Deal will be the upfront guys protecting the new QB this Fall.
Defensively the Phoenix will be tough to run on with 6 returning starters on the DL and at LB. ’22 Davon Jones, ’24 Skylar Brown, and ’23 Dawson Young, who was All Region as a Sophomore, are slated to start across the front. The linebacking core may be one of the Top 2 in 6AAA for 2021. Rising Senior All Region Jebb Knight returns along with Juniors Tristin Mullins and Zach McAfee who were both received post season accolades last season. Two way All Region Junior Brant Bryant will lead the secondary.
NwGaFootball Take: I will admit that before I started doing my research I had counted the Phoenix out just from having to replace their QB. After seeing what they have returning on both sides of the ball I’ve had to reevaluate my opinion. The new QB with have a lot of experience around him and the defense should keep the Phoenix in every game. 6AAA is going to be like the wild west again this season and I can see a handful of teams finishing anywhere from 2nd to 6th. Every week will be a playoff.
Prediction: I picked Sonoraville to finish 2nd last season and they finished 6th. I will predict 5th in 6AAA for 2021. So hopefully for Phoenix fans that means they will finish 2nd.
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