Spring 2021 Draughn Football: Wildcats Clawing Ahead To the Future

The Draughn football team had one of the most historic seasons in history in 2019 finishing 7-5.

"We had a phenomenal season last year, way ahead of the curve as I thought we'd be at," said Draughn football coach Chris Powell, starting his third season at the helm of the Wildcats.

The mission for this season is to look forward as the Wildcats will play their last season in the Northwestern Foothills Athletic 2A Conference and also transition to playing as a 1A team in the fall 2021 season.

"The foundation (for the future) has been built and we are building onto that foundation."

Draughn will stay in the spread offense as it will be led under center by Freedom transfer Desmond Hedrick.

"The great thing about (the spread) is that it can be adjusted each game."

Defense will be set in the 4-3 and 4-2-5 models as Powell noted they are "blessed" with depth at all positions as long as everyone stays healthy.

A major returner for the Wildcats is kicker Ryan Kaminske setting school records in field goals last season.

The following are projected starters as presented by head coach Chris Powell

Quarterbacks: Desmond Hedrick, Elijah Tillery, Landon Cox, John Robert Abernathy

Running Backs: Omarion Conley (2019: 3-26, TD), Donnell Wilkins (2019: 5-15, 2 TD), Niguel Dula, Thomas Lambert, Tywan Nemorin

Wide Receivers: Beckett Nelson (2019: 15-183, TD), Holden Curry, Elijah Pritchard, Zach Pinkerton, Tywan Nemorin, Avien Parker, Connor Pinkerton

Tight Ends: Landon Cox, Kelton Mitchell

Offensive Line: Luke Rector, Josh Elkins, Zach Poteet, Will Seagle, Bryan Sanchez, Nick Rhoney, Trey Kincaid, Jaquez Yokley, Tristan Hines

Defensive Line: Donnell Wilkins (2019: 59 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries), Trey Kincaid, Nick Rhoney, Bryan Sanchez, Luke Rector, Josh Elkins, Kelton Mitchell

Linebackers: Zach Poteet (2019: 98 tackles, two sacks, fumble recovery), Beckett Nelson (2019: 29 tackles, INT), Holden Curry, Thomas Lambert, Nikolai Martin, Will Price, Hampton Blackwell

Defensive Backs: Avien Parker, Zach Pinkerton, Riley Cooper, Tywan Nemorin, Elijah Pritchard, Landon Cox (free safety), Elijah Tillery (safety)

Special Teams: Ryan Kaminske (2019: 35/45 PATs, three field goals) (K/P), Manny Velasquez (K/P), Tino Hernandez (K/P), Desmond Hedrick (long snapper/KR/PR), Nigel Dula (KR/PR), Tywan Nemorin (KR/PR)