touchdown .
Heralded and somewhat-proven Mikey Griffith steps into the starting QB role . He ’ s never owned the starting job , but he ’ s not inexperienced either .
Griffith carried 80 times for 667 yards and seven touchdowns . That was good enough to be the Comets ’ third leading rusher behind Wainscott and Jones last season .
He averaged 8.3 yards per carry and 66 yards per game . He was 2-of-4 passing for 23 yards .
Norton is considering three players to fill the void at running back . Tucker Oliver , who originally went to school at Velma-Alma but transferred to Comanche , is back in the fold and has a chance to earn the job . Anthony Hernandez and Landon Richardson are other viable candidates . Hernandez carried 55 times for 198 yards and one TD last year .
THE RECEIVERS : This is another experienced unit that lost only one starter in Griffith , who moved under center . Returning are team captain Garrett and Langsten Walker , who joined the starting lineup about eight weeks into last season .
Garrett led the Comets in receiving last season with 42 catches for 401 yards and one touchdown . Walker caught five balls for 74 yards and one TD .
Norton expects several freshmen to provide depth and speed at the position . Slade Stricklin and Conner Akers both run 4.7-seconds in the 40-yard dash . C . J . Shorter could also compete for snaps as a wideout .
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN : Ely and Paramore have the inside track to start on the defensive line . Ely made nine solo tackles and 29 assists last season . Paramore finished with seven solo tackles and 14 assists .
LINEBACKERS : Several linebackers are vying for starting
“ We have guys coming up that work hard , and we ’ ll show that . To anyone who thinks
we can ’ t get it done , I ’ d say , ‘ We ’ ll show it .’”
roles . Norton said Joseph Davis has a knack for making plays . He had six solo tackles and nine assists last season . Three of those tackles were for losses .
Hernandez , Richardson and Oliver are also in the running . Hernandez finished last season with 20 total tackles .
DEFENSIVE BACKS : This is one of the most experienced units on the team . Griffith , Garrett and Walker all saw playing time last year . Garrett was the Comets ’ fourth-leading tackler with 33 solo stops and 26 assists . He also had one interception .
Walker had 16 solo stops and 21 assists . He made two interceptions . Griffith finished 2021 with eight solo tackles and 10 assists .
Crue Garrett , Team Captain for the Velma-Alma Comets
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