July 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb Saints Football team will kick-off the 2024 season Thursday night, August 1 at home hosting Fentress County at 6:30 p.m.
“We should be pretty decent,” said Saints Head Coach Justin Poteete. “A lot of kids that played last year as 7th graders are back this year including running backs, quarterbacks, and a couple of receivers and linemen. We’ll be throwing some new kids in the mix. They just have to come out and work. I think as long as we do that and pop people around, I think we will be alright,” said Coach Poteete.
“We have a little bit of size on the line, but we are typically on the smaller end in our conference. As long as they work it doesn’t really matter to me how big they are. We will figure that out once we go up against somebody else,” Coach Poteete continued.
The Saints’ quarterback crew includes Collin Donnell, Hayden Quarles, Landon Holmes, and Zayne Thomas.
“This year our quarterback will be Collin Donnell,” said Coach Poteete. “He and Hayden Quarles are both eighth graders and three-year players. Those two will probably run the show for us this year. Donnell really came in last year and ran the ball hard. He wasn’t very fast, but he has gotten a little bit faster. He has a chip on his shoulder and really plays the game the way I want him to play. He doesn’t take anything from anybody. He has something to prove every time he is out here. That’s the way he plays, and I think he has garnered his team’s respect this year which is why he got that Captain nod. Quarrels is another one who can throw the ball pretty well. He comes in and never seems to shy away from the moment. He is always ready. We also have Landon Holmes in waiting for next year. He may play some other positions this year. He is another good team player just willing to do whatever it takes,” said Coach Poteete.
Primary receivers will be Levi Cripps. Bryson Redmon, and Rocky Cantrell.
“I really think we have as many weapons outside as we have had in several years and physical weapons as well, not just guys that can run. They are ready to hit somebody,” explained Coach Poteete. “If we can protect up front, give the quarterback time, and he can make the right read, I believe we could throw the ball pretty well. They just have to stay poised,” he said.
Asked about the kicking game, Coach Poteete said he expects a lot of onsides attempts this season.
“We will probably onsides kick a lot this year and take our chances. If we can get one out of ten that’s an extra possession, so that’s what we plan to do. We’ll try to line it up, get that ball back, and pop everybody standing up there”.
“Overall, we have a great leadership group this year. We are eighth grade heavy so as long as they come out and stay true to what we do and they don’t slack I think the sky is the limit for this team, but potential doesn’t guarantee us anything. They have to come out and execute. I am anxious to get out and pop somebody on Thursday and see what we have,” added Coach Poteete.
Joining Coach Poteete are assistants Hunter Poteete, Abram Edwards, Jacob Hale, and Joseph Pack.
After the season opening game against Fentress County at home Thursday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m., the remaining regular season schedule is as follows:
August 8: Cumberland County (HOME) 6:30 p.m.
August 15: Macon County* (Homecoming) 6:30 p.m.
August 20: Smith County* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
August 23: Warren County (AWAY) 11:00 a.m.
August 29: Prescott Middle* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
September 5: Upperman Middle* (HOME-8th GRADE NIGHT) 6:30 p.m.
September 12: White County* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
Post Season:
September 21: Conference Playoffs/Consolation-TBA
September 26: Conference Championship-TBA
Members of the team pictured above are as follows:
- 2024 Saints Football Team. Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Kollin Hale, Rylan Thomas, Grant Slager, Zander Simpson, Zane Griffith, Pasha Hennessee, Jordan Schipp, Collin Donnell Braxton Bain, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett, William Soto, Daniel Santizo, Levi Cripps, Bryson Redmon, Conner Nash, Landon Holmes, Oswaldo Sebastian. Middle L to R: Kaysen Hale, Elijah Watson, Hayden Quarles, Jaeden Martin, K’sin Morgan, Akoni Paasch, Ayden Buchanan, Auston Parker, Colton Saso-Varble, Micheal-Ray Fann, Rocky Cantrell, Keegan Taylor, Chaz Weterman, Thomas Locklear, Kaden Johnson. Bottom L to R: Waylon Ketchum, Sebastian Siller, Dalton Howell, Blaze Westerman, Zayne Thomas, Mccullan Bogle, Zayden Campbell.
2. Saints Football Coaches left to right: Assistants Abram Edwards and Hunter Poteete, Head Coach Justin Poteete and Assistants Jacob Hale and Joseph Pack (Not Pictured)
3. Captain L to R: Bryson Redmon, Collin Donnell, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett
4. QB’s L to R: Hayden Quarles, Collin Donnell, Landon Holmes, Zayne Thomas
5. RB’s Top L to R: Elijah Watson, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett, Rylan Thomas. Bottom L to R: Blaze Westerman, Ayden Buchanan, Keegan Taylor, Akoni Paasch
6. WR’s Top L to R: Auston Parker, Pasha Hennessee, Rocky Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Levi Cripps, Bryson Redmon. Bottom L to R: Sebastian Siller, Dalton Howell, Waylon Ketchum, Colton Saso-Varble, Zayden Campbell, K’sin Morgan
7. DB’s Top L to R: Auston Parker, Keegan Taylor, Rocky Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Pasha Hennessee, Levi Cripps, Landon Holmes. Bottom L to R: Waylon Ketchum, Dalon Howell, Akoni Paasch, Colton Saso-Varble, Zayden Campbell, K’sin Morgan
8. D-Line Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Oswaldo Sebastian, Kollin Hale, Grant Slager, Conner Nash, Jordan Schipp, Braxton Bain, Daniel Santizo, Bryson Redmon. Bottom L to R: Zane Griffith, Zander Simpson, Jaeden Martin, Thomas Locklear
9. LB’s Top L to R: Kaysen Hale, Hayden Quarles, Gavin Frazier, Collin Donnell, Bryson Redmon, Reed Midgett, William Soto, Elijah Watson. Bottom L to R: Zayne Thomas, Mccullan Bogle, Rylan Thomas, Chaz Westerman, Ayden Buchanan, Micheal-Ray Fann, Kaden Johnson
10. O- Line Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Zane Griffith, Kollin Hale, Grant Slager, Conner Nash, Zander Simpson, Jordan Schipp, Braxton Bain, William Soto, Daniel Santizo, Oswaldo Sebastian. Bottom L to R: Chaz Westerman, Jaeden Martin, Kaysen Hale, Mccullan Bogle, Thomas Locklear, Micheal-Ray Fann, Kaden Johnson.