DCHS Looking to Take the Next Step in 2022
Posted on 08/29/2022
Last season, Douglas County High School advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the second time in the past six seasons. Coming into 2022, head coach Johnny White says the goal for the Tigers now is to make the state playoffs and advance even farther than before.
“We’re expecting to take another step on the ladder. We’ve been here seven years and have four playoff appearances and two of those years we made it to the second round,” said White. “Now we’re trying to get to the third round. We’ve got to take it week-by-week and realize that every game is important.”
This week-by-week approach will be especially important this year, White says, because his team’s schedule features tough non-region contests before having to navigate a competitive Region 5-6A.
The Tigers will open the season uniquely, as their first two games will take place on Saturday instead of the traditional Friday night. In their opener, DCHS will battle Lithia Springs High School in the Henry County Classic, and the following week they will take on Mays High School in the Great Atlanta Bash in their second week.
“Our first two games are Saturday games, and we’ve really got to get our energy and endurance up, because the first game is at 2:00 p.m., and the next week we’ll play at 4:00 p.m.,” White said. “So we’ll be playing in the middle of the heat in August so we’ve got to get in shape.”
Fortunately for the Tigers, they return several starters from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. Offensively, DCHS brings 10 starters back. The group will be led by wide receiver and Wake Forest commit Hilton Alexander II, and they will also lean on running back Latrelle Murrell and wide receiver Monte Gooden on that side of the ball.
Defensively, the Tigers return eight starters and expect big contributions from Zachariah Keith, a Georgia Tech commit, and Shakai Woods. Both Keith and Woods earned All-State honors at the conclusion of last season, and Woods was named Douglas County Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, the Tigers return linebacker and defensive back Terien George, who will play a big role this season.