Jags Hoping to Continue State Streak in New Region
Posted on 09/12/2022
After winning their region two seasons ago and finishing second in 2021, the New Manchester High School Jaguars will have a new challenge in 2022, as they moved up a classification into Region 5-6A.
“We’ve had some success here over the past couple of years, and we really feel like our kids have learned how to win and the work it takes to win,” said NMHS head coach Cedric Jackson. “So we’re just excited to go up to 6A with new competition. We’ll be ready for it.”
In the new region, the Jaguars will rely on their defense to lead the charge. On that side of the ball, the team returns several starters, including reigning Region 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year Tyree Weathersby.
Weathersby will be joined on defense by fellow 2021 All-Region selection safety Markee Lewis along with experienced starters Sam Sarfo at linebacker and Shermar Harris at cornerback.
“We’ve got some stellar kids defensively that we’re expecting big things out of,” Jackson said. “Offensively, we’ve got a very young team that returns no starters, but we feel like they can go out there and compete because they’ve been in our system. We think that can still be a strength for us because they’ll be ready to go out and compete even though they haven’t logged the hours on Friday nights yet.”
Despite being young, the offense won’t be void of playmakers, as the team will look to speedy wide receiver Latrederick Stewart as a playmaker in the passing game.
The Jaguars began the season on August 19 at home against Woodland High School. They will then step into their new region a few weeks later with a major test at Langston Hughes High School.
“We’re definitely going to have our challenges this year,” said Jackson, “but we’ve got a group of kids that are excited and ready to compete. We’re ready to get after it and we’re excited for the opportunity to go out there and have fun.”