Macon tigers

The Macon Tigers had a promising 2022 season after going 8-1 during the regular season but their playoff hopes were cut short by Richmond High School in the District Semi-Finals bringing them to a season record of 9-2. This season Head Coach Vanatta is tasked with the challenge of repeating their success with a younger less experienced squad. The Tigers return some pieces from last year’s team but will definitely experience some growing pains throughout the season. Coach Vanatta believes that this year’s motto is “RACE TO MATURITY.” This team’s journey throughout the fall will certainly be exciting to watch.

The Tiger’s have five returning starters this year, starting off with senior Jace Terry (6-4, 215) who was a receiver last year, but will assume the quarterbacking duties this season. Terry had 8 catches for 48 yards last year so it will be exciting what we see from him on the passing end this year. Senior running back Mickey Martie (5-10, 225) returns this year after totaling 137 carries for 727 yards and 11 touchdowns. Expect to see a lot of big runs ending in the endzone for this young man. Also splitting time at running back are seniors Isaac Kauffman (5-9, 175) and Alex Moots (5-8,

Class: 2

Conference: Clarence Cannon

Head Coach: Van Vanatta

Years at School: 2

Record at School: 9-2

Overall Record: 96-35

Returning Lettermen: 12

Offensive Returning Starters: 5

Defensive Returning Starters: 4

2022 Overall Record: 9-2

Macon Tigers Schedule

150). Kauffman totaled 40 carries for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns last year while Moots had 19 carries with 47 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior Jonathan Bray returns at receiver this year after finishing with 13 catches for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns last year. He should be a popular target for receiver turned quarterback Jace Terry. Some offensive newcomers this year is sophomore Ryder Lewis (5-8,150) at WR who started 4 games last year and has explosive potential. Coach Vanatta will be running multiple offensive looks with this team while they find their identity and style they have the most success with. Last season the Tigers averaged an astounding 364.73 rushing yards a game and 276.5 passing yards a game averaging 24 points per game. Coach Vanatta has a lot of capable ball carriers in the backfield and hopes to use them in many different formations. He commented on his offense saying “... we will be doing everything we can to spread the ball around. We are very young this season so as we progress we will learn who we are and continue to work on getting better everyday.”

The Tiger’s have familiar faces returning to the defense as well, many pulling extra shifts on the offense as well. Senior Mickey Martie will also be back at linebacker after earning 50 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. Senior Isaac Kauffman will also be doing double duty at outside linebacker. He ended last season with 61 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Senior Jonathon Bray will be back at safety this season hoping to snag a few interceptions again this year. Last year Bray had 24 tackles, 2 interceptions for 11 yards, 3 sacks, and 1 tackle for loss. Sophomore Ryder Lewis is also back at corner after last year’s 30 tackles and 3 pass break ups. The Tigers also have a good group of newcomers who will be finding their place on both sides of the ball this year. Big sophomore Kace Holman (6-4, 230) will be playing defensive tackle and offensive line this year as he comes into his size and finds his game. Denver Gingrich (6-1, 200) is a junior lineman who likes to hit and be aggressive and saw some limited time last year. Junior Austin Wooten (6-5, 280) is another imposing silhouette on the line this year and will be tough for teams to run up the middle if he plays his size. Senior Jus- tice Moyer (5-10, 180) is seeing some time as linebacker for the Tiger’s this year and saw some time last year as well. Expect to see this team in a 3-4 or 4-2-5 defense depending on the week.

Last year Macon on average allowed 146 rushing yards a game and only 86 passing yards a game totaling around 20 points allowed per game. This is a young defense but has a strong linebacker core. The biggest area to watch is the defensive line as they graduated their senior line after last season.

Coach Vanatta has an exciting year ahead for his team. It may be a slow start, but this team has shown great success in the past, but it just depends on how quickly this team develops. Expect to see some ups and downs, but this team has what it takes to be explosive each night if the right guys are connecting. Coach Vanatta remarked “This year the Macon Tigers will be young and will take some lumps, but the key is to finish strong and hopefully by the middle of the year we will mature as a team and be competitive in every game. If we can do that then you never know how the Tigers could finish.” The Tigers have something to prove this year and Coach Vanatta is determined to end the season strong.