North Cobb

Football
Head Coach Shane Queen

The 2022 North Cobb football team was excited to get the season started. Since a heartbreaking loss to Roswell in the playoffs, the senior class has provided great leadership and has had a great offseason in the classroom and weight room and on the practice field. The Warriors boasted a 3.2 GPA at the end of the season. Coming off back-to-back 10-2 seasons and two straight region championships, the coaches and 13-player leadership council worked on “the little things” during the offseason and stressed accountability. The offseason and summer workouts had great attendance and have resulted in strength improvement and development.

The senior class will be the strength of the Warrior team. The offense returns six starters, and on the defensive side, six starters return as well. The offense is led by all-state quarterback Malachi Singleton, who had 51 touchdowns his junior year, with 26 coming through the air. Malachi is committed to The University of Arkansas. Ben Hall returns at running back and is committed to The University of Michigan. David Mbadinga will split time in the backfield. The offensive line is led by three-year starters Blake Ellsworth, Marselle Felton and Robert Grigsby, who is committed to North Carolina. Zach Addison and Dominique Moody also will start on the line. The wide receiver group is new but very talented. The only returning starter is David Eziomume. Elijah Lee, Xavier Jackson, Branch Bennett and T.J. Smith give Singleton many targets.

The defensive line has Dylan Mann, Brian Graham, Josh Keyes, Ethan Jones, Dominique Moody and Orlando Wilson competing for playing time. The linebacker corps is led by returning starters Kam Owens, Andrew Trelles and Ben Trelles. Taizon Perkins will be a valuable part of the linebacker group. The defensive backfield returns three starters: Quentin Ajiero — a Duke commit — Caleb Jenkins and Jordan Lonas. Cayden Trotter and Phillip Gladney will push those guys for playing time. Senior kicker Javier Morales returns to the special teams.

The Warriors have one of the toughest schedules in the state. They opened with a scrimmage against defending state champion Collins Hill on Aug. 12. Nonregion games with Westlake, Milton, Buford, Marietta and Northside Warner Robins will prepare the Warriors for their Region 5 Class 7A contests.

Volleyball
Head Coach Stephen Sansing

North Cobb volleyball had a great 2021 season, compiling a 30-14 record while maintaining a Top 5 ranking in the state all season. However, after advancing to the Sweet 16, we had the toughest second-round matchup in the state with No. 2 Alpharetta. We lost a five-set thriller, but it gave us valuable experience for this upcoming season. 2022 should be another strong season, with an even longer run in the state playoffs.

North Cobb returns 13 varsity players, including 10 players with significant starting experience from a year ago. The team is led in hitting by senior Jaidyn Garcia. Garcia was an all-region and first-team all-state selection last season, as she was one of the best right-side hitters in the state. Our returning outside hitters are junior Nikol Antova and sophomore Sara Boyle, both providing significant power from the outside. We have four-year varsity starters in seniors Laila Hixon (setter), Elena Brown (defensive specialist/libero) and Ryanne Fazio (right side). Hixon recorded her 1,000th assist midway through last season, and we will be leaning on her heavily again this year. Brown has been a primary passer for us since she was a freshman, and Fazio has been a starter at right side since her freshman season as well. All three will be counted on as leaders of our team.

We have three middles who started last year for significant stretches and are ready for breakout years. Senior Jasmin Edwards, junior Titomi Adeyinka and sophomore Carys Sanabria bring talent to the court and are blocking machines. Sophomore Oliva Boyle will be counted on this year as both a setter and right-side hitter. She started the first half of last season before sustaining an ankle injury, but she is back now and better than ever. Our third setter, junior Anabell Gordon, has impressed this summer and has helped us win some big games the last few weeks.

We have several returning and new varsity players who are going to make an impact on the team this year. Senior Carson Walker is the other top returning defensive specialist and will play with newcomers sophomore Itoro Okpok and freshman Hannah Nicholson. These passers will make our defense even deeper and better than last season. We also have three junior hitters in right side Imani Mensah and outsides Hannah Lumpkin and Alex James, all of whom have demonstrated they are ready for the spotlight.

Cross-Country
Head Coach John Huff

Coach John Huff and the North Cobb cross-country Warriors are excited to be in a new region this fall. Neither squad qualified for state last year, but we are a determined, hardworking group with big expectations for the 2022 season.

The boys were beat up pretty badly by graduation. Senior Kevin Pumillo is the loan returner from last year’s Top 7. Pumillo is joined this year by junior Sebastian Barr and two impressive freshmen, Peyton Lewis and Tobi Omoteso. Though it’s a rebuilding year, the boys have high hopes for a state-qualifying season.

On the girls’ side, we return four out of our Top 7, plus our No. 8. Led by senior Alexis Christian, junior Isabel Baxter and sophomore Sepideh Ghasemi, the ladies are coming back strong. Christian is coming off a track season where she ran 2:20 in the 800 meters. Other returning talents include Lacy Kluck, Schylar Puhlman and Ndiya Onuoha. We’re very excited to see what these girls accomplish this fall.

Softball
Head Coach Mike Turchan

In the previous two seasons, the Warriors have been a young and gritty bunch, all while playing in a very demanding region. With experience now on their side, the team’s 2022 campaign is an optimistic one, with several key returning starters. Mackenzie Mathews is a two-time second-team all-region selection who is poised to finish her North Cobb softball career on a high note. Returning juniors include Aubrey King, Samantha Mathews, Lauren Byrd and Soleil Smith, all of whom have been mainstays since their freshman year. Returning sophomores Rileigh Queen, Kate Self and Audrey Ward are extremely versatile in the field and at the plate. As for the freshman class, which can be best described as a blue-collared group, it is bringing a new type of competitiveness to the team. A great mix of talent, offensively and defensively, is providing excitement as the Warriors look for continued growth and success this season.

Flag Football
Head Coach Bailey Arnaud

After a great inaugural season in 2021, the North Cobb flag football team is looking to continue to grow and succeed in the 2022 season.
The Warriors will enter a new area with Pope, Kell, Wheeler, North Paulding, Lassiter, Walton, Kennesaw Mountain, Harrison and Allatoona. The team will be bringing back key players Rileigh Queen, Aubrey King and Gabby Morales and looks forward to adding new athletes from other sports, such as softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. Tryouts will begin the week of Sept. 19, and the season will open with a doubleheader against St. Anne-Pacelli and South Cobb, starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at North Cobb High School.

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Harrision

Softball
Head Coach Chris Widing

After a very successful 2021 campaign that saw Harrison softball finish in the second round, Widing is looking to replace several seniors who have moved on to play at the collegiate level. This year’s team will rely on a strong senior class, centered around Bayleigh Rouse, Reagan Janney, Vianka Sanchez, Libby McAbee and Payton Bailey. In support of these individuals, the Hoyas have a nice mix of younger players who contributed significantly to the success of last year’s team. Taking over in the circle will be the trio of Libby McAbee, Payton Bailey and Kiley Fisher. While the team is very young, there is a lot of talent, and the entire team and coaching staff are working hard to ensure this year continues the standard of excellence enjoyed by the Harrison Hoya softball program.

Competition Cheer
Head Coach Jordan Motsinger

The Hoya competition cheer team is ready to hit the mat with our most creative routine yet. Stacked with visual elements, competitive stunts and impressive tumbling — including 10 running fulls and four two-to-fulls — the Hoyas’ routine is getting better each day, and these athletes can’t wait to begin their season with their first competition at Walton High School on Sept. 17.

After graduating three dynamic seniors last season, the 2022 competition cheer Hoyas are being led by the Class of 2023’s Molly Huff and Kamryn Bever. These young women are talented, driven and compassionate leaders who guide their peers with grace and maturity. Just on the heels of these seniors are returning juniors Payton Anderson, Avery Castaneda, Lily Grubb and Reagan Price, all incredible athletes who hold themselves and their teammates to the highest standards of excellence. The sophomore class has the largest class of cheerleaders, and their high energy and eagerness to excel are obvious. Sophomores are Shaylyn Goldizen, Katie Hausdorf, Katelynn Jantz, Lily Jones, Naomi Luten, Mary Moody, Ariana Realpe, Lindley Warren, Addy Watson and Kylie Williams. The only first-year athlete on the varsity team is powerhouse Tori Sanders.

The goal of the 2022 season is to secure the region title and “make the mat” at the state competition in November, which we plan to do by embracing this year’s mission: “Believe in the team.”

Cross-Country
Co-Head Coaches Kent Simmons and Jason Scott

Boys: The Harrison High School boys’ cross-country team saw a lot experience graduate last year. As we approach the 2022 season, we know we will be young and inexperienced. We have two returning boys who competed on the state team last year. They were the Region 3-AAAAAAA champions and finished fifth at state.

Returning are senior Sterling Sellior (16:10 personal record) and junior Bryce Brownlee (16:22 personal record). As newcomers this season, seniors Thomas Boyle and Noah Larsen will be important leaders on our team. Junior Drew Hayworth also will contribute, and sophomores Parker Gurley and Seth Thompson will provide strong depth to our team.

Girls: The Harrison girls’ cross-country team returns six of its Top 7 runners from last year. Led by individual state champion Samantha McGarity, the Hoyas have a strong team that is talented and experienced. The girls finished third in Region 3-AAAAAAA and were second at state. Our biggest challenge will be the top teams in our region — Marietta (state champs) and Hillgrove (fourth at state).

Returning runners are junior Samantha McGarity (17:57 personal record); seniors Ellary Hackworth (18:54 personal record), Kate Curtis (19:40 personal record) and Lidia Longo (19:41 personal record); and sophomores Madisson Troupe (20:08 personal record) and Ava Quinto (20:57 personal record).

We hope to have some newcomers add to our depth and challenge for some of these top spots on the team.

Flag Football
Head Coach Claire Chatelain

After having a large graduating class for our 2021 inaugural season, we are in the process of rebuilding for the 2022 season. Thankfully, we will have several returning players who will have a major impact. Junior Tyra Tuck is our leading flag-puller, and senior Layla Allen and junior Rachel Langston are explosive offensive players. Their experience will provide leadership to new players joining our team.

Last season was a great learning experience, but we feel we are going to be more prepared to start this season. We have two new coaches — Kiersten Duncan and Deanna Stewart — joining our staff, and their guidance will help lead our team to success.

The Hoyas’ first home game will be against North Paulding at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20.

Football
Head Coach Joshua Cassidy

The Harrison Hoyas are excited about the season and the challenges it will present. With arguably one of the toughest schedules in the state, the Hoyas will be returning two offensive and five defensive starters, as well as a handful of others who received playing time last year. The players and coaches have committed to being responsible for their roles and being held accountable to their teammates as they work toward being uncommon men.

The key returning players for the 2022 Hoyas are Reggie Brigman (wide receiver/defensive back), Brennan Brucato (quarterback), Quinten Cullins (defensive back/wide receiver), Ryan Nelson Sniffer (defensive end), Alex Perry (running back), Bodyn “Bo” Richey (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Holden Trice (linebacker), Nick Valerio (defensive back), Tyler Wells (wide receiver/defensive back), Grayson West (running back), Basil Yorio (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Corey Burklow (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Cameron Carland (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Quinton Charles (wide receiver/defensive back), Oscar Cruz-Cortez (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Landon Davis (offensive lineman), Braylan Ford (quarterback), Jaden Gnagy (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Liam Gray (linebacker), Brady Kluse (wide receiver/defensive back), Collin O’Hara (linebacker), Ethan Sweat (tight end/linebacker), Amari Watson (wide receiver/defensive back), Alex Whiteside (running back/linebacker), Nathan Wymer (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Kamron Cullins (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Jackson Connors (running back/defensive back), Ethan Harris (tight end/linebacker) and Xavier Hill (quarterback).

Harrison has a number of football players who were named to the all-state academic team. These scholar-athletes and their GPAs are quarterback Brennan Brucato (3.844); linebackers Liam Gray (3.813), Collin O’Hara (3.938), Holden Trice (3.906) and Alex Whiteside (4.273); running backs Alexander Perry (3.969) and Grayson West (4.000); wide receiver Brady Kluse (4.063); cornerback Nick Valerio (4.188); and free safety Tyler Wells (4.219).

Among the Hoyas’ college prospects are Brigman, Brucato, Cullins, Sniffer, Perry, Richey, Trice, Valerio, Wells, West and Yorio, who also are the team’s Good Citizens.

And the team’s Unsung Hero is booster club President Isabel Garcia.

Volleyball
Co-Head Coaches Kimberly Johnson and Clay Taylor

The Hoyas volleyball team went 20-20 last season, landing in third place in the region and in the Elite Eight at state. This team has a really strong mental game. We have started off the season with some off-the-court challenges that have pulled the team together with a fighting spirit and a “nothing can keep us down” mentality. Key players for the 2022 season are seniors Camden George at right side, Ellise Hanson at middle and Lyndsey Jennings at outside hitter.

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Kennesaw Mountain

Football
Head Coach Caleb Carmean

The 2022 Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs will try to build on last year’s historic season. The focus will be on creating the edge needed to have the success desired. The team worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare for a very competitive region. The 2022 Mustangs will be a product of a great senior class, as there will be more than 30 seniors on this year’s team. Returning are eight starters on offense, including quarterback Cayman Prangley, wide receiver Jailen Taylor, offensive lineman Ben Smith and All-American offensive lineman Connor Lew. The defense will look to replace a few more holes but still should be a very talented group that includes defensive end David Atachou, linebackers Evan Duke and Ethan Voltaire and all-region cornerback Jaylen Moson. The Mustangs will have their work cut out for them, as Region 5-AAAAAAA is as strong as any in the state, with perennial powers North Cobb, Walton and Cherokee. The nonregion schedule is highlighted by the Mustangs playing crosstown rival Harrison and Cobb County foes South Cobb and Campbell, as well as North Paulding, all of which should make for great football. The Mustangs kick off the 2022 season by playing Cass for the first time ever in the televised Corky Kell Classic.

Cheerleading
Head Coach Alissa Wilbur

The Kennesaw Mountain competition cheerleading squad is coming off a region championship in 2021 and is looking to repeat in a new region and classification this year. The squad, led by seniors Amaya Anderson, Alexis Castano, Savannah Jackson, Sophie Salmon, Makayra Walker and Channing Adair Williams, will open its season Oct. 8 at the Pride of Cherokee Invitational at Cherokee High School.

Volleyball
Head Coach Heather Prochaska

The Lady Mustangs volleyball program will be experiencing change this season after qualifying for the Final Four and two Elite Eights over the past three years. New head coach Heather Prochaska brings much volleyball experience to the young Mustangs squad, which will be led by Florida A&M commit Milana Thornton. The team will seek to improve as the season progresses in order to qualify for the state playoffs again this year in an extremely talented region.

Softball
Head Coach Angela Lack

The 2022 Lady Mustangs softball team is excited about the fall season, as it returns all starters from last year. The team is led in the circle and at the plate by Makayla Stephens. Hannah Glass is back in the lineup after leading the team in batting average the past two seasons. Alison McGinnis has a lot of range in the outfield and speed on the bases that can help with the team’s success this year. Sam Guercia at catcher brings a great bat and knowledge of the game. There is a new head coach this year after 22 years. Angela Lack has been named head coach after being the assistant coach of the Lady Mustangs for the past five years. The Mustangs are expecting strong senior leadership on the field this year as they work toward their expectations and goals. They are very excited to get the season started.

Flag Football
Head Coach Kefla Hare

The Lady Mustangs head into their third season of flag football with stability and lots of returning experience. After graduating only three seniors in its first two years, the team has a large number of veterans returning to help lead it into a new area. With such a veteran group returning, the Lady Mustangs are hoping to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time in school history.