The Latta Vikings junior varsity football team went undefeated for a 9-0 season for 2022-2023.
Second year Head Coach Bobby Richardson and assistant coaches Clinton Brown and Malcolm Short prepared the team to face each opponent week by week.
On September 1, Latta defeated Georgetown 14-0 followed by win number 2 over Creek Bridge on September 8 with a score of 37-8. Lake View was the next opponent who went down 20-0 on September 15. On September 22, Latta handed Green Sea Floyds a 16-6 loss followed by a Latta win over Palmetto 44-6 on September 26. On October 6, Hannah-Pamplico lost to Latta 38-18. Latta defeated Lake View 34-6 on October 13. Latta picked up a 2-0 forfeit win over Creek Bridge on October 20. Latta edged Green Sea Floyds 30-24 on October 27 to claim the 9-0 season.
During the summer, some of the players were in the weight room with the varsity team.
Under the direction of Coach Richardson and his coaching staff, Latta used the spread offense this season and 4-4 defense.
Latta was blessed with a couple of good quarterbacks, Fisher Richardson and Mason Weatherford, and 3 running backs, Zaari Thomas, Avery McDonald, and Jaheem McCormick. Latta was able to move the football well not only with the run but also with the passing game that always kept the opposing teams’ defense wondering what Latta would do next.
Fisher Richardson was the “go to guy” for the Latta team.
To complement the passing and running team, Latta possessed great offensive linemen led by Logan Byrd and Javonte Kollock who made the holes for the runners. Of course, with quarterbacks who could pass, Latta had the big play receiver, Adrian McDonald, who managed the big first down catches when needed to keep the football moving towards the goal line.
When forced to punt, Latta utilized either Mason Weatherford or Logan Byrd.
On kick-offs, Harley Seals did the job.
Latta’s kick-off return specialists were Avery McDonald, Zaari Thomas, and Fisher Richardson while punt returners were Zaari Thomas and Fisher Richardson.
The heart of Latta’s defense were linebackers Xymari Bethea and Tyquan Drawhorn. Defensive ends were Isaac Bell and Anthony Williams. Defensive backs were twin brothers, Avery and Adrian McDonald, along with Noah Usher leading the way on the “stingy defense”.
Coach Richardson is very thankful for his coaching staff. Coach Clinton Brown leads the defense, and Coach Malcolm Shortt leads the special teams and receivers.
Although Latta will lose 12 players from this team, Coach Richardson and his staff are expecting others to step up and fill the voids for next year.
Coach Richardson stated “We have set the bar high and expect to win again next season. I expect big things and plays from Weston McColl, Javonte Kollock, Jamarion Thompson, Jamykal Nells, and Landis Clark who should be our quarterback.”
Richardson also said “I am very proud of all of the team…every player on the team contributed to our success. I hope they (Latta junior varsity football players) will take what they’ve learned and carry it with them next year. We are very excited about where we are and hope to continue the winning tradition.”
Latta Athletic Director Robbie Brown exclaimed “I am extremely proud of the team from the start of the season to the end of the season. We did not become complacent. I am excited for the future. We have some extremely smart kids. I want to thank their parents for allowing us to coach these kids.”