Cross – The 2022 football season was a memorable one for the Cross High Trojans but head coach Shaun Wright has even higher expectations for his 2023 squad.
Cross finished with an 11-3 record last season, reaching the Class A Lower State finals before losing to Johnsonville. Cross last won a state championship in 2012 but Wright feels this year’s team could make a strong run again.
“We feel we have the potential to be competitive in every game,” Wright said. “Our strength is up front where we have a lot of experience returning. If you win in the trenches, you have a great chance to win games.”
The Trojans have opened this season with a 1-1 record. They lost their season opener to Calhoun County, a top 10 ranked team in Class A, 35-20, but recorded their first win on Aug. 25 with a 43-6 win over Hemingway.
Senior Tyler Mungin returns as the starting quarterback this season and Wright looks for more production in the passing game. Mungin had about 700 passing yards and 400 rushing yards with 14 total touchdowns last season.
“We feel we can be more balanced offensively,” the coach said. “Teams will have to honor our guys out wide.”
Mungin has solid help in the backfield in junior running back Karmello Jones, who has more than 150 yards and four touchdowns in the first two weeks. Jones also is a leader defensively at linebacker, posting 84 tackles a season ago.
Senior Da’Lanron Huger also will see carries out of the backfield.
Top returning receivers include senior Jamez Way and 6-4 sophomore Caden Ramsey. Way caught 33 passes for more than 300 yards last season.
Both have been solid in the first two games. Way had a touchdown catch and an interception return for a touchdown against Hemingway while Ramsey caught three passes for 75 yards in the season opener.
A slew of veterans anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Senior Caleb Cornell is the center, flanked by guards Trejur Jones and Jayden Smith, both seniors. Seniors Jayden Middleton and Ty Bryant are the starting tackles.
Working at tight end are juniors Preston Fuller and David Wigfall.
Those linemen also see time on defense, as do most of the offensive starters. Another key defender is sophomore end Devaughn Sutter, who tallied 47 tackles as a freshman.
The Trojans are hosting county rival Timberland on Sept. 1. Wright and Timberland head coach Greg Wright are first cousins.
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