HICKORY GROVE
Head Coach: Tad Baucom (3rd Year at Hickory Grove head coach).
2021 Record: 5-4 (0-3 in the Piedmont Athletic Conference).
Conference: NCISAA Western Conference/Division II.
Returning Starters: 9 (4 offense; 5 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 17
Key Returning Starters: Jordan Adams, Sr., QB (6-3, 210); Vernon Richard, III, Sr., DE (6-4, 180); Chase Clifford, Sr., LB/TE (6-3, 220); Jaylin Hill, Sr., NT/RB (5-8, 245); Damaren Floyd, Sr., MLB/RB/P (6-0, 210); Anthony Hawkins, So., RB/LB (5-8, 180).
Other Key Returnees: Noah Bowen, So., TE/LB (5-9, 165); Jackson Whittier, So., OL/LB (5-11, 170); Michael McCray, So., OL/DL (5-10, 195).
Key Newcomers: Kendall Maxwell, So., WR/DB (5-11, 150).
Outlook: Hickory Grove comes off its first winning season since 2017 with a roster that projects to have over 40 players in 2022. The Lions’ offense will benefit from the return of three-year starting quarterback Jordan Adams (560 yards passing, eight touchdowns) running the show with sophomore running back Anthony Hawkins. On defense, the Lions return all-conference defensive end Vernon Richard III (53 tackles, nine sacks), and linebackers Chase Clifford and Damaren Floyd.
Head Coach: Tad Baucom (3rd Year at Hickory Grove head coach).
2021 Record: 5-4 (0-3 in the Piedmont Athletic Conference).
Conference: NCISAA Western Conference/Division II.
Returning Starters: 9 (4 offense; 5 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 17
Key Returning Starters: Jordan Adams, Sr., QB (6-3, 210); Vernon Richard, III, Sr., DE (6-4, 180); Chase Clifford, Sr., LB/TE (6-3, 220); Jaylin Hill, Sr., NT/RB (5-8, 245); Damaren Floyd, Sr., MLB/RB/P (6-0, 210); Anthony Hawkins, So., RB/LB (5-8, 180).
Other Key Returnees: Noah Bowen, So., TE/LB (5-9, 165); Jackson Whittier, So., OL/LB (5-11, 170); Michael McCray, So., OL/DL (5-10, 195).
Key Newcomers: Kendall Maxwell, So., WR/DB (5-11, 150).
Outlook: Hickory Grove comes off its first winning season since 2017 with a roster that projects to have over 40 players in 2022. The Lions’ offense will benefit from the return of three-year starting quarterback Jordan Adams (560 yards passing, eight touchdowns) running the show with sophomore running back Anthony Hawkins. On defense, the Lions return all-conference defensive end Vernon Richard III (53 tackles, nine sacks), and linebackers Chase Clifford and Damaren Floyd.
