5 Big Bend football teams that are poised for a turnaround in 2022

Every football team comes into the season with aspirations of making this "The Year."

While only five Big Bend teams have the chance to win state titles at the end of the season, a lot more have the opportunity to grow from last year, make the playoffs, and go on some long runs.

Eight area teams did not make the playoffs last fall and only seven made it past the first round. With a new year on the horizon, here are five teams that are poised for a turnaround this fall, whether that be snapping that postseason drought or making a run into early December.

Chiles

Last season result: 4-6; Missed 7A playoffs

Predicted record: 7-4; Make 4S-1 playoffs with At-Large bid

Last season Chiles lured around the possibility of making 7A playoffs, but struggled in the second half of games, seeing them about five seeds outside of the No. 8 spot in the region at the end of the season. It was a growing year, but Chiles is coming back to the gridiron as one of the most veteran teams in the Big Bend.

Outside of their biggest return, senior running back Tre'avis Jones, who rushed for over 1500 yards and 17 touchdowns, the Timberwolves are bringing back nearly their entire roster. Only one of its All-Big Bend offensive line selections has graduated and two of its defensive selection have graduated. Its five-star kicker, junior Bobby Engstler, is also back after a stand-out year.

This is the year that Chiles' large core has been working toward and has a chance to end an almost two-year playoff drought. The only issue I see is that the region Chiles is in is loaded. They will be battling for a playoff spot against Mosley, Niceville, Buchholz, Creekside, Fleming Island, Bartram Trail, and many others.

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Aucilla Christian

Last season result: 5-4; Missed 2A playoffs

Predicted record: 8-2; Make 1R-2 as No. 5/6 seed

With a young team and a variating schedule due to COVID-19 issues, Aucilla Christian still fared very well, finishing one game over .500. Last season it only returned one starter, quarterback Tripp Joyner, and saw the emergence of possibly one of the top players in the program, Jace Grant (1111 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, 70 tackles).

Looking closer at last season's results, there was really only one game Aucilla was out of, falling to Rocky Bayou Christian by 20 in the final game in the season. The team's RPI, in the end, hampered them from a playoff spot, but things are looking to be very different this fall. Not only are the Warriors returning nearly their entire roster and their stars, but opted to move into a Rural classification instead of suburban.

Aucilla Christian will be playing a very similar schedule to last season, but their chances to get into the postseason with a winning record should be higher. With the Warriors running things back this season, expect more wins and an older look to this team.

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Taylor County

Last season result: 3-2 (independent schedule)

Predicted record: 8-2; Make 2S-1 playoffs with At-Large bid

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Taylor County has the chance to be the best comeback story in the Big Bend. After everything they went through last spring/summer, playing a five-game schedule, finishing with a winning record, and getting South Carolina to commit Cameron Upshaw to come home, this team has a lot to look forward to.

Upshaw isn't the only high point on this team. The Bulldogs are very young but very skilled. Senior running back JerQuon Clayton is expected to put on a show in his final year as the veteran, while younger guys like Caden Collier, Kingston Williams, and Jj Clayton are already ahead of a curve. If this isn't the year for Taylor County, expect this team to just get better and better moving forward with this young group.

I think this team is very much a dark horse in the Big Bend and could surprise a lot of teams. An 8-2 record is if a lot goes right, and even then, they are playing in a brutal Suburban 2 region. They'll not just need the record, but the RPI ranking to get a spot alongside teams like Florida High, Suwannee, Wakulla, South Walton, Walton, and West Florida. It'll be exciting to see how this team adapts.

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Jefferson County

Last season result: 2-8; Missed 1A playoffs

Predicted record: 4-6; Make 1R-2 as No. 5/6 seed

This next chapter for Jefferson County is a promising one. Being an independent schools district for the first time since 2017 and hiring 2011 state champion quarterback Norris Footman as the head coach, the program has only elevated since the conclusion of last season.

There is a breath of fresh air in the program and players are highly motivated. With the addition of senior wide receiver Juvon Pettway into the program from Lincoln, Jefferson County has gotten a talent boost. Momentum is building for the Tigers and expect them to capitalize on it this season.

While this is double the wins than last season for the Tigers, as they went 2-8 in 2021, it doesn't look like enough to make the playoffs. However, Wewahitchka did go 4-6 last season to take the final spot in 1A-3 playoffs, losing to Madison County in the first round. The first three seeds in this district will most likely be Madison County, Port St. Joe, and Blountstown, but the next three are up for grabs. I think Jefferson County could easily grab one of those.

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North Florida Christian 

Last season result: 6-5; Eliminated in 2A-1 quarterfinals

Predicted record: 9-2; Make 1S-1 playoffs with At-Large or district champion bid

So why is a 2021 playoff qualifier on this list? By no means did North Florida Christian have a bad season last year, finishing one game over .500 with a new coach and young group. However, looking in between the lines, a lot of those games were back-and-forth thrillers, seeing NFC win three games by one score or less and losing three by one score or less.

It was up and down, to say the least, but you could see the elements of talent all around. Its sophomore quarterback JP Pickles threw for over 3000 yards and junior wide receiver Traylon Ray made 17 grabs for touchdowns. NFC had three more players that broke over 400 receiving yards and three players that registered 80 tackles or more. The Eagles just needed to find a rhythm that worked.

Now, having a group that has been together for over a year and graduating only five seniors, NFC has the potential to turn around a nearly .500 season into one that could have them in contention for a state title. The talent and depth are flourishing on this team quickly and playing in one of the most competitive regions in the Suburban classification (Suburban 1 Region 1), NFC is a front runner to win big.

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Jack Williams covers prep sports for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams. 

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 5 Big Bend football teams that are poised for a turnaround in 2022