Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - Cedar Grove

The Saints will be entering the 2025 season under new head coach Rich Freeman after a one-year stint by Roderick Moore. After rattling off three-straight double-digit win seasons (2021-23), Cedar Grove fell to a 3-7 record across the 2024 season. The Saints only advanced to the first round of the playoffs, the first time the team has been served a first round playoff loss since 2012. In this decade alone, Cedar Grove has won seven region titles (2015, 2017-19, 2021-23) in addition to five state titles (2016, 2018-19, 2021, 2023). The program will be looking to return to its dominant ways and reinstill the standard the program has met time and time again throughout its recent history.

Mascot: Saints

County: DeKalb

Head Coach: Rich Freeman (2025)

Coach’s School Record: 0-0

Coach’s Overall Record: 0-0

2024 Record: 3-7

2024 Region Rank: 4th

2024 Playoff Finish: First Round (L 13-27, Harlem)

Overall School Record: 356-218-4 (1972-2024)

State Championships: 2016 (2A), 2018 (3A), 2019 (3A), 2021 (3A), 2023 (3A)

Key Returning Offensive Starters: TE Desean Hendrix, OL Dexttre Mincey, OL Corice Spears

Key Returning Defensive Starters: DB Jermaine Kelly

Returning Kickers: N/A

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 4-3

School Enrollment: 1,123

The biggest question surrounding the Cedar Grove Saints is finding a coach who can get them where they were in the John Adams era, which was one of the best programs in the state. Cedar Grove will have its third head coach in three seasons and will embark on a new era with first-year head coach Rich Freeman taking over. Freeman brings college experience to the Saints after his stops at Tennessee Tech and Morehouse. Despite the recent changes at head coach, the Saints have been a playoff team and haven’t missed the postseason since 2009.

Cedar Grove will lose a key offensive player heading into the new season. Running back Zsewuan Smith was a go-to player on offense and the lead tailback for the Saints. He had one of his best games last season against Mt. Zion, rushing for 147 yards. He was an all-region selection for the Saints after his stellar play throughout the season.

The Saints will return a good amount of their starters on the offensive line from a season ago and will be led by Dexter Mincey and Corice Spears. Both made all-region teams. A trademark of the Saints dynasty was a strong offensive line, and they will have good experience coming back in 2025. A key playmaker for Cedar Grove in the upcoming season will be Desean Henderson, who is massive at 6-3, 215 pounds. He was an all-region selection a season ago and will be a top player for the Saints.

With a new era in Cedar Grove, the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will be a good test to see where the program is and if they will be a contender for the postseason.

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