The wait is finally over. The 2023 high school football season has arrived with a full schedule of games tonight.
Here’s a preview of the 10 Cumberland County senior high school football teams. Best wishes to all the players and coaches for an outstanding season.
Jack Britt
Coach: Brian Randolph
2022 record: 7-4
Top returners: Justice Gray, OL, Sr.; Makani Morris, OL, Jr.; Tyler Ivory, OL, Sr.; Elijah Evans, DL, Jr.; Jabari Lee, ATH, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Jaleel Parker, DB, So.; Cameron Williams, RB, So.; Kevin Jones Jr., ATH, So.; Donnell Williams, DL, So.; Amir Jackson, ATH, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “Our season outlook is to field a highly competitive team that will strive to maximize its potential by making a deep run in the playoffs.”
Douglas Byrd
Coach: Maurice Huey
2022 record: 3-7
Top returners: Wyatt Rodger, LB, RB, Sr.; Jayden Abney, LB, Sr.; Justin Richardson, RB, Jr.; Zachary Colon, OL, Sr.; Sincere Blount, RB, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Issac Gibbs, DL, Fr.; Isaiah Gibbs, DL, Fr.; Will Sullivan, DB, Sr.; Justin Richardson, RB, Jr.; Isaiah Pope, QB, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “We are looking to improve from last season. We have gotten bigger, stronger and faster, as well as our football IQ is better. We are looking forward to competing week in and week out.”
Cape Fear
Coach: Jake Thomas
2022 record: 7-4
Top returners: Mekhai Coleman, DB, Sr.; Rico McDonald, WR, DB, Sr.; Jeremiah Melvin, WR, Sr.; Favour Murtala, RB, Sr.; Landon Sargent, LB/TE, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Damien Gary, DB, Jr.; Bryan Charles, LB, Jr.; King Faison, RB, Jr.; Cameron Graham, DE, Sr.; Anthony Carroway, DL, So.
Coach’s comment: “We have several returns on defense, which should be our strength, and several on offense at skill positions. We have to have our leaders step up and help our quarterback with a lack of experience. The guys have come a long way since June, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Gray’s Creek
Coach: Johnathan Sherman
2022 record: 6-4
Top returners: Kaleb Caraway, LB/TE, Jr.; Zavier Barrett, RT/DT, Jr.; Tyler Davis, QB/WR/DB, Sr.; Javon Webb, RB/DB, Sr.; Jackson Karcher, LB/FB, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Ezekiel Reed, FB/DE, So.; Landon Reeves, C/DT, So.; Isiah Washington, DB/WR, Jr.; Antwan Frazier, LB/FB, Jr.; Richard Jones, OT/DE, So.
Coach’s comment: “I believe we are in a good spot on the defensive side of the ball and will compete at every position this season. On defense, we will be very young but skilled and aggressive.”
Pine Forest
Coach: Bill Sochovka
2022 record: 10-3
Top returners: Nyzir Bostic, QB/CB, Sr.; Fred Logan, WR/DB, Sr.; Latrell Carter, RB/WR, Jr.; Tim Blue, DE, Sr.; Micah Thompson, DL, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Donovan Johnson, OL/DL, So.; James Hunt Jr., DE, Jr.; C.J. Kirksey, OL, Jr.; Cominic Madkiff, WR, Jr.; Jamari Jones, RB/OLB, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “We have a good chance to three-peat for the conference (All American), but we need to reorganize our defense.”
Terry Sanford
Coach: Bruce McClelland
2022 record: 11-3
Top returners: Kenyon Slaughter-Keen, LB/RB, Sr.; Jonathan Higgins-Simmons, RB, Sr.; Kamal Thames, ATH, Sr.; Rashid Jones, WR/RB, Sr.; Jaylen Wright, QB, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Emilio Glenn, OL/DL, Sr.; Jack Reaves, OL, So.
Coach’s comment: “We have the same three goals in the program every year: win conference, home playoff games and state championship. This group of seniors has accepted the challenge of leading this year’s team and has done a tremendous job of setting the tone during summer workouts.”
Seventy-First
Coach: Duran McLaurin
2022 record: 14-1
Top returners: Hector Bautista, DL, Jr.; Donovan Frederick, LB, Jr.; Zayvion Hill, LB, Sr.; DeAndre Nance, QB, Jr.; Zymeir McPhaul, T, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Jayson Franklin, RB, So.; Ziare Ealy, OL, Jr.; Jytavius Whitted, WR, Jr.; Christian Jackson, DB, Jr.; Kalen Lucas, DB, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “Looking forward to another good season. Interested to see how our young players will mature into the responsibility of their roles on the team.”
E.E. Smith
Coach: Antonio Wallace
2022 record: 1-9
Top returners: David Adams, LB/TE, Sr.; Jonathan Williams, DL, Sr.; Adam Hembrick, DB, Jr.; Melvin McDougle, OL, Sr.; Micah Crumpler, ATH, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Micah Barnes Jr., QB/CB, Jr.; NiShaun Campbell, WR, Sr.; Michael Yates, OT, Sr.; Thomas Baus, P, Jr.; Joshua Wallace, WR, Fr.
Coach’s comment: “This year, I feel like we have a good collection of talent, both youth and veterans. I can definitely see us trending upward and competing for a chance to position ourselves in the conference championship conversation with a dynamic offense and stingy defense. I believe that will be very doable.”
South View
Coach: Rodney Brewington
2022 record: 4-6
Top returners: Tyriq Clarida, QB, Jr.; Christian Rutledge, RB, Sr.; Donovan Pauling, ATH, Jr.; Jakori Hood, LT, Sr.; Bobby Soles, LB, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Brendon Jones, OL/DL, So.; Jamal Brown, TE, So.
Coach’s comment: “Very optimistic about this season. We have a chance to increase our win total from last season. A lot returning on both sides of the ball.”
Westover
Coach: Ernest King
2022 record: 6-5
Top returners: Brandon Avery, RB, Sr.; JaDon Roark, WR, So.; Cameron Hunt, LB, Sr.; Kristopher Hunt, Douglas Byrd, Sr.
Promising newcomers: Shawn Giles-Jones, LB, Sr.; DaVone Posey, DB, Fr.
Coach’s comment: “We are young but talented and expect to have a good showing this year. We plan to push for a conference championship and a playoff run for state championship.”
Follow Earl Vaughan Jr. on Twitter: @EarlVaughanJr.
