Inside Mecklenburg County prep football: players, games to watch, notes
Here is a look at Mecklenburg County public school football for 2017.
10 Players To Watch
Name | School | Pos. | Class | Comment |
Kalen Allen | Mallard Creek | LB | Sr. | Part of a huge defensive front for Mavericks, 9-3 last season |
DeAngelo Blair-Young | South Mecklenburg | RB/LB | Sr. | Top 2-way star had 12 rushing touchdowns, 85 tackles last season |
Elijah Bowick | Myers Park | WR | Jr. | National recruit caught 68 passes for 1,180 yards in ’16 |
Dyami Brown | West Mecklenburg | WR | Sr. | UNC commit is generally considered state’s best receiver |
Quavaris Crouch | Harding | RB | Jr. | Ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2019 at his position |
Tyus Fields | Hough | DB | Jr. | A top 10 N.C. recruit in junior class; had 7 rush TDs, 2 INTs in ’16 |
Luke Hefferly | Ardrey Kell | QB | Sr. | Threw for 2,158 yards, 24 TDs last season |
Khamal Howard | Myers Park | RB | Sr. | 2-time Southwestern 4A player of the year at East Meck |
Nijere Peoples | Butler | RB | Sr. | Latest in long line of star RBs at school; rushed for 1,351 yards, 28 TDs in ’16 |
Emmanuel Wilson | North Mecklenburg | RB | Sr. | Big back (6-0, 205) rushed for 1,450 yards, 14 TDs in ’16 |
Notes
▪ First-year Ardrey Kell coach Kyle Brey is the son of Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey. He takes over a 6-6 team that returns 10 starters and 30 lettermen. The Knights, however, have a very tough schedule with games against state powers such as Weddington and Charlotte Catholic among its first seven.
▪ Butler and Mallard Creek have been the county’s longstanding powers for several years, but are rebuilding. Butler returns eight starters; Mallard Creek just five. Another regional power, Vance, returns six starters, including star linebacker Gerald Nathan.
▪ Transfers will play a big role in county football this season. Among them: Myers Park RB Howard and QB Brayden Hawkins. Hough has all-state wide receiver Nolan Groulx (108 catches, 1,853 yards, 24 TDs in ’16).
3 Can’t Miss Games
Mallard Creek at Scotland County, Thursday: The Mavericks, known for size and defense, will try to stop Scotland County’s Zamir White, the nation’s No. 1 senior running back. White has committed to Georgia.
Butler at Richmond Sr., Sept. 8: Two traditional powers have produced some memorable games over the years. The past few have often been high scoring.
Mallard Creek at Vance, Sept. 22: Schools are close to each other and kids know each other. This is fast-becoming one of the county’s top rivalry games.
This story was originally published August 12, 2017 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Inside Mecklenburg County prep football: players, games to watch, notes."