Observer High School Football Team Capsules: Cabarrus County
The Observer’s county-by-county high school football previews began this week. Today, the newspaper continues the previews with a look at schools in Cabarrus County
Look for additional previews throughout the week.
Correspondent Jay Edwards has compiled capsules for the Observer’s area schools. These will be presented by county.
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2016 High School Football Schedules
CABARRUS COUNTY PREVIEWS
A.L. BROWN
Head Coach: Mike Newsome (6th Year as A.L. Brown head coach; 139-37 overall)
2015 Record: 10-3 (5-2 in the MECKA 4A)
Key Returning Starters: Steven Howie, Sr., RB/LB (6-2, 210); Cincere Allison, Sr. (6-0, 175); Sherrod Sutton, Sr., WR/LB (6-3, 190); Elijah Hall, Sr., DL/OL (6-0, 245); JaQuerius Bost, Sr., RB (5-9, 160); Jeremy Davis, Sr. OL (6-0, 240); Mason Goetting, Sr., OL (6-0, 250).
Key Newcomers: Jordan Medley, So., QB/DB (6-3, 185); Cordarius Butler, Jr., QB/DB (6-1, 180); Justin Rogers, Jr., TE/DB (6-0, 175).
Returning Starters: 13 (4 offense; 9 defense)
Returning Lettermen: 27
Outlook: The Wonders look to stay in hunt for a MECKA 4A conference title, and will depend on an experienced and fast defense to carry the load as the offense reloads. Coach Newsome is a proven winner, but nothing will be easy as the rest of the league chases three-time N.C. 4AA state champion Mallard Creek.
CANNON SCHOOL
Head Coach: Brad Hoover (2nd year as Cannon School head football coach; 15-21 overall)
2015 Record: 6-6
Key Returning Starters: Bryce Estes, Sr., LB (6-0, 205); Jordan Johnson, Sr., RB (6-0, 175); Will Exson, Jr., WR/CB (6-2, 185); Connor Yang, Jr., SS/LB/RB (6-0, 190); Dalton Phillips, Sr., S/WR (5-10, 175); Gabe Ortiz, So., WR/DB (5-10, 170); Patrick Carlson, So., CB/WR (5-10/175).
Key Newcomers: Phillip McKenzie, Sr., WR/CB (6-5, 185); Cory Deveaux, Sr., LB/TE (6-3, 200); Ethan Essex, Fr., OL/DL (6-3, 235).
Returning Starters: 14
Returning Lettermen: 21
Outlook: Brad Hoover led the Cougars to the NCISAA Division II state semifinals in first year in charge. This season with 14 starters back led by all-state seniors, RB Jordan Johnson (1,294 yards rushing) and LB Bryce Estes (95 tackles), this team looks to be a state championship contender.
CABARRUS STALLIONS
Head Coach: Danny Holland (3rd year as Cabarrus Stallions
2015 Record: 6-5
Key Returning Starters: Jaquan Thomas, Sr., RB (5-10, 180); Anthony Irving, Sr., RB/CB (5-10, 185); Braxton Hyatt, Sr., LB (6-0, 195); Eric Fleming, Sr., DT (6-2, 215); Alexsander Witteman, Sr., TE (6-5, 195).
Key Newcomers: N/A
Returning Starters: 12
Returning Lettermen: 24
Outlook: The Stallions finished 2015 with a heartbreaking 30-28 loss to the Carolina Crusaders in the Pioneer Football League championship game. This year, they are eager to prove they can win the PFL title and have the speed and offensive firepower to do so, with senior RBs Jaquan Thomas and Anthony Irving leading the charge.
CENTRAL CABARRUS
Head Coach: Donnie Kiefer (5th year as Central Cabarrus head football coach, 219-144 overall)
2015 Record: 6-5 (5-4 in the South Piedmont conference (SPC))
Key Returning Starters: Demarcus Alexander, Sr., RB (6-0, 190); Clay Bigham, Sr., LB (6-0, 240); Justin Hoyt, Sr., OL (6-1, 270); Cameron Kepley, Sr., QB/WR (6-1, 165); Brendan McGee, Sr., TE (6-0, 190); Jahari Young, Jr., LB/RB (5-10, 185); Derrick Boykins, So., RB/S (6-1, 190).
Key Newcomers: Grayson Baker, Jr., QB (6-3, 190); Josh Faulkner, Jr., RB/LB (6-1, 175); Brandon Hamilton, Jr., OL/DL (6-2, 290).
Returning Starters: 13
Returning Lettermen: 24
Outlook: The feeling surrounding Central Cabarrus football has totally changed in Coach Donnie Kiefer’s four years. The Vikings have won 31 games, after only two victories in the previous four seasons. This season, with 13 starters back, led by senior RB Demarcus Alexander, Central Cabarrus is looking to celebrate their 50th year as a program in style as an SPC contender and a factor in the postseason.
CONCORD
Head Coach: Glen Padgett (8th year as Concord head football coach; 151-84 overall)
2015 Record: 13-2 (9-0, South Piedmont conference champions)
Key Returning Starters: Hamsah Nasrildeen, Sr., WR/DB (6-4, 215); P.J. Hall, Sr., RB (6-0, 200); Justin Nicholson, Sr., DB (6-0, 185); Rick Sandidge, Sr., DE (6-5, 275); Isaac Cochran, Sr., OL (6-5, 280).
Key Newcomers: N/A
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Lettermen: 18
Outlook: The Spiders were 40-4 in the last three seasons with former QB, Keenan Black, running the show. This year, they must break in a new QB, but have the playmakers – including seniors, RB P.J. Hall (1,700-plus yards rushing), WR Hamsah Nasrildeen (25 D-I offers) and DE Rick Sandidge (20 college football offers) – to be state contenders
again.
CONCORD FIRST ASSEMBLY
Head Coach: Craig Kean (4th year as Concord First Assembly head football coach; 39-37 overall)
2015 Record: 7-5 (Independent)
Key Returning Starters: Julius Felder, Sr., WR/SS (6-0, 190); Cameron Sedegren, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 250); Dwayne Crawford, Jr., WR/DB (5-8, 170); Josh Orean, Sr., QB/WR/LB (5-11, 190); Nicholas Treco, So., WR/RB/DB (5-10, 170); Bryan Jacobs, Sr., RB/DB (5-10, 170); Zach Hall, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 270).
Key Newcomers: Seth Sturdivant, So., QB (5-11, 170); Grayson Draper, So., OL/DL (6-6, 270).
Returning Starters: 9
Returning Lettermen: 13
Outlook: After four wins in the 2013 and 2014 seasons combined, the Eagles rebounded nicely with a seven-win, NCISAA Division III state semifinal run in 2015. Coach Craig Kean and company believe they have the experience and speed, led by all-state performers, Julius Felder and Cameron Sedegren, to be state contenders again.
COX MILL
Head Coach: Craig Stewart (4th year as Cox Mill head football coach; 13-22 overall)
2015 Record: 2-9 (2-7 in the South Piedmont conference)
Key Returning Starters: Jessie Malit, Sr., LB (6-3, 215); Jameil Bailey, Sr., DL (6-0, 235);
P.J. Mongianesi, Sr., DB (6-0, 180); Shaal Jospeh, Sr., DB (6-0, 185); Andrew Pangrazio, Sr., OL (5-9, 230); John Brosnahan, Sr., K/P (6-0, 175).
Key Newcomers: Michael Lewis, So., QB/WR (6-0, 170); Tyler Jackson, So., Slot (5-6, 140); Eric Bone, So., QB/RB/LB (5-11, 190).
Returning Starters: 9
Returning Lettermen: 25
Outlook: After tying a school record with eight wins in 2014, the Chargers struggled to put points (14 ppg) last season resulting in only two wins. Coach Craig Stewart believes he has the leadership and talent to move back up the league standings, but it won’t easy in the unforgiving South Piedmont conference
HICKORY RIDGE
Head Coach: Jason Seidel (1st Year as Hickory Ridge coach)
2015 Record: 7-5 (7-2 in the South Piedmont conference)
Key Returning Starters: Dan Louba, Sr., DT/DE (6-2, 250); Donovan Hayes, Sr., LB (6-2, 210); Jack Wallace, Sr., DT/DE (6-1, 240); Jamin Glenn, Sr., WR (6-4, 200); Matt Ojanit, Sr., DB (5-11, 185).
Key Newcomers: Jarrett Gardner, Jr., WR (6-4, 190); Cal Wallerstedt, Jr., LB (5-11, 225); Connor Helm, Jr., LB (5-10, 200); Dylan Ratliff, Jr., QB (5-11, 175).
Returning Starters: 15
Returning Lettermen: 30
Outlook: First-year coach Jason Seidel will open up the Ragin’ Bulls offense which should allow them to put more points on the board. Combine that with a strong defense and Hickory Ridge will be amongst the best in the SPC again.
JAY M. ROBINSON
Head Coach: Joe Glass (3rd year as Jay M. Robinson head football coach)
2015 Record: 8-5 (6-3 in the South Piedmont conference (SPC))
Key Returning Starters: Josh Dale, Sr., QB (6-3, 175); Baakair Anderson, Sr., WR (6-0, 170); Que Reid, Jr., RB/DB (5-11, 185); Justin Allamby, Sr., DE/TE; Javonte Missenheimer, Sr., WR/LB (6-2, 215).
Key Newcomers: Cam Smith, Sr., WR (5-8, 150); Jeremiah Smith, Sr., WR/LB (6-0, 170).
Returning Starters: 13
Returning Lettermen: 27
Outlook: The Bulldogs took a major step forward last season, winning more games (8) than they had in over a decade. This year with 13 starters back in the lineup, led by senior QB Josh Dale, senior receiveres Baakair Anderson and Javonte Missenheimer and junior RB Que Reid, Robinson could challenge for the SPC title -- and much more.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Head Coach: Michael Johns (18th year as Mount Pleasant coach; 106-107 overall)
2015 Record: 8-6 (3-2 in the Rocky River conference)
Key Returning Starters: Austin Paul Sherrill, Sr. OL (6-6, 300); Adam Johns, Sr., WR/DB/KR (5-8, 160); Jacob Irby, Sr., QB (6-5, 190); Grant McDonald, Sr., WR/DB (5-9, 170); Landon Parker, Jr., WR/DB/K/P (6-2, 180); Clayton Earnhardt, Sr., K/P/DB (5-11, 175); Hayden Radford, Jr., LB/RB (5-10, 190).
Key Newcomers: N/A
Returning Starters: 11
Returning Lettermen: 28
Outlook: Life without all-state RB Cody Reece (2,969 yards) won’t be easy, but Coach Johns has a veteran QB in Jacob Irby, a strong offensive line and a good defense and has a habit of getting the most of out of his teams. Mount Pleasant looks to challenge Monroe for the Rocky River conference title.
NORTHWEST CABARRUS
Head Coach: Brandon Gentry (1st year as Northwest Cabarrus
2015 Record: 2-9 (2-7 in the South Piedmont conference)
Key Returning Starters: Tristan Westover, Sr., C (6-3, 315); Charles Littrell, Sr., DE (6-3, 215); Hunter Foreman, Sr., WR (6-1, 175); Sam Newhouse, Sr., LB (5-10, 175); Damien Bertino, Sr., ATH (6-0, 185).
Key Newcomers: Joe Camara, So., DE (6-3, 230); Caleb Funderburke, So., DB (5-10, 175); DeAnthony Barnhardt, Jr., DT (6-3, 260); Ben Coates, Jr., TE/DE (6-3, 230).
Returning Starters: 12
Returning Lettermen: 25
Outlook: First-year coach Brandon Gentry will look to spark a program that has only four wins in the last two years and help them move up the SPC standings and contend for postseason play.
--JAY EDWARDS
This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 10:12 PM with the headline "Observer High School Football Team Capsules: Cabarrus County."