2020 High School Football Previews: Mecklenburg County private schools
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Jason Estep (14th year).
2019 record: 8-2.
Conference: CISAA.
Returning starters: 13.
Returning lettermen: 35.
Key returning starters: Henry Rutledge, Sr., RB (5-10, 175); Mason Diel, Sr., OL (6-1, 250); Matthew Tuomala, Sr., QB (6-1, 195); Jimmy Bailey, Sr., LB (6-2, 225); Hudson Jones, Jr., DL (6-2, 250); Chip Kasay, Sr., RB/DB (5-11, 175); Philip Slaughter, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 250); Carson Chow, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 175); Cameron Hicks, Sr., LB (6-0, 180); Ben Stokley, Sr., OL (6-2, 240); Will Farrell, Sr., OLB (5-10, 180); Hudson Collins, Sr., WR/DB (5-11, 165).
Key returnees: N/A.
Key newcomers: N/A.
Outlook: The Knights are 39-4 in the past four years with three consecutive NCISAA Division I state championships. Charlotte Christian will be a title contender again in 2020 with 13 starters back led by senior running back Henry Rutledge (978 yards rushing last year), senior quarterback Matthew Tuomala and a strong offensive line. Meanwhile, the Knights’ defense will feature senior linebackers Jimmy Bailey (74 tackles), Will Farrell (47 tackles, four interceptions) and junior defensive lineman Hudson Jones (52 tackles).
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY
Head coach: Drew Witman (6th year).
2019 record: 9-2.
Conference: CISAA.
Returning starters: 11.
Returning lettermen: 23.
Key returning starters: Russell Tabor, Sr., QB (6-3, 195); Sam Hedrick, Sr., DE/TE (6-3, 245); Eddie Cassels, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 225); Cameron Ray, Sr., WR/DB (5-8, 145); Jack Flowers, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 250); Scott Hosmer, Sr., FB/LB (6-0, 210); Daniel Bach, Sr., FB/LB (6-1, 195).
Key returnees: Reid Simmons, Jr., RB/DB (5-10, 170); Jordan Erwin, Sr., WR/DB (6-2, 175); Parker Stephens, Jr., OL/DL (6-1, 235).
Key Newcomers: Spencer Mermans, So., TE/DE (6-6, 215); Daven Murphy, So., WR/DB (6-2, 165); Stephon Wright, Jr., RB/LB (6-0, 205).
Outlook: Charlotte Country Day has increased its win total by one game in each of the past three years. This year, the Buccaneers could be even better with All-State junior quarterback Russell Tabor (1,498 yards passing, 22 touchdowns) leading the offense with all-conference lineman Eddie Cassels. The Country Day defense return All-State defensive end Sam Hedrick and linebacker Sam Hosmer back to provide leadership for the unit.
CHARLOTTE LATIN
Head coach: Justin Hardin (3rd year).
2019 record: 7-3.
Conference: CISAA.
Returning starters: 6.
Returning lettermen: 10.
Key returning starters: Daniel Haughton, Jr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Grant Tucker, So., DB/WR (6-3, 190); Chase Montgomery, Sr., TE/LB (5-11, 210); Will McCabe, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 200).
Key Returnees: Bruno Lahass, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 245); Ja’Varis Bufford, Sr., RB/DB (5-9, 165); Ryan Lietz, Sr., WR/DB (5-8, 155).
Key Newcomers: Tyler Hendley, So., WR/LB (6-0, 170); Justin Wheeler, So., QB (5-10, 165).
Outlook: Charlotte Latin has been up and down in the past two years, going 13-8. This year, the Hawks will be challenged with a younger team (six starters back). Coach Justin Hardin will need two-way playmakers like seniors Ja’Varis Bufford, Will McCabe and Chase Montgomery, junior Daniel Haughton and sophomore Grant Tucker to step forward as a younger players grow up on the fly.
COVENANT DAY
Head coach: Peter McSparin (2nd year).
2019 record: 3-7.
Conference: NCISAA.
Returning starters: 6.
Returning lettermen: 14.
Key returning starters: Daniel Nelson, Jr., QB/DB (6-3, 175); Noah Strand, Sr., FB/LB (6-2, 200); Timmy Cotton, Sr., RB/DB (5-9, 160); Peyton Vaughn, Sr., RB/LB (5-8, 150); James Willing, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 155); Will Fitch, Sr., RB/DB (5-8, 145).
Key returnees: Josh Wallace, Sr., RT (6-0, 180); Reid Turner, Jr., Center (6-0, 210).
Key newcomers: N/A.
Outlook: Covenant Day has gone 9-12 in its first two seasons as a varsity football program. But with only six starters back, continuing that upward climb could be tough. Junior quarterback Daniel Nelson and senior fullback/linebacker Noah Strand will need to play big roles.
HICKORY GROVE
Head coach: TBD.
2019 record: 0-8 (0-3 in the NCISAA Western Conference).
Conference: NCISAA Western Conference/Division III.
Returning starters: 9.
Returning lettermen: 9.
Key Returning Starters: Sean Dickey, Jr., RB (5-10, 175); Sunny Jackson, Jr., DE/OL (6-4, 235); Chase Hadden, Jr., CB/WR (5-8, 160); Jeffrey McManus, Sr., LB/RB (5-11, 195); Jordan Rowell, Jr., QB/CB (5-10, 155); Jake Jeu de Vine, Sr., OL/DL (6-4, 270); Dustin Green, Sr., LB/TE (6-3, 185).
Key returnees: N/A.
Key newcomers: N/A.
Outlook: Hickory Grove struggled last year going 0-8, including 0-3 in the NCISAA Western conference and scoring just 42 points all season. This year, only nine starters return, and the school has yet to name a coach.
PROVIDENCE DAY
Head coach: Chad Grier (1st year).
2019 record: 8-3.
Conference: CISAA.
Returning starters: 11.
Returning lettermen: 24.
Key returning starters: Nickel Fields, Sr., RB (5-10, 190); Marc Magno, Sr., OL/DL (6-5, 255); Zach Lohavichan, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 255); Thomas Flynn, Sr., WR/DB (6-4, 200); Sterling Gabriel, Sr., DB/WR (6-2, 185); Davis Harry, Sr., WR/DB (6-1, 170); William Wallace, Sr., K/P (6-0, 210).
Key returnees: J.T. Smith, So., RB/ATH (5-10, 185); Josh Holl, So., OL/DL (6-6, 250); Carson Parker, So., OL/DL (6-2, 245).
Key newcomers: Jake Helfrich, Sr., QB (5-11, 190) (Charlotte Latin transfer); Grantt Logan, Jr., QB (6-2, 210) (Thomas Jefferson Academy transfer); Liam Groulx, So., TE/ATH (6-2, 205); Channing Goodwin, Fr., WR/DB (6-0, 160).
Outlook: Former Davidson Day coach Chad Grier (most recently at Oceanside Collegiate, SC) has won big everywhere he has been. This year, Grier has the rare opportunity to inherit a Providence Day team that is the defending NCISAA Division II state champions. The Chargers return 11 starters. led by senior running back Nickel Fields, senior wide receiver Thomas Flynn and offensive linemen Zach Lohavichan and Marc Magno. The Providence Day offense should also benefit from transfers in quarterbacks like Jake Helfrich (Charlotte Latin), Grantt Logan (Thomas Jefferson Academy) and tight end Liam Groulx (Charlotte Christian).
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Cheron Farley (2nd year).
2019 record: 8-4 (1-2 in the Piedmont Athletic Conference).
Conference: NCISAA Piedmont Athletic Conference/NCISAA Division III.
Returning starters: 12.
Returning lettermen: 20.
Key returning starters: Cooper Wray, Jr., QB/RB/WR (5-10, 160); Hunter Vogel, Sr., OL/DL (6-4, 185); Owen Beasley, Jr., OL/DL (6-2, 260); Matt Lutzel, Jr., QB/CB (5-9, 160); Derek Farley, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 255); Grayson Fairfax, Jr., DE (6-2, 170); Will Johnson, Jr., MLB (6-0, 160).
Key returnees: N/A.
Key newcomers: Joe Dilly, Jr., RB/LB (6-2, 170).
Outlook: SouthLake Christian won eight games and finished as NCISAA Division III state runner-up last year. This year, coach Cheron Farley returns 12 starters, giving him a solid core to build around. The Eagles’ offense will look to multi-talented players like quarterback Matt Lutzel (1,760 yards passing, 22 touchdowns passing, five rushing touchdowns), running back/wide receiver Cooper Wray (301 yards rushing, 632 yards receiving, 17 total touchdowns) to lead the offense that averaged 33 points per game last season. Meanwhile, junior middle linebacker Will Johnson (87 tackles), senior defensive lineman Hunter Vogel (62 tackles), and Lutzel (46 tackles) look to help the defense be more stingy.
NOTE: The Observer did not receive information from Northside Christian/Victory Christian Royals.
Mecklenburg County Private School Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Charlotte Christian; 2. Charlotte Country Day; 3. Providence Day; 4. Charlotte Latin; 5. Christ School.
NCISAA Piedmont Athletic Conference
Metrolina Christian; 2. High Point Christian; 3. SouthLake Christian; 4. Covenant Day; 5. Cabarrus Warriors.
NCISAA Western Conference
Rabun Gap Nacoochee; 2. Hickory Grove; 3. Asheville School; 4. Northside Christian/Victory Christian Royals.
Preseason All-County Team
Offense
QB – Russell Tabor, Charlotte Country Day, 6-3, 195, Sr.
RB – Henry Rutledge, Charlotte Christian, 5-10, 175, Sr.
RB – Nickel Fields, Providence Day, 5-10, 190, Sr.
RB – Sean Dickey, Hickory Grove, 5-10, 175, Jr.
WR – Thomas Flynn, Providence Day, 6-4, 200, Sr.
WR/RB– Cooper Wray, SouthLake Christian, 5-10, 160, Jr.
TE – Liam Groulx, Providence Day, 6-2, 205, So.
OL – Eddie Cassels, Charlotte Country Day, 6-0, 225, Sr.
OL – Mason Diel, Charlotte Christian, 6-1, 250, Sr.
OL – Zach Lohavichan, Providence Day, 6-3, 255, Sr.
OL – Will McCabe, Charlotte Latin, 6-0, 200, Sr.
OL – Sunny Jackson, Hickory Grove, 6-4, 235, Jr.
Specialists
ATH – Matt Lutzel, SouthLake Christian, 5-9, 160, Jr.
ATH – Daniel Nelson, Covenant Daym, 6-3, 175, Jr.
K/P – William Wallace, Providence Day, 6-0, 210, Sr.
Defense
DL – Sam Hedrick, Charlotte Country Day, 6-3, 245, Sr.
DL – Phillip Slaughter, Charlotte Christian, 5-11, 250, Sr.
DL – Hudson Jones, Charlotte Christian, 6-2, 250, Jr.
DL – Hunter Vogel, SouthLake Christian, 6-4, 185, Sr.
LB – Jimmy Bailey, Charlotte Christian, 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB – Will Farrell, Charlotte Christian, 5-10, 180, Sr.
LB – Noah Strand, Covenant Day, 6-2, 200, Jr.
LB – Will Johnson, SouthLake Christian, 6-0, 160, Jr.
DB – Daniel Haughton, Charlotte Latin, 6-0, 170, Jr.
DB – Carson Chow, Charlotte Christian, 5-10, 175, Sr.
DB – Chip Kasay, Charlotte Christian, 5-11, 175, Sr.
DB – Sterling Gabriel, Providence Day, 6-2, 185, Sr.
Mecklenburg County Private Schools’ Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Tabor, Charlotte Country Day, QB, Sr.
Mecklenburg County Private Schools’ Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Bailey, Charlotte Christian, LB, Sr.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 6:43 PM.