2020 High School Football Previews: Cleveland County Schools
CLEVELAND COUNTY PREVIEWS
BURNS
Head Coach: David Devine (5th year).
2019 Record: 12-3
Conference: Southwestern 2A
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Lettermen: 20
Key Returning Starters: Dorien Starnes, Sr., DE/TE (6-2, 220); Cam’Ron Sweezy, Sr., QB (6-3, 175); Alphonso Goodson, Sr., DB/ATH (5-8, 175); Jesse Love, Jr., OL (6-1, 253); Azari Brown, Jr., LB (6-1, 180); Cahari Haynes, So., LB/WR (6-2, 184); Ryan Thompson, So., FS (6-0, 175).
Key Returnees: Trey Young, Sr., Slot/DB (5-9, 155); Kephon Starr, Sr., DB (5-9, 150); Silas Tate, Jr., LB/HB (6-0, 185); Lemont Wilson, So., DB/RB (5-11, 175); Jackson Bivins, Jr., OL/DL (6-0, 220); Isaiah Maloney, Sr., DL (5-10, 210).
Key Newcomers: L.J. Allen, So., WR/DB (6-2, 170); Nick Vinson, So., WR/DB (6-1, 165); Kavion Hopper, So., OL/DL (5-10, 275); Avante Maddox, So., OL/DL (6-0, 320).
Outlook: Burns was one of the most improved teams in the state last year improving from 4-8 in 2018 to 12-3 last year, when the Bulldogs advanced to the 2AA state semifinals before losing to county rival Shelby. This year, the Bulldogs hope to build on that momentum with a younger overall team. Senior quarterback Cam’Ron Sweezy (1,891 yards passing, 25 touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns) returns to play an even bigger role for the offense to keep rolling. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ defense has multiple playmakers with senior defensive end Dorien Starnes (47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss), defensive backs Alphonso Goodson, Cahari Haynes and Ryan Thompson leading an athletic secondary.
CREST
Head Coach: Nick Eddins (4th year).
2019 Record: 10-3
Conference: Big South 3A
Returning Starters: 11 (6 offense; 5 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 25
Key Returning Starters: T.J. Ruff, Sr., RB/ATH (5-10, 170); Dylan Kale, Sr., OL (6-5, 315); Eli Hall, Jr., DL (6-3, 265); Colin Sarratt, Sr., OL (6-0, 280); Blake Roderick, Sr., K (5-9, 185); Eli Wesson, Sr., LB (6-0, 215); D.J. Fuller, Jr., QB (5-8, 165).
Key Returnees: Carter Greene, Jr., WR/DB (6-0, 180); Caleb Borders, Sr., WR (5-9, 165); Nick Beason, Jr., LB (5-11, 200); Taree Watkins, Jr., DL (6-0, 275).
Key Newcomers: Lucas Jones, Jr., OL (5-11, 215); Adam Roberts, Jr., LB (5-11, 195); Ellis Battle, Jr., DB (5-9, 165).
Outlook: Crest has improved its record in each of Eddins three seasons at the helm. This year, the Chargers have plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball, starting with senior running back T.J. Ruff (1,296 yards rushing, 23 touchdowns last year) and junior quarterback D.J. Fuller (1,475 yards passing last year). The Crest defense is also filled with playmakers in the front seven with linebackers Nick Beason (86 tackles) and Eli Wesson (96 tackles, four sacks) and defensive end, Eli Hall (52 tackles).
KINGS MOUNTAIN
Head Coach: Greg Lloyd (14th year).
2019 Record: 12-3
Conference: Big South 3A
Returning Starters: 15
Returning Lettermen: 30
Key Returning Starters: Kobe Paysour, Sr., WR (6-1, 185); Ethan Reid, Sr. QB (6-4, 225); Dameon Wilson, Sr., LB (6-1, 225); Javari Rice, Sr., DE (6-0, 230); Rashaad Brooks, Sr., RB (5-6, 155); Blake Davis, Sr., OL (6-2, 285); Robert Lipscomb, Sr., NG (5-9, 250); Chance Cannon, Sr., OLB (5-10, 180); Chazz Armstrong, Sr., SS (5-10, 180); Derrick Wilson, Sr., DL (5-9, 240).
Key Returnees: Chris Ruffalo, Sr., DE (6-1, 220); A.J. Richardson, So., LB (5-9, 230); Logan Patrick, Sr., SS (5-8, 170).
Key Newcomers: Deandre Hoyle, Jr., WR (5-11, 160); Peyton Fisher, Jr., FS (6-2, 185); Chase Ellis, Jr., DL (5-9, 250).
Outlook: Kings Mountain has won 12 games in each of the last four seasons. The Mountaineers are loaded with talent once again as 15 starters return from a team with plenty of motivation after a 56-49 seven overtime loss to Charlotte Catholic that ended their 2019 season. Kings Mountain has plenty of firepower on offense with senior QB Ethan Reid (2,840 yards passing and 44 touchdowns last year) and senior WR Kobe Paysour (North Carolina commit, 1,138 yards receving, 16 touchdowns last year) and RB Rashaad Brooks (1,409 yards rushing last year) all returning. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers’ defense will also be strong with senior linebackers Dameon Wilson (123 tackles), Chance Cannon (77 tackles) and senior defensive linemen Robert Lipscomb (seven sacks), Javari Rice (28 tackles for loss last year) all back to make big plays.
SHELBY
Head Coach: Mike Wilbanks (2nd year).
2019 Record: 14-1
Conference: Southwestern 2A
Returning Starters: 9 (3 offense; 6 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 20
Key Returning Starters: Jack Hollifield, Sr., LB (6-3, 235); Malaki Hamrick, Jr., DE (6-4, 205); Santana Hopper, Jr., DE (6-3, 230); Tyler Arrington, Sr., CB (5-11, 170); Omar Phillips, Sr., RB (5-10, 200); Shayle Gash, Sr., OL (6-3, 270); Torrian Arrington, Sr., DB (6-0, 175); Jacari Shell, Sr., DB/WR (5-9, 150).
Key Returnees: N/A.
Key Newcomers: Sam Baldree, Jr., LB (6-0, 195); Deshawn Jones, So., ATH (5-9, 160); Demetrius Thompson, Jr., WR (5-10, 170).
Outlook: Shelby has averaged 14 wins per season over the last seven years with six 2AA state title in that span. This year, only nine starters return, including all-state senior LB Jack Hollifield (164 tackles last year), junior DEs Malaki Hamrick (19 sacks last year) and Santana Hopper, and DBs Torrian and Tyler Arrington returning. Shelby will have to reload on offense, where senior RB Omar Phillips (850 yards rushing last year) will have to play a big role.
Cleveland County Conference Predictions
Big South 3A Conference
Kings Mountain; 2. Crest; 3. Hunter Huss; 4. Forestview; 5. Ashbrook; 6. Stuart Cramer; 7. North Gaston.
Southwestern 2A Conference
Shelby; 2. Burns; 3. South Point; 4. R.S. Central; 5. Chase; 6. East Rutherford; 7. East Gaston.
2020 All-Cleveland County Preseason Football Team
Offense
QB – Ethan Reid, Kings Mountain, 6-4, 225, Sr.
RB – T.J. Ruff, Crest, 5-10, 170, Sr.
RB – Rashaad Brooks, Kings Mountain, 5-6, 155, Sr.
RB – Omar Phillips, Shelby, 5-10, 200, Sr.
WR – Kobe Paysour, Kings Mountain, 6-1, 180, Sr.
WR – Jacari Shell, Shelby, 5-9, 150, Sr.
OL – Blake Davis, Kings Mountain, 6-2, 285, Sr.
OL – Shayle Gash, Shelby, 6-3, 270, Sr.
OL – Jesse Love, Burns, 6-1, 253, Jr.
OL – Dylan Kale, Crest, 6-5, 315, Sr.
OL – Colin Sarratt, Crest, 6-0, 280, Sr.
Specialists
ATH – D.J. Fuller, Crest, 5-9, 165, Jr.
ATH – Cam’Ron Sweezy, Burns, 6-3, 175, Sr.
K/P – Blake Roderick, Crest, 5-9, 185, Sr.
Defense
DL – Malaki Hamrick, Shelby, 6-4, 205, Jr.
DL – Robert Lipscomb, Kings Mountain, 5-9, 250, Sr.
DL – Javari Rice, Kings Mountain, 6-0, 230, Sr.
DL – Dorien Starnes, Crest, 6-2, 220, Sr.
DL – Eli Hall, Crest, 6-3, 265, Jr.
LB – Jack Hollifield, Shelby, 6-4, 235, Sr.
LB – Dameon Wilson, Kings Mountain, 6-1, 225, Sr.
LB – Chance Cannon, Kings Mountain, 5-10, 180, Sr.
LB – Eli Wesson, Crest, 6-0, 215, Sr.
DB – Tyler Arrington, Shelby, 5-11, 170, Sr.
DB – Torrian Arrington, Shelby, 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB – Alphonso Goodson, Burns, 5-8, 175, Sr.
DB – Chazz Armstrong, Kings Mountain, 5-10, 180, Sr.
Cleveland County Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Ethan Reid, Kings Mountain, QB, Sr.
Cleveland County Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jack Hollifield, Shelby, LB, Sr.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 11:27 AM.
