2020 High School Football Previews: Stanly County Schools
STANLY COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
ALBEMARLE
Head Coach: Richard Davis (4th year).
2019 Record: 5-8
Conference: Yadkin Valley 1A
Returning Starters: 12 (6 offense; 6 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 23
Key Returning Starters: Brandon Smith, Sr., DT (6-2, 275); Monta Hall, Sr., TE/DE (6-0, 190); D.J. Watkins, So., DE/TE (6-2, 220); Jaquavius Simon, Sr., DB/WR/KR (6-0, 176); Jylukus Hyatt, Sr., RB/DB (5-8, 175); Naqian Carpenter, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 240); Malik Patterson-Long, Sr., RB/DB (5-8, 150).
Key Returnees: Anthony Chambers, Sr., QB (5-10, 170); Naki Tyson, Jr., LB (5-11, 176); Jaliq McRae, Jr., RB/DB (5-8, 176).
Key Newcomers: C.J. Ellis, So., WR/DB (5-7, 120); Allen Hammond, Jr., WR/DB (5-7, 125); D.J. Polk, Jr., RB/DB (5-5, 127).
Outlook: After winning just five games from 2014-16, Albemarle has improved steadily under coach Richard Davis going 5-8 last season. This year, the Bulldogs return 12 starters, headlined by a defensive unit with multiple playmakers including senior defensive tackle Brandon Smith (74 tackles, 18 tackles for loss), senior defensive end Monta Hall (52 tackles), sophomore defensive end D.J. Watkins (74 tackles, 7.5 sacks as a freshman) and senior defensive back Jaquavius Simon (66 tackles, two interceptions). If the Bulldogs’ offense can reload and grow up quickly, Albemarle should have a chance to finish in the top half of the Yadkin Valley 1A conference, return to the playoffs and post their first winning record since 2013.
NORTH STANLY
Head Coach: Scott Crisco (6th year).
2019 Record: 7-6
Conference: Yadkin Valley 1A
Returning Starters: 17
Returning Lettermen: 20
Key Returning Starters: Cooper Hogan, Sr., WR/DB (5-8, 155); Luke Shaver, Jr., QB (5-10, 160); Mykel Laney, Sr., OL (6-0, 240); Eli Smith, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 210); Christian Barber, Sr., RB (5-11, 190); Zyon Goode, Sr., OL/LB (6-1, 185); Clayton Shue, Sr., TE/WR (6-2, 195); Elijah Daniels, Jr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Kameron Hammond, Jr., WR/DE (5-10, 160); Stefan Harris, Jr., QB/WR/DB (5-10, 150); McCauley Roach, Sr., WR/DB (5-11, 170); Dawson Hunt, Sr., P/TE (6-2, 180); Kyree Dykes, Jr., RB/DB (5-11, 185); Isaiah McCall, Sr., WR/LB (6-3, 180); Meliek Bryant, Jr., FB/DL (5-10, 210); Zech Myers, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 190); J.P. Porter, Jr., DE (6-1, 185).
Key Returnees: Tyree Lilly, Jr., OL/DL (5-11, 215); Austin Hiatt, Sr., LB (5-11, 190); Shquan Kendall, So., OL/DL (6-3, 310); Mac Barfield, So., K/P (5-11, 170); B.A. Harris, So., WR/DB (5-9, 150); Malachi Cord, Jr., LS/OL (6-1, 205).
Key Newcomers: Landon Roberts, Jr., RB/DB (5-9, 170); Ayden Carpenter, Jr., FB/LB (5-8, 185); Gavyn Covington, So., TE/DL (6-2, 200); Dyson Bell, Jr., WR (6-2, 180).
Outlook: The Comets have averaged nine wins per season in coach Scott Crisco’s five-year tenure. This year, North Stanly returns 17 starters which gives them the experience to contend for the Yadkin Valley 1A conference crown. The Comets’ offense will lean on senior running back Christian Barber (1,352 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns last year), junior quarterback Luke Shaver (1,356 yards passing). Meanwhile, North Stanly needs senior defensive back Cooper Hogan (86 tackles, four interceptions) and junior defensive lineman Meliek Bryant (50 tackles) to play lead roles. North Stanly has the depth and experience to win their league title, which would be them in favorable to position (homefield advantage) to make a playoff run.
SOUTH STANLY
Head Coach: Ryan Ochier (3rd year).
2019 Record: 5-7
Conference: Yadkin Valley 1A Conference/1AA.
Returning Starters: 15
Returning Lettermen: 27
Key Returning Starters: Jaderian Smith, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 145); Malik Kluttz, Sr., WR/DB (5-11, 165); Nate Almond, Sr., OL/DL (5-9, 225); Jaquavius Caraway, Sr., WR/DB (5-9, 145); Willis Huntley, Sr., LB (5-11, 175); Trevor Tucker, Jr., LB (5-11, 185); Lawson Hicks, Sr., LB (6-0, 185).
Key Returnees: N/A.
Key Newcomers: Devin Green, Jr., RB (5-9, 170).
Outlook: South Stanly has been up and down the last two years going 13-11 in that span, including 5-7 last year. This season, the Rowdy Rebel Bulls return 15 starters and will look to two-way stars like seniors in wide receiver/defensive backs, Jaderian Smith and Malik Kluttz and offensive/defensive Nate Almond to make big play on both sides of the ball. South Stanly has the experience to contend for the Yadkin Valley 1A conference title and be a factor in the 1AA state playoffs.
WEST STANLY
Head Coach: Brett Morton (4th year).
2019 Record: 8-3
Conference: Rocky River 2A.
Returning Starters: 15
Returning Lettermen: 18
Key Returning Starters: Jordan Poole, Sr., RB/LB (6-1, 225); Jordan Manshack, Sr., QB (5-11, 185); Austin Stoker, Sr., CB (5-7, 150); Connor Tucker, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 230); Sam Veazey, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 225); Jacob Buczynski, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 230); Gavin Hudson, Jr., LB/TE (5-11, 225).
Key Returnees: Jihad Hooker, Sr., DT/OT (6-2, 235).
Key Newcomers: Carter Miller, Jr., DE/RB (5-11, 205); Jacob Lisk, Jr., DE/X (6-5, 210); Braden Hartsell.
Outlook: The Colts have made steady progress under coach Brett Morton increasing their win total from three to seven to eight wins in the last three years. West Stanly returns 15 starters from a year ago (8-3) led by seniors in running back Jordan Poole (1,534 yards rushing, 25 touchdowns, 11 college offers), quarterback Jordan Manshack (1,500 total yards, 19 touchdowns) and a veteran offensive line. Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense is also experienced with senior cornerback Austin Stoker (64 tackles, three interceptions) and junior linebacker Gavin Hudson (114 tackles) being the top returning playmakers.
Stanly County Conference Predictions
Rocky River Conference
West Stanly; 2. Mount Pleasant; 3. Anson County; 4. Forest Hills; 5. Montgomery Central; 6. Central Academy.
Yadkin Valley 1A Conference
North Stanly; 2. North Rowan; 3. Albemarle; 4. South Stanly; 5. North Moore; 6. South Davidson; 7. Chatham Central.
2020 All-Stanly County Preseason Football Team
Offense
QB – Jordan Manshack, West Stanly, 5-11, 185, Sr.
RB – Jordan Poole, West Stanly, 6-1, 225, Sr.
RB – Christian Barber, North Stanly, 5-11, 190, Sr.
RB – Kyree Dykes, North Stanly, 5-11, 185, Jr.
WR – Malik Kluttz, South Stanly, 5-11, 165, Sr.
WR – Jaderian Smith, South Stanly, 5-10, 145, Sr.
WR/TE – Clayton Shue, North Stanly, 6-2, 195, Sr.
OL – Sam Veazey, West Stanly, 6-1, 225, Sr.
OL – Nate Almond, South Stanly, 5-9, 225, Sr.
OL – Naqian Carpenter, Albemarle, 6-0, 240, Sr.
OL – Mykel Laney, North Stanly, 6-0, 240, Sr.
OL – Connor Tucker, West Stanly, 6-0, 230, Sr.
Specialists
ATH – Luke Shaver, North Stanly, 5-10, 160, Jr.
ATH – Jaquavius Carway, South Stanly, 5-9, 145, Sr.
K/P – Dawson Hunt, North Stanly, 6-2, 180, Sr.
Defense
DL – Brandon Smith, Albemarle, 6-2, 275, Sr.DL – D.J. Watkins, Albemarle, 6-2, 220, So.
DL – Meliek Bryant, North Stanly, 5-10, 210, Jr.
DL – Monta Hall, Albemarle, 6-0, 190, Sr.
LB – Gavin Hudson, West Stanly, 5-10, 225, Jr.
LB – Isaiah McCall, North Stanly, 6-3, 180, Sr.
LB – Willis Huntley, South Stanly, 5-11, 175, Sr.
DB – Austin Stoker, West Stanly, 5-7, 150, Sr.
DB – Jaquavius Simon, Albemarle, 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB – Cooper Hogan, North Stanly, 5-8, 155, Sr.
DB – Jylukus Hyatt, Albemarle, 5-8, 175, Sr.
Stanly County Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jordan Poole, West Stanly 6-1, 225, RB, Sr.
Stanly County Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Gavin Hudson, West Stanly, 5-10, 225, LB, Jr.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 6:14 PM with the headline "2020 High School Football Previews: Stanly County Schools."
