The Observer’s 2022 regional high school football preview
Here is The Observer’s annual regional preview for teams in Anson, Catawba, Cleveland, Richmond, Rowan counties.
Teams to Watch
Burns: The Bulldogs have been consistent winners with 26 victories in the last three seasons combined. This season, Burns returns 16 starters, including nine on offense. Junior quarterback Ben Mauney (2,164 yards passing, 25 touchdowns), has plenty of weapons like senior receivers L.J. Allen (44 catches for 489 yards) and Ryan Thompson (73 catches for 1,253 yards and 14 touchdowns), plus junior running back Jeremiah Norris (1,207 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns) headlining the unit. The Burns’ defense also has senior playmakers at all three levels, including defensive end Nick Vinson (84 tackles, 24 tackles for loss), linebacker Cahari Haynes (78 tackles, 18 tackles for loss) and Lemont Wilson (three interceptions).
Chase: The Trojans have been on the rise with 10 wins in two of the last three seasons (2019, 2021). The 2022 Chase roster features some of the state’s most productive playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Trojans’ offense features all-state senior running back Marqies McCombs, who rushed for 2,884 yards and 41 touchdowns last season along with Reagan McCranie, a four-year starter at offensive tackle. Meanwhile, the Chase defense is led by senior defensive back Taivon Derisma, who led the state with 12 interceptions last season. He returned four for touchdowns. Also back is senior linebacker Anthony Smith (90 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries).
East Lincoln: The Mustangs return 16 starters from an 8-4 team a year ago. The East Lincoln defense returns 10 starters and will be the strength of the team. Senior linebacker Ben Cutter (West Virginia commit, 158 tackles), senior defensive backs Landon Glezen (65 tackles), Keandre Walker (Virginia commit, five interceptions) and defensive lineman Blake Bradford (75 tackles, 15 tackles for loss) all return. The East Lincoln offense, which averaged 28 points per game last season, should be strong, led by senior quarterback Tyler Mizzell (1,450 yards passing, 15 touchdowns) and senior receiver Markell Clark (70 receptions, 14 touchdowns last year) leading the unit.
Kings Mountain: The Mountaineers have averaged 11 wins per season over the past five years. Kings Mountain will have a veteran team with 17 starters back in the lineup. The Mountaineers’ offense is led by senior quarterback Lamont Littlejohn (1,585 yards passing, nine touchdowns), receivers Bryson Brown and Jake Lloyd along with 6-foot-3, 295-pound offensive lineman Isaiah Eskridge. The Kings Mountain defense will rely on seniors like linebacker/defensive end, A.J. Richardson (66 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks) and defensive backs Jake Lloyd (98 tackles) and Zay Smith. The Mountaineers have a roster capable of contending for the Big South conference title and being a factor deep into the 3A state playoffs.
Maiden: Maiden is 19-2 in the last two years combined. This season, the Blue Devils, who averaged 40 points per game last year, have the pieces to put a lot of points on the board. Returning are all-state senior receiver Chris Culliver (60 catches for 1,215 yards and 23 touchdowns), running back Ben Gibbs (1,552 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) as well as wideouts Alec Hall (33 catches for 502 yards and eight touchdowns), and Jacob Sigmon (30 catches for 528 yards and three touchdowns). The offensive and defensive fronts have experience, including seniors Jackson Hensley, Quinn Rembert and D.J. Spring. The Blue Devils also have a game-changing kicker in three-year starter Carson Foard. The only question mark is how quickly can Ashe County transfer, quarterback,Wesley Thompson, blend into what looks like another potent offense? Maiden has the experience and talent to repeat as Catawba Valley Athletic conference champions and be a legitimate, 2A state championship contender.
Richmond Senior: The Raiders have been consistent winners, averaging nine wins per season in coach Bryan Till’s five-year tenure. This year, Richmond Senior will be a younger overall team (10 starters back), but have a tradition of reloading quickly. The Raiders’ offense (averaged 41 points per game last year) will lean on their rushing attack early with senior running back Tae Spencer (792 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns) running behind offensive linemen Jeff Linton and Tyson Holloway. The Richmond Senior will need linebackers like senior Frazion Steele, sophomore Joe Parsons and junior Marquan Martin to team with senior defensive backs Brandon Askins and Emerson Wall. Senior Uriah McDonald and junior Jacoby Martin provide experience up front. The Raiders will be the favorite to win a fourth straight, Sandhills’ Athletic conference title, but will need players like senior quarterback Emoni McBride, to produce quickly.
Salisbury: The Hornets have been one of the top teams in the state over the last three seasons with 33 wins in that span, playing in the state championship game twice (2019 state runner-up, 2020 state champion). This year, new head coach Clayton Trivett gets the rare opportunity to take over a program still ready to play for championships (conference/state). The Salisbury offense will look to junior quarterback Mike Geter (1,725 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 663 yards rushing, 28 touchdowns), senior running back JyMikaah Wells (1,209 yards rushing, 21 touchdowns) and junior receiver Deuce Walker (six touchdown catches) back to lead a unit that averaged 53 points per game last season. The Hornets’ defense (allowed five points per game last season) should be strong again with linebackers like senior Amare Johnson and junior D.J. Adams, making plays.
Shelby: Shelby has been dominant in the last decade, averaging 12 wins per season over that span with seven state championships in the last nine years. This year, the defending 2A state champions have all the pieces to make another state championship run with 12 starters back. The Golden Lions’ offense (47 points per game last year) should score a lot of points with senior quarterback Daylin Lee (3,837 yards passing, 50 touchdowns last year) leading a unit that also features receivers Ja’Keith Hamilton (49 catches for 993 yards, 11 touchdowns) and junior Izay Bridges (68 catches for 1,216 yards and 14 touchdowns) as well as junior running back Bricen Kee (771 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns). The Shelby defense also has playmakers upfront in defensive linemen like Tyler Boyce, Jaden Pierce, junior linebacker Drew Hollifield. In the secondary, senior safety T.J. Griffin also returns. Also, senior kicker Jack Berkowitz, who scored a school-record 112 points last season, can also be a game-changer on special teams.
South Point: South Point has been a consistent winner, averaging nine victories per season under coach Adam Hodge in the past half-decade. This year, the Red Raiders will again lean on its vaunted rushing attack including senior QB Elijah Phifer and fullback Cam Medlock, running behind 6-foot-7, 300-pound Notre Dame commit Sullivan Absher and tight end, Jackson Blee. The South Point defense also has multiple senior playmakers, including safeties Will Ross (119 tackles) and Jaquis Rumph (113 tackles, four interceptions) as well as defensive end Aiden Ramirez (54 tackles, four sacks).
Watauga: The Pioneers have been one of the most consistent winners in the state in the last decade, averaging nine victories per season over that span. This year, Watauga returns 14 starters, including seven on each side of the ball. The Pioneers also return junior Trey Thompson (929 yards rushing, seven touchdowns), sophomore quarterback Maddox Greene (567 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns) and senior back Carlton Horine. The Watauga defense returns senior defensive end Isaiah Shirley (N.C. State commit), defensive backs Carlton and Cole Horine and linebackers, Jackson Lang and Levi Temple, all back in the lineup. The Pioneers will be tested in a tough, Northwestern 3A/4A conference and will have plenty of motivation going into the postseason after an abrupt, first-round.
Regional Football Players to Watch
Sullivan Absher, South Point: The 6-foot-7, 300-pound Notre Dame commit will power the Red Raiders’ rushing attack again this season.
Mason Avery, West Lincoln: The 6-foot-1, 175 senior is one of the best two-way players in the state, rushing for 1,825 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also making 110 tackles on defense.
Chris Culliver, Maiden: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound receiver is a playmaker with 66 catches for 1,215 yards and 23 touchdowns last season; has 20-plus, Division I offers.
Ben Cutter, East Lincoln: The Mustangs’ middle linebacker (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and West Virginia commit is a tackling machine with 158 stops a year ago.
Mike Geter, Salisbury: The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior quarterback accounted for more than 2,400 yards of total offense and 45 touchdowns as a sophomore. He has all the weapons to be even more productive this season.
Cahari Haynes, Burns: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker, who has committed to Appalachian State, is a constant presence in opposing backfields with 78 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss last season.
Daylin Lee, Shelby: The 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior looks to build on a monster junior season where he passed for 3,837 yards and 50 touchdowns for the 2A state champions.
Marqies McCombs, Chase: The 5-foot-10, 186-pound running back put his name on the map with 2,884 yards rushing (8th in the nation) and 41 touchdowns last season.
Isaiah Shirley, Watauga: The 6-foot-4, 250-pound, N.C. State commit is a force on the Pioneers’ defensive front with 59 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season.
Rico Walker, Hickory: The University of North Carolina commit (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) puts pressure on opposing offense (56 tackles,
Regional Players on the Rise
Taivon Derisma, Chase: The Trojans’ 6-foot, 182-pound is one of the state’s most underrated players coming off a season where he led North Carolina with 12 interceptions, including four pick-sixes, while also leading his team with 700 yards receiving, six touchdowns and two kick returns for scores.
Nigel Dula, Draughn: The Wildcats’ 6-foot, 190-pound junior tailback had a breakout sophomore campaign with 1,903 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.
Emoni McBride, Richmond Senior: The Raiders’ 6-foot, 178-pound signal caller has big shoes to fill in a long line of standout Richmond Senior quarterbacks.
Cam Medlock, South Point: The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior will get the ball early and often as he moves into the Red Raiders’ featured fullback position.
A.J. Richardson, Kings Mountain: The 5-foot-11, 235-pound senior (four-year starter) is playmaker on every snap. Last season, he had 66 tackles, including 17 stops for loss, seven sacks, while also rushing for seven touchdowns as a fullback.
Justin Rocquemore, Stuart Cramer: The 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior quarterback can beat you with his arm (1,918 yards passing, 22 touchdowns last season) or his legs (611 yards rushing, seven touchdowns).
Ben Watson, Newton Conover: The Red Devils’ 5-foot-11, 215-pound middle linebacker is all over the field (147 tackles last season) and also excels in the classroom with a 4.375 grade-point average.
Regional Conference Predictions
Big South Conference
South Point; 2. Kings Mountain; 3. Crest; 4. Ashbrook; 5. Forestview; 6. Stuart Cramer; 7. Hunter Huss; 8. North Gaston.
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Community School of Davidson; 2. Mountain Island Charter; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Winston-Salem Carver; 5. Bishop McGuinness; 6. Winston-Salem Prep; 7. Chris the King.
Catawba Valley 2A Conference
Maiden; 2. West Lincoln; 3. Newton Conover; 4. Lincolnton; 5. Bunker Hill; 6. East Burke; 7. Bandys; 8. West Caldwell.
Central Carolinas’ Conference
Salisbury; 2. North Rowan; 3. Thomasville; 4. East Davidson; 5. West Davidson; 6. South Davidson; 7. Lexington.
Mountain Foothills 7, 2A Conference
Hendersonville; 2. Chase; 3. Polk County; 4. R.S. Central; 5. Brevard; 6. East Rutherford; 7. Patton.
Northwestern 3A/4A Conference
Watauga; 2. Freedom; 3. Hibriten; 4. Alexander Central; 5. South Caldwell; 6. Ashe County.
Rocky River Conference
Monroe; 2. Forest Hills; 3. Parkwood; 4. West Stanly; 5. Anson County.
Sandhills’ Athletic Conference
Richmond Senior; 2. Scotland County; 3. Pinecrest; 4. Lee County; 5. Hoke County; 6. Southern Lee; 7. Union Pines.
South Piedmont 3A Conference
Northwest Cabarrus; 2. West Rowan; 3. Central Cabarrus; 4. Concord; 5. Carson; 6. East Rowan; 7. South Rowan.
Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference
Shelby; 2. Burns; 3. East Gaston; 4. Thomas Jefferson Academy; 5. Cherryville; 6. Bessemer City; 7. Highland Tech.
Western Foothills’ Athletic Conference/3A
East Lincoln; 2. Hickory; 3. Statesville; 4. North Lincoln; 5. St. Stephen’s; 6. North Iredell; 7. West Iredell; 8. Fred T. Foard.
Western Highlands’ 1A/2A Conference
Mitchell; 2. Draughn; 3. Mountain Heritage; 4. Madison; 5. Owen; 6. Avery; 7. Rosman.
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference
Jay M. Robinson; 2. Mount Pleasant; 3. North Stanly; 4. Albemarle; 5. South Stanly; 6. Union Academy.
Preseason All-Region Team
Offensive Player of the Year: Daylin Lee, Shelby, 6-4, 195, Sr., QB.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Cutter, East Lincoln, 6-1, 210, Sr., LB.
Offense
QB: Daylin Lee, Shelby, 6-4, 195, Sr.
RB: Mason Avery, West Lincoln, 6-1, 175, Sr.
RB: Marqies McCombs, Chase, 5-10, 186, Sr.
RB: JyMikaah Wells, Salisbury, 5-9, 225, Sr.
WR: Izay Bridges, Shelby 5-8, 160, Jr.
WR: Chris Culliver, Maiden, 6-3, 185, Sr.
WR: Amari McArthur, North Rowan, 6-2, 195, Sr.
WR/TE: Ryan Thompson, Burns, 6-1, 185, Sr.
OL: Sullivan Absher, South Point, 6-7, 300, Sr.
OL: Isaiah Eskridge, Kings Mountain, 6-3, 295, Sr.
OL: Bryson Esser, North Lincoln, 6-8, 258, Sr.
OL: Tyson Holloway, Richmond Senior, 6-3, 280, Sr.
OL: Reagan McCranie, Chase, 6-3, 315, Sr.
OL: Luke Rector, Draughn, 6-4, 295, Sr.
ATH: Mike Geter, Salisbury, 6-1, 185, Jr.
ATH: Ben Gibbs, Maiden, 5-9, 175, Sr.
Defense
DL: Ashton Miller, Mountain Island Charter, 6-3, 245, Sr.
DL: Jaden Pierce, Shelbym, 6-3, 320, Jr.
DL: Isaiah Shirley, Watauga, 6-4, 250, Sr.
DL: Rico Walker, Hickory, 6-4, 238, Sr.
LB: Ben Cutter, East Lincoln, 6-1, 210, Sr.
LB: Cahari Haynes, Burns, 6-3, 220, Sr.
LB: A.J. Richardson, Kings Mountain, 5-11, 235, Sr.
LB: Ben Watson, Newton Conover, 5-11, 215, Sr.
DB: Taivon Derisma, Chase, 6-0, 182, Sr.
DB: John Hill, Stuart Cramer, 6-3, 190, Sr.
DB: Will Ross, South Point, 6-0, 185, Sr.
DB: Keandre Walker, East Lincoln, 6-3, 180, Sr.
DB: Emerson Wall, Richmond Senior, 6-0, 181, Sr.
Specialists
K/P: Jack Berkowitz, Shelby, 5-8, 150, Sr.
K/P: Carson Foard, Maiden, 5-7, 145, Jr.
This story was originally published August 8, 2022 at 6:30 AM.