Sweet 16 Preview: Ardrey Kell is loaded with seniors – and they’re a talented group
Editor’s Note: The Observer is taking a look at the 16 teams that are ranked in the preseason Sweet 16 prep football poll, released in random order. The true order of the teams will be revealed later this month.
The seniors are talented, hard-working and close-knit, says Ardrey Kell head football coach Greg Jachym.
But they’re something more.
They were freshmen when Jachym became head coach at Ardrey Kell, ushering in a new era of football at the school.
The Knights had a 75-80 record in the 13 seasons before Jachym became head coach. In his three years as head coach, while this year’s senior class has been at the school, the record is 25-7.
“This group of seniors is tight,” says Jachym, who was an assistant at the school from 2007 until taking over the program in 2019. “It’s the biggest senior class we’ve ever had in the program.”
“There are a lot of really good leaders in the group,” he adds.
There also are a lot of really talented players among the group.
Joshua Switzer is a safety, running back and kick returner. Jachym says Switzer could play nearly any position on defense, and he’s among the most dangerous kick returners in the state.
“He’s mainly a defensive player, but we’ll line him up with our offense at times,” Jachym says.
Running backs Beylor Morgan and Brooks Stankavage have both power-running and breakaway abilities. Morgan rushed for 768 yards last season. Stankavage missed a lot of 2021 with an injury.
“We’re solid at running back,” Jachym says, understandably.Wide receivers Ethan Presutty and Jalen Toye-Ellis are back after big seasons.
It’s the same on defense, with linebackers James Stepp and Kyler Watson and defensive backs Chancellor Bryant (a junior) and Switzer.
Jachym says four of five starters are back on the offensive line, and most starters from the defensive line return.
“Our offensive line was young last year, but they’re really jelling now,” he says.
Ardrey Kell has been a crossroads for college coaches in recent months.
Center and long-snapper Jack Mowrey is a college recruit. Stankavage will play lacrosse at Army. Switzer announced this week that he will play football at Navy. Presutty and Watson are among others with multiple FBS offers. At least a half-dozen have college offers or are being recruited.
This is a home-grown group. With just a few exceptions, these seniors have played together since their freshman years.
There is key position where Ardrey Kell followers will see a new face this year – at quarterback.
Jack Curtis, who threw for more than 2,000 yards last season, is playing college football this fall. His replacement is Josh Leclair, who, naturally, is a senior.
“Josh was Jack’s backup last season,” Jachym says. “He’s really good at distributing the football, and that’s important with all the weapons we have this season.”
Curtis was more of a drop-back passing quarterback, although he would take off and run at times. Jachym says Leclair, 5-10 and 165 pounds, will probably run more often than his predecessor did.
“It will be a different style for us,” Jachym says. “Josh can throw the ball well, but he also can hurt you with his feet. We’ll take advantage of that.”
Like any other coach, Jachym says the Knights will need to stay healthy. But more than 140 prospective players showed up for opening drills, so there obviously is some depth at Charlotte’s southern-most school.
The nonconference schedule is rather daunting.
The Knights open with Providence, expected to be a playoff contender this season; and then face three straight Union County powers in Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge and Weddington. All three of those teams played in the postseason last fall and are regarded as strong threats to return.
“That schedule will certainly have us ready for the start of the conference,” Jachym says.
It also should help the Knights’ RPI, a ranking system used by the N.C. High School Athletic Association in seeding playoff teams.
“It helped us last year, and we hope it will do the same this season,” Jachym says.
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
Inside Look: Ardrey Kell Knights
Head coach: Greg Jachym (four year as Ardrey Kell head coach).
2021 record: 8-3
Returning starters: 14
Returning lettermen: 35
Key returning starters: Khyler Watson, Sr., OLB (6-3, 240); Joshua Switzer, Sr., S/RB/KR (5-10, 185); Brooks Stankavage, Sr., WR/RB (5-11, 180); Ethan Presutty, Sr., WR (6-1, 195); Jalen Toye-Ellis, Sr, WR (5-10, 180); James Stepp, Sr., LB (5-10, 220); Chancellor Bryant, Jr, DB (5-10, 170); Xavier Esquillen, Sr, DL (6-2, 240); Jack Ludwick, Jr., OL (6-0, 250); Beylor Morgan, Sr., RB (5-11, 230); Elijah Smith, Sr., OL (6-1, 250).
Fresh Face: Brandon Stoner, So., OL (6-4, 285).
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.