Meet the 2022 Charlotte Observer high school football all-star offensive team
An annual Observer tradition, today we introduce the players on the 2022 all-star offensive football team, the best players in the newspaper’s 162-school coverage zone which covers 18 counties in western North Carolina.
The team is annually released on Christmas Day.
Players must be nominated by their coaches, or opposing coaches, to be considered for induction, and the team was selected by The Observer’s sports staff as well as members of its streaming “Talking Preps” TV show.
More than 400 players were nominated. Talking Preps co-host Jonathan Grice, who named North Carolina’s state players of the week on the show, offers commentary on the first-team picks.
Our Video Tribute
First Team Offense
QB JADYN DAVIS, PROVIDENCE DAY, 6-0, 185, JR.
2022 stats: 3,425 yards passing, 43 TDs, 6 INTs.
Talking Preps co-host Jonathan Grice: “The unquestioned leader of his team, the 2022 NC Mr. Football is a QB that displays a fantastic deep ball. He plays with such comfort in the pocket and makes playing the position look easy!”
RB MASON AVERY, WEST LINCOLN, 6-0, 190, SR.
2022 stats: 2,622 yards rushing, 37 TDs; 105 tackles, 3 sacks.
Grice: “The best two-way player in the state, this guy does it all on both sides of the ball. He is the playmaker for his team and the reason for his team’s success.”
RB LUKE BAILEY, PROVIDENCE, 5-11, 205, SR.
2022 stats: 1,866 yards, 26 TDs in 10 games.
Grice: “A big-play, do-it-all running back that carried his team into the playoffs this year. Bailey’s a tough bruising back with breakaway speed.”
WR CHRIS CULLIVER, MAIDEN, 6-3, 180, SR.
2022 stats: 1,809 yards receiving, 26 TDs.
Grice: “An explosive wideout that can make the big-time catch and has the big-play ability to take a quick screen to the house.”
WR JALEN HARRIS, HICKORY RIDGE, 6-2, 195, JR.
2022 stats: 1,103 yards receiving, 12 TDs.
Grice: “A big physical WR with the speed to run by you and the strength to win 50/50 battles; just an explosive wideout who has a bright future.”
TE JACK LARSEN, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC, 6-3, 225, JR.
2022 stats: 686 yards receiving, 10 TDs.
Grice: “A tight end who is the best of the new and the old school. He has the ability to line up as a wide receiver and make the amazing catch over defenders, but also can be a devastating blocker with his hand in the dirt.”
OL SULLIVAN ABSHER, SOUTH POINT, 6-7, 290, SR.
2022 stats: Helped an offense that averaged 39.4 points and ran up nearly 5,000 yards of offense.
Grice: “A huge lineman with surprising quickness for his size and who consistently displays dominance over the top defensive linemen in the area.”
OL EAGAN BOYER, HOUGH, 6-7, 270, JR
2022 stats: Graded better than 90 percent for NC 4A quarterfinalists. Boyer had 37 pancake blocks.
Grice: “A great tackle with amazing size and a large wingspan who was the best lineman on one of the state’s best teams.”
OL CONNOR DRAKE, PROVIDENCE, 6-6, 315, SR.
2022 stats: 4-time first team all-conference pick helped school rush more than 2,000 yards.
Grice: “One of the unquestioned best linemen in the city who was a key member of one of the best rushing offenses in the state.”
OL DAVID SANDERS, PROVIDENCE DAY, 6-6, 250, SOPH
2022 stats: The nation’s No. 1 ranked sophomore allowed one sack, had 17 pancake blocks and graded better than 90 percent.
Grice: “Jadyn Davis’s blindside protector is a punishing run-blocker with the agility to pass-protect against quicker defensive linemen.”
OL CLINT BARLOW, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC, 6-5, 315, SR.
2022 stats: Anchored OL that averaged nearly 400 yards and 40 points. Allowed one sack in 169 attempts.
Grice: “Clint is a dominant offensive lineman who jumps out on film. He is a high-motor run-blocker who often finishes plays at the second or third level of defense.”
ATH KYRON JONES, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN, 6-1, 200, SR.
2022 stats: 1,346 yards rushing, 196 yards receiving, 19 total touchdowns.
Grice: “An explosive do-it-all weapon that can line up anywhere on the field. His speed and big play ability creates matchup problems all over the field for opposing defenses.”
K NOLAN HAUSER, HOUGH, 6-1, 160, JR.
2022 stats: made 24-of-28 field-goal attempts, and was 61-of-61 on PATs. NC’s all-time career FG leader.
Grice: “One of the most unique weapons on this first team. His deep kickoffs and long-range field goals provide opposing offenses with an additional hurdle every game.”
KR JAVARIUS GREEN, CREST, 5-10, 190, JR.
2022 stats: 1,275 receiving yards,18 TDs; 597 returns yards, 3 TDs; 3 2-point conversions.
Grice: “A dynamic returner who is a threat to take the ball to the house with every kick. He is electric with the ball in his hands.”
LS MAX SCHMIDLY, MYERS PARK, 6-3, 195, SR.
2022 stats: A big reason why the Mustangs were one of the better punting and kicking teams in the area — Schmidly’s reliable snapping.
Grice: “Everything you want for a player at this position. Good size to stand up to the rush and solid technique.”
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Justin Little, Independence, 5-11, 160, Soph.
RB: Cam Medlock, South Point, 5-9, 170, Sr.
RB: Jawarn Howell, Mooresville, 6-1, 205, Sr.
WR: Jordan Shipp, Providence Day, 6-2, 195, Jr.
WR: Adriel Miller, Central Cabarrus, 5-11, 180, Sr.
TE: Griffin Reimer, Weddington, 6-5, 245, Sr.
OL: Ethan Calloway, Lake Norman, 6-7, 300, Jr.
OL: Sean McFarland, Marvin Ridge, 6-2, 260, Jr.
OL: Reagan McCranie, Chase, 6-2, 330, Sr.
OL: Darion Rivers, West Charlotte, 6-6, 255, Sr.
OL: Bryson Esser, North Lincoln, 6-8, 261, Sr.
K: Tripp Woody, Charlotte Christian, 5-10, 170, Jr.
KR: Sincere McIntyre, Independence, 5-6, 140, Sr.
LS: Jack Mowrey, Ardrey Kell, 6-3, 240, Sr.
ATH/SPEC: DJ Hamilton, Mallard Creek, 5-11, 180, Sr.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Anshon “Bubba” Camp, Chambers, 6-0, 173, Sr.
RB: JyMikaah Wells, Salisbury, 5-11, 214, Sr.
RB: Griffin Sovine, Charlotte Catholic, 5-11, 206, Sr.
WR: Channing Goodwin, Providence Day, 6-1, 165, Jr.
WR: Sterling Greene, Olympic, 5-10, 165, Sr.
TE: Elijah Pritchard, Draughn, 6-3, 205, Sr.
OL: Myles Jackson, Forestview, 6-2, 270, Sr.
OL: Peyton Reeder, Metrolina Christian, 6-5, 285, Jr.
OL: Luke Rector, Draughn, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OL: Raimon Garrett, Independence, 6-0, 240, Sr.
OL: Umar Rockhead, Mallard Creek, 6-5, 250, Jr.
K: Jackson Moore, Marvin Ridge, 5-11, 160, Sr.
KR: Miguel Morales, Hibriten, 6-1, 155, Soph.
LS: Tate Kendall, Providence, 6-2, 230, Sr.
ATH/SPEC: Rykin Maxwell, North Mecklenburg, 6-3, 200, Sr.
Meet the all-star teams
CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYERS/COACH OF THE YEAR
CLICK HERE FOR THE DEFENSIVE TEAM
PHOTOS: All-Observer offense
This story was originally published December 25, 2022 at 5:31 AM.
