Forest Hills’ Cam Winnegan is The Observer’s high school football player of the week
A year ago, Forest Hills High School’s Cam Winnegan, The Charlotte Observer’s high school football player of the week, was a backup quarterback starving for playing time.
After a position change this season, Winnegan barely comes off the field for the Yellow Jackets (9-3), who play at Salisbury in an NCHSAA 2A third-round playoff game Friday.
Winnegan won a week-long vote among Observer readers after catching four passes, two for touchdowns, in a 35-12 first round playoff win over Lexington on Nov. 15.
“I wanted to be on the field more,” said Winnegan, now a 17-year-old defensive back and wide receiver, “and I felt like I could do that by changing my position. It was hard. I have been playing quarterback since fourth grade. It was a new learning process that I had to go through, but it was the best decision. I’ve been successful this whole year. I’ve put up great stats and I’ve been able to do great things for the team.”
Last season, as a sophomore, Winnegan got into eight of 14 games as a backup to 3,000-yard quarterback Brady Hibbard.
In the summer, Winnegan was competing in 7 on 7s for the starting job that eventually went to Piedmont High transfer Zach Dillworth. Yellow Jackets coach Jammie Deese said that Winnegan, at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, could help the team in so many other places that he felt the best move was to ask Winnegan to switch positions.
“He can throw the ball, sure,” Deese said, “but I think the competitive side of him wanted to be on the field. He enjoyed learning the (new) positions on both sides, especially at defensive back. He’s become a lock down corner for us.”
This season, Winnegan has caught seven passes for 131 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he’s got 24 tackles, two interceptions plus a fumble recovery and a caused fumble.
He’s played in every game and helped a Forest Hills team that effectively lost 16 starters from a 12-2 team that reached the third round of the playoffs in 2023. Deese said many of his starters play on offense and defense.
After a 1-2 start this season, the Yellow Jackets have been rolling, winning their past six games.
“I felt this season would be more of a marathon instead of a sprint,” Deese said. “We lost so many starters and it took a little bit to grow into what we are now. Now, we’ve gained our stride. The kids have settled into a new defensive coordinator and the new scheme we’re doing defensively. Each week that’s passed, the kids understand what we keep talking about: Getting better week to week.”
Deese said that Winnegan is at the head of that list.
“He’s just a dynamic athlete that can play anywhere on the field basically,” Deese said. “He’s extremely pliable with what we can do him. He’s just got a God-given ability to make plays.”
Previous winners
(Tap link to read the story)
Week 1: Carson Clutter, Charlotte Latin
Week 2: Sean Brady, Hough
Week 3: Fernando Zelaya, Olympic
Week 4: Cameron Cyr, Hough
Week 5: Jayden Jones, Independence
Week 6: Cameron Johnson, Corvian Community
Week 7: Titus Ivory, Charlotte Latin
Week 8: Noah Best, Corvian Community
Week 9: Trey Blakeney, Hough
Week 10: Ziere Brooks, Chambers
Week 11: Jayden Jones, Independence
Week 12: Cash Hunter, South Mecklenburg
Week 13: Cam Winnegan, Forest Hills
