On media day, Charlotte-Mecklenburg players offer love letter to prep football
Wednesday is the official start of high school football practice in North Carolina, and Rocky River High defensive lineman Aidan Falks said it’s one of the most special days of the year.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Falks said. “It’s like the first day of school. You really can’t sleep.”
Falks and his Ravens teammates were part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference media day at Rocky River High School Tuesday afternoon.
This year, the N.C. High School Athletic Association is expanding from four classifications to eight and many schools were placed into new conferences, like this one, which is being called “The SWAC.”
The conference includes Rocky River, Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, East Mecklenburg, Providence and Palisades.
The players and coaches said, because of the changes, a lot of the 2025 season will feel very different than last year. There are new rivalries to be established, and new faces and stadiums to get accustomed to.
One thing that doesn’t change, though?
That feeling on opening day.
“Man, it’s very important,” Falks said. “This is that moment between summer and real game time. We’re about to put pads on and start to play and get real. I mean, we’ve got to lock in and take every moment seriously.”
This will be the final opening day for Ballantyne Ridge senior wide receiver/defensive back Ace Alexander. He said that, this season, he’s not going to take any moment, any snap, any game or any practice for granted.
“Opening day,” he said, “is the first day of my last year, my last time doing it. This is my last chance. I have to go as hard as I can and... like, cherish it. I know, for a lot of people, senior year goes by fast, and opening day is the starting point of setting it off for the team.”
For East Mecklenburg coach Lennie Sanders, this will be his fifth opening day on Monroe Road. He was hired as Eagles coach in May 2021. In the past 15 years, East Meck has had seven coaches, but Sanders believes he’s brought stability to the program.
He said his team, this season, is player-led, something that allows him to coach more and discipline less. And he and his team are hoping for a breakout season in this new conference. In the past seven years, East Mecklenburg has won eight games.
So, for Sanders, Wednesday’s opening day is about setting a new tone with a team he feels can win on multiple Friday nights.
“It always means something,” Sanders said of that first official practice. “It’s the last time you’ll go in helmets and no shoulder pads and jerseys on, and everybody’s trying to fight for a spot and fight for just their plate to eat. (The first day) means so much. It’s when that tingle gets into your spirit, when, like, something big is about to happen. Everybody’s undefeated. Everybody’s a state championship (contender). (The first day) is always special.”
Providence High senior linebacker Colton Bogan said he and some of his teammates having been watching film all summer to prep for this moment.
Beginning Wednesday morning, he — and they — won’t have to wait any longer.
“It means a lot for everybody,” he said. “I have played football since I was 6. I throw on a pad and a jersey and I don’t ever (want) to think about keeping it off. Going into this last year, at least for the seniors, this is your first last. You’ll never have that (first practice) back. Some of the guys are playing college. Some are not. And it’s important to not take anything for granted.”
Kickoff is three weeks away.
