Lincoln County high school football: Previews, predictions, all-county team
Who are the top teams and top players in Lincoln County as the 2025 high school football season begins this week? Read on.
EAST LINCOLN
Head Coach: David Lubowicz (9th year)
2024 Record: 7-4, 4-3
Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 5A
Returning Starters: 12
Returning Lettermen: 18
Key Returning Starters: Grant Lawless, Sr., QB (6-4, 190); Jaxon Dollar, Jr., TE/DE (6-5, 215); Kaleb Lauffer, Sr., DE/TE (6-2, 195); Era Vaughn, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 250); Coltyn Daniels, Sr., LB (5-10, 190); Jackson Moore, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 315); Kaeden Hutchinson, Sr., WR/LB (5-9, 180).
Other Key Returnees: Cooper Harpster, Jr., S (5-9, 180); Jacob Moore, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 275); Tyson Muggs, Jr., WR/DB (5-10, 175).
Key Newcomers: Jacoby Hunt, So., RB/LB (5-11, 180); Andrew Viers, Sr., RB (5-9, 170); Corshawn Redfern, Jr., DL (5-11, 215).
Outlook: The Mustangs have been a consistent winner, averaging eight wins per season in eight years under Lubowicz. This season, the Mustangs’ offense will start with senior quarterback Grant Lawless (2,650 yards passing, 36 touchdowns last year; Wake Forest commit). Lawless guided an offense that averaged nearly 40 points per game last season. His entire offensive line returns, led by seniors Jackson Moore and Era Vaughn. The East Lincoln offense has more weapons with junior tight end Jaxon Dollar (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and more) and sophomore running back Jacoby Hunt (standout JV player last season). The Mustangs’ defense also has playmakers with senior defense end Kaleb Lauffer (76 tackles, eight sacks), setting the tone up front, while senior linebackers Coltyn Daniels (76 tackles) Kaeden Hutchinson (54 tackles) and junior defensive back Cooper Harpster (74 tackles) give the unit experience in the back seven.
Note: Lubowicz, is now in his ninth-year as the Mustangs’ head coach, but has been with the program for 19 years, serving as the defensive coordinator previously.
LINCOLN CHARTER
Head Coach: Mike Byus (1st year)
2024 Record: 7-2, as junior varsity team
Conference: Catawba Shores 2A/3A
Returning Lettermen: 30 (from JV team)
Returning Players: Braydon Walden, So., QB/WR (6-3, 190); Isaac Wilson, So., QB/WR/RB (5-9, 170); Colton Stern, Sr., RB (5-9, 165); Grayson Hicks, So., OL (6-4, 240); Dylan Setzer, Jr., LB/OL (5-10, 220); Inman Rathbone, Jr., LB/OL (5-10, 200); Brandon Hartzell, So., LB (5-9, 170); Alex Beasley, So., WR (6-0, 190); Sam Kennedy, Sr., K/S; Gavin Bowers, Jr., DL (5-10, 200); Keelan Rustamov, Sr., DL (6-2, 320).
Key Newcomers: Jeremiah Benton, Sr., DB (5-9, 165) (East Gaston transfer); King Davis, Jr., DB (5-9, 160) (West Charlotte transfer).
Outlook: The Eagles are ready to launch their first varsity football team under Byus, who never had a losing season in 12 years at East Lincoln and looks to build on junior varsity team that went 7-2 last season. Sophomore QB Braydon Walden will lead the offense with classmates Isaac Wilson (receiver who led team led in touchdowns last year), receiver Alex Beasley (led in receiving) and senior running back Colton Stern (led in rushing). The offensive line has sophomore Grayson Hicks, and juniors Inman Rathbone and Dylan Setzer leading the group. The Eagles’ defense will lean on a front seven featuring sophomore linebacker Brandon Hartzell (led the team in tackles last year) with junior Gavin Bowers and senior Keelan Rustamov leading the defensive line.
Note: Byus led the East Lincoln football team for 12 years (2005-2016), never going under .500, while winning two state championships.
LINCOLNTON
Head Coach: Jaden Angle (3rd year)
2024 Record: 6-5, 6-1
Conference: Southern Piedmont 3A.
Returning Starters: 10
Returning Lettermen: 19
Key Returning Starters: Jalaythan “J.J.” Mayfield, Jr., LB/RB (6-1, 225); Trashad Lineberger, Sr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Rashad Lynch, Jr., QB (5-7, 140); R.J. Lynch, So., Slot/CB (5-8, 155); Day’Shawn Singletary, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 285); Max Buckley, Jr., OL/DL (5-8, 210); Jamarius Wilson, Sr., DL (6-0, 210).
Other Key Returnees: Xyon Hall, Jr., OL/DL (6-2, 270); Peyton Grooms, So., LB/HB (6-0, 225); Elijah Edwards, Jr., DE (6-2, 205); Jayden McConneaughey, Jr., DL (6-3, 300).
Key Newcomers: Messiah Thompson, Jr., RB/DB (5-8, 145); Nehemiah Thompson, Jr., RB/DB (5-10, 170); Jalen Fletcher-McLeon, Sr., RB/OLB (5-11, 210).
Outlook: Lincolnton has won six games in three consecutive seasons and now looks to build on their its winning season since 2016 in the newly organized Southern Piedmont conference. The Wolves’ offense should be improved as junior quarterback Rashad Lynch (1,328 yards passing, 16 touchdown passes, 367 yards rushing) returns to lead the way. Returning with Lynch is senior receiver Trashad Lineberger, sophomore receiver RJ Lynch (41 catches, nine touchdowns) along with junior OL Max Buckley and senior Day’Shawn Singletary. The Lincolnton defense has one of the nation’s most dynamic players in junior linebacker Jalaythan Mayfield (109 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles) leading the unit. Wolves’ senior defensive end Jamarius Wilson, is back up front, while Lineberger and R.J. Lynch also play key roles in the secondary.
Note: Mayfield has more than 30 college offers, including Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn.
NORTH LINCOLN
Head Coach: Chris Hinson (1st year)
2024 Record: 12-2, 6-1
Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 4A/5A
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Lettermen: 12
Key Returning Starters: Landen Agee, Jr., RB (6-0, 185); Jake Jacobs, Sr., Center (6-0, 180); Jaxson Ross, Jr., OT (5-11, 225).
Other Key Returnees: Dan Nsenda, Sr., OLB (6-2, 190); Danny Burns, Sr., QB (5-10, 190); Dennis Bannister, Sr., LB (6-0 190); Jayden Meertens, Sr., WR/DB (5-7, 120); Zach Shuey, Sr., OL/DL (5-9, 180); Jared Jacobs, Sr., OL/DL (5-9, 200); Jalen Cameron, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 265); Quinton Smith, Sr., WR/DB (6-2, 180); Tyler Beighey, Sr., OL/DL (5-10, 200).
Key Newcomers: Dom Kimble, Jr., LB (6-1, 165); Jonathon Fabiano, Jr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Prestan Jones, Jr., OL/DL (6-1, 275); Mason Laferty-Boyer, Jr., A-Back/CB (5-10, 143); Anthony Elberti, Jr., Jr., A-Back/Safety (5-9, 160); Angel Outlaw, Jr., B-Back/DL (5-9, 225); Jackson Freeman, Jr., OL/DL (6-1, 230); Henry Wade, Jr., OL/DL (6-4, 290); Easton Evans, Jr., OL/DL (5-10, 170); Mason Ayers, Jr., OL/DL (6-1, 180); Owen Combs, Jr., OLB (6-1, 170); Logan Rogers, Jr., B-Back/OLB (5-11, 170); Brady Still, Jr., A-Back, LB (5-5, 160); Bley Phillips, Jr., S (5-4, 130); Jacob Halford, Jr., S (5-5, 140); Marshall Parrish, Jr., A-Back/DB (5-10, 150).
Outlook: North Lincoln is in rebuilding mode after losing 26 seniors to graduation, including all 11 starters on defense from a team that won 12 games last year. First-year coach Chris Hinson does return junior running back Landen Agee (1,043 yards, 17 touchdowns last year) and two offensive linemen in senior center, Jake Jacobs and junior tackle Jaxson Ross to build a run-heavy offense around.
Note: Hinson comes to North Lincoln after serving as Maiden’s defensive coordinator last season.
WEST LINCOLN
Head Coach: Darren Ponder (7th year)
2024 Record: 6-5, 4-3
Conference: Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Lettermen: 11
Key Returning Starters: Grae Ponder, Sr., RB/LB (6-0, 190); Brandon Miller, Sr., OT/DE (6-2, 230); Kenon Stewart, Jr., LB/TE (6-2, 185); Ryan Hodgins, So., C/NG (6-1, 270); Cash Allen, Sr., OLB/WB (6-0, 180); Damion Puga, Jr., OT/NG (6-2, 300).
Other Key Returnees: Gus Avery, Sr., QB/DB (6-2, 175); Zach Sandin, Jr., OT/DE (6-2, 185); Colton Clark, Sr., OLB/WB (6-0, 190); Eli Ebert, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 150).
Key Newcomers: T.J. Stradford, Jr., RB/DB (6-0, 165); Christian Hall, So., OG/DE (6-2, 230); Aiden Puckett, So., RB/DB (5-11, 175).
Outlook: Ponder has never had a losing season in his tenure with the Rebels. But that streak could be in jeopardy as West Lincoln returns only seven starters as its moves into the challenging new Southern Piedmont conference. The offense will feature senior RB Grae Ponder (345 yards rushing, seven touchdowns last year) and a veteran offensive line, led by senior Brandon Miller, junior Damion Puga and sophomore Ryan Hodgins. The Rebels’ defense boasts a bit more experience with Miller and Puga up front, plus seniors Cash Allen (48 tackles), Ponder and junior Kenon Stewart (76 tackles) all back at linebacker.
Note: West Lincoln has enjoyed seven straight winning seasons, dating back to 2017, when it went 4-8 overall.
Conference Predictions
Catawba Shores 2A/3A: 1. Community School of Davidson; 2. Corvian Charter; 3. Lake Norman Charter; 4. Pine Lake Prep; 5. Christ the King; 6. Lincoln Charter; 7. Langtree Charter.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A Conference: 1. Shelby; 2. Lincolnton; 3. Burns; 4. West Lincoln; 5. Bessemer City; 6. Stuart Cramer; 7. East Gaston; 8. Cherryville; 9. Highland Tech.
Western Foothills’ 4A/5A Conference: 1. Hickory; 2. East Lincoln; 3. Maiden; 4. North Lincoln; 5. Bandys; 6. Newton Conover; 7. Bunker Hill; 8. Fred T. Foard. 9. West Iredell.
Preseason all-county team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Grant Lawless, East Lincoln, 6-4, 190, Sr., QB.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jaylathan “J.J.” Mayfield, Lincolnton, 6-1, 225, Jr., LB.
Offense
QB: Grant Lawless, East Lincoln, 6-4, 190, Sr.
RB: Landen Agee, North Lincoln, 6-0, 185, Jr.
RB: Grae Ponder, West Lincoln, 6-0, 190, Sr.
WR: Alex Beasley, Lincoln Charter, 6-0, 190, So.
WR: R.J. Lynch, Lincolnton, 5-8, 155, So.
TE: Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln, 6-5, 215, Jr.
OL: Max Buckley, Lincolnton, 5-8, 210, Jr.
OL: Jake Jacobs, North Lincoln, 6-0, 180, Sr.
OL: Jackson Moore, East Lincoln, 6-3, 315, Sr.
OL: Day’Shawn Singletary, Lincolnton, 6-2, 285, Sr.
OL: Era Vaughn, East Lincoln, 6-1, 250, Sr.
ATH: Jacoby Hunt, East Lincoln 5-11, 180, So.
Defense
DL: Kaleb Lauffer, East Lincoln, 6-2, 195, Sr.
DL: Brandon Miller, West Lincoln, 6-2, 230, Sr.
DL: Jamarius Wilson, Lincolnton, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB: Coltyn Daniels, East Lincoln, 5-9, 190, Sr.
LB: Brandon Hartzell, Lincoln Charter, 5-9, 170, So.
LB: Jaylathan “J.J.” Mayfield, Lincolnton, 6-1, 225, Jr.
LB: Kenon Stewart, West Lincoln, 6-2, 185, Jr.
DB: Jeremiah Benton, Lincoln Charter, 5-9, 165, Sr.
DB: Cooper Harpster, East Lincoln, 5-9, 180, Jr.
DB: Trashad Lineberger, Lincolnton, 6-0, 170, Sr.
DB: Messiah Thompson, Lincolnton, 5-8, 145, Jr
Specialist
K/P: Sam Kennedy, Lincoln Charter, 6-1, 175, Sr.
