NC high school football 2023 previews for Cumberland County teams
With the NCHSAA football season's opening kickoff date of Aug. 18 drawing near, all 10 of Cumberland County's public high school teams are getting set for action.
Six local programs qualified for state playoffs last season, with two of them — Seventy-First and Pine Forest — going undefeated in conference play. The Falcons made it all the way to the East Regional final for Fayetteville's deepest postseason run, and the Trojans' league title marked their second straight.
With the stage set and plenty of storylines to follow this season, here's a look at Fayetteville's top returning players, complete team schedules, coaches' comments and more.
WHO ARE FAYETTEVILLE'S TOP FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH?
2023 JAMBOREE: First impressions, top performers from Cumberland County Football Jamboree
NAMES TO KNOW: 50 Fayetteville high school football players to watch, 50 days before 2023 season
Jack Britt
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Brian Randolph (seventh season as head coach at Britt)
2022 record: 7-4 overall, 6-1 conference (finished second in conference; reached first round of 4A state playoffs)
Five-year record: 30-24, 21-12
2023 schedule (*conference game)
Aug. 18 — vs. Hoke County
Aug. 25 — vs. East Forsyth
Sept. 1 — Open
Sept. 8 — at Scotland
Sept. 15 — vs. Douglas Byrd*
Sept. 22 — at Lumberton*
Sept. 29 — at Purnell Swett*
Oct. 6 — at Seventy-First*
Oct. 13 — vs. Cape Fear*
Oct. 20 — at Gray's Creek*
Oct. 27 — at South View*
Top returning players: Elijah Evans (Junior DE), Jabari Lee (Senior SS/QB/WR), Darcy Davis (Senior WR/FS), Emorrian Towns (Sophomore CB/FS), Makani Morris (Junior G/C), Tyler Ivory (Senior G/C), Ethan Emery (Senior K)
Potential breakout players: Kevin Jones (Sophomore), Amir Jackson (Junior RB/OLB), Jaleel Parker (Sophomore WR/OLB), Owen Craft (Junior RB), Braeden Kaye (Junior WR), Landon Jackson (Junior WR)
Douglas Byrd
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Maurice Huey (third season as head coach at Byrd)
2022 record: 3-7, 2-5 (finished sixth in conference)
Five-year record: 9-38, 6-29
2023 schedule (*conference game)
Aug. 18 — vs. Red Springs
Aug. 25 — at E.E. Smith
Sept. 1 — at Hoke County
Sept. 8 — Open
Sept. 15 — at Jack Britt*
Sept. 22 — vs. South View*
Sept. 29 — vs. Gray's Creek*
Oct. 6 — at Cape Fear*
Oct. 13 — at Lumberton*
Oct. 20 — vs. Purnell Swett*
Oct. 27 — vs. Seventy-First*
Top returning players: Wyatt Rodgers (Senior MLB), Sincere Blount (Senior RB), Khalil Carpenter (Senior RB), Jayden Abney (Senior LB), Samuel Henderson (Senior), Ethan Colon (Junior OL), Josiah Carpenter (Junior DB), Zachary Colon (Senior OL)
Potential breakout players: Isaiah Pope (Junior QB), Lamar Branch (Sophomore WR), Jamarion Jones (Senior DB), Justin Richardson (Junior RB), Josiah Richardson (Sophomore QB), Jaylen Owens (Junior WR/CB), Stephon Chance (Senior DL)
Cape Fear
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Jacob Thomas (11th season as head coach at Cape Fear)
2022 record: 7-4, 5-2 (finished third in conference; reached first round of 3A state playoffs)
Five-year record: 30-20, 23-12
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — vs. Pine Forest
Aug. 25 — Open
Sept. 1 — vs. Terry Sanford
Sept. 8 — at Wilmington Laney
Sept. 15 — vs. Lumberton*
Sept. 22 — at Purnell Swett*
Sept. 29 — at Seventy-First*
Oct. 6 — vs. Douglas Byrd*
Oct. 13 — at Jack Britt*
Oct. 20 — vs. South View*
Oct. 27 — at Gray's Creek*
Top returning players: Mekhai Coleman (Senior WR/CB), Rico McDonald (Senior WR/RB), Jeremiah Melvin (Senior WR), Favour Murtala (Senior RB), Landon Sargent (Senior ILB/OT), Robert Moore (Senior LB), Marquan Footman (Junior G/DE), Desmond Harris (Senior G/DT), John McKenzie (Senior T/DT)
Potential breakout players: Damien Gary (Junior WR/CB), Bryan Charles (Junior OLB/RB), King Faison (Junior RB), Cameron Graham (Senior RB/DE), Will Wicklin (Junior MLB), Jhaden Bethea (Junior T/DT), Xavier Jones-Spivey (Junior C/DT), Anthony Carroway (Sophomore), Brice McKenzie (Senior QB/WR)
Coach's outlook: "We have several returners on defense which should be our strength, and several on offense at receiver, RB, and line. We have to have our leaders step up and help our QB with a lack of experience. The guys have come a long way since June, but we still have a lot of work to do."
Gray's Creek
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Jon Sherman (third season as head coach at Gray's Creek)
2022 record: 6-4, 3-4 (finished fifth in conference)
Five-year record: 32-22, 19-17
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — vs. E.E. Smith
Aug. 25 — at Red Springs
Sept. 1 — at Pine Forest
Sept. 8 — Open
Sept. 15 — at Purnell Swett*
Sept. 22 — vs. Seventy-First*
Sept. 29 — at Douglas Byrd*
Oct. 6 — vs. Lumberton*
Oct. 13 — at South View*
Oct. 20 — vs. Jack Britt*
Oct. 27 — vs. Cape Fear*
Top returning players: Kaleb Caraway (Junior MLB/TE), Javon Webb (Senior RB), Tyler Davis (Senior QB/WR), Elijah Wilson (Senior FB/DE), , Darius Thomas (Senior WR/CB), Isaiah Morales (Senior SS/FS), Jackson Karcher (Senior OLB/TE), Tyler Parks (Senior DB), Zavier Barrett (OL/DL),
Potential breakout players: Jalen Johnson (DE/OLB), Daran Miller (Senior RB/WR/FS), Jaden Webb (Junior SS/FS/WR)
Pine Forest
Conference: All American 3A/4A
Coach: Bill Sochovka (23rd season as head coach at Pine Forest)
2022 record: 10-3, 7-0 (won conference; reached third round of 4A state playoffs)
Five-year record: 39-18, 29-7
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — at Cape Fear
Aug. 25 — vs. Seventy-First
Sept. 1 — vs. Gray's Creek
Sept. 8 — Open
Sept. 15 — vs. Westover*
Sept. 22 — at Western Harnett*
Sept. 29 — vs. Terry Sanford*
Oct. 6 — at E.E. Smith*
Oct. 13 — at Triton*
Oct. 20 — at Harnett Central*
Oct. 27 — vs. Overhills*
Top returning players: Nyzir Bostick (Senior QB), Fredrick Logan (Senior WR/CB), James Hunt (Junior RB/DE), Tim Blue (Junior DE), Micah Thompson, Ladarious Miller (Senior WR), Latrell Carter (Junior RB/SB/WR), Amari Robinson (Junior TE/WR/DE),
Potential breakout players: Dominic Metcalf, JT Hill, Donovan Johnson (Sophomore OL), Jeremiah Moore (Junior MLB), Jamari Jones (Junior RB/WR)
Terry Sanford
Conference: All American 3A/4A
Coach: Bruce McClelland (seventh season as head coach at Terry Sanford)
2022 record: 11-3, 6-1 (finished second in conference; reached fourth round of 3A state playoffs)
Five-year record: 44-17, 29-7
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — vs. Topsail
Aug. 25 — vs. Scotland
Sept. 1 — at Cape Fear
Sept. 8 — Open
Sept. 15 — at Overhills*
Sept. 22 — vs. Triton*
Sept. 29 —at Pine Forest*
Oct. 6 — vs. Harnett Central*
Oct. 13 — vs. Westover*
Oct. 20 — at E.E. Smith*
Oct. 27 — vs. Western Harnett*
Top returning players: KamaL Thames (Senior DB/WR), Jonathan Higgins-Simmons (Senior RB/OLB), Kenyon Slaughter-Keen (Senior RB/LB/DB), Jaylen Wright (Senior QB), Rashid Jones (Senior WR), Emilio Glenn (Senior DL/OL), Riley Liles (Senior C/G)
Potential breakout players: Tucker Hayes (Junior LB/DL), Izaiah Williams (Sophomore CB/RB/WR), DeWayne McNeil (Junior DB)
Coach's outlook: "We are replacing 22 seniors — 15 of them full-time starters … Our young guys will get a chance to build on their efforts from last year and mesh with a group of senior leaders we really like. FTS Football has three goals every year: conference, home playoff games and state. The staff is excited about our summer workouts and is ready to start the season."
2022 PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHT 'It was nuts': Terry Sanford football wins on Hail Mary vs. Scotland in NCHSAA playoffs
Seventy-First
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Duran McLaurin (11th season as head coach at Seventy-First)
2022 record: 14-1, 7-0 (won conference; reached East Regional 3A final)
Five-year record: 46-18, 24-10
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — at Richmond Senior
Aug. 25 — at Pine Forest
Sept. 1 — Open
Sept. 8 — vs. Hoke County
Sept. 15 — at South View*
Sept. 22 — at Gray's Creek*
Sept. 29 — vs. Cape Fear*
Oct. 6 — vs. Jack Britt*
Oct. 13 — at Purnell Swett*
Oct. 20 — vs. Lumberton*
Oct. 27 — at Douglas Byrd*
Top returning players: Donavan Frederick (Junior LB), Hector Bautista (Junior DL), Zayvion Hill (Senior LB), Melik Thomas (Senior LB), DeAndre Nance (Junior QB), Zymeir McPhaul (Junior OL), Amire Drummond (Senior WR), Quamel Hoffler (Senior C/T)
Potential breakout players: Kalen Lucas (Junior DB), Christian Jackson (Junior WR/LB), Isaiah Harrington (Senior DL), Jayson Franklin (Sophomore RB/LB), Ziare Ealy (Junior G/T) and Jytavius Whitted (Junior WR/FS)
Coach's outlook: "Looking forward to another good season ... when building and trying to maintain a solid program you will always have good players graduating and look forward to the next group of guys coming in and making the most of their opportunities. We have more than enough bulletin board material to keep us motivated."
1 GAME SHORT OF STATE FINAL: Seventy-First football loses in final minute to Northern Nash in East Regional final
E.E. Smith
Conference: All American 3A/4A
Coach: Antonio Wallace (first season as head coach at E.E. Smith)
2022 record: 1-9, 0-7 (finished eighth in conference)
Five-year record: 6-42, 5-31
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — at Gray's Creek
Aug. 25 — vs. Douglas Byrd
Sept. 1 — at West Carteret
Sept. 8 —Open
Sept. 15 — at Triton*
Sept. 22 — vs. Overhills*
Sept. 29 — at Harnett Central*
Oct. 6 — vs. Pine Forest*
Oct. 13 — at Western Harnett*
Oct. 20 — vs. Terry Sanford*
Oct. 27 — vs. Westover*
Top returning players: Terence Rogers (Senior RB), Adom Hembrick (Junior DB), Jonathan Williams (Senior DL), David Adams (Senior DL)
South View
Conference: United 8 3A/4A
Coach: Rodney Brewington (ninth season as head coach at South View)
2022 record: 4-6, 4-3 (finished fourth in conference)
Five-year record: 41-17, 29-7
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — vs. Overhills
Aug. 25 — at Hoke County
Sept. 1 — at Durham Riverside
Sept. 8 —Open
Sept. 15 — vs. Seventy-First*
Sept. 22 — at Douglas Byrd*
Sept. 29 — vs. Lumberton*
Oct. 6 — at Purnell Swett*
Oct. 13 — vs. Gray's Creek*
Oct. 20 — at Cape Fear*
Oct. 27 — vs. Jack Britt*
Top returning players: Rashad Dockery (Junior RB), Anthony Farrior (Junior WR), Jakori Hood (Senior OL/DL), Joseph Hunt (Junior C), Davion Lapointe (Junior OL/DL), Donte Marshmon (Junior OL/DL), Christian Rutledge (Senior RB), Bobby Soles (Junior LB/RB), Donovan Pauling-Outlaw (DB/ATH), Deshaun Johnson (Senior WR/CB), William Moore (Junior WR/CB), Kwa'shawn Moore (Senior DE), Dontario Austin (Junior LB), Gavin Williams (Junior LB/RB), Jayden Jenkins (Junior CB/WR), Jamar Gillard (Junior CB/RB)
Potential breakout players: Tyriq Clarida (Junior QB/CB), Christian Simmons (Freshman RB/LB), Chase Evans (Senior WR/SB), Jamal Brown (Sophomore TE/DE), Malyk McLean (Sophomore CB/WR), TJ Davis (MLB), Brendan Jones (Sophomore OL/DL)
Westover
Conference: All American 3A/4A
Coach: Ernest King (sixth season as head coach at Westover)
2022 record: 5-3, 3-4 (finished fifth in conference)
Five-year record: 19-32, 10-26
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 — vs. St. Pauls
Aug. 25 — vs. Smithfield-Selma
Sept. 1 — at Fairmont
Sept. 8 —Open
Sept. 15 — at Pine Forest*
Sept. 22 — vs. Harnett Central*
Sept. 29 — at Triton*
Oct. 6 — vs. Overhills*
Oct. 13 — at Terry Sanford*
Oct. 20 — vs. Western Harnett*
Oct. 27 — at E.E. Smith*
Top returning players: Brandon Avery (Senior RB), JaDon Rourk (Sophomore WR), Cameron Hunt (Senior LB), Kristopher Hunt (Senior DB), Cashyon Foster (Senior LB)
Potential breakout players: Shawn Giles-Jones (Senior LB), DaVone Posey (Freshman DB)
Coach's outlook: "We are young but talented and expect to have a good showing this year. The plan is to push for a conference championship and a playoff run for a state championship."
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC high school football 2023 previews for Cumberland County teams
