How tandem of Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel, Mason Gasperson has North Henderson on brink of best season
North Henderson football running backs Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel and Mason Gasperson have been playing on the same team since they were 5 years old.
Playing together for that long has helped them build a special chemistry not many duos in Western North Carolina can replicate.
“Just really we know when each other is on a hot streak and who needs to be in the game,” Fauntleroy-McDaniel said. “And when and who needs to run the football.”
Fauntleroy-McDaniel and Gasperson’s connection has propelled North Henderson to a 7-2 record, its best season since 2015. They have led a Knights offense that is averaging 32 points per game. With a win against Pisgah on Friday, the program would have an eight-win season for the first time.
The backs have combined to rush for 1,681 yards with 25 touchdowns on 223 carries this season.
Coach Jim Beatty said Fauntleroy-McDaniel excels at exploding through holes with his quickness while Gasperson is a thumper.
“Zion goes in, usually starts the game then Mason comes in whenever he needs a blow,” Beatty said. “It’s a good complement to each other. They cheer each other when the other one is out."
Fauntleroy-McDaniel tries to model his game after Barry Sanders, a former Detroit Lions star (1989-98) and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“That’s why I wear No. 20 because of him,” he said. “That’s my favorite running back. I think he’s the best to ever do it.”
His favorite thing about Sanders’ game is his ability to break tackles despite his 5-foot-8, 200-pound frame.
Both of them are following in their father’s footsteps by playing high school football. Gasperson’s father played running back for Roberson while Fauntleroy-McDaniel’s dad played for Hendersonville.
Gasperson tries to emulate his game after his father.
“Because he’s kind of the same way, I am,” he said. “I am just hitting the holes.”
The duo also shine in other sports. Fauntleroy-McDaniel is a standout on the basketball team, while Gasperson batted leadoff for the baseball team this past season.
Fauntleroy-McDaniel said basketball has helped him become a better football player.
“Because basketball you got to stay quick on your feet,” he said. “So in football, when you gotta cut or you gonna make a cut, there’s that reaction time. Gotta be quick. So basketball helps a lot with that.”
How North Henderson has won four games in a row
The Knights kicked off the season with three straight wins before falling in consecutive weeks to West Henderson and Smoky Mountain. Since then, the Knights have won four in a row.
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Gasperson said the team improved its mindset after the two losses. Beatty pointed to the offensive line’s improvement for how North Henderson has won four straight.
“Up front, I think we’re blocking a lot better than what we were in that two-game losing streak,” Beatty said. “And I think our running backs are seeing the holes better.”
Now North Henderson has its eyes set on Pisgah (7-2, 3-2). The Bears allowed over 240 rushing yards in its two losses against West Henderson and Tuscola.
The game is important to the Knights' playoff seeding, but Beatty said the team is keeping its focus on this week's game.
“Right now, we’re worried about Pisgah and just trying to get to 8-2,” Beatty said. “Nobody at this school has been 8-2. No other team has won eight games.”
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: How RB duo has North Henderson football on brink of best season
