WNC high school football 2023: Mountain Foothills 7 bold predictions, top players and games
The North Carolina high school football season grows closer every day.
The Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times News are previewing the teams in the WNC area. Here is a look at the Mountain Foothills 7 conference.
Two bold predictions for 2023
Hendersonville picks up from where it left off last season
The Bearcats finished second in the conference and advanced to the second round of the 2022 playoffs. Coach Kirron Ward lost a lot of talent like quarterback Lennard Benniefield, wide receivers and defensive backs Eric Rasheed and Alijah Ferguson, linebacker and defensive lineman Paul Orr to graduation. But Hendersonville has been in this position before.
Brevard takes a step forward in Year 2 under coach Luke Coleman
The Blue Devils performed better than expected even with a brutal non-conference schedule. In Year 2, the players should be more accustomed to coach Luke Coleman’s scheme, which is why Brevard should take a step forward this season.
Mountain Foothills 7 watch list
Hezzie Rudisill, Hendersonville, Jr.
Rudisill is one of the top returning running backs in the conference after he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Tayshawn Collins, Hendersonville, Sr.
Collins’ production should increase considerably this season after the graduation of Rasheed and Ferguson. He caught 19 passes for 341 yards with three touchdowns. He added 74 total tackles, an interception, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery on defense.
Antonio Simpson, Polk County, Sr.
Simpson caught 50 passes for more than 1,000 yards with six touchdowns last season. He was also solid on defense as an outside linebacker with 45 total tackles, two sacks, an interception, two pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
CJ Landrum, Hendersonville, Sr.
Landrum is one of the top defensive linemen in WNC. He finished with 10 sacks, 114 total tackles, 22 of them for a loss, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2022. Landrum has received offers from Marshall, Charlotte, Wofford, Richmond, Charleston Southern and NC A&T this offseason.
Omirion Barber, Hendersonville, Jr.
Barber collected 54 total tackles, four of them for a loss, two sacks, 20 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery in 2022.
Judson Weaver, Brevard, Jr.
Weaver recorded five sacks, 45 total tackles and two fumble recoveries in 2022.
Five must-see conference games
Hendersonville at Polk County, Sept. 22
This will be new Wolverines coach Dustin Fry’s first true conference test. Hendersonville beat Polk County 32-21 last season.
Chase at Hendersonville, Sept. 29
The Trojans defeated the Bearcats 35-16 on their way to winning the conference championship in 2022. This game should play an important role in determining the conference champion this season.
Brevard at Chase, Oct. 6
This will be the Blue Devils' first significant test to see how much they have improved from 2022. Brevard lost to Chase 42-14 last season.
Hendersonville at Brevard, Oct. 20
A must-see rivalry game. The Bearcats defeated the Blue Devils 24-7 last season.
Polk County at Brevard, Oct. 27
Another highly contested rivalry. Brevard knocked off Polk County 31-27 in 2022.
Five must-see non-conference games
Brevard at Pisgah, Aug. 18
The Blue Devils pulled off quite the upset in coach Luke Coleman’s debut in 2022, defeating the Bears 21-14. Can Brevard do it again?
West Henderson at Hendersonville, Aug. 25
The Bearcats want revenge against one of their most bitter Henderson County rivals. West Henderson beat Hendersonville 34-20 last season.
Tuscola at Polk County, Aug. 25
A pivotal non-conference test for two first-year head coaches in Fry and Mountaineers’ coach Jonathan Crompton.
Polk County at West Henderson, Sept. 1
Fry and his team take on another strong Mountain 7 program after facing Tuscola a week earlier.
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Brevard at Erwin, Sept. 1
The Blue Devils faced a difficult non-conference schedule last season. In 2023, their non-conference schedule is just as tough. Brevard will try to avenge a 32-27 loss to the Warriors last season.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC high school football 2023: Mountain Foothills 7 preview
