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Starmount East Wilkes

A supplement of

Football 2016 August 24, 2016

Elkin Forbush Surry Central S2

2 Wednesday, August 24, 2016 FOOTBALL 2016 The Tribune

Starmount 2016 Varsity Rams Kristian Russell | The Tribune Starmount fall 2016 sports schedules Schedule Schedule Soccer Schedule Cross Country August 20...... North Surry @ Starmount August 17...... Forbush @ Starmount August 15...... Starmount @ East Surry Schedule August 23...... Starmount @ Mount Airy August 23...... Starmount @ Alleghany August 18...... Starmount @ Mount Airy August 16...... 2 Mile Run @ Yadkin Park August 25...... Wilkes Central @ Starmount August 22...... Starmount @ North Surry September 1...... 5K @ Yadkin Park August 25...... Starmount @ Forbush August 30...... Starmount @ East Wilkes August 25...... Starmount @ West Stokes September 13... 5K @ Ashe County August 27...... East Surry @ Starmount September 1...... Starmount @ North Wilkes August 29...... Surry Central @ Starmount September 20... 5K @ West Wilkes September 1...... Starmount @ North Wilkes September 6...... West Wilkes @ Starmount August 31...... Walkertown @ Starmount October 4...... 5K @ Starmount September 6...... West Wilkes @ Starmount September 8...... Ashe County @ Starmount September 1...... North Iredell @ Starmount September 12.....Starmount @ Forbush October 11...... 5K @ West Wilkes September 7..... Starmount @ Bishop McGuinness September 7...... Mount Airy @ Starmount September 13.....Starmount @ Elkin October 17...... Conference Tournament September 12... Starmount @ North Wilkes September 12...... Starmount @ North Surry September 15.....Alleghany @ Starmount @ Wilkes Central September 14.... West Wilkes @ Starmount September 27...... North Wilkes @ Starmount September 20.....Starmount @ Wilkes Central Regionals and State are TBA September 19... Ashe County @ Starmount September 29...... Starmount @ West Wilkes September 22.....East Wilkes @ Starmount September 27.....North Wilkes @ Starmount Sepetember 21..Starmount @ Elkin October 15...... Statesville @ Starmount September 29.....Starmount @ West Wilkes September 26... Alleghany @ Starmount October 15...... North Wilkes @ Starmount October 4:...... Starmount @ Ashe County September 28... Starmount @ Wilkes Central October 22, 25, 27, 29..NCHSAA Playoffs October 6...... Elkin @ Starmount October 3...... East Wilkes @ Starmount October ...... North Wilkes @ Starmount November 1...... NCHSAA Regionals October 11-14...... Conference Tournament @ Elkin October 10...... Starmount @ West Wilkes November 5...... NCHSAA 2A State October 18...... First Dual Team Playoff October 17...... Elkin @ Starmount Championship October 20-22....Individual Regional Tournament October 19...... Starmount @ Alleghany October 28-29....Individual State Tournament October 24...... Wilkes Central @ Starmount October 26...... Starmount @ East Wilkes S3

The Tribune FOOTBALL 2016 Wednesday, August 24, 2016 3 Rams look to capture another conference title By Kristian Russell Rams tied for first in the MVAC, and few games as a sophomore under Andrew be leadership, but so far the team has [email protected] made it to the first round of the NCHSAA Smythers, but this season he will be the come together to show support for one playoffs. main quarterback for the Rams and help another before the season starts. BOONVILLE — After an emotional Along with the new season comes new carry the team to the playoffs. Senior, “The biggest thing about this group loss to Swaim County in the first round players, new strategies and a younger Henry Stone will help the Rams on offen- of kids is that they are a great group to of the NCHSAA playoffs last season, the group of athletes. Johnson is no stranger sive again this season, as last season he be around,” said Johnson. “This group Starmount Rams are looking to get back to rebuilding years as a head coach. He’s accumulated 108 receiving yards. Junior, enjoys being with each other day in and on the field and improve on last season’s been the head coach at Starmount for 12 Peyton Mullins also will be another day out. They are a tremendous group of record. With a renewed passion, the Rams years and he doesn’t plan on stopping athlete to keep an eye on this season on kids to coach.” are looking to capture another MVAC anytime soon. offense, last season he scored six touch- Starmount opened up its season versus title. “We have a small senior class again downs for the Rams. Mount Airy on Aug. 19, from there they “Our main goal this season is to win the this season, we have seven or eight this Although Starmount is still strong on will host East Surry on Aug. 26, then conference championship and we want year. The kids are enjoyable and they offense, it lost three of its leading rush- Forbush for the Unifi Bowl on Sept. 9. to improve week-to-week on offense and do what they are supposed to do,” said ers — Brandon Prescott, Trey Lomax and The Rams will be honoring past and defense,” said Head Coach Scott Johnson. Johnson. “We have a youthful team as the Andrew Smythers. This season Johnson present football players this season dur- “Of course we always want to go back to sophomores that we had last year are now knows he’ll have to improve the offensive ing each home game, as Starmount High the State Championship.” juniors, but they are still growing into line to get the MVAC title. School and the football program both turn Two years ago the Rams made it to the what they need to be. We usually have 12 “This season we are looking to improve 50-years old this year. At each home game NCHSAA State Championship where to 16 seniors, so having two back-to-back our offensive line with a few changes. We there will be a variety of different mem- they went head-to-head with football small senior classes is a little strange.” had a lot of sophomores on last season’s bers of the football team, power house, Wallace-Rose Hill. The Offensively, the Rams are returning line so this season they are bigger and team, sideline volunteers, and announc- Rams fell 34-21, but they kept their post- several key players who make a difference stronger,” said Johnson. “Our defensive ers honored throughout the 2016-2017 season momentum going into last season for the Rams on and off the field. Junior, line will also be improved from last sea- season. where they accomplished a 7-2 overall Patrick Usher will be the starting quarter- son.” record and a 5-2 conference record. The back this season. Last season he played a The biggest question for the Rams will Kristian Russell may be reached at 336-258-4052.

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The Tribune FOOTBALL 2016 Wednesday, August 24, 2016 5

Starmount Roster 1 Drake Funderburk QB, DB So. 5-9 145 Year 2 looks promising 2 Sentrone Davidson QB, LB Jr. 5-11 155 3 Walker Pardue WR, DB Sr. 6-1 165 4 Patrick Usher QB, DB Jr. 5-9 185 North Surry hopes to contend for WPAC title in ‘16 5 Henry Stone QB, TE Sr. 6-1 180 By Jackson Fuller back Andrew Smith, who rushed for 1,017 yards 6 Houston Nicks OL Sr. 5-10 180 [email protected] and nine touchdowns despite missing games due 7 Peyton Mullins RB, LB Jr. 5-11 190 to injury last year. Coach Lyons expects Andrew to North Surry football coach Danny Lyons didn’t be a more consistent rusher this season and backup 8 Avery Johnson WR, DB Jr. 5-7 150 know how his team would fare in its first year after Sammy McMillan will continue to help North Surry 11 Austin Wilfong WR, DB Jr. 5-7 150 an offensive overhaul. provide balance on offense. 15 Brendon Eads CB, RB Jr. 5-11 140 Lyons is about to enter his fifth season as the man “We had balance last year, and I think that’s some- in charge of the Greyhounds, but last year he made thing that people don’t realize. The running game 16 Carson Hemric WR, DB Jr. 5-11 152 an intense change to his coaching scheme. North could take another step forward this year with both 17 Gatlin Welborn RB, LB Jr. 6-0 160 Surry transitioned from a traditional I-formation of those guys getting a year older and if our guys up 23 Ethan Barnes RB, LB So. 6-1 171 base to a pass-happy spread offense tabbed as “Air- front start to jell,” Lyons said. Raid.” 25 Dawson Smith RB, LB So. 5-9 160 The guys up front potentially hold the key to The change turned out to be a positive one. North North Surry’s season. Avery Smith’s ability to run 32 Silas Holbrook RB, LB Sr. 5-8 200 Surry (7-5) finished third in the conference, made helps his offensive line, but Lyons wants Smith to 50 Simon Owens OL, DL Sr. 5-8 230 the NCHSAA 2A playoffs for the first time since have the luxury of more time in the pocket this year. 2012 and even produced the Western Piedmont Ath- 51 Clay Jenkins OL, DL Jr. 6-0 220 The unit struggled against good defenses like West letic Conference’s Player of the Year in quarterback Stokes and Mount Airy, and three starters graduated 55 Alex Jester OL, DL Sr. 5-8 173 Avery Smith. in June. 60 Britt Ashley OL, DL Sr. 6-2 245 Last year’s success has brought deserved con- However, Lyons has confidence the two returners fidence to the North Surry football program as it 66 Jonah Pendergrass OL, DL So. 6-1 225 could combine with his youth up front to become a enters the 2016 campaign. No longer adapting to a stronger offensive line this season, in due time. 70 Brock Mullins OL, DL Jr. 5-10 230 new system, the Greyhounds are ready to take the “Varsity is just a different speed,” Lyons said. “I 73 Antonio Lopez OL, DL Jr. 6-0 250 next step and upend their local rivals while also chal- think it might take two scrimmages and some non- 76 Zach Hicks OL, DL So. 6-0 205 lenging the likes of West Stokes and Carver for the conference games for some of these guys to settle WPAC title. in.” 78 Alex Palacios OL, DL Jr. 6-0 305 “We were tickled last year with how the season The two returning linemen are guards Dustin 79 Caleb Money OL, DL Jr. 6-0 234 went, but really I think we were a few plays from Young and Ryan Eldridge. Young will be the only 80 Jonathan Pineda WR, DB Jr. 6-0 145 being 9-2 instead of 7-4,” Lyons said. “We got things senior on the offensive line. rolling again, but we could have been better, and I At center will be junior Alex Gudino, who played think that has our guys hungry this year.” that position for the junior varsity team last season. Lyons will have a proven star returning at the The remaining two tackle spots are still an open quarterback position. Smith led the WPAC with competition among Hunter Crouse, Jared Tickle, Starmount football schedule 2,439 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns, and Holden Huff and Carson Mauldin. he believes North Surry’s rapport with the offense On the other side of the ball, Coach Lyons is excit- August 19...... Mount Airy at Starmount could lead to even bigger things this season. ed about the potential of his defensive line, and it all Not only has Smith improved this offseason, but August 26...... East Surry at Starmount starts with weak-side defensive end Nic Huff. he believes he has become a smarter quarterback As a junior last season, Huff was third on the team September 9...... Forbush at Starmount - Unifi Bowl with a firm grasp of the offensive playbook. in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (11). He can rush September 16...... Starmount @ Thomasville “We’re looking a lot better at this time of the sea- the passer and stop the run, and Coach Lyons isn’t September 23...... Starmount @ Elkin - Battle of the Bridge son than we were last year,” he said. “Our receivers afraid to challenge him with some high expectations. are all on the same page. When you’ve been running “Nic can be the most dominant defensive lineman September 30...... West Wilkes at Starmount the same plays for two years, it makes things pretty we’ve ever had,” Lyons said. “He’s just got to bring October 7...... Wilkes Central at Starmount comfortable.” it every play, and if he does that, he can be great. I October 14...... Starmount @ North Wilkes Smith did lose his favorite target, Colton Acord, to think he’s taken that challenge head-on.” graduation, but the Greyhounds are still deep with Surrounding Huff on the starting defensive line October 21...... Starmount @ East Wilkes returning talent at the skill positions in 2016. Smith will be Hank Ward and Dylan Stokes. Crouse, Elijah October 28...... Ashe County at Starmount plans to spread the wealth a little better this season, Odum, Chase Brintle and Zack Akers should all see November 4...... Starmount @ Alleghany rather than feeding one receiver like he did. time on the line as well. Carson Todd, Chase Chandler and Reid Stanley November 11, 18, 25.....NCHSAA Playoffs Behind them stands an imposing group of line- combined for 66 catches last season and should get backers with leading tackler Casey Hull leading the December 2...... NCHSAA Regional Finals more targets from their quarterback this year. December 10...... NCHSAA State Championship Pairing with Avery in the backfield will be running See NORTH SURRY| 6 S6

6 Wednesday, August 24, 2016 FOOTBALL 2016 The Tribune New faces, same expectations for Cardinals

By Jackson Fuller players welcome the high expectations that get quicker,” Diamont said. “What he did Diamont expects both players will see time [email protected] come with playing football for East Surry, last year as a sophomore was very impres- on defense this season, so it is imperative the two-time defending Northwest cham- sive, and we’re going to need him to put up they are both prepared to lead the offense. PILOT MOUNTAIN — At this time last pions. some similar performances this year.” “Both those guys would work hard in a year, the East Surry football team was pre- “I think in the eyes of other teams, we’re Joining Ray out of the backfield will be dark room by themselves,” Diamont said. paring for a 2015 burdened with enormous being overlooked,” running back Joey Ray halfback Mitchell Edwards and fullbacks “They’re that good of people, and they’re expectations. said. “I like being the underdog. It’s one Jose Juarez and Colt Bullington. The Car- both making significant strides.” The Cardinals’ roster was stacked with day at a time, but we really believe we’re dinals hardly used fullbacks last year with Wide receiver might be the biggest hole experienced seniors on both sides of the going to make it three straight conference their depth of receivers and devastating for East Surry, with Jack Shabdue’s six ball, and East Surry had its best shot in championships.” passing game, but Diamont hasn’t ruled catches providing the most experience years to bring a state championship back If the Cardinals are going to keep teams out a return to his more conventional coming back in 2016. to Pilot Mountain. like Mount Airy and Walkertown off the I-formation in 2016. Joining Shabdue will be senior Andrew Head coach David Diamont’s team ran throne of the Northwest, Ray is going to Running the offense under center will Hooker, juniors Austin Pardue and Nick the table in the regular season and entered play a major role. The junior tailback is be junior quarterback Connor Sheets. The Hicks, and sophomore Logan Ray. Like the the playoffs with those same high hopes, the only offensive player returning in 2016 lefty gained minimal experience last sea- fullback spot, playing time for tight ends but East Surry’s title dreams came to a who scored more than two touchdowns son backing up 2015 Conference Offensive was hard to come by last year, but seniors close in a 28-14 loss to conference rival last season. In total, he rushed for 1,135 Player of the Year Tyler Smith, and only Blake Marion and Garrett Barker are sure Walkertown. The Cardinals closed the year yards and found the end zone 26 times in attempted two passes. Still, Diamont has to get some passes thrown their way this with a tremendous 13-1 record, but two 2015. confidence in Sheets’ ability as a thrower, season. wins shy of their lofty goal. Ray figures to be an even bigger part and also believes his quarterback will cause The unit East Surry has been most As East Surry prepares for the 2016 of the East Surry offense this season, and problems as a scrambler and runner this impressed with this offseason is the offen- campaign, there is a distinctly different feel Coach Diamont is confident that Ray is season. sive line. All-Conference center Logan among the Cardinals. Youth has replaced ready for the heavier workload. Backing up Sheets will be fellow junior Moore headlines the group, along with experience, but that doesn’t mean the Car- “He’s worked phenomenally hard in the Trevor Hauser, who started for the returning senior guard Luis Suarez. Will dinals won’t hold themselves to the similar offseason to make his body stronger and to East Surry junior varsity team last year. standards set before this season. The new See new faces | 18

who produced a team-high four inter- Things get under way for North Coach Lyons won’t allow his team to North Surry ceptions and 17 deflections last season. Surry on Aug. 19 with a road game look too far ahead. “Darius is a guy we’re going to put against the Ashe County Huskies. The “We just have to take things day-by- From page 5 on the other team’s best wide receiver. Greyhounds will play six non-confer- day,” Lyons said. “I think when you way. Hull paced the Greyhounds with This year we even feel like we