INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE u www.independenttribune.com HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018 u 7 A.L. Brown WONDERS FAST FACTS From Page 6 COACH: Mike Newsome, eighth (64- 27); 16th overall (157-44) “We call (Anderson and Cooper) the RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, meat wagon when we put them back defense 3 there,” said Newsome. “They are bigger CONFERENCE: South Piedmont 3A than our guards.” 2017 RECORD: 10-3, 4-1 As a slotback, Lyerly gains most of his 2017 POINTS SCORED PER yardage on sweeps and hopes to be an GAME: 31.8 even greater presence in the passing 2017 POINTS ALLOWED PER game. GAME: 19.7 Antonio Knight is the Wonders’ lead- 2018 SCHEDULE ing returning receiver, catching 23 balls Aug. 17 HOPEWELL for 476 yards and five touchdowns last Aug. 24 at Marvin Ridge year. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior Aug. 31 CARSON is a big target and likely a favorite of Sept. 7 at Mooresville Medley, who prefers throwing the deep Sept. 14 WEST ROWAN ball. Sept. 21 DAVIE COUNTY Last year’s top receiver on the JV — Oct. 5 at Central Cabarrus 6-3, 210-pound junior Jose Vargus — Oct. 12 COX MILL will probably fill a similar role. Oct. 19 NORTHWEST CABARRUS Senior Chandler Teal, a three-year Oct. 26 at Jay M. Robinson starter, returns at center to anchor a Nov. 2 at Concord veteran offensive line. Another three- year starter, Jalen Goode returns at one of the guard positions, and the other is back Jaren Lipscomb. His presence will filled by Delon Wilson, who was a part- be much-welcomed in a secondary that time starter last season. lacks experience. The tackles will be new. Junior Jatari- Jnaz Jordan is a three-year starter at us Mason is among a handful of players cornerback, but the safety positions will who have been taking reps there in the be filled by players new to the starting preseason. lineup. Junior Josiah Cauthen played a bit in a reserve role last year. Defense Jalen Neal has switched from offense The good news is that A.L. Brown has to defense and could fill one of the its leading defender back in all of the spots. Knight may also find some time following categories: solo tackles, as- on defense. sists, tackles for loss, sacks, fumble re- Senior Darion Lott provides stability coveries, forced fumbles and intercep- on the defensive line, having recorded tions. three sacks and 20 tackles for loss in The bad news is that amounts to only 2017. Senior Winston Dula saw almost one player: Holsclaw, the senior middle as much action as last season’s starters. linebacker. Newsome feels senior Alante Johnson By the end of last season, it seemed could emerge as a formidable talent like the 6-1, 215-pounder was mak- this year. ing a game-changing play every week. Holsclaw had eight sacks and six total Special teams turnovers. Twenty-four of his 128 total Knight also provides the most experi- tackles went for losses. ence returning punts and kickoffs. He “He’s going to be the guy that every- and Lyerly will likely see the most ac- one sees every Friday night,” Newsome tion at those positions. Dnico Harris is said. up from JV, where he had those duties Holsclaw will likely get a lot of help last year. from his teammates flanking him. Line- Newsome would like to see his return backers B.J. Foster, a junior, and Anto- men be a little more sure-handed this MARTY PRICE/SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE nio Kennedy, a senior, are players who season. Wonders offensive lineman Chandler Teal (58) lifts fellow senior Nick Lyerly after a big play would have been starters in 2017, had The Wonders have to replace a three- last season. they not suffered season-ending inju- year starter at placekicker and punter. ries in the pre-season. Brian Gutierrez successfully converted Last year’s backup, senior Bryan rez. Alexis Gutierrez and Mario Carmo- Another player who missed a lot of 46 of 51 extra-point attempts and was Noguera, is probably the most accurate na are both sophomores who could be action because of injury was defensive 6-of-8 on field-goal attempts. kicker of those trying to replace Gutier- part of the long-term solution..