Hibriten will defend its Northwestern Foothills 2A title in 2019 after reaching the West AA final, beating Bandys (pictured) to get to the state semifinals a year ago./MICHELLE THOMPSON PHOTO
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—Alexander Central
Aug. 30—at Hickory (E)
Sept. 6—at Ashe County
Sept. 13—S. Caldwell
Sept. 27—at BUNKER HILL
Oct. 4—at W. CALDWELL
Oct. 11—FRED T. FOARD
Oct. 18—at DRAUGHN
Oct. 25—E. BURKE
Nov. 1—at W. IREDELL
Nov. 8—PATTON
HIBRITEN PANTHERS
Conference: Northwestern Foothills 2A
Head coach: Sam Mackey (0-0, first year; 0-0 at Hibriten, first year).
Last season’s records: 14-1 overall; 6-0 Northwestern Foothills 2A, champion
Last season’s results: at Concord Robinson, W 41-7; W. Caldwell, W 48-0; Ashe County, W 56-14; at S. Caldwell, W 56-12; at Newton-Conover, W 63-19; BUNKER HILL, W 55-0; at FRED T. FOARD, W 53-14; DRAUGHN, W 70-0; at E. BURKE, W 63-6; W. IREDELL, W 56-14; at PATTON, W 44-0. Playoffs: E. Henderson, W 63-0; South Point, W 28-20; Bandys, W 34-15; Shelby, L 21-28
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 2AA
Last state playoff victory: 2018, d. Bandys 34-15, third round
All-time state playoff bids: 21
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 7, 2018 Northwestern Foothills 2A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 8
Returning lettermen: 37
OFFENSE
Set: Flexbone
Returning starters: 3
Leading returning rushers: Noah Isbell, 6-1, 235, Soph. (24-187, 4 TDs); Daren Perry, 6-0, 165, Soph. (23-155, 1 TD)
Leading returning passer: Daren Perry, 6-0, 165, Soph. (1-40, 59 yards, no TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Marcus Jones, 5-9, 150, Soph. (4-159, 2 TDs in 3 games)
Players to watch: Jacob Clark, OL, 6-3, 270, Jr.; Nauleage Jahova Corpening, OL, 6-2, 290, Jr.; Nodre Battle, AB, 6-1,180, Soph.; Taylib Howell, AB, 5-11, 175, Soph.
Top newcomers: Quadyn (Duder) Tugman, AB, 5-11, 165, Fr.; Zion Norwood, BB, 5-9, 205; Soph.
DEFENSE
Set: 4-3.
Returning starters: 5
Players to watch: Trey Piercy, MLB, 5-11, 197, Jr.; Noah Isbell, MLB-DE, 6-1, 235, Soph.; Marcus Jones, F-S, 5-9, 150, Soph.; Daren Perry, DB, 6-0, 165, Soph.; Clyde Valentine, DL, 6-4, 240, Jr.; Nodre Battle, OLB, 6-1,180, Soph.; Taylib Howell, OLB, 5-11, 175, Soph.
Top newcomers: Quadyn (Duder) Tugman, SS, 5-11, 165, Fr.; Zion Norwood, DL, 5-9, 205; Soph.