WESTERN FOOTHILLS 3A FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Hickory Red Tornadoes - Hobbs Daily Report

HICKORY RED TORNADOES

(all games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Aug. 20 – at Alexander Central, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 27 – S Caldwell, cancelled; Charlotte Latin
Sept. 3 – at Newton-Conover, cancelled; at Draughn
Sept. 17—E. LINCOLN
Sept. 24—at N. LINCOLN
Oct. 1—at ST. STEPHENS
Oct. 8 – N. IREDELL
Oct. 15—at W. IREDELL
Oct. 22—FRED T. FOARD
Oct. 29—at STATESVILLE

Conference: Western Foothills 3A

Head coach: Joe Glass (53-52-0, 9 years; 0-0-0 at Hickory, first year)

GLASS

Last season’s records: 0-7 overall; 0-6 Northwestern 3A-4A, seventh place

Assistant coaches: Jody Weatherman, DC; D.J. Holloway, DL; Ronnie Hopper, DBs; Ronald Elay, DBs; Josh Coffey, OL; Mike Natoli, RBs-OC; Kyle Riddle, QBs; Tore Leach, WR

Last season’s results: McDOWELL, L 7-21; at FREEDOM, L 16-28; WATAUGA, L 6-23; at Forestview, L 12-20; S. CALDWELL, L 14-44; at ALEXANDER CENTRAL, L 0-48; ST. STEPHENS, L 19-27

SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY

Last season in state playoffs: 2019, 3A

Last state playoff victory: 2012, d. Hibriten 35-17, first round

All-time state playoff bids (since 1972): 26

Conference titles (or shares of) since 1980, last: 9, 2007 Catawba Valley Athletic 2A-3A

BY THE NUMBERS

OVERALL

Returning starters: 12

Returning lettermen: 20

OFFENSE

WALKER

Set: Spread pro

Returning starters: 6

Leading returning rusher: Jayden Maddox, 5-11, 155, Jr. (32-91, no TDs); Josiah Edwards, 5-10, 180, Sr. (35-63, no TDs)

Leading returning passer: Turner Wood, 5-11. 175, Soph. (14-33-4, 217, 2 TDs)

Leading returning receivers: Rico Walker, 6-4, 250, Jr. (16-398, 5 TDs); Dante Baker, 5-11, 170, Sr. (20-235, 2 TDs); Ty Hill, 6-4, 220, Jr. (6-88, no TDs); Turbo Richards, 5-8, 175, Soph. (7-76, 1 TD)

Other key returnees: Jake Prince, 6-3, 240, Sr., OL; Zion Ettison, 6-3, 240, Sr., OL

Top newcomers: Dashawn Medly, 5-10, 170, Soph., WR; Henry Pitts, 6-4, 210, Sr., TE

DEFENSE

Set: 3-3 multiple