By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
WEST LINCOLN REBELS
Conference: Catawba Valley 2A Athletic
Head coach: Darren Ponder (24-10-0, 3 years)
Assistant coaches: David Avery, OC; John Henderson, QB; Chuck Mallory, OL; Harry Huddleston, SE; Jesse Hatcher, SE; Austin May, OL; Wayne Navey, ILB; Brad Newton, DB; Jon Markley, OLB; Jared Swafford, ILB; Sam McInnes, DL
Last season’s records: 9-3 overall; 5-2 Catawba Valley 2A Athletic, third place
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2021, 2A
Last state playoff victory: 2021, d., Surry Central 41-7, first round
All-time state playoff bids (since 1972): 12
Conference titles (or shares of) since 1980, last: None
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 12
Returning lettermen: 12
OFFENSE
Set: Wing-T
Returning starters: 7
Leading returning rushers: Mason Avery, 6-1, 190, Sr. (303-1,823, 18 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Jordan Truesdale, 6-0, 160, Sr. (30-75-4, 411, 6 TDs)
Leading returning receivers: Avery (13-145, 2 TDs)
Other key returnees: Curtis Goins, 6-1, 220, Sr., G; Caleb Sain, 6-0, 290, Jr., T; J.J. Ponder, 6-0, 230, Sr., T; Nate Rye, 6-1, 175, Sr., WR; Camden Sain 5-11, 240, Jr. G
Top newcomers: Patrick Goins, 6-0, 180, Sr., RB; Blaze Dedmon, 5-10, 165, Sr., TE; Jaylin Winnex, 5-8, 150, Soph., RB; Zander Harrelson, 6-2, 220, Jr., C; Dayne Harrelson, 5-11, 230, Jr., T; Ben Sain, 6-2, 180, Jr., TE
DEFENSE
Set: 3-4
Returning starters: 5
Players to watch: Avery, 6-1, 190, Sr., OLB; C. Goins, 6-1, 220, Sr., ILB; Caleb Sain, 6-0, 290, Jr., NG; Rye, 6-1, 175, Sr., CB; Nathan Kester, 5-9, 185, Sr., ILB