By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—Shelby
Aug. 30—at Draughn
Sept. 6—E. Burke
Sept. 13—at Patton
Sept. 20—at Crest
Sept. 27—ST. STEPHENS
Oct. 4—at HICKORY
Oct. 11—ALEXANDER CENTRAL
Oct. 18—at S. CALDWELL
Nov. 1—WATAUGA
Nov. 8—at McDOWELL
FREEDOM PATRIOTS
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A
Head coach: Luke Little (96-59, 12 years; 9-3 at Freedom, 1 year)
Last season’s records: 9-3 overall; 6-1 Northwestern 3A-4A, second place
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 7
Returning lettermen: 22
OFFENSE
Returning starters: 7
Leading returning rusher: Jayden Birchfield, 6-2, 210, Sr. (80-516, 15 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Jayden Birchfield, 6-2, 210, Sr. (180-272-7, 2,821 yards, 27 TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Desmond Caldwell, 6-1, 180, Jr. (55-1,048, 13 TDs)
DEFENSE
Returning starters: 6
Players to watch: DayDay Burgess, DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Daniel Dula, DB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Cam Silvers, LB, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Day Day Rhody, DL, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Noah English, DE, 5-11, 210 Sr.; Jayden Birchfield, DB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Kevin Hover, DE, 6-0, 240, Sr.
PREMIUM COVERAGE
For an expanded 2019 season preview with items that include a school’s football history, more on the players to watch, etc., purchase a premium content subscription — https://hobbsdailyreport.com/register/