SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 19 – Crest, L 22-40
Aug. 26 – E. Burke, W 33-20
Sept. 2 – at Forestview, L 7-13
Sept. 9 – at Patton
Sept. 16 – at Central Cabarrus
Sept. 30 – at HIBRITEN
Oct. 7 – S. CALDWELL
Oct. 14 – at ASHE COUNTYT
Oct. 21 – at WATAUGA
Oct. 28 – ALEXANDER CENTRAL
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDaily Report.com
FREEDOM PATRIOTS
HAWN
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A
Head coach: Justin Hawn (7-8, 2 years)
Assistant coaches: Ian Cooper, LB-DC; Billy Whisenant, DL; Jeb Bennett, DB; Brad King, QB;; Brent Rowe, RB; Tyler Hackett, WR; Jeffrey Beall, OL; Justin Fortune, DL
Last season’s records: 5-5 overall; 2-3 Northwestern 3A-4A, fourth place
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2021, 3A
Last state playoff victory: 2015, d. Patton 55-18, first round
All-time state playoff bids: 28 (also qualified for 2011 but banned for exceeding season ejection limit)
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 9, 2015 South Mountain Athletic 2A-3A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 19
Returning lettermen: 28
OFFENSE
Set: Spread
Returning starters: 8
Leading returning rushers: B.G. Hampton, 5-11, 235, Sr. (135-1,051, 12 TDs); Jaylen Barnett, 5-10, 175, Jr. (118-329, 4 TDs); Curt Young, 6-1, 220, Sr. (52-320, 5 TDs); Demarcus Lowrance, 6-1, 190, Sr. (42-204, 4 TDs)
Leading returning passers: Barnett (58-95-4, 528, 3 TDs); Landon Cox, 6-2, 180, Sr. (8-18-2, 115, no TDs)
Leading returning receivers: Sacred Baylor, 6-0, 165, Sr. (20-198, 1 TD); Tavion Dula, 5-9, 150, Jr. (17-155, no TDs)
Other key returnees: Avery Pollard, 5-10, 195, Sr., WR; Eli Thomas, 5-11, 210, Sr., OL; Trent Coffey, 6-1, 260, Sr., OL; Nathan Vue, 5-8, 260, Sr., OL; Jacob Caldwell, 5-9, 170, Sr., WR; Simeon Reid, 6-2, 200, Sr., OL
Top newcomers: Tiras Walker, 6-0, 150, Soph., WR; Kayden Lytle, 5-10, 160, Soph., WR; Briar George, 6-1, 245, Jr., OL
DEFENSE
Set: 4-2-5
Returning starters: 11
Players to watch: Chris Hensley, 6-3, 215, Sr., DL; Young, 6-1, 220, Sr., DL; Jaiden Belin, 6-0, 295, Soph., DL; Fredy Vincente Perez, 5-10, 220, Sr., DL; Pollard, 5-10, 195, Sr., LB; Lowrance, 6-1, 190, Sr., LB; Mikey Cowling, 6-0, 195, Jr., LB; Baylor, 6-0, 165, Sr., DB; Carson Dyson, 6-0, 155, Sr., DB; Julian Castro, 6-0, 175, Jr., DB; Julius Reid Surratt, 5-11, 185, Jr., LB
