FREEDOM SHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
August
18—Shelby
25—at Draughn
September
1—E. Burke
8—at Patton
22—ST. STEPHENS
29—at HICKORY
October
6—ALEXANDER CENTRAL
13 –at S CALDWELL
20—at W. CALDWELL
27—WATAUGA
November
3—at McDOWELL
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A.
Head coach: Jim Bob Bryant (160-37, 14 years; 0-0 at Freedom, first year).
Last season’s records: 6-6 overall; 4-3 Northwestern 3A-4A, third place.
Last season’s results: at Shelby, L 0-49; Draughn, W 49-6; at E. Burke, W 53-12; Asheville Roberson, L 18-24; at FRED T. FOARD, W 55-0; HICKORY, W 42-35; WATAUGA, L 7-45; at S. CALDWELL, W 55-27; at HIBRITEN, L 0-53; ST. STEPHENS, W 38-0; PATTON, L 28-35; at W. Rowan, L 13-33.
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2016, 3A.
Last state playoff victory: 2015, d. Patton 55-18, first round.
All-time state playoff bids: 23.
Conference titles since 1980, last: 9 (7 outright, 2 shares); 2015 Northwestern 3A-4A.
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 7.
Returning lettermen: 17.
OFFENSE
Returning starters: 3.
Leading returning rusher: C.J. Hayden (141-1,039, 17 TDs).
Leading returning passer: None.
Leading returning receiver: Kelvis Dula (22-283, 1 TD).
Other players to watch: Larry Luke (Jr., RB); Tristian Sommerville (Sr., RB); Tobias Kanipe (Sr., QB); Jaxon McMahon (Jr., WR); Christian Sigmon (Jr., WR).
DEFENSE
Returning starters: 4.
Players to watch: C.J. Hayden (Jr., DB); Larry Luke (Jr., LB); Tobias Kanipe (Sr., LB); Jaxon McMahon (Jr., DB).
OUTLOOK
The Patriots have won more varsity football games (50) than any other Greater Hickory area program over the previous five seasons. They’re likely to win a lot this season, too.
Their new head coach has won state championships elsewhere – three straight at Havelock– and arrived to find perhaps a team with a few more question marks than previously at Freedom… but also a bottom line – talent.
After six straight seasons with 10 or more wins – three under former head coach Mike Helms, one under Blair Hardin and two under Brandon Allen – the Patriots went 6-6 last season.
Bryant describes this year’s team as young but talented. He has only seven returning starters and a tough early schedule that includes opening against powerful Shelby (in Morganton) and playing Patton in the fourth game of the year.
What kind of season Hayden has will likely play a key in what kind of season the Patriots have overall. If their support personnel develop – and Freedom usually has several skill position players who can beat ya on any given night – it could be another title season in Morganton.
Freedom has won back-to-back-to-back league titles, going 21-0, in the three years before they ended up 4-3 in the Northwestern 3A-4A last season and tied for third place.