By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 19 – Alexander Central, L 15-33
Aug. 26 – at S. Caldwell, W 53-27
Sept. 2 – Newton-Conover, W 35-28
Sept. 16 – at E. LINCOLN
Sept. 23 – N. LINCOLN
Sept. 30 – ST. STEPHENS
Oct. 7 – at N. IREDELL
Oct. 14 – W. IREDELL (HC)
Oct. 21 – at FRED T. FOARD
Oct. 28 – STATESVILLE
HICKORY RED TORNADOES
GLASS
Conference: Western Foothills 3A
Head coach: Joe Glass (60-57-0, 10 years; 7-5-0 at Hickory, 1 year)
Assistant coaches: Mike Natoli, QB-OC; Jody Weatherman, LB-JV DC; Kyle Riddle, OL; Torez Leach, LB-JV head coach; D.J. Holloway, DL; Jaquan Crawford, JV QB; Josh Coffey, JV WR-OC; Ronnie Hopper, LB; Robin Shuford, RB; Will Brown, safeties; Ron Eley, CB
Last season’s records: 7-5 overall, 5-2 Western Foothills 3A, third place
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2021, 3A
Last state playoff victory: 2012, d. Smoky Mountain 37-34, first round
All-time state playoff bids (since 1972): 27
Conference titles (or shares of) since 1980, last: 9, 2007 Catawba Valley Athletic 2A-3A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 15
Returning lettermen: 23
OFFENSE
WALKER
Set: Spread pro
Returning starters: 7
Leading returning rushers: Isaiah Lackey, 5-10l 245, Soph. (99-505, 3 TDs)
Leading returning passers: Turner Wood, 5-10, 196, Jr. (142-230-na, 1,924, 21 TDs); Brady Stober, 5-10l, 155, Soph. (28-40-2, 429, 4 TDs)
Leading returning receivers: Deshawn Medley, 5-11, 149, Jr. (39-569, 4 TDs); TyQuan Hill, 6-3, 209, Sr. (29-381, 4 TDs); Rico Walker, 6-4, 238, Sr. (15-163, 5 TDs)
Other key returnees: Melvin Dula, 5-9, 167, Sr., RB; Tristian Williams, 6-0, 177, Jr., HB; Aiden Smith, 6-4, 232, OL; Henry Pitts, 6-4, 190, Jr., OL
Top newcomers: Ellis Chappell, 5-10, 165, Soph., RB; Demarion Lee, 5-11, 149, Soph., WR; Jamien Little, 6-1, 149, Soph., WR
DEFENSE
Set: 3-3
Returning starters: Not available
Players to watch: Rico Walker, 6-4, 238, Sr., LB; Dula, 5-9, 167, Jr., DB; Williams, 6-0, 177, Jr., LB; Hill, 6-3, 209, Sr., LB; Smith, 6-4, 232, Sr., DL; Noah Sur baugh, 6-3, 190, Sr., LB ; Henry Pitts, 6-34, 190, Jr., LB
