Quarterback Ethan Rhodes returns to lead Maiden this season in the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic after sparking the Blue Devils last season when they won a South Fork 2A title./HUDL PHOTO
MAIDEN BLUE DEVILS
(all at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Aug. 20 – Fred T. Foard
Aug. 27 – Watauga
Sept. 3 – at St. Stephens, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17—at E. BURKE
Sept. 24—at W. LINCOLN
Oct. 1—W. CALDWELL
Oct. 8 – BANDYS
Oct. 15—at BUNKER HILL
Oct. 22—at LINCOLNTON
Oct. 29—NEWTON-CONOVER
Conference: Catawba Valley 2A Athletic
Head coach: Will Bryne (42-14-0, 5 years; same at Maiden)
BYRNE
Assistant coaches: Stephen Hensley, Co-OC-OL, assistant HC; Fore Rembert, DC; Mark Herman co DC-DL; Hugh McCalls, ILBs-OL; Keith Henry, DBs-RBs; Greg Pound, TEs; Robbie Abernethy, OLBs-WRs; Derrick Ikard, DBs; Kewun McDaniel, WRs-DBs-JVs head coach; Brent Jenkins, QBs-DBs (JVs); Jared Spring OL-DL (JVs); Michael Danner, OLBs (JVs)
Last season’s records: 6-1 overall; 6-0 South Fork 2A, champion
Last season’s results: at BANDYS, W 21-7; W. LINCOLN, W 21-20; N. LINCOLN, W 40-21; at E. LINCOLN, W 46-38; at NEWTON-CONOVER, W 33-14; LINCOLNTON, W 32-7; Playoffs: Salisbury, L 12-52
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2019, 2AA
Last state playoff victory: 2019, d. N. Surry, first round
All-time state playoff bids (since 1972): 40
Conference titles (or shares of) since 1980, last: 25, 2019 South Fork 2A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 13
Returning lettermen: 20
OFFENSE
Set: Spread multiple
Returning starters: 6
Leading returning rusher: Chris Culliver, 6-3, 180, Jr. (6-84, no TDs)
Leading returning passer: Ethan Rhodes, 6-2, 195, Sr. (104-182-9, 1,653, 14 TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Culliver, (37-646, 4 TDs)
Other key returnees: Dru McCullough, 6-2, 275, Sr., OL; Aaron Lefevers, 5-11, 210, Sr., OL; D.J. Spring, 6-0, 250, Jr., OL; Ben Gibbs, 5-8, 170, Jr., RB; Jacob Sigmon, 5-9, 170, Jr., WR; Jackson Hensley, 6-4, 215, Jr., OL; Carson Foard, 5-7, 145, Jr., K-WR; Quinn Rembert, 6-2, 215, Jr., OL
Top newcomers: Alec Hall, 6-2, 190, Jr., WR; Cameron Gore 5-11, 180, Sr., RB
DEFENSE
Set: 3-4 multiple
Returning starters: 7
Players to watch: Chris Culliver, 6-3, 180, Jr., DB; Dru McCullough, 6-2, 275, Sr., DL; Aaron Lefevers, 5-11, 210, Sr., LB; D.J. Spring, 6-0, 250, Jr., DL; Ben Gibbs, 5-8, 170, Jr., DB; Chayson Bass, 5-8, 160, Sr., DB; Alec Hall, 6-2, 190, Jr., DB-LB; Cameron Gore, 5-11, 180, Sr., DB
