Butch Carter is in fourth season as head coach at Alexander Central, where he has guided the Cougars to a 26-10 record.
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—at Hibriten
Aug. 30—at Wilkes Central
Sept. 6—Statesville
Sept. 13—S. Iredell
Sept. 20 – Olympic
Oct. 4—WATAUGA
Oct. 11—at FREEDOM
Oct. 18—McDOWELL
Oct. 25—ST. STEPHENS
Nov. 1—at HICKORY
Nov. 8—at S. CALDWELL
ALEXANDER CENTRAL COUGARS
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A
Head coach: Butch Carter (130-89, 18 years; 26-10 at Alexander Central, 3 years)
Last season’s records: 9-3 overall; 5-2 Northwestern 3A-4A, third place
Last season’s results: at Burns, W 40-7; Wilkes Central, W 50-7; N. Iredell, W 54-3; at N. Lincoln W 56-24; W. Caldwell, W 69-0; at WATAUGA, L 0-35; FREEDOM, L 6-38; at McDOWELL, W 49-0; at ST. STEPHENS, W 28-13; S. CALDWELL, W 56-22; HICKORY, W 31-17. Playoffs: at Asheville Erwin, L 21-48
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 3AA
Last state playoff victory: 2009, d. Porter Ridge 38-21, first round
All-time state playoff bids: 18
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 4, 2017 Northwestern 3A-4A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 10
Returning lettermen: 26
OFFENSE
Set: Multiple Wing-T
Returning starters: 5
Leading returning rushers: Steven Montgomery, 5-7, 180, Sr. (56-747, 10 TDs); A.J. Miller, 5-9, 160, Sr. (110-822, 9 TDs); Easton Rhoney, 5-11, 155, Sr. (40-427, 8 TDs)
Leading returning passers: Lance Justice, 6-1, 170, Jr. (13-30-3, 278 yards, 2 TDs); Easton Rhoney, 5-11, 155, Sr. (17-28-1, 322, 4 TDs)
Leading returning receiver: A.J. Miller, 5-0, 160, Sr. (18-366, 4 TDs)
Players to watch: Jamison Benfield, RB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Garrett Martin, OL, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Jaden Houston, OL, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Dayente Calhoun, RB, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Bryson Abernathy, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Colston Yount, Ath., 5-11, 170, Sr.; Josh Miller, OL, 6-1, 245, Sr.; Kaine Allen, OL, 6-1, 270, Sr.
Top newcomers: Kobe Burns-Ceasar, WR, 6-4, 185, Jr.; Daniel Morgan, RB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Russell Frasier, RB, 6-2, 210, Soph.; Blake Martin, TE, 6-4, 275, Jr.; Landon Dula, OL, 6-3, 290, Jr.
DEFENSE
Set: 3-4
Returning starters: 5
Players to watch: Jamison Benfield, DB-LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; A.J. Miller, DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ryheem Craig, DL, 6-3, 205, Jr.; Zach Wooten, DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Jai-Kwaun Tilley, LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.
Top newcomers: Lance Justice, DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Kobe Burns-Ceasar, DB, 6-4, 185, Jr.; Daniel Morgan, LB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Russell Frasier, LB, 6-2, 210, Soph.; Blake Martin, DL, 6-4, 275, Jr.; Landon Dula, DL, 6-3, 290, Jr.