By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—Statesville
Aug. 30—Hibriten (E)
Sept. 6—Newton-Conover
Sept. 13—at Hunter Huss
Sept. 20—Winston-Salem Reagan
Sept. 27—at McDOWELL
Oct. 4—FREEDOM
Oct. 11—at WATAUGA
Oct. 25—at S. CALDWELL
Nov. 1—ALEXANDER CENTRAL
Nov. 8—at ST. STEPHENS
HICKORY RED TORNADOES
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A
STONE
Head coach: Russell Stone (273-166-5, 38 years; 11-12 at Hickory, 2 years)
Last season’s records: 5-6 overall; 3-4 Northwestern 3A-4A, tie for fourth place
Last season’s results: at Statesville, L 15-30; at Newton-Conover, W 35-6; Hunter Huss, L 7-35; Bandys, W 28-27; McDOWELL, W 31-0; at FREEDOM, L 22-43; WATAUGA, L 23-43; at W. CALDWELL, W 68-21; S. CALDWELL, W 55-54; at ST. STEPHENS, L 21-28; at ALEXANDER CENTRAL, L 17-31
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2017, 3A
Last state playoff victory: 2012, d. Hibriten 35-17, first round
All-time state playoff bids (modern era): 25
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 9, 2007 Catawba Valley Athletic 2A-3A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 13
Returning lettermen: 23
OFFENSE
Set: Not available
Returning starters: 6
Leading returning rusher: Cody Young, 5-9, 175, Sr. (146-1,137, 19 TDs in 8 games)
Leading returning passer: Jason Martin, 6-2, 230, Sr. (42-90-5, 678 yards, 5 TDs playing for S. Caldwell, out 4-6 weeks with broken collarbone)
Leading returning receivers: Davis Amos, 6-7, 219, Sr. (31-293, 6 TDs); Cody Young, 5-9, 175, Sr. (10-143, no TDs in 8 games); Lane Logan, 5-11, 180, Sr. (16-181, no TDs)
Players to watch: Greyson Lineburger, OL, 6-2, 270, Sr.; Damien Mauntz, OL, 5-7, 238, Sr.
Top newcomers: Jason Martin, QB, 6-2, 230, Sr. (played at S. Caldwell in 2018); Malachi Sumner, WR, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Dontrae Baker, WR, 5-9, 170, Soph.; Henry Stewart, OL, 5-7, 280, Fr.
DEFENSE
Set: Not available
Returning starters: 7
Players to watch: Sebastian Parish, MLB, 5-0, 235, Sr.; Jack Tomlinson, LB, 6-2, 190, Soph.; Tristan Rankin, S, 6-2, 199, Sr.; Deandre Carlton, DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Elijah Milsap, DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Zane Huey, DB, 5-8, 170, Sr. DeMontrae Bryant, DL, 6-1, 280, Jr.
Top newcomers: Dontrae Baker, DB, 5-9, 170, Soph.; Rico Walker, DE, 6-4, 219, Fr.; Tripp Young, DE, 6-2, 170, Soph.