By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
HIBRITEN PANTHERS
Conference: Northwestern Foothills 2A
Head coach: Sam Mackey (0-0, first year; 0-0 at Hibriten, first year).
Last season’s records: 14-1 overall; 6-0 Northwestern Foothills 2A, champion
Last season’s results: at Concord Robinson, W 41-7; W. Caldwell, W 48-0; Ashe County, W 56-14; at S. Caldwell, W 56-12; at Newton-Conover, W 63-19; BUNKER HILL, W 55-0; at FRED T. FOARD, W 53-14; DRAUGHN, W 70-0; at E. BURKE, W 63-6; W. IREDELL, W 56-14; at PATTON, W 44-0. Playoffs: E. Henderson, W 63-0; South Point, W 28-20; Bandys, W 34-15; Shelby, L 21-28
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 2AA
Last state playoff victory: 2018, d. Bandys 34-15, third round
All-time state playoff bids: 21
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 7, 2018 Northwestern Foothills 2A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 8
Returning lettermen: 37
OFFENSE
Set: Flexbone
Returning starters: 3
Leading returning rushers: Noah Isbell, 6-1, 235, Soph. (24-187, 4 TDs); Daren Perry, 6-0, 165, Soph. (23-155, 1 TD)
Leading returning passer: Daren Perry, 6-0, 165, Soph. (1-40, 59 yards, no TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Marcus Jones, 5-9, 150, Soph. (4-159, 2 TDs in 3 games)
Players to watch: Jacob Clark, OL, 6-3, 270, Jr.; Nauleage Jahova Corpening, OL, 6-2, 290, Jr.; Nodre Battle, AB, 6-1,180, Soph.; Taylib Howell, AB, 5-11, 175, Soph.
Top newcomers: Quadyn (Duder) Tugman, AB, 5-11, 165, Fr.; Zion Norwood, BB, 5-9, 205; Soph.
DEFENSE
Set: 4-3.
Returning starters: 5
Players to watch: Trey Piercy, MLB, 5-11, 197, Jr.; Noah Isbell, MLB-DE, 6-1, 235, Soph.; Marcus Jones, F-S, 5-9, 150, Soph.; Daren Perry, DB, 6-0, 165, Soph.; Clyde Valentine, DL, 6-4, 240, Jr.; Nodre Battle, OLB, 6-1,180, Soph.; Taylib Howell, OLB, 5-11, 175, Soph.
Top newcomers: Quadyn (Duder) Tugman, SS, 5-11, 165, Fr.; Zion Norwood, DL, 5-9, 205; Soph.