Bain Sipe, who led all South Fork 2A passers last season, is shifting positions this season for the Blue Devils./PHOTO COURTESY OF OBSERVER NEWS ENTERPRISE
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—at Fred T. Foard
Aug. 30—S. Caldwell
Sept. 6—at Bunker Hill
Sept. 13—St. Stephens
Sept. 27—BANDYS
Oct. 4—at W. LINCOLN
Oct. 11—LAKE NORMAN CHARTER
Oct. 18—at N. LINCOLN
Oct. 25—E. LINCOLN
Nov. 1—NEWTON-CONOVER
Nov. 8—at LINCOLNTON
MAIDEN BLUE DEVILS
BYRNE
Conference: South Fork 2A
Head coach: Will Byrne (27-9, 3 years; same at Maiden, 3 years)
Last season’s records: 8-4 overall; 4-3 South Fork 2A, fourth place
Last season’s results: Fred T. Foard, W 21-6; at E. Burke, W 68-0; Bunker Hill, W 49-0; at St. Stephens, W 21-13; at BANDYS, L 28-37; W. LINCOLN, L 18-31; at LAKE NORMAN CHARTER, W 39-14; N. LINCOLN, L 19-21; at E. LINCOLN, W 13-10; at NEWTON-CONOVER, W 43-40; LINCOLNTON, 13-0. Playoffs: at E. Rutherford, L 10-17
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 2A
Last state playoff victory: 2015, d. N. Surry 48-15, first round
All-time state playoff bids: 43
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: 14, 2017 South Fork 2A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 14
Returning lettermen: 14
OFFENSE
Set: Spread/Multiple
Returning starters: 7
Leading returning rusher: Bain Sipe, 5-9, 170, Sr. (79-114, 1 TD)
Leading returning passer: Bain Sipe, 5-9, 170, Sr. (105-193-9, 2,981 yards, 19 TDs, changing to RB-WR).
Leading returning receivers: Dylan Abernathy, 6-0, 170, Sr. (44-968, 14 TDs); Brennen James, 6-2, 165, Jr. (12-233, 4 TDs).
Players to watch: Presley Poovey, C, 6-0, 255, Sr.; Daniel Harris, OL, 6-2, 220 Jr.; Dru McClough, OL, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Aaron Lefevers, OL, 5-11, 215, Soph.
Top newcomers: Ethan Rhodes, QB, 6-1, 185, Soph.; Kaiden Frye, TE, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Amrion Craig, RB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Dalton Hutley, OL, 5-10, 215, Jr.
DEFENSE
Set: Multiple
Returning starters: 7
Players to watch: Chris Morgan, LB, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Dylan Abernathy, DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Jesse Hewitt, DL, 5-11, 220, Sr.; Carson Hansley, LB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Zack Stewart, DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Daniel Harris, DL, 6-2, 220, Jr.; Brennen James, DB, 6-2, 165, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kadin Frye, OLB, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Amarion Craig, DB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Cameron Day, DL, 6-2, 210, Jr.