After a 10-win season in his first season as head coach at North Lincoln, head coach Nick Bazzle is back and the Knights are expected to contend for a South Fork 2A title.
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—at Parkwood
Aug. 30—E. Rutherford
Sept. 6—at W. Caldwell
Sept. 20—Bessemer City
Sept. 27—at W. LINCOLN
Oct. 4—at LAKE NORMAN CHARTER
Oct. 11—E. LINCOLN
Oct. 18—MAIDEN
Oct. 25—at NEWTON-CONOVER
Nov. 1—LINCOLNTON
Nov. 8—at BANDYS
NORTH LINCOLN KNIGHTS
Conference: South Fork 2A
Head coach: Nick Bazzle (139-89, 18 years; 10-4 at N. Lincoln, 1 year)
Last season’s records: 10-4 overall; 6-1 South Fork 2A, second place
Last season’s results: Thomas Jefferson Academy, L 27-34; at Fred T. Foard, W 22-9; Alexander Central, L 24-56; Bessemer City, W 20-6; W. LINCOLN, W 7-6; LAKE NORMAN CHARTER, W 49-14; at E. LINCOLN 24-16; at MAIDEN, W 21-19; NEWTON-CONOVER, W 47-19; at LINCOLNTON, W 36-26; BANDYS, L 29-30. Playoffs: at Smoky Mountain, W 42-6; E. Lincoln, W 38-13; at Shelby, L 7-38
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 2AA
Last state playoff victory: 2018, d. E. Lincoln 38-13, second round
All-time state playoff bids: 7
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: None
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 18
Returning lettermen: 23
OFFENSE
Set: Spread option.
Returning starters: 9
Leading returning rusher: Jake Soorus, 5-10, 185, Sr.; (120-1,126, 14 TDs); Landon Beard, 5-11, 160, Sr. (158-473, 11 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Landon Beard, 5-11, 160, Sr. (36-86-9, 729 yards, 6 TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Sam Brady, 6-4, 205, Sr. (21-378, 4 TDs); Daniel Carter, 6-1, 205, Jr. (5-153, 2 TDs)
Players to watch: Joseph Elberti, OL, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Wyatt Painter, OL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Travali Price, OL, 6-4, 230, Sr.; Elijah Landers, OL, 5-11, 250, Sr.; Jacob Cline, WR, 5-10, 155, Sr.
Top newcomers: Ty Williams, RB, 5-7, 160, Soph.; Kristjan Snyder, RB, 6-2, 210, Soph.; Jack Carter, QB, 5-11, 165, Jr.
DEFENSE
Set: 3-4.
Returning starters: 9
Players to watch: Jake Soorus, LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Sam Brady, DB, 6-4, 205, Sr.; Joseph Elberti, DL, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Wyatt Painter, DL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Travali Price, DL, 6-4, 230, Sr.; Daniel Carter, DB, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Elijah Landers, DL, 5-11, 250, Sr.; Jacob Cline, DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.
Top newcomers: Ty Williams, OLB, 5-7, 160, Soph.; Kristjan Snyder, LB, 6-2, 210, Soph.; Jack Carter, DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.