2020 High School Football Previews: Caldwell County Schools
CALDWELL COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
HIBRITEN
Head Coach: Sam Mackey (2nd year).
2019 Record: 11-2
Conference: Northwest Foothills’ 2A
Returning Starters: 18 (9 offense; 9 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 35
Key Returning Starters: Daren Perry, Sr., QB/DB/ATH (6-1, 170); Marcus Jones, Sr., WR/FS/ATH (5-10, 170); Griffin Bryson, Sr., K (5-10, 160); Noah Isbell, Sr., LB/FB (6-2, 230); Nodre Battle, Sr., RB/LB (6-0, 190); Duder Tugman, Jr., DB/ATH/RB (6-0, 170); Jackson Lewis, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 230).
Key Returnees: N/A.
Key Newcomers: Jake Absher, So., DE/FB (6-2, 220); Kobe Morrison, So., RB/DB (5-9, 165).
Outlook: Hibriten has been one of the most successful teams in the state in the last four years, going 55-4 in that span. The Panthers return 18 starters from an 11-2 squad, which gives them the experience to post double-digits wins again in 2020. Hibriten will be led by senior quarterback Daren Perry (912 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns, 1,108 yards passing, 15 touchdowns), who can it done with his arms or his legs. Perry has plenty of help in senior fullback Noah Isbell (503 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns), kicker Griffin Bryson (8-for-10 on field goals, 60 extra points). Meanwhile, the Hibriten defense also returns nine starters with seniors in safety Marcus Jones (54 tackles, five forced fumbles) and linebackers Nodre Battle and Isbell leading the group.
SOUTH CALDWELL
Head Coach: Mark Kirkpatrick (4th year).
2019 Record: 4-8
Conference: Northwestern 3A/4A
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Lettermen: 12
Key Returning Starters: Isaiah Kirby, Sr., RB/DB (6-0, 170); Avery Raynor, Sr., QB/LB (5-11, 183); Steven Reid, Sr., OL/LB (6-1, 225); Cole McCall, Sr., TE/OLB (6-3, 225); Mason Spradling, Sr., OL/DL (6-0, 272); J.R. Boyd, Sr., OL/LB (6-0, 210); Triston Adkins, Sr., DB (5-9, 155).
Key Returnees: Josue Dickerson, Sr., RB/CB (5-9, 152); Justice Kirkpatrick, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 295).
Key Newcomers: N/A.
Outlook: The Spartans have struggled in recent years going 10-36 in the last four season combined. This year, South Caldwell need the dynamic duo of quarterback Avery Raynor (1879 total yards, 23 touchdowns last year) and running back Isaiah Kirby (638 yards rushing, 26 receptions) and an experienced offensive line to carry the load on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, the defense also has playmakers in seniors, Steven Reid and Triston Adkins.
WEST CALDWELL
Head Coach: Mike Biggerstaff (2nd year).
2019 Record: 1-10
Conference: Northwest Foothills’ 2A
Returning Starters: 12
Returning Lettermen: 12
Key Returning Starters: Isaiah Cornell, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 255); Faizon Dickson, Sr., QB/RB/DB (5-11, 165); Taiwan Perkins, Jr., OLB/RB (6-0, 190); Cameron Beaver, Jr., ILB/RB (6-0, 195); Eric Andrews, Jr., Center (OL) (6-3, 260); Makyis Dula, Jr., DB/RB (6-1, 160); Bryson Avery, Jr., DB/RB (5-9, 145); Isaiah Gause, Sr., ILB/FB (5-11, 200); Markus Lopez, Jr., QB/DB (5-11, 145); David Rodriguez, Jr., OL/DL (5-9).
Key Returnees: N/A.
Key Newcomers: Gabe Phillips, Jr., OL/ILB (6-0, 185); Mason Anthony, So., DB/WR (6-2, 160); Demontay Michaux, So., OL/DL (6-3, 220); Markel Epps, Jr., ILB/OL (6-1); Kayvin Felder, So., RB/DB (5-9, 155); Bryan Hollar, Jr., TE/OLB (6-2, 210).
Outlook: West Caldwell has struggled recently going 1-21 in the last two seasons. This year, West Caldwell returns 12 starters. The Warriors have versatile offensive weapons with both senior Faizon Dickson and junior Markus Lopez, seeing time at quarterback, while Cameron Beaver (417 yards rushing) will also have the ball in his hands a lot. The Warriors’ defense should be solid as well with linebackers in Beaver (81 tackles), Taiwan Perkins (60 tackles) and Isaiah Gause as well as senior defensive lineman, Isaiah Cornell (67 tackles) headlining the unit.
Caldwell County Conference Predictions
Northwestern 3A/4A Conference
Alexander Central; 2. Watauga; 3. Freedom; 4. Hickory; 5. South Caldwell; 6. St. Stephens; 7. McDowell.
Northwest Foothills’ 2A Conference
Hibriten; 2. West Iredell; 3. Bunker Hill; 4. Draughn; 5. Patton; 6. East Burke; 7. Fred T. Foard; 8. West Caldwell.
Preseason All-County team
Offense
QB – Daren Perry, Hibriten, 6-1, 170, Sr.
RB – Isaiah Kirby, South Caldwell, 6-0, 170, Sr.
RB – Noah Isbell, Hibriten, 6-2, 230, Sr.
RB – Cameron Beaver, West Caldwell, 6-0, 195, Jr.
WR – Marcus Jones, Hibriten, 5-10, 170, Sr.
WR – Xavier Simon, Hibriten, 6-1, 170, Sr.
OL – Jackson Lewis, Hibriten, 6-1, 230, Sr.
OL – Xzavien Barnes, Hibriten, 5-8, 200, Sr.
OL – Eric Andrews, West Caldwell, 6-3, 260, Jr.
OL – J.R. Boyd, South Caldwell, 6-0, 210, Sr.
OL – Mason Spradling, South Caldwell, 6-0, 272, Sr.
Specialists
ATH – Avery Raynor, South Caldwell, 5-11, 183, Sr.
ATH – Faizon Dickson, West Caldwell, 5-11, 165, Sr.
K/P – Griffin Bryson, Hibriten, 5-10, 160, Sr.
Defense
DL – Joseph Estes, Hibriten, 6-0, 210, Sr.
DL – Jake Taylor, Hibriten, 6-1, 200, Sr.
DL – Isaiah Cornell, West Caldwell, 6-1, 255, Sr.
LB – Taiwan Perkins, West Caldwell, 6-0, 190, Jr.
LB – Nodre Battle, Hibriten, 6-0, 190, Sr.
LB – Taylib Howell, Hibriten, 5-11, 180, Sr.
LB – Steven Reid, South Caldwell, 6-1, 225, Sr.
DB – Duder Tugman, Hibriten, 6-0, 170, Jr.
DB – Triston Adkins, South Caldwell, 5-9, 155, Sr.
DB – Makyis Dula, West Caldwell, 6-1, 160, Jr.
DB – Bryson Avery, West Caldwell, 5-9, 145, Jr.
Caldwell County Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Daren Perry, Hibriten.
Caldwell County Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Nodre Battle, Hibriten.
