Prep football is finally here, alive and breathing.
After working weeks on the annual prep football special section, I’m ready to get out and see some action. The non-conference matchups will be great to cover, but I think we’re all anticipating the realigned Eastern Carolina 2A play — at least I am.
I already have my conference ranking predictions set, which I only switched up in the middle after getting out and chatting with players and coaches. Aside from the standings, there are a couple of other things I’m looking forward to with this new conference. For some teams, the move won’t affect much — but for others, it could be a great new beginning.
Here’s the team I think could be the surprise team of the bunch:
North Lenoir and its many sophomores
With the loss of 20 seniors last season, coach Calvin Sutton was forced to call up a sea of sophomores to varsity this year. As you can see in the preview, he’s looking for the “next Hawk up.” They were 2-8 last year, only winning one conference game. While I feel their conference record won’t improve much this year, I think the EC2A creates a unique opportunity for this team in particular because of all the young guys.
When the sophomores get Year 1 under their belt, they’ll naturally be stronger going into their junior seasons with the Hawks. If they can turn it around and start winning, they’ll be loaded with confidence and experience and could have some bona fide potential in the next couple of seasons. The opportunity is there, but it’ll be up to them to take advantage.
Talk is cheap
Anything can happen this season — that’s what sports are about. A lot of guys are barking sunshine up my tree in their season outlooks and performance expectations. I heard a lot of “hard work,” “team work,” “leadership,” etc.
I won’t call out which teams I’m not buying it from until kickoff tonight, but guess what: I’m not buying it until kickoff tonight. I’ll be paying close attention to these season-openers to see how they may set the tone for 2013 prep football.
My EC2A predictions:
1. Ayden-Grifton: These guys are experienced. These guys seem confident. These guys are used to winning. These guys are in a great program. These guys have Paul Cornwell as coach. #nuffsaid
2. Goldsboro: I solely based this pick off of Rudy Coggins, the sports editor of the News-Argus. During a conference kickoff luncheon a couple of weeks ago, he lightly said something to the effect of “Yeah, (Goldsboro) has some good guys coming back.” He didn’t make me believe Goldsboro could top AG this year, yet I know they’re strong enough to finish high.
Heck, they finished 10-2 last year, topping Ayden-Grifton as they went undefeated in the Carolina 1A.
3. Kinston: Yes, Goldsboro beats out Kinston in the conference. With two powerhouses in the conference, Kinston is ranked pretty high, especially to have a new coach. Obviously, the Vikes have an advantage with new coach Ryan Gieselman because he’s been there two years already. But it’s still Year 1, and, like I said on the Free Press Football Show, you can only do so much as a newbie with a bunch of players lost.
4. North Lenoir: These guys play fast, and that’s going to earn them the No. 4 spot in the conference. It looks like they’ll run the ball a lot, and their key returning running back, Cedric Summers, said he’s feeling better than ever.
If they had a little more beef, a little more experience and a little more wins last season, I would have ranked them higher.
5. Greene Central: Ah, my Greene Central pick. It was initially a toss-up between North Lenoir and Greene Central for fourth place, but after getting out there, I then couldn’t decide who’d be last out of GC and South Lenoir.
I really like first-year-er coach Allen Wooten. He came in and immediately realized he’s got to do something to get this team winning. He’s serious and passionate about football, I think he’s pretty smart, but I’m not sure he has the talent for an immediate turnaround this season.
6. South Lenoir: The continuous coaching turnover at South Lenoir is disheartening, especially for those kids. As far as I can tell (and that’s by what new coach Ken Grantham has told me), he may be the coach who truly believes in the Blue Devils’ program.
Grantham is basically starting from scratch, and while I respect their strong offensive line, they’re going to need more than that to win in this conference. I don’t see them beating any EC2A teams this year, but wins aren’t what’s going to determine South Lenoir’s success this season. I’m looking forward to seeing where these kids end up this fall.
Jessika Morgan is the sports editor of The Free Press. She can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
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Today is the day, prep football fans
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