The Observer is kicking off comprehensive high school football previews for all of the N.C. counties it covers — Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union, along with teams from York and Lancaster counties in upstate South Carolina.
The previews will include breakdowns for all teams, conference predictions and a preseason all-county team. Next is the preview for Lincoln County schools.
Team previews
EAST LINCOLN
Head Coach: David Lubowicz (8th year).
2023 Record: 8-4
Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 3A
Returning Starters: 10
Returning Lettermen: N/A.
Key Returning Starters: Grant Lawless, Jr., QB (6-3, 200); Chris Daley, II, Sr., RB (6-0, 200); Jackson Beam, Sr., WR (5-11, 170); L.J. Forney, Sr., WR (5-8, 155); Era Vaughn, Jr., OL (5-11, 240); Evan Matile, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 215); Brody Hager, Sr., LB (5-11, 205); Cooper Harpster, So., LB (5-9, 180); Kaleb Lauffer, Jr., DL (6-2, 215).
Key Newcomers: Tui Tuionetoa, So., OL/DL (6-2, 220); Jackson Moore, Jr., OL (6-2, 295); Jacob Moore, Jr., OL (6-2, 265); Alex Maret, Sr., OL (6-1, 220).
Outlook: The Mustangs, who the NCHSAA 3A state title in 2022, have averaged nine wins per season over the past five years. That trend should continue in 2024. East Lincoln returns junior quarterback Grant Lawless (1,599 yards passing, 20 touchdown passes last year) along with senior running back Chris Daley II (710 yards rushing, eight touchdowns) and receiver Jackson Beam (56 catches for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns). The Mustangs also have an experienced offensive line with senior Evan Matile and junior Era Vaughn leading the group. East Lincoln won’t be as experienced on defense, but the Mustangs return senior linebacker Brody Hager (80 tackles), promising sophomore Cooper Harpster and junior defensive lineman Kaleb Lauffer (41 tackles, six sacks).
Interesting Note: East Lincoln junior quarterback Grant Lawless is also one of the Mustangs’ best basketball players. He averaged 10 points and seven rebounds as a sophomore.
LINCOLNTON
Head Coach: Jaden Angle (2nd year).
2023 Record: 6-6
Conference: Catawba Valley Athletic 2A
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Lettermen: 17
Key Returning Starters: Karson Cloninger, Sr., QB/LB (6-2, 185); Treylen Bost, Sr., RB/DB (5-8, 145); Antonio Wilson, Sr., Slot/DB (5-10, 175); Gaige Ikard, Jr., WR/DB (6-2, 180); Khavijae Nixon, Sr., OL/DL (6-4, 260); Devin Leonard, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 225); Devin Rinck, Sr., OL (6-2, 300); Tyler Helms, Sr., OL/LB (5-11, 195)
Key Newcomers: Jalaythan Mayfield, So., WR/DB (6-1, 195); Maxwell Buckley, So., OL (5-7, 195); Gabe Robinson, Jr., DL (5-10, 185); Hunter Houser, Jr., LB/WR (6-1, 160).
Outlook: The Wolves look to build on back to back 6-6 seasons, led by senior quarterback Karson Cloninger, senior running back Jaylen Bost (295 yards rushing last year) and senior receiver Antonio Wilson. All three will have much bigger roles this season. The Wolves are big up front with all-conference offensive linemen Khavijae Nixon (6-4, 260) and Devin Rinck (6-2, 300) returning. The Lincolnton defense will also rely on multiple two-way players like Cloninger (83 tackles), who is returning to lead the linebacking corps and Bost and Wilson, who are back in the secondary.
Interesting Note: Lincolnton’s last winning season came in 2016, when the Wolves went 13-2.
NORTH LINCOLN
Head Coach: Nick Bazzle (7th year).
2023 Record: 8-4
Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 3A
Returning Starters: 15
Returning Lettermen: N/A.
Key Returning Starters: Ryan Bassani, Sr., LB (5-11, 190); Shannon Wingate, Jr., RB (5-10, 215); Eli Sipe, Sr., QB (6-0, 180); Tanner Ayers, Sr., LB (6-3, 190); Jake Dillingham, Sr., K (6-2, 180): Aaron Doeden, Sr., WR/DB (5-11, 185); Brady Rinkus, Sr., TE/DL (6-3, 215); Tim Folk, Sr., RB/DB (5-11, 175); Peyton Schmidt, Sr., RB/LB (5-11, 175); Kade Sturgill, Sr., LB (5-10, 185); Grant Mullen, Sr., OL/DL (5-10, 215); Luke Jones, Sr., OL (5-8, 235); Owen Hathaway, Sr., OL (5-11, 225); Christian Easter, Sr., OL (5-7, 175); Landon Agree, So., RB/DB (5-10, 180).
Key Newcomers: Jake Dos Santo, Sr., WR/FS (6-3, 195); Zach Hartwell, Sr. OLB (6-0, 180); Iggy Madariaga, Sr., OL (5-10, 210).
Outlook: The Knights return 15 starters from a team that went 8-4 and made it to the second round of the 3A state playoffs a year ago. This season, North Lincoln will feature junior running back Shannon Wingate (1,179 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns last year), senior quarterback Eli Sipe (651 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, 379 yards rushing, six touchdowns) and sophomore running back Landen Agee. The Knights’ defense has plenty of experience, including a trio of senior linebackers: Tanner Ayers (three interceptions), Ryan Bassani (189 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries) and Kade Sturgill (86 tackles). Senior kicker Jake Dillingham (eight field goals last year) could have a major impact in field position for the Knights.
Interesting Note: North Lincoln senior linebacker Ryan Bassani had 189 tackles as a junior, which ranked him No. 1 in the state, and No. 16 in the country, according to MaxPreps.
WEST LINCOLN
Head Coach: Darren Ponder
2023 Record: 9-3
Conference: Catawba Valley Athletic 2A
Returning Starters: 11
Returning Lettermen: 18
Key Returning Starters: Jaylin Winnex, Sr., RB/WR/S/K (5-10, 160); Gideon Allen, Sr., QB/S/P (6-2, 180); Keegan Bostic, Sr., RB/LB/LS (5-8, 160); Drew Ponder, Sr., LB/FB (5-10, 185); Parker Cochrane, Sr., OL/DL (6-4, 260); Shawn Blackburn, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 165); Justin Hamby, Sr., LB/RB/DB (5-10, 205).
Other Key Returnees: Tyler Avery, Sr., DE/TE (6-3, 205); Grae Ponder, Jr., LB/RB (6-0, 175); Lucas Blackburn, Sr., RB/LB (5-8, 155); Ty Butler, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 165); Damien Puga, So., OL/DL (6-0, 285); Brandon Miller, Jr., OL/DL (6-3, 260).
Key Newcomers: Jayce Rowe, Sr., DB/WR/WB (5-9, 155) (East Gaston transfer); Ja’quarion Robinson, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 160).
Outlook: West Lincoln has been consistent with eight or more wins in four of the past five seasons. In 2024, the team features 11 returning starters. The offense will be run heavy, led by senior running back, Jaylin Winnex (1,472 yards rushing, 22 touchdowns) and senior quarterback Gideon Allen (634 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns, 514 yards passing). The West Lincoln defense will be solid with senior linebackers Keegan Bostic (75 tackles) and Drew Ponder (73 tackles), while Allen (40 tackles, four interceptions) and Winnex (54 tackles, three interceptions) headline the secondary.
Interesting Note: West Lincoln has posted six straight winning seasons going 50-19 in the span.
Conference predictions
Catawba Valley Athletic 2A
Bunker Hill; 2. Maiden; 3. West Lincoln; 4. Lincolnton; 5. Newton Conover; 6. Bandys; 7. East Burke; 8. West Caldwell.
Western Foothills’ 3A
Hickory; 2. Statesville; 3. North Lincoln; 4. East Lincoln; 5. West Iredell; 6. St. Stephens; 7. North Iredell; 8. Fred T. Foard.
Preseason all-county team
OFFENSE
QB: Grant Lawless, East Lincoln, 6-3, 200, Jr.
RB: Shannon Wingate, North Lincoln, 5-10, 215, Jr.
RB: Jaylen Winnex, West Lincoln, 5-10, 160, Jr.
WR: Jackson Beam, East Lincoln, 5-11, 170, Sr.
WR: Aaron Doeden, North Lincoln, 5-11, 185, Sr.
WR: L.J. Forney, East Lincoln, 5-8, 155, Sr.
OL: Parker Cochrane, West Lincoln, 6-4, 260, Sr.
OL: Grant Mullen, North Lincoln, 5-10, 215, Sr.
OL: Khavijae Nixon, Lincolnton, 6-4, 260, Sr.
OL: Devin Rinck, Lincolnton, 6-2, 300, Sr.
OL: Era Vaughn, East Lincoln, 5-11, 240, Jr.
ATH: Chris Daley, II, East Lincoln, 6-0, 200, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL: Kaleb Lauffer, East Lincoln, 6-2, 215, Jr.
DL: Brady Rinkus, North Lincoln, 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB: Tanner Ayers, North Lincoln, 6-3, 190, Sr.
LB: Ryan Bassani, North Lincoln, 5-11, 170, Jr.
LB: Karson Cloninger, Lincolnton, 6-2, 185, Sr.LB: Brody Hager, East Lincoln, 5-11, 205, Sr.
LB: Drew Ponder, West Lincoln, 5-11, 185, Sr.
DB: Gideon Allen, West Lincoln, 6-2, 180, Sr.
DB: Treylen Bost, Lincolnton, 5-8, 145, Sr.
DB: Jayce Rowe, West Lincoln, 5-9, 155, Sr.
DB: Antonio Wilson, Lincolnton, 5-10. 175, Sr.
SPECIALIST
K/P: Jake Dillingham, North Lincoln, 6-2, 180, Sr.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jaylin Winnex, West Lincoln, 5-10, 160, Sr., RB.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Ryan Bassani, North Lincoln, 5-11, 190, Sr., LB
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