29 Gastonia, Shelby area linemen to watch during the 2024 high school football season

We’re under a month until kickoff of the 2024 high school football season in North Carolina.

With that in mind, now is a good time to see what this fall may have in store for players and programs in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.

Next up are the top returning offensive and defensive linemen, who despite not playing glamor positions such as quarterback, running back or wide receiver, have as great — or exceeding — importance in how a game ultimately turns out.

READY, AIM, FIRE: Here are Gastonia, Shelby high school football's returning quarterbacks to watch in 2024

RUNNING TOUGH: Here are 10 Gastonia, Shelby area high school football running backs to watch in 2024

TARGET ACQUIRED: What Gastonia, Shelby area wide receivers are primed for a big 2024 football season?

Gage Bowman

Burns, Sr.

Bowman is one of two starters projected to return from a Burns offensive line which helped the Bulldogs average 436 yards per game last fall.

Paxton Dobbins

Crest, So.

Dobbins emerged for the Chargers last season, part of an offensive line which helped Crest average 45.8 points and more than 400 yards per game. The unit is also projected to return seniors Cole Lawson and Davaughn Norris , as well as junior Eli Black .

Dobbins is expected to moonlight along the defensive line as well.

Elijah Gary

Mountain Island Charter, Sr.

A 6-foot-1, 258-pound offensive and defensive lineman has been a three-year contributor in the trenches for Mountain Island Charter. In addition to anchoring an offensive line which helped MICS average 426 yards per game last fall, he also finished with 50 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Reid Jeffries

South Point, Jr.

Jeffries is the center of attention along the South Point offensive line, one which helped Red Raider backs rush for 3,406 yards and 46 touchdowns in 2023. Projected to join him in the trenches include fellow juniors Ashton Owenby and Andrew Wright .

TyJai Johnson

Crest, Sr.

Johnson finished with 79 tackles last fall, eight of which came for a loss. He’ll be part of an experienced front which also returns seniors Kentrell Degree (47 tackles, four for a loss) and Zach Parker (45 tackles, two for a loss).

Eli Lipscomb

Kings Mountain, Sr.

Fair finished with 86 tackles (18 for a loss) and 6.5 sacks last fall. He’s part of a vaunted Mountaineer defensive line which also returns defensive end Antonio Armstrong (83 tackles, 3 sacks) and Thomas Fair (71 tackles, 6 sacks).

Sireco Logan

Bessemer City, Sr.

Logan returns after a 2023 season in which he finished with 65 tackles (14 for a loss), 10 sacks, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. The Yellow Jacket defensive line is perceived to be one of the team’s strengths this fall, Logan joined by fellow all-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A standout Josiah Williams (61 tackles, three sacks).

Evan Matile

East Lincoln, Sr.

Matile was a constant for the Mustangs last fall, starting in the offensive and defensive trenches for each of the team’s 12 games. He’ll be joined by offensive and defensive lineman Era Vaughn III , who proved his worth and reliability by starting each game as a sophomore last season.

Jonathan Moore

Ashbrook, Jr.

The 6-2, 280-pound lineman provides an imposing presence in the offensive trenches for the Green Wave. Moore is also a standout wrestler at Ashbrook, the heavyweight finishing 45-15 and a sixth-place result at the NCHSAA 3A state tournament.

Grant Mullen

North Lincoln, Sr.

Mullen graded out at 73% last fall with 14 pancake blocks. He’ll anchor a veteran offensive line along with veterans Christian Easter , Owen Hathaway and Luke Jones , which helped the Knights win eight games and average 277 rushing yards per game.

Mullen may also see time for North Lincoln on the defensive side of the ball.

Khavijae Nixon

Lincolnton, Sr.

An all-Catawba Valley 2A performer last fall, the 6-4, 270-pound offensive tackle and defensive end already has the attention of several Division II schools. He’ll particularly be key on the offensive side of the ball, where coach Jaden Angle expects him to take on a leadership role.

Gage Phalin

North Gaston, Jr.

Was recognized as an all-Big South 3A first team performer last season, helping the Wildcats’ ball-control attack average 5.1 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns.

Cass Phillips

Forestview, Sr.

The 6-5, 265-pound lineman could see time on both sides of the ball this season. During the 2023 campaign, he finished with 22 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Justyn Ross

Shelby, Sr.

Ross earned all-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A honors last fall after helping Shelby average 46 points and 348 yards per game. He also had 31 tackles (11 for a loss), 5.5 sacks and a 75-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Luke Weselowski

South Point, Sr.

A 6-foot, 245-pound defensive lineman, Weselowski finished with 53 tackles (five tackles for loss), 24 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: 29 Gastonia, Shelby area linemen to watch during the 2024 high school football season