With the 2024 NCHSAA and NCISAA football seasons headed into their opening stages, a lot of questions are in the air from high school football fans, and there will be plenty to watch for in Cumberland County.
An East Regional champion , 3A state runner-up, two three-time running conference champions, numerous college prospects, high-profile transfers and all the usual talented programs in the mix promise to bring Fayetteville more drama — and more winning — this coming season.
Here's a look at seven burning questions facing Cumberland County football programs with United 8 and All American conference-favorite picks for the 2024 season.
WHO HAS THE TOUGHEST SCHEDULE?: Which Fayetteville high school football teams have the toughest 2024-25 schedule?
CONFERENCE GAMES TO WATCH: Fayetteville’s top 5 high school football conference games to watch in 2024 season
NONCONFERENCE GAMES TO WATCH: Fayetteville’s top 5 high school football conference games to watch in 2024 season
Players to watch
Can Douglas Byrd football return to the wins column this season?
Douglas Byrd was a historic football program during the Bob Paroli days as head coach, but has since been unable to keep up with participation due to districting. Since the 2018 season, the Eagles have only been able to collect 10 wins, and last season went winless with their closest defeat coming against Purnell Swett in a Saturday make-up game 14-12.
Can Seventy-First resume last season's historic dominance and become back-to-back Regional champions?
Last season, the Falcons exuded dominance that hasn't been seen for a long time in the Fayetteville area. DeAndre Nance, Donovan Frederick, and Jayson Franklin — all entering their senior seasons — are expected to carry Seventy-First to another 3A East title, and likely another trip to the NCHSAA 3A state title game.
With key losses to Cape Fear's core, can the Colts retool for another eight-win season?
Favour Murtala, Jeremiah Melvin, Landon Sargent, and Robert Moore have all departed from the Colts depth chart after graduating. Now, Cape Fear will settle in a main core of Bryan Charles, King Faison, Damien Gary, and Geronimo Sanchez with hopes to key in on their 'warrior mindset' and remain focused in order to execute. Can the Colts remain among the top two teams in the United 8?
The Tevell Williams era has begun at the 1800. Can he help E.E. Smith return as an eminent football team in Fayetteville?
Coach Tevell Williams is nesting in his new home on Murchison Road, implementing his brick by brick culture. The Golden Bulls has only won four games over the last two seasons, but is has been a top football program in the area over the decades. Getting back to that is a key goal for Williams in this new era.
With a host of talented transfers joining the Crusaders, can Trinity Christian bring home a state title in the NCISAA?
The Crusaders have gained a lot more talent throughout the offseason. Dontario Austin, Donta Marshmon, and Dynovan Marshmon have all come in ready to make an impact on last year's NCISAA Division II runners-up with the collective hope that they can return to the title game and complete the run.
Which Fayetteville-area team will be most impacted by transfers?
A slew of talented players have changed schools over the summer in the area — South View being affected the most. Among the Tigers finding new homes, receiver Anthony Farrior has landed at Seventy-First while 6-foot-6 offensive lineman Donta' Marshmon and all-conference linebacker Dontario Austin have moved across town to Trinity Christian. And receiver Donavan Pauling-Outlaw has jumped state lines to join the powerhouse roster of Marlboro County High School in South Carolina.
Who are the 2024 favorites to win the United 8 and All American conference titles?
Last season, Pine Forest completed a three-peat as All American Conference champions after knocking off Overhills in the regular-season finale. But this season, the Trojans lost a few of their key players that helped them get there, and Terry Sanford is looming in search of its first conference title since 2019 after retaining many stout defenders from a season ago.
AAC pick: Terry Sanford
Seventy-First has been atop the United 8 Conference for the last three years, sweeping league titles in that span. This season, there's no expectation that things will be different for the team in red and white.
U8 pick: Seventy-First
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 7 burning questions, predictions going into Fayetteville high school football 2024 season
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