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The Wilson Times
Warriors look to remain QCC contenders
By Paul Durham,
3 days ago
Senior Keyshawn Richardson, left, and junior quarterback Carson Jones are all business during practice Monday, Aug. 19. Paul Durham | Times
The 2024 high school football season arrives with the Hunt varsity team not wearing the proverbial target as the preseason choice of the team to beat in the fourth season of the 3-A Quad County Conference.
In fact, no team among the eight members will.
The scheduled conference meeting was canceled because of the recent storm. Thus, no poll of the head coaches was taken. However, fifth-year Hunt head coach Juan Jackson is left with the opinion of a probable ranking of Fike at No.1, Charles B. Aycock at No. 2 and his Warriors at No. 3. Or maybe Fike at No. 1, Hunt at No. 2 and CBA at No. 3.
Once the 2023 regular season kicked off, the Warriors flourished as the Quad County front-runner — until the final game of the regular season. Hunt suffered an embarrassing loss to Fike and wound up the QCC co-champion with Fike. The Golden Demons claimed the league’s No. 1 playoff seed and advanced into the third round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs. Hunt, at No. 2 from the Quad County, lost in the opening round and finished with an 8-3 record.
Hunt High head coach Juan Jackson, left, watches activities during practice Monday, Aug. 19. Jackson is heading into his fifth season leading his alma mater. Paul Durham | Times
The dismal end to 2023 still gnaws at Jackson and his staff. Thus, the mission is to finish atop the standings in another manner. The head coach anticipates plenty of bulletin board fodder being a Warriors’ positive.
“We have been written off,” Jackson commented with doubtful sincerity. “They have forgotten us.
However, the Warriors, the first Quad County champion in 2021, can’t count upon being overlooked, and flying under the proverbial radar ain’t going to happen.
WARRIORS RETURN 15
Hunt lost 22 players from last season, but returns 15 on a roster of 42. The Warriors face a daunting nonconference schedule (Northern Nash, Beddingfield and D.H. Conley) before kicking off their seven-game conference schedule. Hunt travels to Northern Nash, the 2023 3-A East Region king and state runner-up, to open the season on Friday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m.
“This is the smallest team (in size) since I have been here,” Jackson declared. “The offensive line will determine our success. The faster they bond, the more successful we will be. The youth and inexperience will be tested early. Defense is ahead of offense at this time of the year; it will be a slow process.”
However, the coaching staff likes the potential it has seen from the young group, and Jackson expresses: “if they can block our front four in practice, we are going to be alright.”
Elsewhere, the team is blessed with skilled personnel.
Thus far, the preseason has seen two practices wiped out by inclement weather. The coaches expected to learn plenty when the Warriors scrimmaged at Greene Central last Wednesday against the Rams, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro and North Johnston.
The team has practiced in the morning, Jackson explains, to avoid the heat and afternoon showers. He believes three weeks is adequate preparation time for the season’s start if: “We prepared properly in the spring and summer.”
Senior Ny’Gir Alston is the top returning receiver for his Hunt High varsity football team this season. Paul Durham | Times
NFL TIES AMONG COACHES
Speaking of coaches, Jackson is surrounded by 10 on the varsity and junior varsity staffs. Among the varsity assistants, defensive line coach Billy Woodard, Izel Jenkins (defensive backs) and Sean Rose (offensive line) all of whom have NFL experience.
The trio returns along with defensive coordinator Keith Byrum, John Glover (linebackers), and Miguel Hall (special teams) while offensive coordinator Cam Avery is a new face on the staff.
On the junior varsity, head coach Woodard is assisted by Josh Avery, Mace McClain and Stephen Finch.
The Avery brothers (Cam and Josh) are newcomers who coached at Fike last season. Cam Avery also handles the strength and conditioning program. McClain is the other Hunt first-year coach.
How about the unheralded youngsters who will man the offensive front. It doesn’t hurt that National Honor Society students are among the hopefuls. Jackson is also proud that academically acclaimed athletes are situated on both sides of the football.
UP FRONT OFFENSIVELY
Junior center James Gibson and senior tackle Deontrae Barnes started last season. Sophomore tackle Aarion Bryant is up from the jayvees. The guards are junior Cyntarion James and sophomore C.J. Dickerson. Jones was injured last season, while Dickerson is a transfer from league rival CBA.
Jackson speaks of a lack of size up front, but Bryant is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds; Gibson is 6-0, 275; Barnes is 6-3, 300; James is 5-11, 220; while Dickerson stands 5-11 and weighs 280.
Providing depth up front are sophomore Z’Carius Dickerson, senior Josh Winborne and 6-3 senior Cooper Fuller. Fuller, athletic and a good blocker, has been shifted to the Y-back position.
Among the skilled personnel, junior Carson Jones returns as the starting quarterback, and one of his duties is aiding the maturity of the front line. Jones will again be directing the run-pass option, but offensive coordinator Avery has changed the concept and terminology. Jones is an accurate passer, but, said Jackson, Avery had rather run than pass, and Jones’ main responsibility will be establishing the run game.
Jones is backed by 6-3 senior Barnes Willoughby and sophomore Xzayvion Harris, the starting JV quarterback and a varsity performer via the eight-quarter rule.
Senior Deontrae Barnes will anchor the Hunt defensive line as well as start on the offensive line for the Warriors this season. Paul Durham | Times
Jones’ main targets will likely be the senior quartet of Tylee Jones, who was a backup last season, Ny’Gir Alston, Brandon Batts and Quentin Price. Ineligibility will cost Monta Sutton, last season’s top receiver, his final year. All members of the foursome stand 6-foot-2 or taller.
Also available is Ashanta Hampton, a 6-4 senior who did not play a season ago
Well-regarded senior offensive weapon Jaquan Harper is not expected to be available until late October because of knee surgery. Jackson deems Harper vital in the role of a kick returner.
Running duties will be delegated to senior Camden Coley, junior Isaiah Chadwick, a slot performer last year, and junior Jayson Bell, up from the JV.
DOLL KICKING SPECIALIST
Junior Will Doll will punt for the first time this season along with being responsible for kickoffs, extra points and field goals. Doll totaled 13 touchbacks last season and displayed accuracy as a backup placekicker. In camps, Doll connected on field goals as long as 52 yards. Allston will be the backup punter.
“I am so glad I convinced (Doll) to come out and kick,” commented Jackson. “Hopefully, the 12th man will be vital in our success.”
The Warriors’ expectations are lofty from kick returners Batts, Alston and Bell.
The defense features standout sophomore end Judah Harris, who was tabbed all-conference as a freshman and is also accomplished in judo and wrestling.
“He will be a solid performer,” his coach predicted. “It will be hard to block him.”
Also eyeing action at end are Barnes, who did not play defense in 2023; senior returnee Jameson Jones and C.J. Dickerson.
Probable linebacker starters are senior Tykwon Matthews, a backup a year ago; and Keyshawn Richardson, a senior transfer from Beddingfield.
Sophomore Judah Harris will be a force at defensive end for his Hunt High varsity football team this season. Paul Durham | Times
BATTS ANCHORS SECONDARY
In the secondary, Batts earned all-conference acclaim as a junior. Price and Alston anchor the cornerback slots. Junior Camden Coley has shown promise. Alston, said Jackson, can do it all.
Batts, Barnes, Harris, Doll and Gibson have been named the 2024 captains. Jackson mentions Harris, Bell, sophomore linebacker Randy Jones, sophomore defensive back Kane Mason and sophomore defender Kamden Murphy as the top newcomers.
“We always say we have unfinished business,” Jackson emphasized. “We want to get back to the state championship; that’s the only thing Hunt football hasn’t done. And we haven’t won a county title in the last eight years.
“The schedule is always tough and, if you underestimate an opponent in this conference, you get surprised. There’s a lot of parity. And everybody is always after Hunt. Beating Hunt is like winning the state championship.”
Jackson insists he’s still confident and cautions: “If we had Harper and Sutton, I would be very confident.”
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