The 2024 high school football season is just 44 days away from kickoff for teams across North Carolina.
Questions regarding what we'll see on the gridiron this fall are limitless in the Wilmington area. After tremendous area success in 2023, 10 squads will sprint into Week 1 on Aug. 23.
Here are 44 questions for Wilmington-area high school football teams, 44 days out from opening night.
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1. The banner year for area teams in the 2023-24 school year started with a tremendous showing on the football field. Seven area teams qualified for the postseason, with two reaching the third round and one earning a state championship appearance. Can Wilmington-area teams replicate last year's success, or will this fall be a step back?
2. Laney had one of its best seasons in recent memory last fall and, if not for Hoggard, would have claimed its first MEC title in at least two decades. Can the Buccaneers get over the hump and claim their first conference title in recent memory?
3. Speaking of Laney's success, starting quarterback Kolbe Little enters his senior season this fall. Head coach Luke Little's son, Kolbe completed 57% of his passes for 2,752 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Is the Bucs gunslinger destined for his best season of high school ball yet?
4. Hoggard returns a much different squad after graduating nearly 40 seniors this offseason. Are the Vikings still the area's biggest threat after losing so many key players?
5. The Vikings found their quarterback in Hudson Wilharm over the last few seasons. Matthew Boring filled in when Wilharm was injured for the Vikings' first-round playoff game last season and seems like the natural answer to the team's quarterback needs. Whether it's Boring or someone else, how vital will finding the right fit at quarterback be for Hoggard?
6. Ashley found great success in 2023. Are the Screaming Eagles a legitimate MEC title contender this season?
7. After winning the MEC title in 2022, New Hanover finished last season 6-6. Are the Wildcats set to bounce back in 2024?
8. Beyond Laney's Little, the area has a limited number of established quarterbacks. Which passer is set for a breakout season this fall?
9. Pender put together one of 2023's most memorable games but ended the season 5-7. Can the Patriots produce a winning season this fall?
10. After a tremendous season in 2022, Trask took a slight step back last fall. For the Titans, making the playoffs each season is the goal. Can Trask find a number-one running back to carry the load this season?
11. Topsail enters 2024 after a dismal 4-6 finish in 2023. Head coach Jack Teachey enters his third year with the program. Can the former Wofford coach finally get the Pirates back to a respectable state?
12. South Brunswick has its newest coach in Daniel Yow. With a depleted roster and years of losing records, how does Yow begin to turn the Cougars into a winning football team?
13. We've seen some quality talent at running back in the MEC over the years. Is Ashley's Jealan Brewington the area's best this season?
14. West Brunswick has gone 5-25 over the last three seasons. Can the Trojans reach .500 this year?
15. Who's starting at quarterback for North Brunswick, and will the team keep its run-first mentality?
16. Laney's Hampton Roderick enters 2024 as the area's top wideout. Can the senior post his third straight 10+ touchdown season?
17. Who steps up as New Hanover's top rushing threat after longtime starters Caden Morton and Mason Shand have graduated?
18. How does one of the area's top returning linebackers, Rylan Edwards, improve on a season in which he had 148 tackles and 6.5 sacks?
19. Who leads the Mideastern Conference in sacks this season?
20. Quinn Bentley led Ashley with 16 total touchdowns in 2023. The NC State baseball commit also plays basketball. Is he Ashley's best male athlete of recent times?
21. How does Hoggard defensive back Kamar Fulton improve on his area's best eight interceptions from 2023?
22. Can West Brunswick's Jaquell Davis break 1,000 rushing yards this fall?
23. There hasn't been a head coaching change at a Wilmington school since Ashley hired Dante Lombardi in 2022. Will this season be the last for any of New Hanover County's four play-callers?
24. Trask hasn't beaten Whiteville since joining the Waccamaw Conference in 2021. Can the Titans top the Wolfpack this season?
25. Can Pender keep pouring in eye-popping scores, like last season's NCHSAA record-setting game?
26. South Brunswick senior QB Jameson Prince passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for another 600 in his senior season last fall. Can any area quarterback throw and rush for over 1,000 yards in 2024?
27. Can North Brunswick find a legitimate passing threat at quarterback?
28. Who has the area's best defensive unit this season?
29. Laney has gone 1-20 against Hoggard since 2004. Can the Bucs finally beat Hoggard this season?
30. Can any area kicker nail a 50+ yard attempt?
31. All 32 of Hoggard's rushing touchdowns came from seniors last fall. How will the Vikings fill the holes in the backfield?
32. Hoggard's Nas Session didn't put up the most impressive stats last season (629 yards, nine touchdowns), but the Vikigns didn't need to throw the ball too much. Will Session's statistics match his skill set this fall?
33. In 2023, New Hanover featured a rotating door of quarterbacks. Can the Wildcats find their go-to passer in 2024?
34. Can South Brunswick defeat North Brunswick for the first time since 2020 on Sept. 27?
35. How can Pender's running back duo of Jassiah Hill and Jeremiah Johnson improve after combining for 34 touchdowns and 2,800 rushing yards in 2023?
36. Who leads the area in total touchdowns this fall?
37. How can Pender find answers on defense After allowing an area worst 532 points in 2023?
38. Does any area team have a chance at going undefeated in conference play?
39. Can North Brunswick advance past the second round of the playoffs after qualifying for the postseason three years in a row?
40. Can Laney get its revenge over Havlock in the team's Week 2 meeting?
41. Which area school will have the best home-field advantage in 2024?
42. Can Trask win a playoff game?
43. With a reclassification coming in the 2025-26 school year, will this season be the last for the MEC as we know it?
44. With so many younger players on the field this fall, who emerges as the area's most prolific breakout star?
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