Fall 2016 Football Night in Union County | Page 7
marvin Ridge Pre Snap Read Coach
Aubrey Carter, second season
Conference Southern Carolinas
2015 record 8-4, 5-0
Of note:
The Mavericks’ first round exit from the playoffs last season was a disappointment after they won the conference championship, but Carter still made a splash in year one at the helm by guiding Marvin Ridge to its first winning season since 2012. Marvin Ridge is eager to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, and it’s the favorite in its quest to defend its league title, despite a challenging schedule.
The Breakdown Offense
The Mavericks return eight players with starting experience to what was an explosive offense last season, including seven full-time starters on that side of the ball. They will still be spread oriented, but will have some different nuances within its attack. Fortunately for the Mavs, they are deep up front. Senior D’mitri Emmanuel, who is coveted by several Power Five college programs, returns after moving between left guard and right tackle. Junior Ian White moves from right tackle to left tackle. Seniors Carter Williams and John Arthur are back after splitting time at center. Both can play guard. Seniors Matt Wahlers and Colin Gravelle return, who can play right guard and right tackle, alongside sophomores Chase Fiedor and Anthony Hinton. Junior Mitchell Redmon and senior Collin Kosse will add quality depth to the offensive line. Juniors Cole Hopkins and Devin Powell will be dependable receivers and blockers as tight ends. Senior quarterback Austin Colonna returns for an encore after a stellar junior campaign. Junior Bryce McClain will be the backup. Colonna has an array of talented wide receivers in his arsenal of weapons. Seniors Emeka Emezie (N.C. State commit) and Alex Leshock are his primary targets. If Emezie’s production matches the
work he put in during the offseason, he could have a phenomenal year. Leshock has the versatility to play slot and outside receiver, and is good with the ball in his hands. He can make people miss in space. Junior running back Caleb Deveaux gives the Mavs an old school, physical, downhill runner, and is deceptively fast. He also blocks well when it comes to providing pass protection. Sophomore Jacob Carroll will get significant reps at running back, too. Defense
The Mavs return eight starters to what was a solid defense last season. They will operate predominantly out of a 4-3, but will employ multiple coverages. Hopkins and Powell are the starting defensive ends, but White and junior Zach Stone also will see quite a bit of action there, too. Senior Tyson Berry and Wahlers will man the defensive tackle spots, giving Marvin Ridge a strong duo to clog the middle. Emmanuel will spend time there, too. Junior Shaaka Tchamwa, who is from France, is going to provide the Mavericks with another impact player in the trenches. Deveaux will play outside linebacker, while senior Colin McKinster, who has worked hard, will start at the other outside linebacker position. Junior James Mazzarell returns at middle linebacker. Juniors Josh Marszalek and Steven Walther and sophomore Will Smith will be other key members of the rotation at linebacker. Senior Ben Cook returns as a three-year starter at strong safety. Emezie will spend time at free safety and cornerback. Senior Marcus Logan is back as a three-year starter at cornerback. Juniors Myles Hunt and Xavier Wallace are competing for snaps at cornerback. Special Teams
Kyle Davis will handle the long and short snapping responsibilities. Junior Alejandro Lopez and sophomore Jason Stricker are reliable kickers and punters. Leshock and Emezie will return kicks and punts.
(From left) Ben Cook, Caleb Deveaux, Cole Hopkins and Alex Leshock
In the spotlight Austin Colonna Senior quarterback Austin Colonna was Mr. Efficient last season, completing 217-305 passes (71 percent) for 3,066 yards and 24 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns, so defenses must respect his ability to move outside the pocket. Colonna leads by example. He works hard, is coachable, smart, does everything Carter asks of him, and is respected by his coaches and teammates. He’s an experienced kid, who has played with most of his teammates since middle school.
metrolina christian Pre Snap Read Coach
Thomas Langley, seventh season
Conference MAC
2015 record 8-1, 4-0
Of note:
The Warriors are a young team, but Langley and his staff will push their guys hard, and try to get the most out of them. Anything less than six wins for Metrolina Christian would make for a disappointing year. Langley has set the bar high for this program, and won’t use youth as an excuse. Time will tell, but the Warriors seem poised to continue their success
The Breakdown Offense
Metrolina Christian is a spread team with three receivers, a tight end and one back. The offensive line should be a solid group with junior Noah Davis returning at left tackle. He’ll rotate with sophomore Major McWhorter. Senior Owen Kearns will start at left guard, while junior Jack Ahrens moves from right tackle to center. Senior Josh Auvil, a three-year starter, is back at right guard. Sophomore Walker Leslie will start at right tackle. Junior Alec Rowan is the tight end. He can move around, step in the backfield and split out wide. Sophomore Myles Saxton, a transfer from Union Academy, steps in at quarterback. Saxton has big shoes to fill, as he follows Rud Yearick, who now plays for Liberty University. However, Saxton is coachable, has good energy, and is improving his mechanics. Freshman Angel Gonzalez is the backup quarterback. Senior slot receiver Jacob Titherington is the go-to target. He is strong, quick and shifty. Junior Tyrek Funderburk has good speed and leaping ability, and is a disciplined route runner. Sophomore Jett
Townson and junior Coleman Bazen are going to be key contributors in the Warriors’ aerial attack, too. Senior running back Luke Bricken will be the primary ball carrier. He is a physical runner with a bruising mentality. Jacob Titherington will provide a change of pace when he steps in at running back to spell Bricken. Freshman Luke Roffler and sophomore Dylan Quick might see action there, too. Defense
Metrolina Christian operates out of a 4-3 front, and uses cover three and cover two quite a bit. The Warriors stress good fundamentals, try to get 11 guys to the ball as quickly as possible, and work to stop the run first, then the pass. Fortunately for Langley, he has three quality defensive ends he can rotate in Davis, Nathan Clark and freshman Lance Penegar. Sophomores C.J. Parker and Smith Haigler are the starting defensive tackles, while Auvil, Kearns and Leslie will see action there, too. Senior Ashton Thomas, an all-state player, is back at outside linebacker. He is the cornerstone of the defense. Senior Daniel Hattaway is the other starting outside linebacker. His younger brother, junior Jacob Hattaway, also will help at outside linebacker. Sophomore Wes Bowlin is the starting middle linebacker. Ashton can move to middle linebacker when needed. Funderburk, a two-year starter, and Bazen will man the cornerback positions, while junior Ben Titherington is a solid backup corner, who has made nice plays in the past. Senior Austin Baker and Jacob Titherington are the starting safeties. Junior Jacob Stapivic, sophomore Josh Threatt and freshman Colby Girard add depth at safety. Special Teams
Junior Matt Gott will handle the kicking and punting responsibilities. Funderburk will snap for punts, and Kearns will snap for field goals and PAT. Jacob Titherington and Funderburk will be the top two returners.
(Back row, from left) Ashton Thomas, Noah Davis, Josh Auvil and CJ Parker. (Front row, from left) Luke Bricken, Jacob Titherington and Myles Saxton.
In the spotlight Tyrek Funderburk Junior Tyrek Funderburk is one of the best athletes in Union County as a twoway starter in football and state champion track athlete. He has been an all-in type of guy since he arrived at Metrolina Christian in middle school. He doesn’t just want to get better, but he works hard to reach his goals. The Warriors will rely on him heavily to make plays as a receiver and to provide suffocating pass coverage on defense. He’ll have to make up for his slight frame with his high football IQ, instincts and speed.