High school football preview: Breaking down Lincoln County teams

Today, The Observer continues its comprehensive high school football previews for all of the N.C. counties it covers — Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union. The previews will include breakdowns for all teams, conference predictions and a preseason all-county team.

Later this month, The Observer will offer a game-of-the-week, most weeks, in each of these counties, thanks to a new partnership with Deer Park water.

In December, all-star teams for each county in addition to the annual All-Observer team will be released.

Coverage continues today with high schools in Lincoln County.

School Previews

EAST LINCOLN

Head Coach: David Lubowicz (7th year).

2022 Record: 16-0 (7-0 in the Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference).

Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference.

Returning Starters: 8

Returning Lettermen: 12

Key Returning Starters: Chris Daley, II, Jr., RB (6-0, 185); Jaylen Roseboro, Sr., DB (6-2, 170); Marcel Johnson, Sr., DL (6-3, 250); Christian Garcia, Jr., OL (6-3, 240); Nate Stevens, Sr., DB (5-9, 170); Jackson Beam, Jr., WR (5-11, 160); Riley Shropshire, Sr., WR (5-10, 155); Hampton Good, Sr., LB (6-0, 195).

Other Key Returnees: Hunter Bolling, Jr., QB (6-0, 175); L.J. Forney, Jr., WR (5-8, 155)

Key Newcomers: Jackson Rick, So., LB (6-2, 195); Kaleb Lauffer, So., WR (6-3, 180).

Outlook: The Mustangs have to reload after a perfect 16-0 season and 3A state championship last year. But East Lincoln has several key pieces back on offense, led by junior running back Chris Daley, II (1,767 yards rushing, 21 touchdowns last year, offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Liberty). Also back are junior receiver, Jackson Beam (42 catches, seven touchdowns last year) and junior Christian Garcia, who returns to lead the offensive line. The Mustangs’ defense starts with returning conference defensive player of the year Marcel Johnson (101 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 17 sacks) along with seniors Jaylen Roseboro and Nate Stevens back in the secondary. Senior Hampton Good is back to lead the linebacking corps. East Lincoln has the talent to make another run at a conference championship, but will need players like junior quarterback Hunter Bolling to step up if they are going to go deep into the 3A state playoffs again.

Interesting Note: East Lincoln coach David Lubowicz is in his 7th year as head coach of the Mustangs, but has been a part of the Mustangs’ football staff for 17 years, as the former defensive coordinator under former head coach Mike Byus.

LINCOLNTON

Head Coach: Jaden Angle (1st year).

2022 Record: 6-6 (4-3 in the Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference).

Conference: Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference.

Returning Starters: 7

Returning Lettermen: 16

Key Returning Starters: Andrew Phelps, Sr., WR/FS (6-1, 185); Khamoni Heath, Sr., RB/LB (6-1, 195); Andre Bost, Sr., QB/CB/PR (5-10, 175); Peyton Rangel, Sr., LB (5-11, 215).

Other Key Returnees: Geviaunta Walker, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 240); Jordy Hernandez, Sr., LB/WR (6-0, 185); Nehemiah Lynch, Sr., Slot/CB (5-6, 140); Antonio Wilson, Sr., Slot/RB/DB (5-10, 170); Treylen Bost, Jr., RB/SS (5-9, 145).

Key Newcomers: Kahlil Yarborough, Sr., CB/WR (6-1, 175); Karson Cloninger, Jr., QB/TE/LB (6-1, 180).

Outlook: First-year coach Jaden Angle looks to help Lincolnton build on its best record (7-6 last year) since 2017, while contending for the conference title and returning to the playoffs. The Wolves will look to two-way senior playmakers Andre Bost (1,716 total yards, six touchdowns) and Khamoni Heath (870 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns; 72 tackles) along with Andrew Phelps (50 tackles, six interceptions) and Peyton Rangel (75 tackles) to lead the way.

Interesting Note: Angle takes over as the head coach at his alma mater after being a player on the 2011 state championship team. He has been an assistant coach for the Wolves since 2017.

NORTH LINCOLN

Head Coach: Nick Bazzle (6th year).

2022 Record: 4-6 (4-3 in the Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference).

Conference: Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference).

Returning Starters: 7

Returning Lettermen: 9

Key Returning Starters: Tyler Donahue, Sr., RB/DB (5-10, 160); Ryan Bassani, Jr., LB/RB (5-11, 170); Cole Ellis, Sr., LB (5-9, 160); Owen Hammond, Sr., RB (5-9, 170); Cam Adams, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 160); Justin Bassani, Sr., OL/DL (5-7, 170).

Other Key Returnees: Alex Duncan, Sr., RB/DB (5-10, 170).

Key Newcomers: Eli Sipe, Jr., QB (6-0, 155); Shannon Wingate, So., RB (5-10, 210); Aaron Doeden, Jr., WR/DB (5-11, 185); Kade Sturgill, Jr., RB/LB (5-9, 175); Grant Mullen, Jr., OL/DL (5-10, 195).

Outlook: The Knights return only seven starters from a team that struggled going 4-6 a year ago. This year, North Lincoln will lean on its running game early on with seniors Ryan Bassani, Tyler Donahue, Alex Duncan and Owen Hammonds all in the rotation. The defense will also need to reload with Ryan (113 tackles) and Justin Bassani leading the unit.

Interesting Note: North Lincoln coach Nick Bazzle, who is 38-18 as the Knights’ coach, suffered his first losing season at the school last year.

WEST LINCOLN

Head Coach: Darren Ponder (5th year as West Lincoln head coach).

2022 Record: 8-3 (5-2 in the Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference).

Conference: Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference.

Returning Starters: 12

Returning Lettermen: 20

Key Returning Starters: Jaylen Winnex, Jr., RB/FS (5-10, 160); Drew Ponder, Jr., LB/RB (5-11, 180); Gideon Allen, Jr., QB/FS (6-3, 175); Zander Harrelson, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 250); Caleb Sain, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 240); Camden Sain, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 240); Dayne Harrelson, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 220); Terry Hice, Sr., LB/RB (5-8, 190); Ben Sain, Sr., TE/DB (6-2, 180); J.J. Phansook, Sr., DB/WR (5-10, 155).

Other Key Returnees: Shawn Blackburn, Jr., RB/CB (5-11, 170); Evan Hartsoe, Sr., DB/WR (5-9, 160); Parker Cochrane, Jr., OT (6-3, 220).

Key Newcomers: Keegan Bostic, Jr., RB/LB (5-7, 150); Drake Wood, Jr., WR/CB (5-11, 165).

Outlook: West Lincoln has five straight winning seasons. With 12 starters back, the Rebels have reasons to believe they can win again with a rushing attack featuring juniors Jaylen Winnex ((952 yards rushing, eight touchdowns), Gideon Allen and Keegan Bostic behind a veteran offensive line led by seniors Caleb and Camden Sain and Dayne and Zander Harrelson. The West Lincoln defense will have to reload in the front seven. The secondary should be solid, led by seniors like Allen (three interceptions) J.J. Phansook and Winnex (56 tackles).

Interesting Note: West Lincoln coach Darren Ponder has posted winning records in each of his five seasons as head coach, with his team going 41-16 in that span.

Conference Predictions

Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference: 1. Maiden; 2. Bunker Hill; 3. Lincolnton; 4. West Lincoln; 5. East Burke; 6. Bandys; 7. Newton Conover; 8. West Caldwell.

Western Foothills 3A Conference: 1. East Lincoln; 2. Hickory; 3. Statesville; 4. North Lincoln; 5. West Iredell; 6. St. Stephens; 7. North Iredell; 8. Fred T. Foard.

Preseason All-County Team

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Daley, II, East Lincoln, 6-0, 185, Jr. RB

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Marcel Johnson, East Lincoln, 6-3, 250, Sr., DL

Offense

QB: Andre Bost, Lincolnton, 5-10, 175, Sr.

RB: Chris Daley, II, East Lincoln, 6-0, 185, Jr.

RB: Jaylen Winnex, West Lincoln, 5-10, 160, Jr.

WR: Jackson Beam, East Lincoln, 5-11, 160, Jr.

WR: Riley Shopshire, East Lincoln, 5-10, 155, Sr.

OL: Christian Garcia, East Lincoln, 6-3, 240, Jr.

OL: Zander Harrelson, West Lincoln, 6-1, 250, Sr.

OL: Caleb Sain, West Lincoln, 5-11, 240, Sr.

OL: Camden Sain, West Lincoln, 6-1, 240, Sr.

OL: Geviaunta Walker, Lincolnton, 6-2, 240, Sr.

ATH: Khamoni Heath, Lincolnton, 6-1, 195, Sr.

Defense

DL: Marcel Johnson, East Lincoln, 6-3, 250, Sr.

DL: Ben Sain, West Lincoln, 6-2, 180, Sr.

DL: Tyberius Stevens, East Lincoln, 5-10, 230, Sr.

LB: Ryan Bassani, North Lincoln, 5-11, 170, Jr.

LB: Hampton Good, East Lincoln, 6-0, 195, Sr.

LB: Drew Ponder, West Lincoln, 5-11, 180, Jr.

LB: Peyton Rangel, Lincolnton, 5-11, 215, Jr.

DB: Gideon Allen, West Lincoln, 6-3, 175, Jr.

DB: Andrew Phelps, Lincolnton, 6-1, 185, Jr.

DB: Jaylen Roseboro, East Lincoln, 6-2, 170, Sr.

DB: Nate Stevens, East Lincoln, 5-9, 170, Sr.

ATH: J.J. Phansook, West Lincoln, 5-11, 160, Jr.

Specialist

K/P: Braden Kendall, East Lincoln, 5-11, 190, Jr.