Prep football is back! Here are the top private school players, teams and predictions.
High school football kicks off for North Carolina private schools on Friday.
Here’s a look at the teams, players to know, predictions and preseason all-area teams.
Team-by-team breakdown
Grace Christian
Head coach: Keith Boutwell (8th year).
2019 record: 8-3 (5-2 in the NCISAA Big 8 Conference).
Conference: NCISAA Big 8 Conference/D-I for 8-man football.
Returning starters: 13
Returning lettermen: 16
Key returning starters: Britton Kilby, Sr., QB/DE (6-5, 210); Nathan Wastie, So., LB (6-0, 185); Kasey Gower, Sr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Reece Wastie, Sr., RB/DE (6-1, 180); Jalil Harvey, Jr., DT (5-9, 185); Torrey Brown, Sr., RB (5-9, 195); Robbie Hartsfield, Sr., WR (5-10, 145); Jahdai Harvey, Sr., OL (5-11, 255); Sean McDowell, So., WR (6-4, 175).
Other key returnees: Sidi Khan, Sr., DB (5-10, 175); Ryan Kindsgrab, Sr., DB (5-8, 140); Stephen Kime, Sr., C (5-10, 190); Wyatt Evans, Jr., DE (5-10, 145).
Key newcomers: Tyson Brown, Jr., RB/MLB (5-9, 215); Shawn Moss, Jr., TE/D (6-6, 255); J.T. Coley, Jr., DE (6-2, 185); Jacob Veasey, Sr., LB (5-11, 175); Max Tomlinson, Fr., OL (6-0, 230); Jaden Carless, So., DL (6-1, 210).
Outlook: Grace Christian was one of the most improved teams in the state in any classification going from 1-6 in 2018 to 8-3 and an NCISAA D-I state championship (8-man football), beating Arendell Parrott 34-33 in the final.. Senior quarterback Britton Kilby (1,425 yards passing, 21 touchdowns last year) is among 13 starters back, along with running back Torrey Brown (827 yards rushing). The defense is led by sophomore linebacker Nathan Wastie (103 tackles).
North Raleigh Christian
Head coach: Chris Rivera (6th year).
2019 record: 3-6 (0-4 in the Big East Independent Football Conference.
Conference: Big East Independent Football Conference.
Returning starters: 14 (6 offense; 8 defense).
Returning lettermen: 21
Key returning starters: Rogerick Ray, Sr., OLB/RB (5-9, 190); Jack Varnum, Sr., DE (6-3, 218); Jackson Maye, Sr., LB/RB/P (5-10, 185); Brecken Kreiger, Sr., OL/DL (5-11, 207); Khalil Shell, Sr., DB/WR (5-10, 165); Connor Brennan, Sr., WR/DB (6-0, 170); Ryan Piercy, Sr., Center (6-3, 230).
Other key returnees: Dalton Bennett, Sr., S/RB (5-8, 150); Chris Ishman, Sr., WR (5-11, 170); Jack Ishman, Sr., QB (6-0, 197); Colin Driggs, Sr., OLB (5-10, 170).
Key newcomers: Jacob Hukins, Sr., ATH/QB/RB/WR (6-3, 170) (Grace Christian transfer); Connor McGann, So., QB (6-0, 170); Avie Lester, So., TE/DE (6-3, 175).
Outlook: North Raleigh Christian returns eight starters on defense, including defensive end Jack Varnum (10 sacks, nine tackles for loss last year), and linebackers Jackson Maye (126 tackles) and Rogerick Ray (86 tackles). Transfer Jacob Hukins had nearly 1,700 yards of offense at Grace Christian last year.
Ravenscroft
Head coach: Ned Gonet (40th year).
2019 record: 8-4 (4-1 in the NCISAA Big East Independent Football Conference
Conference: NCISAA Big East Independent Football Conference.
Returning starters: 12
Returning lettermen: 23
Key returning starters: Thomas Brown, Sr., WR/DB (6-3, 180); Julian Quao, Sr., RB/DB/KR (5-11, 185); Gavin Mathan, Sr., QB (6-2, 185); Drake Hamlin, Jr., OT/DT (6-4, 285); Noah Bennett, Sr., OL/DE/P (6-2, 215); Fabrizzio Jimenez, Sr., OL/DE (6-2, 225); Dean Swift, Sr., K (5-10, 170).
Other key returnees: Kyle Morin, Jr., TE/LB (6-1, 190); Matthew Badger, Sr., RB/LB (5-9, 170); Josh Lindauer, So., LB/OL (5-11, 195).
Key newcomers: Nolan Dirks, So., RB/LB (5-10, 180).
Outlook: The Ravens have averaged seven wins over the last five years and returns 12 starters. Among them? Seniors quarterback Gavin Mathan (1,774 yards passing, 21 touchdowns last year), and senior wide receiver Thomas Brown (508 yards receiving, nine touchdowns last year). The Ravenscroft defense will have to reload but has playmakers in senior defensive back Julian Quao (92 tackles, three interceptions) and junior defensive end Kyle Morin (37 tackles, four sacks).
St. David’s
Head coach: Dan Casey (4th year).
2019 record: 5-4 (4-2 in the NCISAA Big 8 Conference/8-Man Football).
Conference: NCISAA Big 8 Conference/8-Man Football.
Returning starters: 5
Returning lettermen: 11
Key returning starters: Ford Everett, Sr., LB (6-0, 210); Trameik Goode, Sr., WR/DB; Cole Diehl, Sr., RB/LB (5-7, 160); Paxton Williams, Sr., HB/LB (5-11, 160); Henry Koon, Jr., DE (6-5, 205).
Other key returnees: Davis Wall, Jr., LB/OL (5-9, 190); Hart Miles, Jr., OL/DL (6-2, 215); Ed Carey, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 220).
Key newcomers: Logan Reeg, Sr., ATH (6-1, 205).
Outlook: The Warriors have averaged eight wins per season over the last five years. But with only five starters back, St. David’s will lean on their running game to keep it going. Seniors Cole Diehl and Paxton Williams will lead at RB. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ defense is led by all-state linebacker Ford Everett.
Wake Christian
Head coach: Beau Barger (2nd year).
2019 record: 5-6 (1-3 in the Big East Independent Football Conference
Conference: Big East Independent Football Conference (BEIFC).
Returning starters: 12 (6 offense; 6 defense).
Returning lettermen: 15
Key returning starters: Jordan Bass, Sr., OL/DL (6-3, 285); Elijah Veale, Sr., WR/DB (6-2, 180); Michael Blake, Sr., RB/LB (5-10, 210); Jackson Burnette, Sr., HB/LB (6-1, 210); Caysey Colant, Sr., SB/CB (5-9, 150); Justin Allgood, Sr., WR/FS (6-1, 200); Kendall Hines, Jr., OL/DL (5-10, 265).
Key newcomers: Anthony Greene, So., RB/DB/ATH (5-9, 170); Garrett Marcin, Jr., OL/DL (6-0, 190).
Outlook: Senior defensive lineman Jordan Bass (62 tackles, 5.5 sacks last year, has eight Division I scholarship offers). Bass and classmate Caysey Colant, a defensive back who had four interceptions, will lead the unit. The Bulldogs’ offense will feature a pair of seniors: all-state wide receiver Elijah Veale (38 catches for 506 yards and six touchdowns), and Jackson Burnette (226 yards receiving).
Predictions
Big East Independent football conference
- Trinity Christian; 2. Ravenscroft; 3. Wake Christian; 4. North Raleigh Christian; 5. Harrells Christian.
NCISAA Big 8 Conference (8-Man football)
- Grace Christian; 2. St. David’s; 3. Faith Christian (Rocky Mount); 4. Arendell Parrott Academy; 5. John Paul II Catholic; 6. Fayetteville Christian; 7. Cary Christian; 8. Rocky Mount Academy.
NOTE: The Raleigh News & Observer did not receive preseason information from Cary Christian.
Preseason All-Area team
Offense
QB – Britton Kilby, Grace Christian, 6-5, 210, Sr.
QB – Gavin Mathan, Ravenscroft, 6-2, 185, Sr.
RB – Torrey Brown, Grace Christian, 5-9, 195, Sr.
RB – Cole Diehl, St. David’s, 5-7, 160, Sr.
WR – Thomas Brown, Ravenscroft, 6-3, 180, Sr.
WR – Elijah Veale, Wake Christian, 6-2, 180, Sr.
WR – Trameik Goode, St. David’s, 5-10, 150, Sr.
OL – Drake Hamlin, Ravenscroft, 6-4, 285, Jr.
OL – Jahdai Harvey, Grace Christian, 5-11, 255, Sr.
OL – Kendall Hines, Wake Christian, 5-10, 265, Jr.
OL – Fabrizzio Jimenez, Ravenscroft, 6-2, 225, Sr.
OL – Stephen Kime, Grace Christian, 5-10, 190, Sr.
OL – Ryan Piercy, North Raleigh Christian, 6-3, 230, Sr.
Specialists
ATH – Jacob Hukins, North Raleigh Christian, 6-3, 170, Sr.
ATH – Rogerick Ray, North Raleigh Christian, 5-9, 190, Sr.
K/P – Dean Swift, Ravenscroft, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Defense
DL – Jordan Bass, Wake Christian, 6-3, 285, Sr.
DL – Jack Varnum, North Raleigh Christian, 6-3, 218, Sr.
DL – Jalil Harvey, Grace Christian, 5-9, 185, Jr.
DL – Noah Bennett, Ravenscroft, 6-2, 215, Sr.
LB – Ford Everett, St. David’s, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB – Jackson Maye, North Raleigh Christian, 5-10, 185, Sr.
LB – Nathan Wastie, Grace Christian, 6-0, 185, So.
DB – Caysey Colant, Wake Christian, 5-9, 150, Sr.
DB – Julian Quao, Ravenscroft, 5-11, 185, Sr.
DB – Kasey Gower, Grace Christian, 6-0, 170, Sr.
DB – Khalil Shell, North Raleigh Christian, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Gavin Mathan, Ravenscroft, 6-2, 185, QB, Sr.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan Bass, Wake Christian, DL, Sr.
