Valdese- The first season as a 1A team started in chaos with having to scramble to find a new opponent for the first three weeks followed by entering the unknowns of playing in the Western Highlands 1A/2A Conference.
With a strong foundation of experience returning, this year's Wildcats team is expected to make moves in an uphill climb among the 1A rankings.
The Wildcats finished in the top 25 1A rankings by Carolina Preps after advancing to the second round of the state playoffs and are currently 11th among 1A western teams on MaxPreps.
"Last year for us became a thing of overcoming adversity, we learned to overcome that adversity and we are proud of our kids for the way they responded," said Draughn football coach Chris Powell.
"Our philosophy changes this year from overcoming adversity to we have to play with a chip on our shoulder (in playing the Western Highlands Conference)."
The Wildcat backfield remains strong with junior quarterback Eli Tillery and junior running back Nigel Dula returning as Justice Cunningham also returns providing a key depth role.
"We're blessed to bring back Eli as our starter, he put in a lot of conditioning time over the off-season. Nigel is a dual-threat running back and Justice is a tough kid able to make moves to make guys miss."
Connor Pinkerton and Tywan Nemorin are returning starters for the receiving core with Zach Pinkerton also returning after a devastating early-season injury.
"Zach worked hard in his rehab to come back and was a great leader for our receivers last season."
The trio of Elijah Pritchard, Kelton Mitchell, and Jacob Mull look to serve at the tight end position.
"Eli has done a phenomenal job in his recovery, after last season's pre-season injury, and Jacob did a phenomenal job and gained valuable experience as a freshman. These guys give us the ability to do more different stuff and add a new dynamic to our offense."
Senior center Luke Rector and "Juice" Josh Elkins, Bryan Sanchez, and Tristan Hines return on the offensive line with Freedom transfer Jesus Becerra and Harrison Williams as key additions.
Over the summer, Becerra was awarded as the best offensive lineman at the VTO Sports All-American camp in Charlotte.
"We got the best up-front around and are overlooked in our county. If we can keep them healthy, we can put them up against anybody."
Will Price leads the defensive core by capturing five interceptions last season, three going for touchdown returns.
Donnell Wilkins, Thomas Lambert, and Luke Rector are returning leading tacklers for the Wildcats.
"Donnell is the anchor on our defense and looks to be at his best (for his senior season), our line will be looking to play both ways, and Will set records last season for us."
The following are projected starters as presented by head coach Chris Powell (w/ last season's stats)
QB: Eli Tillery (113/206, 1659 yards, 16 TD, 12 INT), John Robert Abernathy, Will Price
RB: Nigel Dula (213-1901, 20 TD, School Record), Justice Cunningham (56-306, 2 TD), Donnell Wilkins, Thomas Lambert, Hampton Blackwell
WR: Tywan Nemorin (17-330, 2 TD), Connor Pinkerton (18-193, 2 TD), Zach Pinkerton, Dylan Rhoney, Sterling Radabaugh, Malachi Silver, Trevor Houston, Skyler Hudson, Colton Lukomski
TE: Jacob Mull (10-90, TD), Elijah Pritchard, Kelton Mitchell
OL: Luke Rector (center), Josh Elkins (left guard), Tristan Hines (right guard), Jesus Becerra (left tackle), Bryan Sanchez (right tackle), Harrison Williams (right tackle), Will Seagle, Paul Miller, Xavier Cook
DL: Jesus Becerra (nose tackle), Will Seagle (NT), Paul Miller (NT), Luke Rector (defensive end, 50 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks), Tristan Hines (DE), Xavier Cook (DE), Josh Elkins (DE), Bryan Sanchez (DE), Harrison Williams (DE), Kelton Mitchell (DE)
LB: Donnell Wilkins (inside, 127 tackles, 12 TFL) Thomas Lambert (inside, 89 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks), Ty Matthews (inside), Jacob Mull (inside), Elijah Pritchard (outside), Hampton Blackwell (outside), Kelton Mitchell (outside), Nigel Dula (outside), Colton Lukomski (outside), Marshall Brinkley (outside)
DB: Tywan Nemorin, Justice Cunningham, Malachi Silver, Dylan Rhoney, Skylar Hudson, Connor Houston, Trevor Houston, Deandre Moore, Will Price (safety), Connor Pinkerton (safety), Sterling Radabaugh (safety), Marshall Brinkley (safety), Eli Tillery (safety), Jack Charlet (safety)
Special Teams: Jacob Mull (long snapper), John Robert Abernathy (punter), Rudy Mendoza (kicker), Sterling Radabaugh (K), Dylan Rhoney (K), Tywan Nemorin (kick returner), Will Price (KR), Justice Cunningham (KR), Nigel Dula (KR), Zach Pinkerton (KR)
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