News-Record.com

Western Guilford

Last season: 7-6, 3-3 in Triad 3-A (4th place), advanced to second round of playoffs

-The Hornets return almost the entire nucleus of their run-and-shoot spread offense, a system head coach Chris Causey became a disciple of while watching Steve Spurrier's Duke teams as a player at UNC. Second-team All-Area quarterback Cory McKenna is perhaps the most integral part, back after throwing for 2,372 yards and 13 TDs as a junior last season. "He's developed some touch," Causey said. "He used to want to throw every ball as hard as he could. But some throws need a little bit of touch, and he's learned to lead kids to the ball."
-McKenna will be flanked by returning wideouts Julius Hooks, Aaron Jones and Jabri Ridenhour, whom Causey said could each catch 30 balls this season. The Hornets also add senior receiver Will Owens, a transfer from Northwest Guilford. And they've got senior running back Brandon Easter, who amassed more than 1,600 all-purpose yards a year ago. "We're explosive," Causey said. "We have a chance to score on every play. You never feel like you're in a hole when you feel like you can get yardage in bunches."
-Jones, a 215-pounder, will also start at linebacker, where he'll attempt to fill the void left by UNC-Pembroke-bound Josh Pless. Senior Mustafa Stinson, who recovered seven fumbles a year ago, also returns as a three-year starter. Hooks and Easter will be the safety anchors of a secondary that will need to make up for a lack of size up front. "I've never coached a defense with this much speed," Causey said.
-Other players to watch: Senior offensive lineman Nick Folks, a captain in his first varsity season; freshman Brock Stadnyck, a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder who's in line to start alongside Folks; junior Brandon Shaw, who should see time at defensive back; and whoever replaces kicker Jonathan Blaha, a near automatic option the last three seasons.
-The Hornets find themselves in one the state's toughest conferences, with defending state champions Dudley and Western Alamance joined by perennial power Northeast Guilford. They lost to all three by a combined 85 points last season, more than the combined margin of victory in their seven wins. "It's a good thing (having a tough conference schedule) because when you go to the playoffs, you never feel overmatched," Causey said. "But we want to take the next step. It's wonderful to say you lost to two state champions, but we want to be in the mix. We want people talking about us in the same light. And we've got to earn that on the field."