News Summary
The upcoming high school football season in Charlotte is stirring excitement with WSOC-TV’s 16th annual ‘Big 22’ players to watch program. Featured are skilled athletes, including senior D’Various Surratt and three juniors offered scholarships by NC State. Major playoff format changes will also impact the competition, with teams organized into eight classifications. Meanwhile, coaches stress the importance of team culture as players gear up for a challenging season. However, the season brings controversy with the arrest of a high school coach for inappropriate conduct.
Charlotte, NC – The upcoming high school football season is generating significant excitement, as WSOC-TV channel 9 introduces its 16th annual tradition— the “Big 22” players to watch. This year’s program features talented athletes from across the region, including senior free safety commit D’Various Surratt from Shelby (N.C.) Crest, and the voting for the top player will commence on September 5.
Among the players featured, three juniors have drawn attention from NC State, which has extended scholarship offers to Nate Kamba, a defensive lineman from Charlotte (N.C.) Corvian Community; Jalaythan Mayfield, a linebacker from Lincolnton (N.C.) High; and Jaxon Dollar, a tight end/outside linebacker from Denver (N.C.) East Lincoln High. Notably, NC State has offered scholarships to 19 of the 22 selected players, showcasing the area’s wealth of talent.
Defending champion Jordan Young, a Michigan signee from Monroe (N.C.) High, won the “Big 22” award for the second consecutive year, solidifying his status as one of the top players in North Carolina high school football.
In addition to the recognition of standout players, major changes to the playoff format and classification system are set to impact the season. Teams will now be organized into eight classifications instead of four. The new playoff structure will feature 24 teams competing in the 8A class, while the remaining classifications will include 48 teams each. Notably, playoff seeding will be based exclusively on computer rankings from MaxPreps rather than conference finishes, a shift designed to enhance competitiveness and fairness.
Football practice is set to commence on July 30, with scrimmages scheduled for August 8, leading up to the first official playing date on August 22.
Amid the excitement of the season, Providence Day School’s defensive coordinator, Damon Coiro, has been arrested for inappropriate conduct with a student. Coiro faces multiple charges including indecent liberties and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, stemming from inappropriate communications with the student since late 2023.
The West Charlotte High School football team, which captured the title as the 2024 3A state champions, is already preparing for the new season. The team commenced spring practice and received an inspiring visit from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who encouraged players to focus on personal goals and individual growth. West Charlotte will take on Greensboro Grimsley during the Carolina Panthers’ Keep Pounding Classic on August 22.
The Lions aim to face a challenging non-conference schedule that includes prominent opponents such as last year’s 2A champion Monroe and the South Pointe Stallions, who have earned seven state titles since 2005. The West Charlotte coaching staff is keen on building a tough schedule that will prepare the team well for the upcoming season.
Emphasizing the importance of team culture and leadership, the coaching staff remarked on the dedication to training observed in players since the last season. The team is focused on competitive matchups against some of the best high school teams in the state, aiming to assess their performance against championship-level competition.
As the Charlotte area gears up for high school football, fans can expect an exciting season ahead, marked by top-notch talent and new structures aimed at enhancing the overall competition.
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Additional Resources
- SI: Charlotte High School Football Coach Accused
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Charlotte Observer: High School Sports News
- Google Search: North Carolina High School Football
- Charlotte Ledger: School Construction Disrupts Games
- Google Scholar: North Carolina High School Football
- WBTV: Bryce Young Surprises Football Team
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Charlotte Post: West Charlotte Lions Schedule
- Google News: Charlotte High School Football
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