Published: 10:40 PM, Wed Aug 04, 2010
Season preview: Fayetteville Christian
A quick look
Head coach: Sam Henrickson
2009 record: 1-9
2009 summary:
Fayetteville Christian was outscored 483-72 during a difficult 2009 campaign. The Warriors struggled to compete in the Big East Independent Conference last season, sustaining a pair of shutouts and scoring just ten points en route to four losses in as many conference games.
Returning starters: Offense, 4; Defense, 5
ON OFFENSE
Fayetteville Christian has talent at the skill positions, especially in the backfield. But the challenge will come in the trenches. With an estimated 25 players on the roster when the season begins, Henrickson knows he'll have to mold a number of would-be skill players into lineman before the season opener.
ON DEFENSE
A similar difficulty faces the Warriors on defense, where Fayetteville Christian will have to overcome its lack of size up front. The defense will instead be predicated on the quickness and intelligence, Henrickson said. Johnson and Smalls lead a stout linebacking corps, which should help the team improve defensively from a year ago.
2010 SCHEDULE
Aug. 20 - Kestrel Heights
Aug. 27 - High Point Christian
Sept. 10 - Raleigh Titans
Sept. 17 - Village Christian: Regardless of the team's overall record, a win against Village Christian would make the season a success, Henrickson said.
Sept. 24 - at West Columbus
Oct. 1 - Ravenscroft: Facing the Ravens, a traditional conference power, Fayetteville Christian will find out how it stacks up in the Big East Independent.
Oct. 8 - Cannon
Oct. 15 - Wake Christian
Oct. 22 - at Harrells Christian
Oct. 29 - at North Raleigh Christian: The Warriors topped NRCA in to close out 2008, but lost 31-7 in a season-ending contest a year ago. This may be the Warriors' best shot at improving on last season's winless conference slate in 2010.
Players to Watch
Brandon Johnson
Position: RB/LB
Class: Senior
One of the team's few veterans, Johnson hits the hole hard at tailback and plugs it quickly from his linebacker slot. An unquestioned senior leader, Johnson moves back to running back after playing quarterback last season, but he will remain at the heart of just about everything the Warriors do this fall.
Bernard Smalls
Position: RB/LB
Class: Sophomore
A second-year tailback, Smalls possesses above-average speed and brings a quick burst to the backfield. He's not the biggest kid around, but he can deliver a pop on defense, where he will play linebacker for Fayetteville Christian.
Joe Wright
Position: QB/DB
Class: Junior
A polished quarterback who will take over under center for the Warriors, Wright has a strong arm and solid poise. Like most of the Warriors' skill players, he'll play both ways, chipping in at defensive back on defense.
Sam Henrickson II
Position: TE/DE
Class: Sophomore
A trusty tight end with great hands, Henrickson will be a steady short-yardage target. His reliable blocking skills will aid a smallish offensive line, his motor should allow him to make some plays from his defensive end spot.
James McGougan
Position: WR/S
Class: Junior
The team's top deep threat, McGougan is sure-handed with excellent speed. He'll help Wright stretch the field a bit on passing downs. McGougan will also use his range at safety on defense.
Earl Vaughan's take: The name of Sam Henrickson brings back a lot of fond memories from one of Fayetteville's best high school football teams, the Terry Sanford squad of Len Maness that Henrickson starred for back in 1981 en route to the state 4-A championship game against South Mecklenburg. Henrickson certainly knows how to win on a football field and was associated with winners during his high school days. The question is, can he share that experience with his Fayetteville Christian team and turn it into something tangible that will help them climb from the private school football cellar and start to be a competitive force in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association. Odds are it's going to take more than this season for that to happen.