CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN
Head Coach: Jason Estep (15th year as Charlotte Christian head coach)
2020 Record: 7-1
Conference: Big South Conference/NCISAA Division I
Returning Starters: 10
Returning Lettermen: 35
Key Returning Starters: Grant Tucker, Jr., WR/DB (6-3, 180); Hudson Jones, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 245); Wade Gullickson, Sr., LB (5-11, 225); Jakeman Pendleton, Sr., WR/S (5-11, 180); Maxton Leathers, Sr., DL (5-11, 250); Alex Rosen, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 170); Reese Pinckney, Sr., DB (5-11, 175); Gavin Major, So., OL (6-3, 250); Gage Reale, Sr., TE (6-2, 210); Drew Waldrop, Sr., LB (5-11, 190).
Other Key Returnees: Cade Nicholson, Jr., WR (6-3, 190); Cam Estep, Jr., QB (6-0, 175); Brock Benton, Jr., DE (6-3, 215); Charlie Zinger, Jr., DE (6-2, 220); David Hulbert, Jr., TE (6-3, 210); Derrick Brown, (Jr.), Jr., OLB (6-2, 220); Danny Stevens, Jr., LB (6-3, 230); Micah Gilbert, So., WR (6-3, 175); Kyron Jones, Jr., RB/DB (6-1, 190); Christian Vann, So., RB/DB (5-11, 180).
Key Newcomers: N/A
Outlook: The Knights are 36-4 in the past four seasons, winning four straight NCISAA Division I state championships. Charlotte Christian will have to reload in spots, but with 10 starters back, it has the foundation for another championship run. The Knights’ defense (allowed 15.8 points per game last year) will again be stout with several all-state seniors — defensive lineman Hudson Jones (35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss last year), linebacker Drew Waldrop (56 tackles) and defensive back Grant Tucker (35 tackles) back to lead the group. The Charlotte Christian offense will need some younger players to step forward, like junior quarterback Cam Estep, but it can also rely on the playmaking ability of Tucker (at wide receiver) Jones and sophomore Gavin Major (offensive line) to move the ball and help put points on the board. The Knights have been the class of the NCISAA for the past decade plus and will be the favorite to five-peat until some proves they can beat them in November.
Head Coach: Jason Estep (15th year as Charlotte Christian head coach)
2020 Record: 7-1
Conference: Big South Conference/NCISAA Division I
Returning Starters: 10
Returning Lettermen: 35
Key Returning Starters: Grant Tucker, Jr., WR/DB (6-3, 180); Hudson Jones, Sr., OL/DL (6-2, 245); Wade Gullickson, Sr., LB (5-11, 225); Jakeman Pendleton, Sr., WR/S (5-11, 180); Maxton Leathers, Sr., DL (5-11, 250); Alex Rosen, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 170); Reese Pinckney, Sr., DB (5-11, 175); Gavin Major, So., OL (6-3, 250); Gage Reale, Sr., TE (6-2, 210); Drew Waldrop, Sr., LB (5-11, 190).
Other Key Returnees: Cade Nicholson, Jr., WR (6-3, 190); Cam Estep, Jr., QB (6-0, 175); Brock Benton, Jr., DE (6-3, 215); Charlie Zinger, Jr., DE (6-2, 220); David Hulbert, Jr., TE (6-3, 210); Derrick Brown, (Jr.), Jr., OLB (6-2, 220); Danny Stevens, Jr., LB (6-3, 230); Micah Gilbert, So., WR (6-3, 175); Kyron Jones, Jr., RB/DB (6-1, 190); Christian Vann, So., RB/DB (5-11, 180).
Key Newcomers: N/A
Outlook: The Knights are 36-4 in the past four seasons, winning four straight NCISAA Division I state championships. Charlotte Christian will have to reload in spots, but with 10 starters back, it has the foundation for another championship run. The Knights’ defense (allowed 15.8 points per game last year) will again be stout with several all-state seniors — defensive lineman Hudson Jones (35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss last year), linebacker Drew Waldrop (56 tackles) and defensive back Grant Tucker (35 tackles) back to lead the group. The Charlotte Christian offense will need some younger players to step forward, like junior quarterback Cam Estep, but it can also rely on the playmaking ability of Tucker (at wide receiver) Jones and sophomore Gavin Major (offensive line) to move the ball and help put points on the board. The Knights have been the class of the NCISAA for the past decade plus and will be the favorite to five-peat until some proves they can beat them in November.
