APA football excited for 2020 football season
Junious Smith III
The football season begins Sept. 25 for Arendell Parrott Academy.
The Patriots made it to the NCISAA 2A championship game last season, but fell to Grace Christian in a 34-33 thriller. APA lost several key pieces from the team, including seniors Trey McLawhorn (2,127 offensive yards; 1,690 rushing, 26 touchdowns), Hunter Blythe (63 tackles, 5 INTs, 3 FR), Jonah Beaman (36 catches, 543 yards, 7 touchdowns), Blake Smith (498 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns), Dylan Faulkner (96 tackles, 4 FR), and Weaver Sumrell (78 tackles, 2 FF, 2 FR). Wilkes Thomas stepped in for the injured Reynolds Barringer at quarterback and submitted a great freshman season with 1,964 yards, 25 touchdowns (23 passing) and just 5 interceptions, but he transferred to Arden Christ School.
Despite the losses, Patriots coach Matt Beaman said he feels this team has the talent to win the school’s first football title since 2016.
“I think this group is a little deeper and more versatile,” Beaman said. “Last year, we were more ground-and-pound, then developed into a pretty multifaceted offense. This year, out the gate we’ll be able to run, pass and do whatever the defense give us.
“Defensively, we’ll stay with out 3-4 base. We’re replacing some guys and have some youth in key spots, but I think our defense will be a little faster and should get to the ball in a hurry.”
APA’s new quarterback is junior Cole Dawson, who started for Greene Central last season and is expected to play a big role in the Patriots’ offense.
“He’s adjusted well and been here all summer,” Dawson said. “He has a big arm, so we should be able stretch the field more than the past to complement our personnel.”
Dawson, who went to APA in the past, said it wasn’t a tough transition and he’s ready for the upcoming season.
“We’ve taken summer workouts seriously and it’s very exciting to come back to Parrott,” Dawson said. “It felt good seeing old friends and the team is looking really good — I believe we’ll have a great season.”
Patriots junior Morgan McPhaul played a big role in the NCISAA 2A title game, filling in for an injured McLawhorn with 24 carries for 127 yards, eight catches for 103 yards and a 33-yard touchdown catch with 1:03 to play in the contest to bring the team within one. McPhaul said he’s ready for the responsibilities of being the starter.
“I’ve worked hard in the weight room and on the field each day,” McPhaul said. “Trey left some big shoes to fill, but I believe I can do it. I set a goal for myself before the season started to go for the rushing record, and while it’ll be tougher because we aren’t playing as many games, I’m still going to try.”
Defensively, APA senior safety Dallas Hill said the team will continue to mesh throughout the season.
“We lost a lot of big pieces from last season, so it’s important to have that ‘next man up’ mentality,” Hill said. “We’ve got to stop the run and pass, just the basic principles of football. We’ll do what we need to make it happen.”
The Patriots will play their first game at home Sept. 25 against St. David’s. Fans will no be admitted into the game due to NCISAA rules, but 960 The Bull will broadcast play-by-play commentary for all Patriots football games this fall over the radio and online.
Junious Smith III
The football season begins Sept. 25 for Arendell Parrott Academy.
The Patriots made it to the NCISAA 2A championship game last season, but fell to Grace Christian in a 34-33 thriller. APA lost several key pieces from the team, including seniors Trey McLawhorn (2,127 offensive yards; 1,690 rushing, 26 touchdowns), Hunter Blythe (63 tackles, 5 INTs, 3 FR), Jonah Beaman (36 catches, 543 yards, 7 touchdowns), Blake Smith (498 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns), Dylan Faulkner (96 tackles, 4 FR), and Weaver Sumrell (78 tackles, 2 FF, 2 FR). Wilkes Thomas stepped in for the injured Reynolds Barringer at quarterback and submitted a great freshman season with 1,964 yards, 25 touchdowns (23 passing) and just 5 interceptions, but he transferred to Arden Christ School.
Despite the losses, Patriots coach Matt Beaman said he feels this team has the talent to win the school’s first football title since 2016.
“I think this group is a little deeper and more versatile,” Beaman said. “Last year, we were more ground-and-pound, then developed into a pretty multifaceted offense. This year, out the gate we’ll be able to run, pass and do whatever the defense give us.
“Defensively, we’ll stay with out 3-4 base. We’re replacing some guys and have some youth in key spots, but I think our defense will be a little faster and should get to the ball in a hurry.”
APA’s new quarterback is junior Cole Dawson, who started for Greene Central last season and is expected to play a big role in the Patriots’ offense.
“He’s adjusted well and been here all summer,” Dawson said. “He has a big arm, so we should be able stretch the field more than the past to complement our personnel.”
Dawson, who went to APA in the past, said it wasn’t a tough transition and he’s ready for the upcoming season.
“We’ve taken summer workouts seriously and it’s very exciting to come back to Parrott,” Dawson said. “It felt good seeing old friends and the team is looking really good — I believe we’ll have a great season.”
Patriots junior Morgan McPhaul played a big role in the NCISAA 2A title game, filling in for an injured McLawhorn with 24 carries for 127 yards, eight catches for 103 yards and a 33-yard touchdown catch with 1:03 to play in the contest to bring the team within one. McPhaul said he’s ready for the responsibilities of being the starter.
“I’ve worked hard in the weight room and on the field each day,” McPhaul said. “Trey left some big shoes to fill, but I believe I can do it. I set a goal for myself before the season started to go for the rushing record, and while it’ll be tougher because we aren’t playing as many games, I’m still going to try.”
Defensively, APA senior safety Dallas Hill said the team will continue to mesh throughout the season.
“We lost a lot of big pieces from last season, so it’s important to have that ‘next man up’ mentality,” Hill said. “We’ve got to stop the run and pass, just the basic principles of football. We’ll do what we need to make it happen.”
The Patriots will play their first game at home Sept. 25 against St. David’s. Fans will no be admitted into the game due to NCISAA rules, but 960 The Bull will broadcast play-by-play commentary for all Patriots football games this fall over the radio and online.
