Cyclones try to continue climb in NCISAA 8-man
By Jimmy Lewis Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
At the start of Thursday’s practice of the Community Christian School eight-player football team, the whistles blew in earnest.
Just one day remained before the Cyclones embarked on a nonconference schedule that kicks off Friday with Southampton (Virginia) Academy — the first of two North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association eight-player football champions from last season on the schedule.
“Whose got a fire in your belly?” CCS head coach Andy Jackson asked as CCS went through its pre-practice conditioning phase.
Southampton was last year’s NCISAA 1-A champion in the eight-player ranks, but has made the move up to 2-A for the 2016 season. Parrott Academy, the reigning 2-A state champs, awaits in Week 2 as part of a three-game homestand to open the season.
Led by senior quarterback Grant Webb, CCS will once again compete in the 1-A portion of the Colonial Carolina Conference. Containing seven teams, the CCC is the only NCISAA league that sponsors eight-player football.
After falling in the first round of the four-team postseason last year, the Cyclones are back with an experienced group seeking to take the next step into the 1-A title game. CCS posted a 5-6 record last year.
“We’re glad to have some experience for a change,” Jackson said. “This the first time we’ve really had some experience on our team. Grant (Webb) has been with me for five years and I think I’ve got about seven guys I’ve had for five years. So, it’s good to have some experience.”
CCS will attack the 2016 season with a 20-man roster, comparable to the numbers at Jackson’s disposal last season. However, different for the Cyclones this time around is the lack of a junior varsity outfit due to lack of turnout.
Although listed as a defensive back and linebacker, Jackson’s intent is to limit Webb to quarterback as much as possible. He will also serve as the CCS punter.
“Grant is getting better about not letting things bother him,” Jackson reviewed. “That’s been a progression, because if he made a mistake, he kind of went into a shell for a little while. Last year, not so much and he has really not showed any of that this year.”
In the backfield, CCS will handle the departure of Ricky Fuller with junior Avery Winstead taking the majority of snaps at running back. Classmate Austin Conway, at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, has been moved to fullback to aid in the Cyclones’ power-I sets.
Sophomore Jordan Allen, back from injury, is a third option in the backfield.
The offensive line returns intact with junior Mason Neal at center and classmate Javen Pender at guard. Defensively, 218-pound senior Zyyarye Williams looks to be a full-time starter along the defensive line in the CCS 4-2 defensive front. Conway will join Williams as a tackle.
Junior Dylan Neal and Winstead will patrol the defensive end spots.
The aforementioned Jordan Allen, back from injury, will join his brother, Trent, in the linebacking corps. Junior Dominique Evans, a newcomer and sophomore Chandler Conway are the two cornerbacks. Conway was junior varsity contributor in 2015.
In the CCC 1-A ranks, the Cyclones will welcome the challenge of Kinston Bethel Christian, Halifax Academy, Hobgood Academy, Lawrence Academy, Northeast Academy and Wayne Christian. Bethel Christian and Wayne Christian join the varsity ranks after competing as junior varsity outfits last year. The top four 1-A teams out of the CCC will make the playoffs.
Can the Cyclones go one step further and play on Nov. 11, the date of the 1-A title game?
“I think we can,” Jackson assessed. “I think we have a chance.”
By Jimmy Lewis Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
At the start of Thursday’s practice of the Community Christian School eight-player football team, the whistles blew in earnest.
Just one day remained before the Cyclones embarked on a nonconference schedule that kicks off Friday with Southampton (Virginia) Academy — the first of two North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association eight-player football champions from last season on the schedule.
“Whose got a fire in your belly?” CCS head coach Andy Jackson asked as CCS went through its pre-practice conditioning phase.
Southampton was last year’s NCISAA 1-A champion in the eight-player ranks, but has made the move up to 2-A for the 2016 season. Parrott Academy, the reigning 2-A state champs, awaits in Week 2 as part of a three-game homestand to open the season.
Led by senior quarterback Grant Webb, CCS will once again compete in the 1-A portion of the Colonial Carolina Conference. Containing seven teams, the CCC is the only NCISAA league that sponsors eight-player football.
After falling in the first round of the four-team postseason last year, the Cyclones are back with an experienced group seeking to take the next step into the 1-A title game. CCS posted a 5-6 record last year.
“We’re glad to have some experience for a change,” Jackson said. “This the first time we’ve really had some experience on our team. Grant (Webb) has been with me for five years and I think I’ve got about seven guys I’ve had for five years. So, it’s good to have some experience.”
CCS will attack the 2016 season with a 20-man roster, comparable to the numbers at Jackson’s disposal last season. However, different for the Cyclones this time around is the lack of a junior varsity outfit due to lack of turnout.
Although listed as a defensive back and linebacker, Jackson’s intent is to limit Webb to quarterback as much as possible. He will also serve as the CCS punter.
“Grant is getting better about not letting things bother him,” Jackson reviewed. “That’s been a progression, because if he made a mistake, he kind of went into a shell for a little while. Last year, not so much and he has really not showed any of that this year.”
In the backfield, CCS will handle the departure of Ricky Fuller with junior Avery Winstead taking the majority of snaps at running back. Classmate Austin Conway, at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, has been moved to fullback to aid in the Cyclones’ power-I sets.
Sophomore Jordan Allen, back from injury, is a third option in the backfield.
The offensive line returns intact with junior Mason Neal at center and classmate Javen Pender at guard. Defensively, 218-pound senior Zyyarye Williams looks to be a full-time starter along the defensive line in the CCS 4-2 defensive front. Conway will join Williams as a tackle.
Junior Dylan Neal and Winstead will patrol the defensive end spots.
The aforementioned Jordan Allen, back from injury, will join his brother, Trent, in the linebacking corps. Junior Dominique Evans, a newcomer and sophomore Chandler Conway are the two cornerbacks. Conway was junior varsity contributor in 2015.
In the CCC 1-A ranks, the Cyclones will welcome the challenge of Kinston Bethel Christian, Halifax Academy, Hobgood Academy, Lawrence Academy, Northeast Academy and Wayne Christian. Bethel Christian and Wayne Christian join the varsity ranks after competing as junior varsity outfits last year. The top four 1-A teams out of the CCC will make the playoffs.
Can the Cyclones go one step further and play on Nov. 11, the date of the 1-A title game?
“I think we can,” Jackson assessed. “I think we have a chance.”
