Trinity Christian football preview: Players to watch, schedule, coach's outlook
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
Trinity Christian
Last season: 3-4 overall, 3-3 NCISAA Big East
Last 5 seasons: 39-10 overall, 19-3 conference
Coach: Chuck Webster
Conference: NCISAA Big East
Players to watch: Xavier Tubbs-Matthews (Jr. - ATH), Michael Ross (So. - RB/WR), Donavan Pauling-Outlaw (Fr. - QB), Peter Hayes Jr. (Sr. - OL/DL), Mikey Brown (Sr. - OL/DL), Chris Monroe (Jr. - OL/DL), Karlfonza Smith (Fr. - WR/CB)
Coach's outlook: “Pre-pandemic, you could have expectations and you could look down the road a little bit. What I’ve learned over these past year and a half, you’re kind of forced to take it one day at a time. You just keep trying to remind your kids, in order for us to play, we have to do certain things to enable us to get on the field. Guys I put out on the field, I want great effort and I want them to utilize what we’ve learned and do the things that we’ve taught them. … You want to win all your home games and we have four. The conference, we’ve been very successful in the conference. Last year was the first time we lost a conference game and that left a bad taste in our mouth. Naturally, we want to claim that crown back with our conference. I’m glad that our conference is getting better and more competitive. We’re itching to do that. But, at the same time, we want to take it one game at a time.”
Webster's thoughts on his veteran linemen: “I really feel optimistic about that. I’m just looking to get people moved off the line of scrimmage. They’ll have to play a lot of defensive line for me too. We’ve done all the gassers (sprints) we can do, so now it’s time to get in game shape.”
Webster's thoughts on running back Michael Ross: “He’s different from a lot in that the kid doesn’t get tired. In every gasser, he’s first, whether we run a full gasser or a half gasser. He plays running back for me, tries to play cornerback for me. He’s dynamic, man, so he’ll be all over the field. Him being young, I’m just glad I have him for a few more years. It’s gonna be fun. … When we get going, I expect him to be productive.”
Webster's thoughts on quarterback Donavan Pauling-Outlaw: “Quarterback is the x-factor in us being good or really good. I have no choice but to be patient with him because he’s a freshman.”
Webster's thoughts on wide receiver Karlfonza Smith: “He’s an exceptional body — 6’2, 6’3 — and runs like the wind. He’s tough to deal with and as he gets more mature, mentally, he’s gonna be near unstoppable as he gets older.”
2021-22 schedule
• Sept. 10 — vs. Sandhills Titans
• Sept. 17 — vs. Ravenscroft
• Sept. 24 — at Wake Christian Academy
• Oct. 1 — at Metrolina Christian Academy
• Oct. 8 — vs. Providence Day
• Oct. 15 — at North Raleigh Christian Academy
• Oct. 22 — at Forest Hills
• Oct. 29 — vs. Harrells Christian Academy
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
Trinity Christian
Last season: 3-4 overall, 3-3 NCISAA Big East
Last 5 seasons: 39-10 overall, 19-3 conference
Coach: Chuck Webster
Conference: NCISAA Big East
Players to watch: Xavier Tubbs-Matthews (Jr. - ATH), Michael Ross (So. - RB/WR), Donavan Pauling-Outlaw (Fr. - QB), Peter Hayes Jr. (Sr. - OL/DL), Mikey Brown (Sr. - OL/DL), Chris Monroe (Jr. - OL/DL), Karlfonza Smith (Fr. - WR/CB)
Coach's outlook: “Pre-pandemic, you could have expectations and you could look down the road a little bit. What I’ve learned over these past year and a half, you’re kind of forced to take it one day at a time. You just keep trying to remind your kids, in order for us to play, we have to do certain things to enable us to get on the field. Guys I put out on the field, I want great effort and I want them to utilize what we’ve learned and do the things that we’ve taught them. … You want to win all your home games and we have four. The conference, we’ve been very successful in the conference. Last year was the first time we lost a conference game and that left a bad taste in our mouth. Naturally, we want to claim that crown back with our conference. I’m glad that our conference is getting better and more competitive. We’re itching to do that. But, at the same time, we want to take it one game at a time.”
Webster's thoughts on his veteran linemen: “I really feel optimistic about that. I’m just looking to get people moved off the line of scrimmage. They’ll have to play a lot of defensive line for me too. We’ve done all the gassers (sprints) we can do, so now it’s time to get in game shape.”
Webster's thoughts on running back Michael Ross: “He’s different from a lot in that the kid doesn’t get tired. In every gasser, he’s first, whether we run a full gasser or a half gasser. He plays running back for me, tries to play cornerback for me. He’s dynamic, man, so he’ll be all over the field. Him being young, I’m just glad I have him for a few more years. It’s gonna be fun. … When we get going, I expect him to be productive.”
Webster's thoughts on quarterback Donavan Pauling-Outlaw: “Quarterback is the x-factor in us being good or really good. I have no choice but to be patient with him because he’s a freshman.”
Webster's thoughts on wide receiver Karlfonza Smith: “He’s an exceptional body — 6’2, 6’3 — and runs like the wind. He’s tough to deal with and as he gets more mature, mentally, he’s gonna be near unstoppable as he gets older.”
2021-22 schedule
• Sept. 10 — vs. Sandhills Titans
• Sept. 17 — vs. Ravenscroft
• Sept. 24 — at Wake Christian Academy
• Oct. 1 — at Metrolina Christian Academy
• Oct. 8 — vs. Providence Day
• Oct. 15 — at North Raleigh Christian Academy
• Oct. 22 — at Forest Hills
• Oct. 29 — vs. Harrells Christian Academy
