Conference Preview

Avery County Vikings: (1A)

Head Coach: Mac Bryan ( 4th Year: 158-123-1 career) Starters Returning 5 Offensive, 5 Defensive. Offense: 1 Back spread. Defensive: 4-3. Players to Watch: OL/LB Levi Andrews (Sr), RB Chad Giarusso (Jr), QB Will Stanford (So). Preview: Avery has a mix of youth and experience on both sides of the Line and experienced skill players led by RB Gianusso 671 rushing and 108 recieving yards in the spring.

Draughn Wildcats: (1A), Head Coach: Chris Powell ( 4th year: 13-17 ) Starters Returning 9 Offensive, 9 Defensive. Offensive: Spread, Defensive: 4-3,4-4, Odd Front: Players to Watch: QB Eli Tillery, RB Nigel Dula, (So),  Draughn is a newcomer to a WNC  Conference ( Foothills Conference). The Wildcats were young in the spring and they are hoping all that experience from the spring pays off this fall. 

Mitchell Mountaineers (1A) Head Coach Travise Pittman(8th year :( 77-16 ) Playoffs Lost To Robbinsville 2nd  Round, 28-20. Starters Returning: Offensive: 5, Defensive: 4  Offensive: Wing T, Defensive: 4-3. Players To Watchf: RB: Carter Hoyle, QB: Ty Turbyill. The Mountaineers were young in the spring but that didn't keep them from making a trip to the 2nd round. With that young group getting that experience, we wouldn't be surprised if they aren't there again this fall.

Mountain Heritage Cougars: (1A), Coach: Joey Robinson (21st year 131-101 career). Playoffs: Lost 2A State Championship game to Perennial Power Reidsville 35-6. Returning Players: Offensive: 4, Defensive: 3. Offensive: Spread Wing T, Double Wing. Defensive: 3-5. Players To Watch: QB Gabe Silvers, RB Mason Robinson. The Cougars lost alot of their State Championship run team to graduation but they do have key players returning in skill positions, We expect them to be a power in the Conference as usual.

Madison Patriots:(2A)  Coach: Jamie Extine (0-6 2nd year) Returning Players: Offensive: 6, Defensive: 6. Players To Watch: QB Caden Hileson, RB Zander Fender. Coach Extine is Looking for his first Career win, but Madison is very young and gave up at least 30 points a game. 

Owen Warhorses: (2A)  Brint Russell (First Year; 26-55, Career) Returning Players: Offensive 6, Defensive 6, Offense: Spread, Defensive: Multiple. Players To Watch: RB Briggs Barker, QB Jacob Price. Alumnus Brint Russel coming back  home to coach the Warhorses will have his work cutout for him, due to graduation and other changes at Owen.

Rosman Tigers: (1A) Coach Dusty Robinson 2nd year (0-7 career) Returning Players: Offensive 4, Defensive: 5. Offense: Triple Option, Wing T, Defensive: 3-5. Players To Watch: WR Bradley McCall, RB Andrew Stamey, LB Josh Norton, QB Carson Lyday. Tigers move from the brutal Smoky Mountain Conference to the New Western Highlands Conference. The Tigers have their work cutout for them in this conference but they will be competitive.