5th Quarter Season Preview: New Hanover County

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County had 4 teams that competed all season long. One of them stayed undefeated through the conference season, another one won the state title.

In 2018, there’s reason to believe they all can be just as successful.

The Hoggard Vikings reclaimed their spot as the top team in New Hanover County. In fact, they were the top team in the entire Mideastern conference finishing the regular season undefeated.

While they lose starting quarterback Josh Jones, they return most key starters including ACC commits Chris Toudle and Isaiah Kemp.

The coaches in the conference picked Hoggard to repeat as champs, but Coach Craig Underwood said it won’t be easy.

“It’s extremely tough,” Underwood said. “You see multiple schemes and you play in some tough places. You have a lot of in town rivalries and it’s a special conference to play in with tough competition week in and week out.”

One of those teams sure to be tough competition to the Vikings is the Laney Bucs.

In high school sports, you always have to deal with the reshuffle of talent. But the Bucs bring back one of their most important pieces in third year varsity starting quarterback Sherod Sidbury.

Having consistency is important, but Coach Ashaad Yeoman knows everyone on this team can make an impact.

“Any time you lose players, whether it is from transfer or injury, that affects a team,” Yeoman said. “But it’s one of those things where it’s a next man up mentality. I’d like to say that we don’t worry about what we did last season. Last season is over with and this is a whole new season. You still have to make a name for yourself so I’m excited to see what all of them do.”

The Ashley Screaming Eagles understand that mentality as they have lost many of their stars from a year ago.

26 seniors graduated, more than half of their entire roster from 2017. But Coach Jeff Turner will not use that as an excuse.

In 2018, Ashley will play many players both ways and Turner has high expectations for his group heading into the season.

“We have a bunch of good kids and we want to go ahead and make the next step. We want to do what we can to get to the next step by competing with the best and move on and play in the postseason. If our kids can stay healthy and we get lucky with a few things I think a lot of good things can happen for us.”

Now for the champs. The defending state champion New Hanover Wildcats are back for another run with what could be one of the best offenses in the state again.

Blake Walston comes in for his senior year after leading the state in passing a year ago.

They do lose a top offensive weapon, but added star runningback Jason Billingslea from Laney.

The championship celebration was nice, but 2018 is a new year.

“We’ve always had a target on our backs but it has just gotten a little bigger,” Coach Earl Smith said. “We’re really not talking about the state championship anymore. Rings are put away, you can wear them on special occasions. The t-shirts you can wear off the field because it’s a new year. We can’t look back. Nothing we did last year is going to affect this year except maybe confidence and hard work. We’re just going to keep doing what we normally do and set our goals high.”

All New Hanover County schools will participate in the BB&T Jamboree for their first big action of the season.