Pigskin Preview: West Brunswick Trojans look to take next step under familiar new head coach

SHALLOTTE, N.C. (WWAY) … West Brunswick is entering the 2026 football season with a familiar face leading the program. Aaron Powell takes over as head coach after serving on the Trojans’ staff since 2021. He spent the past several seasons as defensive coordinator.

West Brunswick finished 7-5 last season and reached the playoffs. Now, the Trojans are looking to build on that success.

A recent practice was delayed briefly because of the heat. Once the team took the field, the focus turned to preparing for the season ahead. Powell said the Trojans plan to make changes on offense. He also wants his team to focus on discipline and the small details.

“We are going to change our offense be a little more multiple, we are at a disadvantage being a smaller school in the conference and I’m not saying that we can’t play with those other schools because I believe we can. But we got to be disciplined, we got to be able to do every little thing the right way. If we ask you to take a 6-inch step to your right, it can’t be 7 or 8 it’s got to be 6 inches because there’s a reason for it,” Powell said.

Powell’s time with the program has also helped with the move into his new role. He already has strong relationships with many of the players.

“Its helped because these seniors Ive known them since they were in middle school. I go to church with these guys. its a small community I love it,” Powell said.

Senior quarterback Josiah Borton also returns this season. He said the program has high expectations as Powell takes over.

“Coach Handy definitely set a big standard, he changed the program and he let it down to coach Powell … I think we are going to do very good this year,” Borton said.

Borton will help lead the Trojans as they try to improve on last season. He said he wants to do whatever he can to help the team win while also enjoying his final season.

“Imma do my best in whatever I can to help us win the most games but really at the end of the day I just wanna be able to have fun and enjoy ourselves and just know I left it all on the field,” Borton said.

West Brunswick opens the season Friday, Aug. 21, at South Brunswick.