2025 Preview: Northwood Academy Chargers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maurice Davis</strong> has extra reason to be "hungry" this season for Northwood Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Chargers posted their best season since going undefeated in 2014. Coming within a victory of the SCISA Class 4A championship game has the SCISA All-State rising senior highly motivated to win it all this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've got to win state this year,” he said. “This is my last year. I've never won state before. I've never been to (the title game). I plan to get it this year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Johnny Waters believes his team has an effective balance on offense. It can run the football with senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683039' first='Kaven' last='Ford']</strong> (pictured) behind a seasoned offensive line that returns four starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining guards <strong>Jacob Harrelson</strong> and <strong>Garrett Andy</strong>, center <strong>Kaeden Wagner</strong> and right tackle <strong>Brayden Andy</strong> is Fort Dorchester transfer <strong>Kendrick Burroughs</strong> at left tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Chargers go to the air, he believes another former Patriot in junior transfer quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson']</strong> is the link to help the team reach the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734610' first='Aydan' last='Hogan']</strong> leads the wide receivers. Junior <strong>Drew Wolf</strong> is a potential breakout standout who will line up opposite Hogan. There's also Davis, who's available to make catches when he's not being utilized at quarterback or defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, junior nose tackle <strong>Edward White</strong> is the anchor upfront for the Chargers. The linebacking corps is senior-laden with <strong>Cody Mccleary</strong> and <strong>Quincy Lingard</strong>. As for the secondary, Waters called them the “best” group he's coached at Northwood Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive backs <strong>Antwan</strong> <strong>Henderson</strong> and <strong>Bryce</strong> <strong>Jenkins</strong> will be joined by Cane Bay transfers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1741086' first='Dominic' last='Russell']</strong> and <strong>Jodin Carter</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maurice Davis</strong> ATH, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he can play almost every non-line position. He went 4-0 as a starting quarterback last season filling in for starter <strong>Austyn Grady</strong>. Davis also recorded 77 tackles and two interceptions on defense last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683039' first='Kaven' last='Ford']</strong> RB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ford was the Chargers' leading rusher last season with 1,096 yards and 17 touchdowns. He possesses a lethal combination of elusiveness and speed out of the backfield. At 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, Ford's leg strength makes him difficult for a single tackler to bring him down. Ford also takes very seriously his responsibilities as a team leader. He looks to leave a legacy for younger players to emulate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cody McCleary</strong> LB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An All-SCISA linebacker last season, McCleary was second-leading tackler (116) for the Chargers. At 5-foot-8 and 187 pounds, McCleary has a commanding athletic presence at middle linebacker. His quick lateral mobility and long reach makes it difficult for ball carriers to elude him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734610' first='Aydan' last='Hogan']</strong> WR, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-year letterman is as talented a wide receiver as Waters has coached in his career. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior can turn a short slant into a long reception after the catch. He's not shy about going up the middle for receptions. He's also an effective route runner who makes life easy for his quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16400519/672a1252d12540ec9a471802' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6877b90747aab"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austyn Grady</strong> QB - He threw for 4,460 yards and 36 touchdowns in two years as a starter before graduating and signing with Brevard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Watts</strong> DL – The team's leader in sacks (13) last season also had 77 tackles before moving out of state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frank Cahoon</strong> OL - The 6-foot-2 lineman was highly recruited at the end of his senior year. He inked with Hampden-Sydney.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson'] </strong>QB – He emerged as a starter early last season for Fort Dorchester. As a sophomore, the 6-foot, 185-pounder displayed a quick release and an ability to throw from various angles. He played in all 12 games for the Patriots, finishing with 1,071 yards and six touchdowns. Head coach Johnny Waters believes his playing style will blend in well at Northwood Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192466' first='Edward' last='white II']</strong> DL, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot 8, 270-pound nose tackle is nicknamed "Hammer" for a reason. On film, he's featured hammering a ball carrier to the ground. White possesses a fast burst off the line of scrimmage. His long reach and upper body strength allows him to smother running backs and push through double teams. His ability to dominate upfront is a key component to a defense whose secondary is considered its strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Drew Wolf","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"140","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Northwood Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6877b90749395"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The rising junior has "turned the corner", according to head coach Johnny Waters. He's put in the work in practice in improving his pass catching and route running. Lining up opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734610' first='Aydan' last='Hogan']</strong> should open up even more opportunities for Wolfe. He's especially effective near the endzone, particularly on slant plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16400519/672a1252d12540ec9a471802' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6877b907493cc"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->