Newton-Conover Red Devils 2025 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's July, which means it's team preview season! Here, I'm taking teams from across the state and highlighting their talent and potential in 2025. We're player-focused, so the biggest piece is highlighting future college talent. However, no good preview leaves out important info about the team and its chances during the season, so that will also play heavily into these previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Newton-Conover Red Devils are an intriguing team in the new 4A classification. What can the Red Devils do in 2025?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newton-Conover Red Devils Season Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:&nbsp;</strong>Matt Wilson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record:&nbsp;</strong>2-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Conference:&nbsp;</strong>Western Foothills 4A/5A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key 2025 Games:</strong> Bunker Hill (10/10), Maiden (10/31)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils have some experience everywhere except the quarterback and No. 1 receiver positions, two key spots for a team that likes to throw the ball. How the Red Devils replace the production from two talented class of 2025 seniors will determine how far they can go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton-Conover also plays in one of the biggest conferences in the state. That can affect both scheduling and the outlook for the conference slate and potential playoff berths, as they'll get into conference play much earlier than some other schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Newton-Conover Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As previously stated, the Red Devils have big holes to fill at the WR1 and QB positions. But, I really like the receivers on this team and think they should see an uptick in production as the volume increases.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1644394' first='Tim' last='Mehalic']</strong> is the leading returning receiver, after catching 28 passes for over 500 yards. He's the main deep threat, allowing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1645029' first='Gavin' last='Cook']</strong> and intriguing rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590094' first='Amari' last='Coulter']</strong> to catch passes underneath. While he's not a full-time receiver, 2026 athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715222' first='Camden' last='Ezzard']</strong> should also have a larger role in the passing game after finishing second on the team in rushing and third in receiving last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Fred T. Foard transfer <strong>TJ Leach</strong> and big-play threat <strong>Naiym Robinson</strong> could break into the rotation as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At quarterback, the coaching staff is also high on rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715218' first='Weston' last='Norris']</strong>, a guy who currently sits on our 2028 watchlist, but who could move into the rankings if he gets the opportunities and plays well. He has the physical tools, he just needs the on-field play to back those up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Red Devils offense, several players will touch the ball in the running game, including the quarterback, rising sophomore running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope']</strong>, and multiple receivers. I'm interested to see if the running backs get more touches this year after combining for just 76 attempts last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is a high-upside bunch, led by rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715237' first='Lincoln' last='Hardy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715229' first='Ty' last='Hefner']</strong>. In one of the more pass-heavy systems in the 4A classification, the offensive line needs to be able to protect more than anything and it's something the group improved on as the season progressed last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few guys who are key two-way players for Newton-Conover and they'll lead the way on a very experienced defense. The Red Devils return five of seven leading tacklers, but the biggest question will be on the defensive line, where they lose a couple of key contributors. They'll also look to improve their sack production after taking a step back in that statistical category as season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for a potential breakout candidate, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715260' first='Zay' last='Derr']</strong> has the pass-rushing upside to create plenty of havoc as a senior and could have an excellent year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similarly, linebacker <strong>Alonzo Cunningham</strong> could have a big season and the coaching staff is high on the big-hitter. He has the power and gap integrity to play the run, as well as the speed and agility to drop back in pass coverage. Hardy will likely see his role increase in 2025 on defense as he flashed in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An intriguing team that lost several close games and has to replace key players at running back and receiver, it could be an uphill battle for the Red Devils. That being said, there's a ton of young talent on this team, and several sophomores should contribute this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll go as far as the defense can take them. It's a double-edged sword in that the defense is very experienced, but it's also the same unit that gave up 34 or more points six times last season. If there's some tangible improvement -- potentially in terms of sacks and turnovers -- the Red Devils will immediately be a markedly better team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That turnover luck was rough last season. Newton-Conover had just eight interceptions on offense, but forced just 10 total turnovers on defense. With a bit more pressure from the defensive line, they'll cause more havoc, stall more drives, and flip more field position. And the takeaways will follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No one knows much about this new realignment, and a few more takeaways could be the difference between a first winning season since 2019, and another season of close losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A special shout out to the Newton-Conover coaching staff, who made sure I had all the information I needed to publish this report.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We want to cover more schools. If your team wants a season preview, reach out to me on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) with your prospect list and any other relevant information. Want to send this report to someone who isn't a subscriber? 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