Unsung Heroes: Cleveland County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are doing some work on the Class of 2026, and my colleague Will Helms is focusing on some unsigned talents and our rankings update, both of which you can check out on our homepage! I started to sit down and think about how to highlight the 2026 class, and I got the idea to highlight some players who do the dirty work but don't get a ton of recognition. In this edition, we will focus on select players from Cleveland County in North Carolina. Let's get started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drew Dixon</strong> - QB - Burns - Drew had a good senior season in leading the Bulldogs to a nice run in the state playoffs from his quarterback spot. Drew threw for nearly 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns on a run-first team, and also added 238 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Drew is a two-sport athlete, also starring in baseball for the Bulldogs, who have an excellent baseball program as well. The Bulldogs were a really young team last season, but Drew's leadership and play will help set up even more future success for this program over the next few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Black</strong> - RB - Crest - One of the few questions coming into this past season for the Chargers was who was going to be leading the running back role for this team? Jason came into the program, and despite having a midseason injury, he came back and was a major contributor throughout their playoff run to a state championship. Excellent speed and burst with the ball in his hands, Jason is a player who I think could help a college program at the right level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Gunter</strong> - LB - Crest - You would think the leading tackler for the 5A State Championships would get a ton of attention, but Chris was somewhat overshadowed by some very talented teammates. However, the Chargers don't have a championship ring without what he produced on the field this past season. 90 total tackles on the season with 10 tackles for loss, and excellent leadership and direction leading his unit were just a few of the superlatives he earned this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909730' first='Denarion' last='Hickman']</strong> - OL - Crest - Denarion committed to play college football at Gardner-Webb, and he has an excellent physical frame for an offensive lineman. Standing at 6'6 and 280 pounds, Denarion is devastating on down blocks in the running game from his tackle position. Crest played him at both left and right tackle, but he profiles as a classic power run blocking right tackle on the next level. I think Gardner-Webb will work on developing his overall game from a pass protection standpoint, but Denarion did a great job for the Chargers in helping lead them to a state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Gartner</strong> - EDGE - Shelby - I really love what Noah put on film this past season. I truly believe he is going to be a steal for a college football program. Noah had 108 total tackles and 15 sacks from his edge position on defense, which is just incredible overall production in helping lead the Golden Lions to the 3A State Championship. Noah has a great physical frame at 6'3 and 200 pounds to go along with that production. He has two offers currently, from Brevard and North Carolina Wesleyan, and should merit more attention for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lorenzo Roseboro</strong> - WR - Shelby - In Shelby's dynamic passing offensive attack, I think Lorenzo somehow flew a little bit under the radar because there was so much production from everyone. However, Lorenzo's 44 catch season is starting to get some recognition from college football coaches. Lorenzo has picked up offers over the last month from Fairmont State, NC Wesleyan, Averett, Glenville State, Gardner-Webb, and Virginia-Lynchburg. At 6'2 and 180 pounds, Lorenzo has a nice speed/vertical combo with reliable hands that is getting him some well-deserved attention, and I'm excited to see where he ends up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933255' first='Semaj' last='Odems']</strong> - EDGE - Kings Mountain - A 1st Team All-Conference selection and a Gardner-Webb commit, Semaj has immense talent playing his EDGE position. He had 70 total tackles this past season, which was second overall on his team. I think he does a really good job setting the edge in the running game and is very strong at shedding blocks and making plays. His physical frame is one to be really excited about at 6'4 and 235 pounds, and I think his best football overall is in front of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wiley Rainey</strong> - DL - Kings Mountain - I didn't know much about Wiley coming into doing this article, but this is why this series is so much fun to do! Wiley is a stout interior defensive lineman who does a great job of stalemating offensive linemen and playing off blocks in shutting down the running game. It was a fun film to watch, and I think he's got some potential to continue to develop into an all-around disruptor as a smaller defensive lineman at the right level in playing college football, if that's what he ultimately wants to do. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->