CAP 8A Coaches Name Their Under-the-Radar Player

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Media Days are underway around the state, and while my colleague, Matt Morrow, will be more active on this front, I was able to get out to see the CAP 8A Conference players and coaches preview the upcoming season. I asked every coach which of their players is flying under the radar. Here were their answers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">CAP 8A Under-the-Radar Players, According to Their Coaches</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Athens Drive Jaguars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Tommy Smith Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2263897,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb630e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hepner was a backup last season who has impressive physical traits. He's 6'2" and has added some weight this offseason to get well over 200 pounds. He's a guy who can make every throw, and he has a couple of veteran receivers coming back who should be able to help him ease into the job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Quote:</strong> "He's been doing a good job this offseason getting stronger, making the right reads. He's doing a great job."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Mentioned:</strong> <strong>TreShawn Barlow</strong> | WR, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717124' first='Cam'Ron' last='Young']</strong> | DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Broughton Capitals</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Bryan Peterson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2263917,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb6399"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams had a promising season last year, but played limited reps behind some seniors. It sounds like Coach Peterson, in his first year with the Capitals, is very high on his linebackers, and Williams is going to be both a team leader and a productive defender. l</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Quote: Markel Williams. I see him stepping up for us. He's not a young guy; he's a senior. I think he's going to be one of those guys this year you're going to hear a lot about."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Mentioned: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141081' first='Tanner' last='Long']</strong> | LB, <strong>Austin Young</strong> | WR, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272624' first='Luke' last='Pagan']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Corinth Holders Pirates</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Carl Smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2226585"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb6401"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Day is a more recent name to our rankings, slated for a debut in a few weeks. We love what he's done as a strong safety, but it sounds like he'll be counted on for more than occasional tackles on the back end of the defense. He's going to play quarterback, and I'm excited to see how his athleticism translates to that position. Coach Carl Smith gushed about his leadership and offseason work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Quote:</strong> "[player_tooltip player_id='2226585' first='Tanner' last='Day'] has been thrust into our starting quarterback role. He's also moved from safety to SAM ... He's already one of our better tacklers ... He has taken the challenge of being the quarterback. He brings a new, exciting level to what we can do on offense, which is his ability to run. Right now [player_tooltip player_id='2226585' first='Tanner' last='Day'] looks really, really good."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enloe Eagles</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Ryan Clark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2243018"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb6464"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chapman was "developing on JV" as Coach Ryan Clark said, and this year both his quarterback and head coach had trouble holding back their excitement about the new starter. He steps into a receiver room that is lacking in experienced production, and he should be able to step in and provide an immediate spark for an offense that should be really good this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Quote:</strong> "[player_tooltip player_id='2243018' first='James' last='Chapman'] was developing a little bit on JV, but he's going to be an absolute dog for us on the outside, as [Leo Gorgo] mentioned."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Mentioned:</strong> <strong>Robert Lamar</strong> | WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Leesville Road Pride</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Ben Kolstad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2263930,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb64c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hutchinson isn't the biggest guard you'll find, but he has a mean streak to rival some of the best on the offensive line. He's a leader for not just the offense, but for the team. As a whole, Leesville Road isn't a huge team, but they're well coached and physical. Hutchinson embodies that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Quote</strong> ([player_tooltip player_id='2184175' first='Wyatt' last='Gardner']): "[player_tooltip player_id='2263930' first='Sam' last='Hutchinson']. He's the leader of our offensive line. He's physical and dominant on the offensive line."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Mentioned</strong>: <strong>Michael Ramsey</strong> | RB, <strong>Jayden Grimes</strong> | LB, <strong>Aiden Lane</strong> | LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Millbrook Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Laymarr Marshall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2072354"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb6527"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was happy that Coach Laymarr Marshall mentioned Adams as a guy flying under the radar, because I agree. While his size at one point may have limited his athletic upside, he's grown in the last year, moving from nickel to Mike linebacker. We love his instincts, and there aren't many people with his production at the 8A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Quote:</strong> "I think [player_tooltip player_id='2072354' first='Carsen' last='Adams'] is one of the best football players in the 919. He'll be a three-year starter ... He had 134 tackles, six interceptions. He's also a great lacrosse player. He's 5'11", 205 pounds, runs a real 4.5 40. He just knows how to play the game. He's extremely instinctive."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Mentioned:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137826' first='Andrew' last='Jaynes']</strong> | OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rolesville Rams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237370"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6e46ce19863"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is the third time somebody from Rolesville has brought up Nesbitt's name as a potential breakout star. He was behind several other talented guys on the depth chart last year, but it sounds like Nesbitt has taken a massive step forward this offseason. He has the speed, route-running ability, and pure receiving skills to make a huge impact as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Quote </strong>(Ra'Sean Brown): "[[player_tooltip player_id='2237370' first='Deshaun' last='Nesbitt']]. He's been giving me a run for my money. He's going to have a big year at receiver."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wakefield Wolverines</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Brandon Hughes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2263857,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6dfa3fb6588"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ballint is a true "out-of-nowhere" defensive starter for the Wolverines. The coaching staff saw his work in the weight room and approached the former wide receiver about switching to linebacker, a daunting task for a guy who hasn't played much defense before. From hearing his head coach speak, it sounds like Balint will be a key cog in Wakefield's rebuilt defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Quote:</strong> "[Balint] has been amazing as a sophomore. He is a varsity player; he's got a varsity mentality. He is a varsity player through and through."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Mentioned:</strong> <strong>Dom Stevens</strong> | WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 high school football season is nearly here. Follow along all offseason at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/">Prep Redzone</a>. Want to send this to a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->