2025 Preview: Chesterfield Rams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expectations were high a season ago around the Chesterfield program. The Rams started off the season by winning five in a row and they started making weekly appearances in the state-wide media Top 10 poll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then the proverbial wheels fell off. They lost in back-to-back weeks before winning 35-21 on October 18 against Buford. That would be the last win of the season, but it was the way the final three losses of the season happened that senior quarterback&nbsp;<strong>Bryce Adams</strong>&nbsp;can't forget.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the three-game losing streak to end the season, Chesterfield was outscored 139-21, an average of 46-7 per game. They finished 6-5 after winning five straight to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We need to embrace and meet the expectations that coach has set for us.” Adams said. “We put in the work every single day and we have adopted a motto – TPW – which means "Tough People Win." We need to outlast and be tougher than our opponents. We lost that a little bit last season, but we know what it's going to take this season. It's our time to step up and lead this team.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick Dixon has been coaching at the school since this current group of seniors were in the seventh grade but he was just named as the head coach in March of this year. He knows this team as well as anybody. He saw firsthand what they were capable of and hopes to build on that in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're trying to build off what we did last year,” Dixon said. “We have a lot of returners so trying to keep that same foundation, be consistent, high intensity and attention to detail. Last year, our upperclassmen just didn't know but now we have juniors and seniors taking a leadership role and teaching the younger guys what to do.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams is a good place to start on offense but there's pieces around him.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1367995' first='Emani' last='Welch']</strong>&nbsp;is going to be an asset at receiver. The Rams are huge upfront with&nbsp;<strong>MaQwan Blount</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Jaydan Wallace&nbsp;</strong>anchoring a strong set of guys in the trenches. Defensive back <strong>Brayden Melton</strong> transferred in from North Carolina and will be in the mis as well. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And let's not forget one of the leading tacklers in the state from last season,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629002' first='Sincere' last='Hubbard'],&nbsp;</strong>is returning at his linebacker position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But not all the talent is in the upperclassmen. Dixon was very excited when he mentioned a talented freshman class that will see plenty of playing time this fall. It started with linebacker&nbsp;<strong>Wallace Herring</strong>&nbsp;and running back&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606964' first='Gregory' last='Rushing Jr']</strong>. Big things are also expected from athlete&nbsp;<strong>Zymere Bennett</strong>&nbsp;and defensive linemen&nbsp;<strong>Avery McCoy</strong>&nbsp;and<strong>&nbsp;Markreion Smith</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a good mix of older guys and some younger ones that will be the cornerstone of the program going forward,” Dixon said. “We're excited to get the pads on and get to work.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629002' first='Sincere' last='Hubbard']</strong>&nbsp;MLB, 2026 – I think it might be an unfair assessment to say Hubbard (pictured) was a tackling machine in 2024. The 6-foot, 200-pounder only finished with 162 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a sack and a fumble recovery. His closing speed is undeniable and that allows him to step into a hole and track down ball carriers with ease. He averaged nearly 15 tackles per game, which is an eye-popping number. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Adams</strong>&nbsp;QB, 2026- Adams has been the primary quarterback for two seasons and Dixon likes the growth he's seeing from his senior. Dixon feels like Adams has stepped up his game and really developed into a better passer each season. Despite losing his top receiver, Adams has been consistently good in 7-on-7 competition this summer. If he can help keep the chains moving with his arm, the Rams might have enough weapons on offense to be good. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MaQwan Blount</strong>&nbsp;OL/DL, 2027 – Blount is a force to try and move in the middle of the line. He's 5-foot-8, 306 pounds and doesn't get moved if he doesn't want to be. He's going to be a force on both sides of the ball, and it will be interesting early on to see if he's used more on the offensive or defensive side of things.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mark Moten</strong>&nbsp;DB, 2027 – Moten is starting to fill into his body better and his work in the weight room is paying off. He's changed his body over the last year and he's still only 6-foot, 155 pounds but he's better suited for the rigors on Friday night football. &nbsp;He plays free safety and reacts well to run or passing situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1367995' first='Emani' last='Welch']</strong>&nbsp;WR/DB, 2027 – Don't let Welch's size catch you off guard. He's 5-foot-6, 154 pounds but he can go up and get the football. He was the second-leading receiver last season and should slide into the primary role this year. He's quick (a 4.44 pro shuttle tells that story) and slippery when he gets into the open field. He can play outside or in the slot and find creases in the defense from either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20413726/672b742a1b1f5b29052f5804' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68769c34c4fb2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaquavis Clark</strong>&nbsp;WR – Clark was a Touchstone Energy North-South selection after piling up over 1,000 all-purpose yards. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TJ McBride</strong>&nbsp;RB – The running game went through McBride last season, and he delivered with over 1,000 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wallace Herring</strong>&nbsp;LB, 2029 – Dixon likes the work ethic that Herring brings to the table. He labeled him as a player that is going to be special over the next four years. Dixon will likely see plenty of reps at linebacker and will also get some looks as a slot receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zymere Bennett&nbsp;</strong>DB, 2029 – Bennett is another incoming freshman that has caught the attention of the coaching staff. He is going to figure into the plans in a number of different ways. He's going to play defensive back and wide receiver and it's likely he's going to get some carries in the backfield as well. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606964"],"_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-68769c34c6661"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Rams are going to have plenty of carries to go around and Rushing is going to be in the mix to get more than his fair share. The running back is quick and twitchy so he should excel once he gets in the open field. It's how he handles running between the tackles that will determine the number of attempts he receives as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->