Shon Pone Jr Shon Pone Jr 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB/WR Seventy-First | 2027 State NC . really got it going at receiver during the scrimmage. Already known for his speed and overall athleticism, Pone stepped up with a couple of Seventy-First’s starting receivers out and gave the Falcons a legitimate vertical threat. He consistently put pressure on the secondary with his ability to stretch the field and also came down with a tough contested catch, showing there’s more to his game than just speed. Pone’s versatility and explosiveness make him a weapon Seventy-First can use in multiple ways this season.

Pone has put up excellent numbers despite being option 1B for the entirety of his career. He’s an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield, spending his sophomore season at receiver. He’s averaged at least eight yards per touch every year of his career, and put up nearly 1,500 yards on just 134 touches as a junior. If he gets the chance to be a workhorse, he could put up state-leading numbers.

Pone has split carries with a Power Four signee for multiple seasons, so I’m interested to see what happens when he takes over as the lead back in 2026. He’s an excellent pass-catcher and was extremely efficient as a runner in 2025, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry.

Pone was electric all night, showing why he’s becoming one of the most dynamic underclassmen in the area. The sophomore standout scored three total touchdowns, rushed for 125 yards, and came up big defensively with several key stops that stalled St. Pauls’ drives. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball made him the clear BigFish Player of the Game.

Shon Pone Jr Shon Pone Jr 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB/WR Seventy-First | 2027 State NC . was a game-changer on both sides of the ball in the Falcons’ 36–28 win over Jack Britt. Starting at safety, Pone locked down the middle third of the field, forcing the quarterback to throw toward the sidelines and disrupting the passing attack.

On offense, Pone seized his moment with a 70-yard catch-and-run touchdown, sealing Seventy-First’s final score of the night. Whether patrolling the secondary or making plays with the ball in his hands, Pone proved he’s a rising star for the Class of 2027.

Pone Jr. maximized every touch, exploding for 20 carries, 265 yards, and 4 touchdowns. His ability to flip the game with chunk plays made him one of the most electrifying players in the region this week. Unlike some of the other workhorse backs, Pone Jr. showed he can be devastatingly efficient — it didn’t take 30+ carries for him to make his mark. His big-play potential makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball, and Seventy-First’s offense clearly thrives when the ball is in his hands.

Ranked as the No. 2 athlete in his class (2027), Shon Pone Jr Shon Pone Jr 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB/WR Seventy-First | 2027 State NC . proved his versatility again, playing wide receiver, running back, and safety. Pone scored two long touchdowns—a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown—showing his big-play ability. His ability to contribute in multiple areas was key to the Falcons’ offensive success.

Shon Pone Jr Shon Pone Jr 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB/WR Seventy-First | 2027 State NC . looks like he’s on the verge of an exciting breakout season! His performance as a sophomore for Seventy-First, especially with the team being the 3A East defending champions, is impressive. Given that it was his first year getting meaningful reps, the fact that he didn’t disappoint speaks to his potential. With 2025 on the horizon, it sounds like he’ll be ready to step up as the #2 option in the backfield, right behind the talented Jayson Franklin Jayson Franklin 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Seventy-First | 2026 State NC , a rising senior and D1 prospect.

Having the opportunity to play alongside someone like Franklin should help Pone develop even more and get valuable exposure to scouts throughout the season. His nickname, “Flash,” certainly seems to fit, especially with the eye-popping numbers you expect him to put up. With the added attention from recruiters, he’s in a prime position to elevate his game and make a name for himself heading into his junior year.

I really like watching this young man play – he did a lot for this 71st team on offense this past season. On an offense with 3 1000-yard rushers, Shon made the most of his touches, picking up 777 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on only 76 carries – a 10.2 yards per carry average, very impressive production. On top of that, 71st liked to line Shon up in the slot as a receiver, and he was a productive receiver as well, with 26 catches for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns, good for the 2nd overall receiver on the team. Shon’s strength is his speed, he is a major asset in the kick return game as well. Shon is decisive with the ball in his hands, making quick cuts and always moving forward – there’s not a lot of wasted motion with him. With some talented seniors graduating, I’m expecting him to really break out even more on one of the state’s perennially best teams.

The wildcard on the offense is Shone Pone jr. Pone has been “lightning in a bottle” this entire season, it feels like he can score everytime he touches the ball! If West Charlotte chooses to focus the majority of their attention on that vaunted 3 headed monster (Dre/DJ/Pop) the game will be over in just a Flash when he gets the opportunity.