Princeton gears up for move to 2A
Christian Perris makes a tackle. Photo courtesy of We Journal Great Sports.
By RANDY CAPPS
PRINCETON — The COVID-shortened 2020 campaign was a tale of two seasons for Princeton. The Bulldogs raced out to a 7-0 record this spring and drew the five seed in the State 1AA Playoffs, but it all came to an abrupt end in the opening round in a 39-28 road loss to Edenton Holmes. Coach Travis Gaster will reload with five returning starters on defense and six on offense, including some key contributors from last season’s squad. Senior tailback and linebacker Jaydon Brooks tallied 1,293 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last fall, while junior wing back and corner Christian Perris added 617 yards and 12 more scores. Another senior, Paul Edens, will line up next to Brooks in the “Fred” position, and he completed nine of his 10 pass attempts for 219 yards and four scores in the spring. He also recorded 19 tackles. Junior Jake Crocker, voted team captain as a sophomore, brings stability to the offensive line, while Peyton Mitchell, another junior, was one of the leading tacklers while making the calls and adjustments from his safety position.
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Schedule Aug. 20 Smithfield-Selma Aug. 27 at East Duplin Sept. 3 Rosewood Sept. 10 BYE Sept. 17 at Richlands Sept. 24 at Louisburg Oct. 1 at Eastern Wayne Oct. 8 Goldsboro Oct. 15 Spring Creek Oct. 22 at Beddingfield Oct. 29 at North Johnston The Bulldogs also have an accomplished kicker in McKinley Uzzell, who hit 37 of his 39 extra points last season. “Our strength will be leadership,” Gaster said. “We have a solid group of seniors that lead by example, both on and off the field. I am really looking forward to seeing them take charge of our team during the season.”
