South Johnston turns over football program to 2007 graduate

By RANDY CAPPS

BENSON — When South Johnston needed a new head football coach, it didn’t have to look very far to find a good candidate.

Lee Webb, a Benson native, a 2007 graduate of the school and the defensive coordinator for the past four seasons, is now in charge of his alma mater — and he’s hit the ground running.

“We’re excited,” he said. “We’re averaging between 60 and 65 kids, and the kids are coming out and giving their best effort. And they’re loving it.”

The Trojans were 2-5 in the COVIDshortened spring campaign, and for Webb, an infusion of enthusiasm and a renewed bond with the Four Oaks, Benson and Meadow communities is the secret to turning the program around.

“We wanted to get the excitement back in the community,” he said. “The staff and the players put on the first youth camp for the community since probably I was 8 years old. So, we’re trying to bring that back and get involved in the community. ... We’ve got good things ahead. It’s just one of those things that’s going to take time.”

Offensively, the Trojans will have to adjust to life without quarterback Chase Carroll, who signed to play football and baseball at nearby Methodist. At press time, it was still a four-way competition to determine his replacement.

“Our biggest thing offensively is to focus on us,” Webb said. “Take one day at a time. We’re going to get better as an offense and defense (as we go). Just do the small details, that’s what our saying has been all summer.”

Those finer points will be needed as South Johnston enters a new conference this fall. The Trojans will join C.B. Aycock, East Wake, Fike, Hunt, Smithfield-Selma, Southern Wayne and West Johnston in what should be a nip-andtuck league.

“I think that our conference is going to be very competitive,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those conferences where it’s going to be tough for everyone. ... We’re looking forward to it.”

To get ready, Webb put his team through some intense workouts under a hot July sun.

“We’re going to build toughness,” he said. “That’s what we’re doing right now. These workouts are meant to be tough to prepare them mentally and physically. We tell them all the time, the practices are going to be tougher than the games.”

If that turns out to be true, Webb’s first season in charge of South Johnston could be interesting.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 at Western Harnett

Aug. 27 Triton

Sept. 2 Southern Lee

Sept. 10 Bye

Sept. 17 at Smithfield-Selma

Sept. 24 Fike

Oct. 1 at C.B. Aycock

Oct. 8 Southern Wayne

Oct. 15 at Hunt

Oct. 22 East Wake

Oct. 29 West Johnston