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New Corinth Holders coach hopes to find strength in numbers
from August 2023
by Johnston Now
By RANDY CAPPS
WENDELL — Johnston County’s population boom over the past 10 years is no more evident than it is in the area around Corinth Holders High School.
The Pirates boast one of the largest enrollment figures in the state — a fact not lost on its new head football coach Martin Samek.
“Twenty-four hundred kids in a school, there has to be something there,” he told High School OT at his introductory press conference in January. “I believe that Corinth Holders is a sleeping giant just waiting to wake up.”
Samek comes to Johnston County after coaching at nearby Rolesville for three seasons, compiling a 28-10 record. He replaces Adam Khavari, who left the post after five seasons and an overall record of 15-33.
Rolesville shared a conference with Corinth Holders for some of that time, so Samek has an idea of what he’s going to be working with in his new position.
“Them being in the (league) when we used to play them, you could see the potential or the bright spots that they had,” he told High School OT in January. “There are some things that need to be built here, but this isn’t a rebuild job. It’s a build job. There are some things you can build on here and have a successful program.”
He welcomes back six starters on offense and five more on defense from the 2022 squad that finished 3-7, and he cites the offensive and defensive lines as the strength of the team.
Sophomore quarterback Jackson Poole and junior running back Jaylon Holder picked up some valuable reps last fall and could take on larger roles on offensive this season.
Samek and the Pirates will open the season with back-to-back road games in Raleigh against Sanderson and Broughton, respectively, before the home opener on Thursday, Aug. 31, against South Johnston.
A rugged non-conference slate figures to help prepare Corinth Holders for league play in the Greater Neuse 4A.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the team competes against teams in the conference,” Samek said.
