2 minute read
North Johnston banking on experience to complete its turnaround
from August 2023
by Johnston Now
By RANDY CAPPS
KENLY — An old prep sports adage is that “the best thing about freshmen and sophomores is that one day they’ll be juniors and seniors.”
Last season, North Johnston had a youthful squad that picked up some valuable playing time in the midst of a 3-8 campaign, and head coach Michael Barnett is hoping that real-world experience pays dividends this time around.
“The strength will be our experience,” he said. “For the last two years, our starters have predominantly been underclassmen. This year, those underclassmen are now juniors and seniors with a lot of game experience under their belt.”
Barnett is relying on a core group of seniors to show the way in 2023. Running back and linebacker Cooper Gibson, running back/defensive end Jordin Moore, running back/defensive back Brayden Cuddington and running back/defensive back Ayden Pone all return after playing key roles last season.
Gibson led the Panthers in total touchdowns, Moore was a stalwart on both sides of the ball, Cuddington was the primary receiving threat and Pone was the anchor of “a good secondary that is now older and better,” according to Barnett.
Noah Hales (G/DE), Wyatt Hales (TE/DE), Tray Watson (RB/DE), Austin Lett (G), Daniel Estala (G) and Zack Logan (LB) will also be major contributors this season.
While Princeton is the odds-on favorite in the Neuse Six Conference, Barnett is optimistic about where his team is as the new season dawns.
“We are looking forward to improving on last year's record,” he said. “We feel that if we stay healthy, we should have our best season in five years.”
With the returning experience on the roster, this year’s squad may just prove him right.
