News Summary
Charlotte has released its annual ‘Big 22’ list, featuring standout high school football players from Charlotte, NC, and Rock Hill, SC. This year’s notable mention includes D’Various Surratt, a senior safety committed to play at the collegiate level. The list reflects local talent as NC State shows interest by extending offers to three juniors. Meanwhile, organizational changes in North Carolina high school football will see a shift to an eight-classification system, enhancing competition. The season’s timeline is set with practices starting soon and the first game on August 22.
Charlotte has unveiled its “Big 22” players to keep an eye on as the high school football season approaches. This annual tradition, now in its 16th year, showcases some of the most talented young football players from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill, South Carolina. The excitement builds as voting for the most outstanding player begins on September 5, drawing attention to the top athletes in the region.
Among the notable names on this year’s list is D’Various Surratt, a senior free safety also committed to play at the collegiate level from Shelby (N.C.) Crest. He is one of many standout players featured as high school teams gear up for a competitive season.
North Carolina State University has shown active interest in the prospects of local talent, extending scholarship offers to three juniors highlighted in the “Big 22”—Nate Kamba, a defensive lineman from Charlotte; Jalaythan Mayfield, a linebacker from Lincolnton; and Jaxon Dollar, a tight end/outside linebacker from Denver. NC State has offered scholarships to 19 out of the 22 players selected, indicating a strong commitment to nurturing local talent as they advance through the ranks.
Among previous winners, Jordan Young from Monroe (N.C.) High stands out after winning the award for the second consecutive year. Young, who has committed to play at the University of Michigan, remains a prominent figure in this year’s showcased talent.
As the excitement of the upcoming season stirs, it is important to note that Providence Day School’s football program is currently under scrutiny. Their defensive coordinator, Damon Coiro, has been arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old student. Charges filed against him include indecent liberties with a student and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. It has been reported that Coiro made sexually suggestive comments and provided alcohol to the student while also inquiring with inappropriate questions. Following his court appearance on July 8, Coiro’s bond was significantly raised from $10,000 to $75,000, yet no official statements have been released by Providence Day School regarding the situation or Coiro’s status within the program.
In terms of organizational changes, North Carolina high school football is moving towards a restructured classification system, transitioning from four classifications to eight. As a result, the playoff format will now include 24 teams in the 8A class, with the remaining classifications having 48 teams. This shift aims to enhance competition and fairness among high school football teams across the state. Furthermore, playoff seeding will exclusively utilize MaxPreps’ computer rankings, marking a departure from the previous approach that factored in conference finishes.
Football practice for the new season is set to commence on July 30, with scrimmages scheduled to begin on August 8. The inaugural game date is marked for August 22, showcasing a structured timeline leading into the competitive season.
For fans eagerly anticipating their teams’ performance, detailed schedules of various Charlotte-area teams are readily available, outlining numerous games taking place from August through October. This detailed breakdown will help local supporters stay informed about their favorite teams as they embark on another exciting high school football season.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com: Coach Accused of Inappropriate Relationship
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Charlotte Ledger: Construction Disrupts Home Games
- Google Search: Charlotte high school football
- Charlotte Observer: High School Football Coverage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- WBTV: KD Cotton Commits to Duke
- Google News: Charlotte high school football news
- Charlotte Post: West Charlotte Lions’ Schedule
- Google Scholar: North Carolina high school football
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