Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please use the button below to manage your account.
The 2021 high school football fall season kicks off Friday night as teams return to the gridiron after an unusual spring season. Here are 15 offensive players to watch from Alamance County teams:
Cummings
Dylantae James, senior receiver
The Cavaliers’ leading receiver as a sophomore and second-leading receiver as a junior, in terms of yards, figures to do more of the same in his final season. His athleticism, pass-catching ability and sure hands make him a reliable target, one that often gets open.
Tylek Oliver, senior quarterback
Evidenced by his school-record eight-touchdown, 556-yard passing performance against Carrboro in the spring, Oliver can sling it. With targets including James and Paylor, Oliver has no shortage of options. He finished his junior season with 1,876 passing yards, a 67.9 completion percentage and 24 touchdowns to three interceptions through the air, along with two rushing touchdowns.
Jonathan Paylor, sophomore receiver/running back
The scholarship offers from a litany of Power 5 programs speak for themself. As a freshman, Paylor broke onto the scene as the team’s leading rusher (438 yards) and leading receiver (851 yards), combining for 16 touchdowns in seven games.
Eastern Alamance
Hunter Douglas, senior quarterback
As a junior, Douglas completed 53.7 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns to two interceptions for 1,202 yards, while also showing the ability to pull the ball down and run. Now in his second season as the team’s signal-caller, Douglas says he’s much more comfortable in the offense.
McCawley figures to line up in multiple spots, including in the backfield, at receiver and some quarterback in an effort to maximize his athletic ability. Coach John Kirby says McCawley, a three-sport athlete who also is on the school’s baseball and basketball teams, is one of the best athletes at the school.
Hunter Westbrooks, senior receiver
Clocking in a 4.4-4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to Kirby, Westbrooks provides a constant threat with his speed and reliable hands. In the spring, he led the Eagles in receptions with 30 and was second in receiving yards with 424.
Graham
Makhi Enoch, senior receiver
As a junior, Enoch was the Red Devils top receiver with 11 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also Graham’s top returning rusher.
Thank you for being a subscriber! It’s your support that keeps The Times-News going.
Southern Alamance
Nevaeh Gattis, senior running back
Gattis has transitioned from full back to running back for this season, as coach Fritz Hessenthaler said the move will “solidify what we’re doing on offense.” A reliable two-way player, Gattis rushed for 121 yards and racked up 149 receiving yards in the spring.
Braxton Meyers, senior scat back
A hard-nosed runner, Meyers is the Patriots top returning rusher. He accounted for 281 yards and five total touchdowns in the spring.
Western Alamance
Eric Wagoner, senior quarterback
Wagoner takes the reins at quarterback after spending last season at receiver, where he caught 18 passes for 345 yards and five touchdowns, showing off some of his athletic ability. His ability as a passer will go a long way in determining the type of season the Warriors have.
Kaden Wilborn, senior receiver / running back
Wilborn will line up at both receiver and running back as the Warriors try to take advantage of his experience and all-around ability. He caught eight passes for 226 yards and one touchdown in the spring and is one of the Warriors most productive returning offensive players.
Jackson Miles, offensive lineman
A three-year starter on the offensive line, Miles is as reliable as they get up front. The Warriors are always strong on the offensive line and Miles seems poised to be the leader of this season’s unit.
Williams
Isaiah McCambry, senior running back / receiver
Williams running back Isaiah McCambry, left, follows his blockers in a game against Southern Alamance during the 2021 spring season.
Times-News
Abby Gibbs / Times-News correspondent
He’ll miss the start of the season with a broken clavicle, but McCambry returns after leading the Bulldogs on the ground in the spring. A towering athlete with both power and speed, he finished his junior season with 556 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Alijah Richmond, senior running back
An injury hampered Richmond for much of his junior season, limiting him to just 13 carries for 69 yards. As a sophomore, he proved to be a handful for opposing defenses, rushing for 1,145 yards and averaging 104.1 rushing yards a game.
Izayah Ramsey, senior receiver
Ramsey has all the athletic ability and attributes to turn into a top receiving target for the Bulldogs. Williams has struggled in the passing game over the last several years, but there’s no doubt he’s who the Bulldogs want to throw the ball to if they can develop a passing game. He’ll also play an important role in the backend of the Bulldogs defense.
David Kehrli is a sports reporter at the Burlington Times-News and USA Today Network. You can reach him at david.kehrli@thetimesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidKehrliTN. Subscribe to the Burlington Times-News here.
