By Randy Capps
When the dust settled on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s new eight-classification realignment plan in the spring, North Johnston found itself in a strange new world.
The Three Rivers 4A is the new home for the Panthers, as they’ll join Eastern Wayne, North Lenoir, North Pitt, SouthWest Edgecombe, Washington and West Craven in a league that covers a pretty wide portion of this part of the state.
This means that only Eastern Wayne is a familiar conference foe, and the annual rivalry game with Princeton, which has been a season-ending staple in recent years, will happen instead on Sept. 12.
If these changes weren’t enough, second-year coach Kyle Schenk welcomes back just four starters from last season’s 6-5 playoff squad.
The cupboard isn’t bare, though. Senior quarterback Kaleb Pone returns after posting some impressive numbers. He threw for 1,410 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 55 percent of his throws and added 1,277 yards and 13 more scores on the ground — despite missing a game against Eastern Wayne.
“He had a good junior year in a new offense and we hope to be more efficient and effective,” Schenk said.
Senior tight end/defensive end Eli Williard led the team in catches (28) and was second in receiving yards (322) and touchdowns (3) — in addition to finishing second on the team in tackles with 75 (4.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss).
The defense also returns senior Charlie Barnes (45 tackles, 2 INT) and Ty Hicks (26 tackles, INT).
“(Williard is) very valuable on both sides of the ball,” Schenk said. (Charlie Barnes) is the quarterback of our defense, and (Hicks) had a great season on defense. We are expecting more (from him) on offense this year, too.”
Schenk also praised senior Gavin Mielcerak for his leadership on the offensive line — a trait that’s magnified in importance when there are a lot of younger players on the field.
The Panthers will kick off the 2025 season against former conference foe Beddingfield at home on Aug. 22.
