By Randy Capps
Just past the halfway point of the 2024 season, Princeton was 2-4. A couple of narrow losses to start the season against South Johnston and Harnett Central could have easily gone the other way, so one had the feeling the Bulldogs still had some potential.
What followed was a five-game winning streak that ended in a heartstopping 40-36 loss at Neuse 6 rival Eastern Wayne, wrapping up a topsy-turvy 7-5 season.
Last year’s group was senior-laden, so naturally, the 2025 edition figures to be a bit younger.
“(It’s a) young group that will be led by only four seniors,” Princeton head coach Travis Gaster said. “Seniors Austin Lewallen, Treyson Holloman, Evan Holmes and Corben Woodard all have a large amount of varsity playing experience.”
While it welcomes back only three starters from each side of the football, that doesn’t mean Princeton lacks difference makers.
Sophomore Teo McPhatter is coming off a freshman season in which he rushed for 1,739 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also led the team with three interceptions from his secondary spot.
“(He’s an) explosive and dynamic playmaker in all three phases of the game,” Gaster said.
Lewallen shares the backfield with McPhatter as the “Fred,” and tallied 1,136 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s sort of the thunder to go with McPhatter’s lightning.
“(He’s a) tough and physical runner who has had big strength gains during the offseason,” Gaster said.
The video game numbers from the running game is nothing new at Princeton, but the faces opening the holes on the offensive front will be.
“Our offensive line will be inexperienced and will be forced to grow up in a hurry,” Gaster said. “As usual for Princeton, we will be as good as our line allows us to be.”
Holloman will help in that area as a lead blocker, and Gaster singled out junior Chandler Jackson as a player that has worked hard and seems “poised to have a great year leading the defense.”
Just like everyone else, the Bulldogs get to adjust to a new league this fall, slotting into the Swine Valley 2A/3A with 2A Rosewood, and fellow 3A schools Goldsboro, James Kenan, Midway, Spring Creek and Wallace-Rose Hill.
“As a program, we are looking forward to the challenge of a new season, new schedule and new conference,” Gaster said.
That journey begins at home against Ayden-Grifton on Aug. 22.
