By Randy Capps
The last time South Johnston had an opening for its head football coaching job five years ago, it hired a coordinator with strong ties to the community in Lee Webb.
The result was a 32-23 record and, more importantly, a revitalization of the program’s culture and bond with the towns that feed it.
Recently, Webb accepted a promotion to assistant principal at the school, opening the door for athletic director Ashley Ennis to hire Jacob Cuddington to fill the role.
Cuddington is a Campbell graduate who worked his way from being a walk-on to becoming an all-Big South selection on the Camels offensive line. He also coached at his alma mater for four years before spending the last two as South Johnston’s offensive coordinator.
He’s also a North Johnston graduate, who played for Ennis, so he understands the culture.
He also understands that he’s got a bit of retooling to do to remake last season’s roster, which helped the Trojans finish 8-4 and reach the second round of the 6A playoffs.
Eleven starters return from that squad, including six from a defense that allowed just 11.8 points per game.
Seniors Iymanuel Johnson and Isaac Barefoot tied for second on the team with 67 tackles last fall. Johnson added 22 tackles for loss and four sacks, while Barefoot added four interceptions.
Another senior, Kentrell Forsythe added 53 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
“He’s a leader on both sides of the ball,” Cuddington said.
The offense will have to replace 2,052 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns produced by Holt Langston and Mason Weaver, but expects to have two-year starter Tyler Williams (960 passing yards, nine touchdowns) behind center at quarterback.
Forsythe (25 receptions, 294 yards, two TD) and Cayden Odle (20 receptions, 308 yards, five TD) were the team’s leading receivers last fall, so there’s some continuity there as well.
“We’re just looking to hit the weight room hard and build up their bodies,” Cuddington told the Dunn Daily Record. “That’s our main focus right now.”
The Trojans tied for second place in the Carolina Pines 6A last fall, and they’ll begin the 2026 campaign at home on Aug. 21 against county rival Smithfield-Selma.
