New faces, new conferences, same goal: Local coaches gearing up teams

Before most of us had our morning coffee, local high school football teams are grinding under the rising sun. As the summer heat intensifies, early morning practices and late afternoon practices are becoming a new normal. At Southern Wayne High School and North Dublin High School, the whistle blows promptly at 8:00 a.m. signaling more than just the start of practice. Meanwhile, other schools like Spring Creek High and James Kenan High take the field later with their practices kicking off around 5:00 p.m. when the day begins to cool but the work remains just as intense. With new coaches in place, these teams are on a mission to rebuild their identity and raise the bar for the season ahead.

Southern Wayne

Leading this new era is Coach Stephan Allard, who is stepping into his first year as head coach of the Southern Wayne Saints. As a seasoned and experienced leader, Coach Allard brings knowledge from his time with other successful programs. In a recent interview, he emphasized his forward-looking vision, stating that his focus is on the future of the Saints rather than dwelling on the past. His coaching philosophy is straightforward “Stay competitive even at practice and keep that grit knowing that you can accomplish something.”

This season, the Saints will face a new challenge as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has realigned its conferences. Southern Wayne will now compete in the newly formed Big East 5A/6A Conference which includes teams like C.B. Aycock, Fike, Hunt, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount, and Southern Nash. Coach Allard’s message to the Saints’ fans is clear “trust the process, regardless of the ups and downs”.

The Southern Wayne Saints will kick off their season at home on August 22nd, taking on non-conference opponent James Kenan High School. Expectations are high and with new leadership at the helm, the Saints are ready to turn the page and begin an exciting new chapter.

North Duplin

At the helm is Head Coach Hugh Martin, a long-standing and respected figure in the North Duplin community. With years of experience and commitment to the program, Coach Martin leads with a philosophy of respect, hard work, and a love for the game. His goal is not only to build a competitive team but also to prepare his players for future success on the field and in life. Last season’s undefeated 9-0 regular season record and playoff berth are a testament to the program’s strength and potential under his leadership.

Looking ahead, the Rebels are entering the newly realigned Carolina 1A/2A Conference, where they’ll compete against teams like East Columbus, East Bladen, Hobbton, Lakewood, Union, and West Columbus. The expanded competition brings some fresh challenges but the team remains confident and motivated. As they prepare for their season opener on August 22nd against non-conference opponent Southside, the message to Rebel fans is clear: “Your support is invaluable”. With hard work and determination, the Rebels are ready to uphold the proud North Duplin tradition.

Spring Creek

Spring Creek High School is looking for a resurgence as new coach Craig Smith takes the mantle as head coach. Coach Smith brings extensive coaching experience, having led teams at other schools before arriving at Spring Creek. His expectation for the program is to improve day by day. With such a young core, he sees this as the perfect opportunity to teach foundational skills early and watch the players develop year after year. His coaching philosophy is simple yet powerful “To be honest with players. Encourage them if they are doing well and teach them if they are struggling with something.”

This season also brings new challenges as the Gators enter the Swine Valley 2A/3A Conference, where they will face teams such as James Kenan, Wallace-Rose Hill, Midway, Princeton, Rosewood, and Goldsboro. Coach Smith’s approach is to take it one game at a time, focusing on steady progress rather than rushing results. He believes that building a winning culture starts with winning the community and county first.

For Gator fans, Coach Smith’s message is to “Keep encouraging the players and join the fanbase because it will only get better from here.” Spring Creek will kick off its season with an away game against non-conference opponent Union on August 22nd. With confidence in their abilities and a shared belief in the program’s future, the Gators are prepared to give their all and fight for success throughout the season.

James Kenan

Coach Tim Grady leads the James Kenan High School Tigers and is a well-known figure in the Warsaw Community. Having been part of the area for many years, he even played for James Kenan in the late 1990s. His expectations for the team this year are high, and his coaching philosophy is clear: “Get at it early, don’t wait until it’s game time to show better effort; let’s show it at practice.” Coach Grady and his staff believe this could be one of the team’s best years, thanks to strong leadership, discipline, and dedication among the players. Under his leadership, the Tigers had a successful season last year, finishing 8-1 in the regular season and earning a playoff berth before falling short in the fourth round.

Building on last year’s success, the Tigers now enter a new conference that includes Wallace-Rose Hill, Midway, Princeton, Rosewood, Goldsboro, and Spring Creek. The shift to the Swine Valley 2A/3A Conference will increase the level of competition, but Coach Grady and his team are ready for the challenge and prepared to compete with anyone. The season opener is set for August 22nd, when the Tigers will face non-conference opponent Southern Wayne on the road. Coach Grady expressed his gratitude to the community, saying, “Thanks so much to the community for believing in and supporting this program. I take this job seriously, and I thank God every day that I have the honor of serving this community and this team.”