The 2024-25 football season is just 20 days away from it’s first official practice on July 31.
The 2024 NCHSAA football season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 23, with all 10 of Cumberland County’s public high school teams in action.
Seventy-First will kick off its season at home against Richmond Senior to begin defense of last year’s 3A East championship, and Pine Forest will host Cape Fear for a highly-anticipated match on opening night.
The Fayetteville Observer took a look at the top 20 offensive players in the area, 20 days before the season begins.
Here are the top offensive players to watch on the field this season.
Javonte Brooks, WR, Jack Britt
Brooks landed on the all-conference honorable mentions list in the United 8 after leading the Bucs in receiving touchdowns with four in his sophomore season.
Tyriq Clarida, QB, South View
The first-team United 8 quarterback threw 15 touchdowns last season and put up 1,754 total yards in his junior year.
Ziare Ealy, OL, Seventy-First
Ealy found himself on the United 8 second team after a successful season as an important piece on the Falcons’ line.
King Faison, RB, Cape Fear
The junior back rushed for a team-high eight touchdowns and averaged 49.8 rushing yards per game for the Colts.
Anthony Farrior, WR, Seventy-First
The South View transfer was an United 8 honorable mention in last year’s campaign, ranking third in the league with 491 receiving yards on 26 catches.
Jayson Franklin, RB, Seventy-First
Franklin was a key component to the Falcons’ success last season. As a sophomore, Franklin found himself on second team United 8 and rushed for 1,460 yards with 16 touchdowns. He holds several DI offers from UConn, Harvard, Memphis, Ole Miss, South Carolina and more.
Donavan Frederick, RB/FB, Seventy-First
The reigning United 8 Defensive Player of the Year made his mark on the offensive side as well. Frederick accounted for 1,634 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior year.
Jamari Jones, RB, Pine Forest
As a junior, Jones led the Trojans in rushing yards last season with 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Donovan Johnson, OL, Pine Forest
As a sophomore, Johnson was selected to the first team in the All American conference. The 6-4 blocker has four DI offers, including Duke and Wake Forest.
Gaven Kraut, WR, Terry Sanford
Kraut made his mark last season in the Bulldogs’ depth chart as an AAC first-teamer with 128 yards on just seven catches.
Donta’ Marshmon, OL, Trinity Christian
The 6-6, 320-pound South View transfer found himself on the United 8 honorable mentions list as a junior. He has given a verbal commitment to Army.
Zymeir McPhaul, OL, Seventy-First
McPhaul capped off his junior season last year with a United 8 first-team selection as a two-year starter.
DeAndre Nance, QB, Seventy-First
The reigning United 8 Offensive Player of the Year was unstoppable last season and put the country on notice with his talent. Nance put up 38 total touchdowns and racked up 3,330 total yards in leading the Falcons to a state championship appearance. His 242 points ranked fourth in the state among all classifications and he swept the Best of 910Preps fan’s choice and staff Athlete of the Year awards.
Elijiah Oehkle, QB, Trinity Christian
As a junior, Oehkle put up 1,715 total yards and threw 26 touchdowns in leading the Crusaders to a state championship appearance. He has committed to Wake Forest.
Latravis Rickenbacker, OL, Pine Forest
After a strong junior campaign, the 300-pounder was listed as second-team All-AAC.
Geronimo Sanchez, QB, Cape Fear
Sanchez came in as a starter just halfway through the season and solidified his place behind center. In his sophomore year, Sanchez threw for 14 touchdowns and 1,157 yards.
Karlfonza Smith, WR, Trinity Christian
Smith caught nine touchdown passes in his junior campaign and he had 615 total receiving yards.
Xayden Watson, ATH, Trinity Christian
Watson, the do-everything athlete, was essential for the Crusaders. He accounted for 448 total yards in his junior year.
Brock West, OL, Terry Sanford
The 6-4 lineman was an honorable mention on the AAC All-Conference list.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville high school football players to watch on offense in 2024
The Fayetteville Observer
