Week one of the high school football season kicks off tonight and Port City Daily will have coverage from across the area as local teams look to get in the win column to start the 2016 schedule.
Games will get underway at 7 p.m. this fall, bumping the start time up one half-hour from the traditional 7:30 p.m. in previous years. The decision to make the change occurred during summer meetings.
Each week, click on the sports tab to view the Friday night schedule, along with key players to watch.
To begin the year, Port City Daily will make three stops as Hannah Leyva (@Hannah_PCD) goes to Legion Stadium for the New Hanover versus Hoke County matchup. Joe Cats (@JoeCats19) travels to Buctown to catch the Laney/Wallace-Rose Hill contest. Michael Kane (@MichaelKanePCD) will also head over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to follow the North Brunswick and Whiteville contest in Leland.
Week one schedule
New Hanover vs. Hoke County
Player to watch: Jahann Simmons, senior, outside linebacker: Simmons is making a huge transition from wide receiver to outside linebacker and looks to make an impact for New Hanover on defense this season. He joins a Wildcats’ defense unit that allowed just 13 points per game over their final 11 appearances, going 10-1 in that span and hosting its first 4A East Regional since 1991.
Player to Watch: @NHHSFootball16 senior Jahann Simmons, OLB! Wildcats vs Hoke County 7p at Legion #fridaynightlights pic.twitter.com/9qt8qniuLG
— Joe Catenacci (@JoeCats19) August 18, 2016
Hoggard at Holly Springs
Player to watch: Keon Bradley, senior, defensive back: Bradley is also making a transition from offense to defense as the senior will play i a key role in the Vikings’ secondary. He has the ability to play on ball sides of the ball after getting touches at wide receiver and in the return game on special teams as a junior.
Player to Watch: @JTH_Vikings senior DB Keon Bradley! Hoggard at Holly Springs 7p #fridaynightlights pic.twitter.com/NF076goENI
— Joe Catenacci (@JoeCats19) August 18, 2016
Laney vs. Wallace-Rose Hill
Player to watch: Eli Boone, senior, defensive back: Boone is back after recording two interceptions and 57 tackles as a junior. He will be a key asset in the Laney secondary from week-to-week and worked hard this off season to put the Bucs in position for a successful season.
North Brunswick vs Whiteville
Ashley at White Oak
South Brunswick vs. West Columbus
West Brunswick vs. Socastee
Topsail vs. Trask
