2014: 10-3 overall, 5-0 2A Central Carolina Conference (10-0 last two seasons), seeded 5th for 2A playoffs, lost 42-14 second round to Mount Pleasant
Coach: Ben Hampton, 1st year as head coach, standout running back at West Rowan, played collegiately at Coastal Carolina,  and has been an assistant coach at Carson and North Rowan.
Starters returning: 2 on offense, 7 on defense
Schedule: West Stokes, 2011 2AA state champ, and South Iredell, 2012 2AA state champ, have replaced Forest Hills and Providence Grove, so it’s gotten even tougher. North also plays 3As East Rowan, Carson, Statesville and 4A Davie outside the CCC.
‘We’ll be well-prepared for our conference,” Hampton said.
Players to watch:
• Defensive end Zion DeBose — The explosive junior wowed college coaches at summer camps and is fielding Division I offers. He was credited with seven sacks as a sophomore and should be one of the candidates for county and conference defensive player of the year honors.
• Defensive end Jake Pritchard — A senior, he had nine sacks last season.
“DeBose and Pritchard have non-stop motors and they’re very strong,” Hampton said.
• Nose Steven Thurston — The stocky junior was in on 50 tackles last season.
“He’ll command double teams and free up our playmakers,” Hampton said.
• Linebacker Javin Goodine — Son of former Catawba star and North Rowan assistant Rodney Goodine, he’ll play across from veteran Omar Lipscomb in North’s 4-2-5 alignmet and could have a big season. He had 30 solo stops as a sophomore.
• Center Taelor Davis — He and tackle Robbie Monroe are the only returning starters on offense, so they have to provide stability until the young skill guys settle in.
• Kicker Jacob Young — He was an asset as a freshman (33 PATs) and will handle kicking and punting duties.

N. Rowan schedule

Aug. 21 …………………………………at East Rowan

Aug. 28 …………………………………Carson

Sept. 4 ………………………………….at Statesville

Sept. 11 ………………………………….Davie County

Sept. 18 ………………………………….South Iredell

Sept. 25 …………………………………..at West Stokes

Oct. 2………………………………………..Lexington

Oct. 9 ……………………………………….Open

Oct. 16 ………………………………..at West Davidson

Oct. 23 ……………………………….East Davidson

Oct. 30 …………………………………..at Thomasville

Nov. 6 ……………………………………..Salisbury