By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS  — A.L. Brown is one of the few places where “only” 110 football candidates reporting for duty was a mild cause for concern.

“I know that’s still pretty good numbers,” head coach Mike Newsome said. “But we’re down about 15 from where we usually are. We’re not as deep as we’d like to be in some places, so we’ve got to keep our guys healthy. Keeping guys healthy will be the key to our season.”

Time flies, and Newsome is now in his eighth year at A.L. Brown. The first seven teams he directed went a combined 64-27, a fine record that probably would have triggered parades and parties just about anywhere except Kannapolis, where expectations always are through the roof.

Newsome’s strongest season with the Wonders was his first — 12-2.  Next came 10-4. After struggles to 7-5 and 6-6, the Wonders have bounced back for 10-3, 9-4 and  10-3 marks the past three seasons.

But pessimists will point out that the Wonders haven’t gotten past the third round of the playoffs during Newsome’s tenure and haven’t gotten past the second round in the last five seasons. The Wonders are 7-7 in playoff games under Newsome.

Newsome, who won 4AA state titles at Butler, is eager to change that. He’s not a 7-7 sort of guy.

For four of Newsome’s seasons, the Wonders were stuck in a 4A league, butting heads with some of the state’s giants. Conference championships and long playoff runs probably weren’t realistic goals.

Many expected the Wonders to dominate on their return to the 3A ranks in 2017, but that didn’t happen. They were good — they’re always good — but they had to fight for almost every win in the South Piedmont Conference and even dropped a shootout with league rival Robinson. There also was a non-conference loss early to Marvin Ridge. The season’s third loss came when the Wonders were emphatically ousted, 41-21, in the second round of the 3AA playoffs by North Piedmont champ South Iredell.

MaxPreps ranked the Wonders 70th in the state overall and 25th in 3A at the end of the season. Those modest numbers were probably about right. The Wonders had hoped for more.

The schedule for 2018 is the same as it 2017— with the home fields reversed. That may mean 10-3 again, although the Wonders could beat 10-3, if they stay healthy.

They didn’t find out a lot in the season opener, demolishing Hopewell, 54-0, in a game that got out of hand in the second quarter and was 44-0 by halftime. But they’ll find out where they stand in Week 2 when they travel to Waxhaw to take on Marvin Ridge.

“Our schedule, we think it’s pretty good,” Newsome said. “We don’t play any unbeatable teams, but we do play a lot of teams that we are going to have to work extremely hard to beat. Marvin Ridge knocked us off last year, so that’s a game we’ve got starred on the calendar. Our conference is a very well-coached conference, and  I believe it will be a very tough conference. Concord is Concord, and you know Coach (Marty) Paxton will have them playing well by the time they play us. Northwest Cabarrus is trending up. Cox Mill is trending up. Coach (Kenneth) McClamrock is doing a great job at Central Cabarrus, and they’re going to be very good. Robinson beat us last year.  There won’t be any easy league games.”

The Wonders allowed 19.1 points per game last season, a number that was inflated during the playoffs when they surrendered 75 points in two games.

Newsome points out that the Wonders had two key defenders out for the entire season, while another missed more than half of the games.

Linebackers B.J. Foster and Antonio Kennedy have returned to action, along with cornerback Jaren Lipscomb (whose season was shortened by a knee injury).

“Those two linebackers probably would’ve been starters last year, so that was a tough blow when we lost them,” Newsome said. “Lipscomb is (defensive coordinator) Barry Lipscomb’s son, and coach’s sons really have an understanding of the game. It really does help when you get guys like that back. ”

The anchor for the defense is going to be linebacker Justin Holsclaw, who had incredible stats. He’ll probably lead the team in tackles again.

Jnaz Jordan is a bulldog in the secondary. Defensive ends Darion Lott and Alante Johson could be standouts. There’s hope that Jatarius Mason will be a great tackle.

Offensively, the Wonders are in good shape, especially in what could be a stellar backfield.

There are two very large, experienced running backs on hand in Jaron Cooper and Terry Anderson, plus a quick, lively slot in Nick Lyerly. Those guys have made quite a few trips to the end zone, and there’s impressive sophomore talent coming up behind them. Newsome compares sophomore Tyreik Harris to former phenom Kalif Phillips, and that’s high praise indeed.

The running game should be hard to stop. Logically, that will open things up for the passing game.

“Cooper and Anderson, when you put those two guys together, that’s going to be like having a 1,500-yard running back,” Newsome said. “We’re blessed with really good backs. So many that it’s going to be hard to get everyone as many touches as they’d like.”

Dual-threat senior QB Jordan Medley is back to run the show.

It’s a big advantage, having that experienced quarterback,” Newsome said.

Antonio Knight is the top returning receiver.  Jose Vargas is talented and will provides a large target for Medley, while Nico Harris has excellent hands.

As far as the offensive line, three guys who have started games return. Both tackles will be new, but this unit probably will consist of five seniors. All have paid some dues.

“It’s not going to be a big offensive line, but they are guys who have been waiting their turn for a while,” Newsome said. “They’re hungry to prove themselves. They are guys who will get after it until the whistle blows.”

The Wonders lost kicker/punter Brian Gutierrez, who produced six field goals in 2017. His brother, Alexis, is one of the candidates to replace him.

Barry Lipscomb returns to coordinate the defense, while Barry Merritt will again serve as the offensive coordinator. Newsome gives QBs coach Caleb Hughes  a lot of the credit for Medley’s rapid development. There’s a new defensive line coach — Cameron Mellon, who was on the staff at Mooresville last season.

Wonders to  Watch:

Jordan Medley — Senior QB (6-2, 200) is a Division I athlete. Medley threw for 2,238 yards and 18 TDs as a junior, while rushing for 664 yards and six TDs. He completed 60 percent of his passes. “We didn’t think when he was younger that he would be our quarterback when he was a junior and senior, but then injuries (to Cordarius Butler) forced our hand,” Newsome said. “He’s improved a lot, and he’s improved more in the last year than any quarterback who has ever played for me.” Medley may end up as a safety in college, but he’s also made enough strides that he could stay at QB. “It all depends on where he goes,” Newsome said. “If he goes to one of elite football schools, maybe he’ll change positions, but there are a lot of schools that are recruiting him where he’d have a good chance to be their quarterback.”

Jaron Cooper — Senior running back (6-0, 230) pounded for 877 rushing yards a year ago, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He punched for 171 yards in the Wonders’ two playoff games.

Nick Lyerly — Senior slot back (5-9, 170) rushed  81 times for 493 yards and six TDs and also is a pass-catching threat.

Terry Anderson — Senior running back (6-0, 210) missed the first four games last season, but still accounted for 507 rushing yards and five TDs. He rushed for 116 yards on only nine carries in the win over Cox Mill.

Antonio Knight — Senior receiver (6-2, 180) is a big-play guy. He had a 90-yard punt return touchdown against Carson, made five TD catches, and also was credited with a rushing TD.

Jnaz Jordan — Senior cornerback (5-8, 145)  made two interceptions and is an excellent cover guy. “He’s a special player,” Newsome said.

Justin Holsclaw — Senior middle linebacker (6-1, 200) had four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also had 24 tackles for loss, including eight sacks. He averaged almost 10 tackles per game. “He had all kinds of stats last year, and he’ll be a leader on our defense,” Newsome said.

Jaren Lipscomb — Junior cornerback (5-10, 160) is healthy after missing most of last season. He’s a difference-maker.