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SouthLake cancels football season; more I-Meck recruits enrolling early



The SouthLake Christian football team went 8-4 in 2019. /Doug Coats

HUNTERSVILLE – SouthLake Christian will not field a football team this year, the first local team to opt out amid the pandemic 2020 season.

The two-time state champion Eagles announced the decision Aug. 19. Cheron Farley’s team was coming off an 8-4 season in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association, losing in the second rebound of the Division III playoffs.

A message on the school’s football Twitter account reads: “While we are disappointed with the decision to suspend our season we thank God for blessing us everyday. Decisions made during this difficult time are done so with the best intentions and meant for the greater good. We will be back next year.”

SouthLake’s other fall sports are still practicing.

With the NCISAA pushing full football practices back to Sept. 11, SouthLake was initially scheduled to kick off Sept. 18 against Covenant Day School. The high school portion of the K-12 private school moved to remote learning Aug. 14 following a positive COVID-19 case but returned to school the following Monday, Aug. 17.

Other local players to sit out

Following two Hough football players earlier this month, Hopewell and North Meck also will be without a Division I commit next season.

Hopewell receiver Julian Gray said he will graduate early and enroll at N.C. State in January. At 5-foot-11, he’s a four-star recruit and former track standout for the Titans.

North Meck defensive lineman Rey’Noi Summersett is opting out his final high school season. The 6-3, 230-pounder will enroll at Akron after an all-conference season for the Vikings.

For now, Hough’s Mario Love Jr. (N.C. State) and Evan Pryor (Ohio State) are the team’s only seniors planning to graduate before the season begins in February.

Pryor named to SI list

The Hough running back was named to Sports Illustrated’s Preseason SI99 list of the top 99 high senior football players in the nation on Aug. 22.

At No. 52, Pryor rushed for 1,130 yards last season, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and also finished second on the team with 646 receiving yards.

He’s one of six players from North Carolin on the list. And Pryor’s future team Ohio State leads all colleges with 10 commits from the list. 

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