For better or worse, Christ School football has one year left in the current version of the Big South Conference.
Might as well stir things up a little on the way out.
The Greenies kick off their 2022 varsity season Friday at 7 p.m. with a golden opportunity to make a statement in the Big South as they host Charlotte Latin. A livestream from Fayssoux Field can be viewed at this link.
"We're really excited about the opportunity, opening up at home with a big conference game against an opponent like Latin. It's everything you could ask for," Head Coach Chad Walker said.
"Our preseason camp has been excellent. The guys came in, did everything we asked as coaches and got better every day. The most important thing is the energy and effort were there."
Blame COVID-19 for a lot of things, including the fact that Christ School and Latin did not play in 2020, which was supposed to be a home game for the Greenies.
That means that back-to-back disappointments at Latin (a 24-14 loss in 2021 and a 25-7 defeat in 2019) will be fresh on the minds of all Greenie veteran players Friday.
Christ School welcomes back 13 returning starters (eight on defense, five on offense).
Linebacker/athlete Cayden Jones ’24 was an NCISAA all-state selection last year and has been ranked as one of the country’s top-75 juniors by ESPN. Wide receiver/defensive back Quinton Cancel ’23 is one of 12 seniors for Christ School and was an honorable mention all-state pick in 2021.
Wide receiver/defensive back Zack Myers ’23 committed to N.C. State University on June 24 – a commitment ceremony for the four-star recruit in front of Pingree Auditorium was attended by teammates who were in town for a short summer camp.
Tight end/outside linebacker Josh Harrison ’24 went from a novice at football to one of the Greenies’ most promising young players at the end of last season, earning him the John H. Orr, Jr. ’60 Most Improved Award.
A knee injury robbed Tray Mauney ’23 of his junior season, but he is penciled in as starting quarterback for Friday. Cooper Perone ’24 should be a bigger part of the offense this fall and contribute at linebacker. Ashton Parker ’24 and Khalil Conley ’24 will also be expected to contribute heavily on offense and defense.
Dylan Lindsey ’23 is one of the team’s top returning linemen. Eythan Serrano ’25 was rated as one of the best 2025 defensive ends in the state of Texas before deciding to transfer to Christ School.
Matthew Hammel ’23 has proven himself to be a steady kicker and was just about automatic when it came to extra-point attempts as a junior.
The Greenies had a 4-5 record last season and the game at Latin was an emotional one.
The score was 14-7 when former quarterback A.J. Simpkins ’22 suffered a hard hit just before halftime. A.J. was unable to re-enter the game and the Hawks pulled away behind the rushing and passing of Justin Wheeler.
Wheeler went on to throw for 2,400 yards last season but has since transferred to Mallard Creek High School.
Friday is the first of five regular-season home games for Christ School football – the others are Sept. 2 vs. Carrollwood Day (Fla.), Sept. 9 vs. Legion Collegiate (S.C.), Oct. 14 vs. Charlotte Country Day, and Oct. 29 vs. Asheville School.