Fuquay-Varina football preview — 2010

Fuquay-Varina Bengals

Last year: 11-3 (6-2). Lost to Wake Forest-Rolesville 26-6 in the third round of the 4-AA playoffs.

All-Conference players graduated: LB Isaac Minor (1st team), OL Robert Rhodes (1st team), QB/ATH Nate Budde (1st team)

All-Conference players returning: RB Cory Hunter (Tri-Nine offensive player of the year), OL-DL Shawn Underwood (1st team offense and defense), CB Malcolm Thaxton (2nd team)

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Fuquay-Varina has grown to expect winning. In two years, coach Ryan Habich is 23-5 (82% winning percentage). In the two years before that they were 21-4 (80%).

So for the Bengals, it's not all about how many starters are returning (just eight) or whether or not they were bringing back star players (they are at multiple positions). It's about having guys who are willing to buy into the system and come together every Friday night with the goal dead set on continuing tradition.

And when you've won 44 games in four years, guys want to buy into the system.

Fuquay's system is well-known in the area. Last year they ran for more than 5,000 yards in a triple-option attack. The good news for Fuquay is that they have four capable backs ready to grind it out on the ground — and that starts with Cory Hunter.

Hunter ran for 463 yards in a game against Panther Creek last year — the second-highest single-game total in state history. He ended the year with more than 2,100 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.

Hunter doesn't even have to carry the load necessarily. Senior Malcolm Thaxton ran for more than 400 yards last year — although he's expected to focus on defense as junior Ricky Fergerson and senior Eric Powell added another 300.

"Our wings and the B-backs are all the same," Habich said. "The only difference is a new player taking the snaps who's never taken snaps at the varsity level and an offensive line which is young."

Fuquay did lose its second-leading rusher in quarterback Nate Budde, who totaled 17 touchdowns and 1,300 yards on the ground.

Evan McNeill, a junior, is most likely the new man behind center, but don't expect Budde-like production. Instead, picture the Bengals' offense of 2008, when the quarterback didn't often keep it himself but rather suprised defenses with timely pass plays.

"Our quarterbacks are very similar to Kyle Canfield (Canfield was the pass-first starting QB in 2008) in what they can do and they're accuracy," Habich said.

In a recent scrimmage against Harnett Central, Fuquay threw for three touchdown passes. That's equally as many as they tossed all of last year when Budde, Hunter and wide receiver Travis Long each threw one apiece.

The biggest question mark for Fuquay is the very foundation for its success through the years — the offensive line. Only one starter returns as UNC commit Shawn Underwood, who made first team all-conference on both offense and defense, will play mostly defense this year.

"We take pride in our offensive line and running the football," Habich said. "It takes time. You have three weeks of non-conference to try to get a unit together. But when conference starts, it is a concern if they're not blocking well. No matter how good your running backs are, if you're not blocking, it's going to show. ... We have potential. We've got good size and we've got potential."

The defensive line is also a reason for some anxiety as both defensive ends will need to be replaced and Underwood could miss half the season with a nagging knee injury that was diagnosed this summer. Underwood was flat-out dominant last year with 95 tackles (10th in conference) and 16 tackles for loss (tied for first in conference with Raphael Bernard of Cary).

When Underwood does return to the lineup, he'll be next to one of the conference's most underrated players in Ethan Ricci. Even opposing coaches took notice of Ricci's play last year, which was limited by injury to 36 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Zach Touisgnant also saw some reps on the defensive line in 2009.

"Especially with Shawn Underwood not playing early on ... it's really going to be by committee," Habich said. "And hopefully that creates depth for us later in the year."

At linebacker, Fuquay will miss one of its best football players in recent memory. Isaac Minor was no bigger than 5-foot-8 but made more than 275 tackles over the past two seasons (about 125 last year and 150 the year before), but he was a terror. Truth be told, if he played the same way and was 6-foot, he'd be playing in whatever conference he wanted to.

But luckily for Fuquay, linebacker seems to be solid enough. Dylan Montgomery (28 tackles) returns but will miss some time with a broken collarbone. Powell (35 tackles .. he also kicks for Fuquay — he literally does it all) and Justin Vaughan (71 tackles, seven tackles for loss) will hold down the fort at the other two positions.

"But I don't think one player can replace Isaac Minor, but we've got a lot of players stepping up and I think we can replace him as a team," Habich said.

In the secondary, senior Malcolm Thaxton was a lock-down corner despite failing to intercept any passes. Senior Terrance Tart, junior Kahil Perine and Fergerson will also contribute to the defensive backfield, and don't be surprised if you see Hunter back there.

"He'll play in crucial situations," Habich said.

Habich raved about Hunter's potential as a safety, adding that several colleges are interested in him playing that position at the next level.

Fuquay's special teams were underrated last year. Some of that comes with its unique style of doing high, short kickoffs. Those kickoffs allowed the team to force multiple turnovers on Pinecrest in the state playoffs. Thaxton and Fergerson are threats on punt and kickoff returns.

It's hard to gauge exactly where Fuquay will wind up. Habich said approximately 85 percent of his team will be moving up from JV or experiencing their first varsity starts.

If injuries hit the way they did last year, this team might not have the depth and talent to fight back to its fifth consecutive 10-win season. But if things come together, particularly on the lines, Fuquay will — once again — contend for the conference title.

Fuquay-Varina's schedule: