Sun Valley SpartansSun Valley (8-4, 1-3)
The Spartans started the 2023 season with a seven-game winning streak and the best start in school history and into the 2nd round of the state 4A playoffs. The Spartan offense will need to replace 2023’s starting QB (Brady Turriff) & leading receiver (Braylon Martin). Junior RB Zach Cullen and senior RB DeBrian Coffey return after combining for 1200 rushing yards in 2023. With the graduation of Turriff junior QB Noah Lineberry will be taking the snaps in 2024. Lineberry completed just 19-of-28 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns against one interception in limited action as a sophomore. Wide receivers Jaiden Morrow-Jones, Andrew Doody and Wyatt Lineberry will also be making a return for the Spartans. Jones finished the year with 43 receptions,608 yards and six touchdowns in 2023.
Defensively the Spartans will be led by Andrew Doody, Zach Cullen, and Brandon Creech all make their return. Creech, a junior, finished third in total tackles for Union County last season with 137. In the Sun Valley defensive backfield, the Spartan’s have a ton of experience with the return of seniors Amare Thomas, Jamari Nicholson, Jaylen Flowe and Rowan McQueen are also making their return for the Coach Smith Sun Valley. The Spartans will open the 2023 season on the road at Central Cabarrus on Aug. 23rd.