The East Forsyth varsity football team prepared for the 2024-25 season with a Mini Camp on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Eagle coach Todd Willert was pleased with the turnout at camp and sees great potential for the team, even as the preseason begins.
“We probably had more than 115 kids. We will be bigger than last year. Last season we had about 100 kids on the varsity and JV teams.
“We will keep everyone. I never cut anyone. We have never had such a large freshman class. I think we had 37 freshmen. There is a lot of interest. We are probably much bigger than we were in the past. We have some really big defensive linemen inside. We have three over 6’3” and one over 6’7”, but our center Xavier Crawford (6’0”, 310 pounds) is probably the best of them.
In the skill positions we have quarterback Bryce Baker (already committed to playing for UNC), running backs Jaylin Murry, Cannen Rottweiler and some good freshmen. Our receivers JP Gilchrist and Jaire Richburg are back. We have one of our starting linebackers in Kenyon Smith, who has great size at linebacker (6’0” 215 pounds).
“We have Elijah Edwards back on defense,” Willert said. “I feel very good about the team. A lot will depend on the defense and what they are capable of doing. We have a few returning starters and added two other bigs. Even with the firepower we have in attack, a lot comes down to defense. Our defensive coordinator, Derek Bryant, is doing a great job and is pretty intense.”
East Forsyth had an 11-2 record last season and won the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference. The Eagles won Class 4-A state titles in 1992, 2019 and 2020. Eats Forsyth will officially begin practices on July 31 and begin the season with a home game against Heritage High School (Raleigh) on August 23 at 7 p.m.
