Newton-Conover football back with some questions

A team to watch in Catawba County is Newton-Conover. But there are some questions.

Newton-Conover returns 16 lettermen and eight starters from a 14-2 team that reached the N.C. 2AA state finals last season.

Coach Nick Bazzle’s team returns three of its top four rushers, but loses 23 seniors.

All-conference running back Octavious Harden (5-foot-8, 160) returns after rushing for 1,622 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Fullback Jamal Coates (5-10, 200) returns after rushing for 1,077 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Michael Comer (6-3, 285) anchors the offensive line.

The guess here, is even with losing seven starters on both sides of the ball, the Red Devils reload and play well into November. Again.