By Bob Suttton
Special to The Alamance News
It didn’t take long for the football team at Southeast Alamance to prove that it could be competitive and a factor in conference standings.
Now entering the third year of the school’s existence, the Stallions move up among some of the bigger schools in the area. With the framework established under coach Tony Aguilar, Southeast seeks to continue the momentum.
“Finally starting to recognize us,” junior tight end/defensive end Drew Easter said. “I think we got a little respect going on. A bunch of new guys coming in, a lot of returning players.”
While still relatively new to the scene, the Stallions are far from unknown. An undefeated 2024 regular season will do that.
When Southeast first took the field, there were barely any seniors on the 2023 roster. That team produced an 8-5 record and advanced to the third round of the Class 2-A state playoffs.
The long-term benefits are clear as numerous key players from two seasons ago are still around. They’re bigger and stronger and more experienced.
“Just to see these guys fill out,” Aguilar said. “It has been kind of cool to see the growth and maturity of guys.”
Bonds have strengthened the past couple of years.
“Whenever the school first opened, no one knew each other, really,” Easter said. “Everyone was trying to build a connection. I feel like after three years, we were able to really build that up and kind of build a culture over here. The guys have been playing with each other for a long time, it feels like.”
Southeast’s student body mainly became a blend of former Eastern Alamance and Southern Alamance students.
“This is the last group that has come from Eastern or Southern,” Aguilar said.
Southeast should no longer look so youthful.
“Threw them in the fire right away and it’s starting to pay off,” Aguilar said.
There’s a good sampling of experience. Josh Gant has been a playmaker on offense and defense. D.J. Callis, now a junior, rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season. Aiden Pak was the team’s second-leading tackler in 2023 and the top tackler last season. He’s still around.
“I’ve seen all these dudes since my sophomore year,” Pak said.
There is a void without linebacker/defensive back Bubba Sims, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year in the Mid-Carolina Conference. A Division I baseball recruit, he opted not to play football as a senior.
Newcomers will find roles. That might involve the quarterback position, where sophomore Tyler Jackson has been competing with Paxton Piccini.
Jackson was the starting quarterback as a freshman for Class 3 state champion Liberty Christian (14-0) in Lynchburg, Virginia. He’s the son of Scott Jackson, a North Carolina assistant baseball coach and former Liberty University baseball coach.
Senior linebacker Treygan Lucas said there’s additional responsibilities for the seniors. Senior lineman Joel Samari said the Stallions know what it takes to excel.
“I want to piggyback off last season,” Samari said.
That would garner even more attention for the Stallions.
“We’re opening people’s eyes. . . definitely more to prove,” Lucas said. “A lot of people trying to keep an eye on us. How good of a team can we be?”
