West Lincoln will have a new coach at the reigns as Charlie Jackson makes his first official regular season debut Friday night. The Bears will welcome the Mount Olive Pirates to Perry Miller Field in their home opener.

The Bears will have to rely on their returning starters to guide West Lincoln to a successful season.

The returning starters are Jayden Rushing (5-10, 170, sr.), Nicholas Burns (5-10, 240, sr.), Aaron Byrd (6-3, 190, jr.), Charles Wayne Smith (5-9, 180, sr.), Alex Wilson (6-3, 260, sr.), Dillon Griffin, (5-11, 160, sr.), Lofton Sills (6-5, 180, sr.), Matthew Allred (5-10, 150, sr.), Julian Anderson (5-8, 160, soph.), Nathaniel Addison (5-10, 150, jr.) and Liam Rutland (5-10, 160, sr.).

My prediction for this year:  Mount Olive’s speed will give the Pirates a 28-14 edge over West Lincoln.