The Skyliner

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Sports

Paul Conner
Staff Writer


Head Football Coach Mike Taylor and Athletic Director Jan McDonald released the 2008 football schedule and announced the addition of ten new signees to next year's recruiting class.

Overall, North Greenville will compete against three teams from NCAA Division I, two from NCAA Division II and two from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

"It's certainly a tough schedule," Taylor said. "Every game will be important for us."

The Crusaders will open their fall campaign in Lynchburg, Va., playing Liberty on Aug. 30.

The following week, the team will play its home opener against Wingate at 7 p.m. at Younts Stadium. Then, they will travel to Newberry to try to avenge last year's 39-20 loss to the Indians. Next year's rivalry game against Charleston Southern will be Sept. 27 in Charleston.

The Crusaders will play Wingate, Kentucky Wesleyan, North Alabama and Edward Waters at home and will face Liberty, Newberry, Charleston Southern, Presbyterian, Shorter and UNC-Pembroke on the road.

"Our home schedule is very attractive," Taylor said. "North Alabama could be ranked in the top five in the country when they come to play us, so they might be the best football team that's ever come to Tigerville to play."

North Greenville's new signees included three players from South Carolina, three from Florida, two from Georgia and one from North Carolina. They will try to help the Crusaders improve on this year's 5-6 record.

The incoming class includes All-Area Offensive Lineman Cody O'Brien, out of Westside High School in Anderson, and Chad Hampstead, a quarterback out of Lafayette High School, Mayo, Fla.

The groups also included John Paquette, a 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound tight end from Weddington High School in North Carolina, and Sean Wright, a 6-foor-4-inch wide receiver who was also on the track team at Mauldin High School.

The team has been participating in spring practice for almost two weeks, and Taylor is pleased with what he has seen.

"Everybody has had a great attitude," Taylor said. "The players have been doing what we ask. We've been lifting weights at 6:30 in the morning and then practicing in the afternoon, so it's been a very positive experience."

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