MURFREESBORO – When Paul Johnson took over as Chowan’s football coach in 2023, he stepped into a program in total transition.
The Hawks were coming off their best season in more than a decade, claiming the CIAA’s North Division championship on the heels of being ranked in the Division II Top 25 for the first time.
But then coach Mark Hall left to take the UNC Pembroke job. Then more than 20 Chowan players followed him to Pembroke. Then the school began its planned shift out of the CIAA – where it had been a football-only member since 2008 – and into the ultra-competitive Gulf South Conference for a temporary two-year stint.
As expected, Chowan football took a major dip in the win-loss column as Johnson settled into the job. The Hawks proved competitive in several outings but failed to pick up a ‘W’ in 2023.
But things finally started turning upward last fall. The Hawks snapped their losing streak on Sept. 28 against visiting Mississippi College, 27-25. Two weeks later, they knocked off Shorter University 31-27. A third victory followed Nov. 9 over Erskine (21-3). If ever a 3-8 record felt good, this was it. The snowball was starting to turn over.
“It was a great building season for us,” Johnson said. “We made some improvements, there were some staff changes and we finally got some games under our belts.”
Year three of the Johnson regime, which will bring another conference transition, could be the breakthrough. Chowan will enter Conference Carolinas, its football home for the foreseeable future, as one of the more experienced teams. And they won’t spend nearly as much time on a bus for road games.
“We are really excited about what we’re bringing back,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a chance to put it together and keep taking steps forward. I’m bringing the entire staff back, which is great. We’re working hard in the weight room.
Chowan will return much of its offensive line from a year ago, plus key pieces at skill positions.
Knowledge Broadie (Dudley | Southern Wayne HS) plays left tackle and started every game in 2024. Center Michael Chambers from Silver Spring, Md., a transfer from Frostburg State, will be back for another run to help lead the charge on the line.
“We’re pretty good up front,” Johnson said. “They’re all back for year two, so that is nice.”
Jakobe Lane (Haines City, Fla.) earned first-team all-Gulf South Conference at wide receiver, one of three all-league picks (LB Kennypride Toh and TE Gabrial Jackson were recognized as second team). Lane’s accomplishment was notable considering the league features powerhouse schools like Valdosta State (D2 runner-up in 2024), West Alabama (playoffs) and Delta State.
Lane finished second in the league in receiving, making 64 catches for 755 yards and four touchdowns. He hauled in 11 catches for 115 yards and two scores against Shorter. He also rushed for 54 times for 185 yards on the season.
Chowan had a do-everything quarterback in 2022 and 2023 in Rashad McKee (3,123 yards passing, 642 rushing, 28 total touchdowns over two seasons).
Maurice Smith from Ft. Pierce, Fla. took the reins last season and settled into signal calling duties nicely over the course of the autumn.
The dual-threat standout often led the Hawks through the air and on the ground. He finished with 1,374 yards passing and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for a team-high 397 yards and five scores. Smith galloped for 136 yards and a TD early in the season against Barton. His top passing game came in the finale at North Greenville, a 316-yard, two-touchdown performance.
While yearly quarterback shuffles have become commonplace in college football, Chowan will have the luxury of having Smith back for another year as a grad student.
“He’s a mobile quarterback, he can throw, he’s very intelligent,” Johnson said. “The best thing about him is his leadership, his character, who he is as a person. He’s just a great leader for us. You feel like you are leaps and bounds ahead when you have your quarterback coming back.”
Chowan’s conference move this fall has been in the works for several years. The Hawks’ football program will join the rest of the school’s sports teams in Conference Carolinas. Barton and UNC Pembroke will become conference foes on the gridiron along with Erskine, North Greenville, Shorter and Ferrum.
The Hawks should be competitive in this league, having beaten two of the teams last season and pushing two others (Barton and North Greenville) to the final whistle before losing by four points in each.
While there still will be some road trips associated with conference play (and non-conference action), it won’t be nearly as grueling as the GSC bus-trip grind to Alabama, Mississippi or Florida.
“That took a toll,” Johnson said. “West Alabama is like 13 hours away. Mississippi College last year was 16 and West Florida 14. North Greenville was only about six hours and that was like, ‘Oh this is nice.’
“I’m really excited about the fact that there is a possibility of day trips. Barton is just an hour down the road, right? And UNC Pembroke is three hours. That is going to be a huge change for us.”
Neither Conference Carolinas nor Chowan have released their full 2025 football schedules yet. It appears the Hawks will play Elizabeth City State in non-conference action to start the season, like last year (ECSU won 12-9). Shorter looks to be the first conference opponent, date and time TBA.
Conference Carolinas announced a non-conference scheduling partnership with the Gulf South for 2025 and 2026. Per that agreement, Chowan is set to host former conference mates West Alabama and Valdosta State and, alas, get back on a bus to West Florida. The 2026 season will see Chowan hosting West Florida and traveling to West Alabama.
Chowan’s spring game has tentatively been set for Saturday, April 12. Johnson and company are ready to go.
“We’ve got the right culture, the right environment for growth,” the coach said. “I expect us to have a pretty good football team in 2025.”
