Chowan football is something of a transient in the Gulf South Conference, passing through the NCAA Division II league for two years on the way from the CIAA to Conference Carolinas.
The Hawks finished winless a year ago in their Gulf South debut and have been picked in a tie for last (seventh place) in this year’s preseason poll.
While challenging for titles and making the playoffs will be a stretch against the likes of D2 powers like Valdosta State, Delta State and West Florida, Chowan aims to take a big step forward this fall before landing in its permanent conference in 2025.
“We’re turning it around,” Chowan coach Paul Johnson, entering his second season, said at last week’s Gulf South media day. “We were right there (last year), right there on the corner. We’ve just got to keep knocking on the door.”
It was games like last year’s battle with Valdosta State that has Johnson thinking positive about 2024. The Blazers finished 12-2 and made the D2 playoffs. Chowan put up 36 points against them and held a lead as late as the third quarter before falling by two touchdowns. Quarterback Rashad McKee threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
The Hawks’ problem: the inability to sustain the high points. Or to protect McKee, who had led Chowan to the CIAA title game in 2022. McKee had 544 positive rushing yards a year ago, but that was offset by 296 yards in losses.
“I was just blessed to have him my first year,” Johnson said. “He was a baller — an absolute baller. But we couldn’t protect him. We couldn’t keep him upright.”
McKee does not return this year, nor does the Hawks’ lone first-team all-conference performer, defensive tackle Traevon Mitchell, who had 14 tackles-for-loss in 2023. Mitchell transferred to West Florida in the off-season.
Josef Manley, who backed up McKee a year ago (9-for-19 passing), does return and had a good spring, Johnson said. Junior Tye Saxby, from Murfreesboro, transfers in from Erskine. Khari Rennie from Orlando returns to the roster after redshirting his freshman season.
The second-leading rusher from a year ago, Romeo Felton, looks to be back for 2024. The transfer from Charleston (WV) finished with 229 yards on the ground in 2023.
Chowan will build its offensive line around players like Noah Horton. The Roanoke, Va. product, another Charleston transfer, played in 10 games a year ago. He’s listed at 6-6, 350 and is one of five upperclassmen on the offensive front who are at least 6-3 and 300 pounds.
“When I was at the University of Charleston I recruited Noah when he was 14,” Johnson said. “We’re excited about the progress he’s made in the weight room and are looking forward to his junior year. He’s going to be an absolute star for us this year. He’s a smart football player, tough. When I recruited him at 14, you know, he was nasty. He’s going to be physical. That’s in his nature.”
Horton, who also appeared at media day, said he played last season at 425 pounds but has done extensive work to change dietary and conditioning habits. Working in lawn care also helped get him ready for the season ahead.
“I’m lifting weights every single day,” he said. “I also did a lot of landscaping over the summer, too, running the weed-eater.”
Tony Gilbert joins the Chowan program as new defensive coordinator. Gilbert has made numerous coaching stops at the Division I and II levels. He most recently served as defensive coordinator at Gulf South member Mississippi College, which beat Chowan a year ago.
Gilbert’s job during the spring: instill toughness in the Hawks, who will face daunting competition most weeks in the Gulf South.
“He’s got a ton of experience and brings a ton of upside to our program and leadership,” Johnson said.
Chowan will have to replace most of its tackle production from a year ago. Only one player out of the 10 who made at least 30 tackles last season appears on the 2024 roster currently posted on the school’s Web site. The lone returnee is defensive back Abdural Lee (40 tackles, 1 interception, 2 tackles-for-loss).
Chowan players will report to fall camp next week. The Hawks do not have a game over Labor Day weekend and will kick off the new season on the road, at area rival Elizabeth City State on Sept. 7. The home opener comes the following week against Barton, which will be a conference game next year in Conference Carolinas.
After a bye week, Chowan will make one last trip through the Gulf South gauntlet before gearing up for a new league of closer-to-home opponents in 2025. Valdosta State and Delta State finished in the top 15 in D2 last season. West Florida finished in the top 25.
“Year one was a great learning experience,” Johnson said. “We brought in 17 new transfers for this upcoming year and signed a big high school class, but it comes down to discipline, we have to have a disciplined program and culture.
“Looking at the program last year, I think that is what we lacked. Right now we have a close-knit program that is heading in the right direction. This year my main focus is to play better team football. The first two games of the season will be huge. Elizabeth City is our main focus right now during summer workouts.”
Says Horton: “We’re trending upwards. If everyone just buys in, and we’re all in the same boat, we’ll be fine.”
