Southside working on passing offense; Football coach has new approach to season

Published 7:40 am Friday, May 30, 2025

By Jason O. Boyd

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CHOCOWINITY, N.C. — Footballs flying through the air on first or second downs isn’t something fans of the high school game are used to seeing a lot of in Beaufort County.

That’s about to change, at least at Southside High School.

While Northside and Washington are working on adding more passing to their offenses, the Seahawks are working on making it a key part of their game. Athletic director Andrea Quinerly is the new football coach and has been adding new wrinkles to the program to make it more versatile and, hopefully, a lot more exciting.

“We’re trying to get as many athletes on the field at one time,” Quinerly said. “We want to have fun while we’re doing it, and we want to use their entire field.

“So, yeah, we’re going to throw the ball around. We’re going to make it as difficult as we can for defenses and at the same time put our players in the best position to be successful.”

Quinerly said rising juniors Chance Haywood and Ryan Lewis are in competition to lead the offense at quarterback. Haywood’s uncle, Bryan, was on the Southside team that went to the 2005 Class 1A state championship.

Both have been busy leading their offenses down the field during last week’s practices, tossing the ball left, right and up the middle and connecting with receivers to advance the ball.

“They both were quarterbacks last year for varsity,” Quinerly said. “Ryan started out, and he got injured, and Chance had to finish off the season.

“So they’re real good about that competition. Of course, they bring two different strengths to the table. One is a little bit of a big operational guy who can make the throws, and the other one is a little more of an athlete than Chance, who can sling it and can move around in that pocket also.”

Quinerly said he’s been happy not only with the performance on both sides of the ball but with the number of student-athletes who have come out to the practices.

“Well, right now I honestly think we’re pretty even,” Quinerly said when comparing both sides of the ball. “Normally, this time of the year, our defense is ahead of the offense, but wåe’re putting a lot of focus with us right now.

“I’m saying a big difference, and one of the biggest differences, is the numbers. We probably have never had these numbers like this in a spring practice before.”

Quinerly had been the defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach. He said he’s enjoyed all the things that come with being the head coach.

“Well, it’s been a new experience,” Quinerly said. “I’m happy to see both sides of the ball versus just one side. I’m happy to see the managerial part, the discipline part.

“There’s a lot of things that come with it that I really haven’t had to deal with before. So it’s been an experience. It’s been a learning experience, and it’s been very rewarding at the same time.”

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