Football coaches in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference are, from left, Blake Culberton (Western), Jason Trousdale (Union Pines), Ben Penny (Triton), Matt Migliore (Harnett Central), Steve Burdeau (Lee) and Ken Neal (Southern Lee). (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Lee County has won two previous football championships in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference and the Yellow Jackets have been picked by league coaches to do it again in a preseason poll conducted at a conference luncheon at Western Harnett on Tuesday.

Lee received a maximum of 25 points in the balloting and was followed by Southern Lee (20), Triton (16), Union Pines (14), Western Harnett (9) and Harnett Central (6). Points were awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis for each coach’s picks. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Lonnie Cox at Union Pines is the only new head coach in the league. The Vikings were represented by defensive coordinator Jason Trousdale on Tuesday.

Practices are underway and area teams will be involved in the Harnett Jamboree at Triton on Tuesday, August 13. There will be 45 minutes for each scrimmage, which will consist of 10 offensive plays at a time for each team.

In 5 p.m. matchups, Harnett Central takes on Southern Wayne at the field house end of the Hawks’ stadium and Overhills will oppose North Brunswick at the scoreboard end.

At 6 p.m., Harnett Central meets North Brunswick at the field house end and Overhills faces Southern Wayne at the scoreboard end.

Western Harnett scrimmages Lakewood (field house) and Triton meets Midway (scoreboard) at 6:45 p.m. Western goes against Midway at the field house end at 7:45 p.m. and the Hawks face the Leopards at the scoreboard end in the closing session.

Central has moved Jaden Bryant from receiver to quarterback for his junior season. Running back Brandon Booker returns for the Trojans.

Tristin Ung is back at quarterback for Western.

Triton is figuring out how to best utilize Travion Sanders, who likely will take some snaps at quarterback.

The Hawks have a scrimmage coming up at Gray’s Creek against St. Pauls on Friday, August 16, at 5 p.m. Western goes to Northwood the same day and Central will travel to Corinth Holders.

Tri-County Six 3-A Conference
Preseason Football Coaches Poll
Place Team      Points
1) Lee (5)                   25
2) Southern Lee (1) 20
3) Triton                     16
4) Union Pines         14
5) Western Harnett   9
6) Harnett Central     6

First place votes in parentheses. Points awarded on 5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches could not vote for their own team.