Trinity tries to turn corner behind senior quarterback

Khad’n Fuller (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record)

TRINITY — Khad’n Fuller has made transition to quarterback for Trinity’s football team and that could help the Bulldogs in their quest to made inroads in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference.

Fuller played last year as a receiver and defensive back. But he said he had been groomed in some of his youth football endeavors as a quarterback, a position he likes playing.

“I have to give all the props to the rest of the team,” Fuller said. “When I step out on the field, I put trust in my teammates and hope and pray we can get the job done.”

That has been a struggle for the Bulldogs in recent seasons. But Trinity seniors realize this is their last go-around in an effort to help the program rise.

“It’s tough, but you’ve just got to have the mindset that we’re going to win no matter what,” senior offensive lineman Emery Hedgecock said. “You just have to have a good mindset coming out there, it don’t matter what the numbers are.”

The Bulldogs (1-5 overall, 0-1 Central Carolina 3-A Conference) have about 40 players for first-year coach Mark Raynor. He said Trinity’s growth potential should be exciting.

“We’re working to be like those teams,” Raynor said of more established programs. “To be a little tougher and grittier.”

With new conference configurations, he said the Bulldogs have a chance to make an impact. Trinity won two conference games in 2023, and that was the only time it has won more than one league game since 2017.

During the preseason and the early weeks of the season, Raynor said there was plenty of experimentation. He equated it to playing chess.

“Moving guys around,” he said. “We’re putting together a core group.”

One of those players is Fuller.

“You just put the ball in his hands and you give him options,” Raynor said

Fuller said with then-senior Noah Bradley, the son of former coach Bear Bradley, at quarterback last year that he had to find roles so he could “still get that starting spot.” He said his time as a receiver and defensive back has made him aware of things going on in the secondary that have helped him as a quarterback.

Hedgecock said there are signs that the Bulldogs can churn out effective offense.

“Our run game is good,” he said. “We can pass the ball, too. He can throw when we’re giving him good protection. If we’re protecting (Fuller), he can get a good pass off.”

Fuller has had notable games carrying the ball, averaging more than 100 yards per game six games into the season.

“I run when I got to,” he said. “You can’t tell looking at the stats, but I prefer to throw the ball. But whatever works well for the team.”

That’s the approach the Bulldogs will take across the final month of the regular season.

“Our mindset is just win,” Fuller said. “We got to make it to playoffs. We’ve got seniors on the team, we’re trying to get out there and make the playoffs.”

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Friday’s games

Southwestern Randolph at Eastern Randolph

Trinity at Providence Grove

Wheatmore at East Davidson

Asheboro at Southeast Guilford

Randleman at Central Davidson