After a strong finish in 2024, North Hagerstown looks poised for its first winning season in 12 years.
With the 2025 Maryland high school football season set to kick off soon, we're taking a quick glance at each Washington County team.
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Nathan Butts, second year
Last season: 4-6, lost to Oakdale in the 3A West first round.
Top returners: Garett Forrest, Sr., TE/P/DL; Ben Distefano, Sr., RB/DL; Blake Custer, Sr., TE/LB; Damean Thomas, Sr., RB/LB; James Jackson, Sr., RB/LB; Bryant Noubissie, Sr., WR/LB; Ty Fauntleroy, Sr., RB/LB; Gary Fisher, Sr., OL/DL; Michael Stewart, Jr., RB/DB; Tai Gilliam, Sr., WR/DB.
Key losses: Khalil Peggues, WR/DB; Xavier Ferguson, OL/DL; Joseph Holt, OL/DL; Amauri Murray, WR/CB.
Notes: The Hubs haven't had a winning season since going 6-4 in 2013. … Their four wins last year were their most since going 5-5 in 2018. … Three of North's losses last year were decided by one touchdown or less, including a pair of one-point setbacks. … The Hubs won four of their last five regular-season games last season after starting 0-4. … Thomas was named the Washington County Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season. … The Hubs' other returning All-County first-teamers include Distefano (DL), Custer (LB) and Forrest (P). … Junior Colt Butts, the coach's son, is set to take over at quarterback after playing JV last year.
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge I presented to the guys was those close games and getting off to a hot start, not letting those early games slip away," Nathan Butts said. "We're doing a good job with that because the kids are buying in a lot quicker than what happened last year. We should be ready for those opening games and hopefully pull out some victories in those close games."
Reason to be optimistic: "We've got a lot of guys coming back," the coach said. "We were pretty junior-heavy last year. We lost some talented players, but we've got a lot of strong leadership and guys who are back who've bought in and worked hard over the summer. We are so far ahead this year than where we were last year. It's exciting."
North Hagerstown football schedule
- Sept. 5 at Tuscarora, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Manchester Valley, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at Thomas Johnson, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Central Woodstock, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Century, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Williamsport, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17 at Fort Hill, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 24 at Boonsboro, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 1 vs. South Hagerstown, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: 2025 North Hagerstown High School football season preview
Category: General Sports
