Davidson Academy quarterback Stone Norton shines brightest in star-studded season opener

Michael Murphy
The Tennessean
Davidson Academy's Stone Norton (3) warmup before their game against FRA at Davidson Academy in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018.

Four FBS commitments — Davidson Academy’s Da’Joun Hewitt (Purdue), Ani Izuchukwu (Mississippi State) and Stone Norton (Florida International), along with Franklin Road Academy defensive tackle Tymon Mitchell (Georgia) — suited up for the two schools’ season-opening matchup at Arnold Stadium. A fifth commitment — injured FRA wide receiver Lance Wilhoite (Oregon) — looked on from the sidelines. 

Opening blow:Oregon commitment Lance Wilhoite misses Week 1 with shoulder injury

Here is a look at how each future college football player fared in their first taste of game action in 2018:

QB Stone Norton, Davidson Academy

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Norton enjoyed the most success statistically, completing 14 of his 24 pass attempts for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the Bears’ 40-20 victory. 

“It was fun,” Norton said. “It just felt good to be back out there. It feels like it has been forever, especially not finishing the way we wanted to last year. We played well, so that just makes it more fun.”

Norton, who also ran three times for 22 yards, matched his season high for pass attempts for 2017

“I guess it really just depends on who we’re playing and what we think they’re going to do,” Norton said of the Bears’ pass-heavy approach. “Hopefully we can do a lot of both this year.”

RB Da’Joun Hewitt, Davidson Academy

Hewitt had a tough time early, being brought down for negative or minimal yardage on several first-half carries. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Purdue commitment picked up steam as the night went on.

It wasn’t quite the 196-yard-per-game average he enjoyed a season ago, but the 2017 Mr. Football finalist finished with an impressive 151 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. 

“That’s the best we’ll see,” FRA coach Bill Whittemore said of the three-star back. “Obviously CPA has (Ohio State commitment) Kane Patterson — a young man that runs just as hard as him — but Hewitt is a legit back. He lowers his head and runs hard.” 

DT Tymon Mitchell, Franklin Road Academy

The versatile Georgia commitment made his presence felt throughout, rarely coming off the field.

In addition to lining up at defensive tackle, the 6-foot-3, 309-pounder also played offensive line and fullback for the Panthers. He even logged a play at wide receiver in the 20-point loss. 

“I’ve been doing it for three years, so it’s nothing new,” said Mitchell, who tallied a first-quarter sack against Norton. “(Fullback) is a new thing.” 

Mitchell, who committed to Georgia on Thursday, is the third in-state senior defensive lineman to pledge with the Bulldogs, joining Lebanon’s Zion Logue and Christian Brothers’ Bill Norton. 

DE Ani Izuchukwu, Davidson Academy

Izuchukwu spent most of the evening on the interior of the Bears’ defensive line, shifting inside in order to stop the run. 

The moved paid off as FRA managed just 88 yards rushing on 23 carries. 

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound tallied a handful of second-half tackles for loss. The biggest takeaway for Izuchukwu, however, is that he is healthy. 

“I didn’t go to any camps this year,” Izuchukwu said. “This is my senior year, and I wanted to take care of myself and make sure I was healthy. This is the first time I’ve started a year healthy.”

FRA's Lance Wilhoite (6) is out with an injury as teammates warm up before their game against Davidson Academy at Davidson Academy in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018.

WR Lance Wilhoite, FRA

Probably the biggest disappointment of the night was the absence of four-star Oregon commitment Lance Wilhoite, who was confined to the sidelines with a shoulder injury he suffered last week in practice. 

“I am not too messed up about because it’s just one regular-season game,”  said Wilhoite, who’s the state’s top-ranked prospect according to 247Sports composite rankings. “I’m going to be straight this year, and there’s going to be a show to come. I’ll be back probably next week or the week after.” 

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-269-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports

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