Andy Howell resigned as North Iredell High School head football coach.

He turned in his resignation following Friday’s season opener, a 34-23 loss to visiting Wilkes Central in which the Raiders yielded 34 unanswered points in the second half.

The decision to step aside was family related, according to Howell. He said his separation and the process of starting divorce proceedings, coupled with the demands of being a head football coach, were taking a mental toll and having an adverse effect.

“Was it something that was a kneejerk reaction? No, it wasn’t,” Howell said. “I tried. It didn’t work.

“I just don’t think I was doing a good enough job with this year’s team with all the distractions that I have,” said Howell, who has a daughter in first grade. “This was a move for my little girl.

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