CHARLOTTE — It’s been quite a year for the Pam Pack football team since it last traveled to The Queen City for the Cam Newton 7 v 7 Football Tournament.

Last summer’s showcase marked the early stages of a six-month long process from chemistry building to title contending. Once the new kids on the block, Washington earned the respect of western football powerhouses with another solid showing at Thursday and Friday’s high school preseason exhibition.

“We had some guys that came last year, but the majority of the group is new,” said head coach Sport Sawyer. “They got to meet Cam Newton and experience a high level of football. I thought they did well.”

Matched up against state championship-worthy squads from western North Carolina and South Carolina, including Shelby, Rock Hill and Dutch Fork (S.C.), Washington pieced together a 2-6 record in eight games. It’s a record that may seem sub-par on the surface, but most of the Pam Pack’s opponents were of a higher classification and well-versed in pass-heavy, spread offenses.

“I think facing stiff competition gives you the chance to look at your players,” Sawyer said. “Do they fight? Do they back down? Are they willing to work? Are they will to get better? From what I saw, the boys worked hard. When it’s a running team versus a passing team, you’re going to be a little outmatched. We’re leaving here knowing we have some things to work on, without a doubt, but also we got the chance to see our guys battle and play hard.”

After losing 26 seniors to graduation this month, most of which were starters, there are obvious vacancies on both sides of the ball, voids left from talent like running back Markel Spencer, quarterback Patrick Thompson and defensive backs Diavontrei Moore and Myron Brooks. The secondary, specifically, being a pass-only tournament, was put to the test. And while Sawyer says the defense does, in fact, need work, he likes how some of the potential starters performed.

After all, a defense that was one of the best in the state last year will undoubtedly need more time to grow, but it’s the new-look offense that is answering the call of late.

Rising junior Sharwon Staton, last season’s jayvee quarterback who is the favorite to earn the starting job, struggled some, but looked sharp for the most part, Sawyer said. Along with Staton, rising junior Tripp Barfield got some reps at the quarterback position and even threw a few touchdowns.

“I thought both of them threw some good balls,” Sawyer said. “There were a couple games where Sharwon got into a rhythm and was throwing the ball all over the place, really well. There were some times where he had some throwing mistakes.”

For an offense customarily built upon the run, the back end of Washington’s playbook was put to the test against 3-A and 4-A defensive backs. There was some success, but for the Pam Pack to return to its previous state, there’s still a long way to go.

On top of the exhibition games, Cam Newton spoke of ways to better yourself off of the gridiron, putting school first and always being mindful of who you associate with.

Washington will continue summer workouts through mid July, while also gearing up for a passing league exhibition against East Carteret on July 8 at 8 a.m. at Wagner Stadium.