PITTSBORO – North Carolina may not have enjoyed a sterling start to the season with Thursday’s 27-10 setback at South Carolina, but Tar Heels quarterback Bryn Renner looked ready to play again Friday.

He was on a sideline, though minus a helmet and pads, watching Northwood rout Southern Lee in Pittsboro.

Renner was spending some quality time with his father, Bill, the Chargers first-year offensive coordinator after serving as East Chapel Hill’s long-time coach.

Bryn Renner appeared to be in good spirits a night after passing for 194 yards and a score in a game where the Tar Heels fell behind 17-0 and couldn’t battle back vs. the No. 6 Gamecocks.

“We definitely learned from the experience, it was great,” the quarterback said. “Our goal is still to win the ACC title.”

Bryn Renner said he’s happy his father is still imparting his wisdom at the prep football level, though no longer as a head coach.

“It’s awesome, he’s having a blast and he seems so relaxed,” he added. “He’s very excited about what coach (Bill) Hall is doing here.”

Perhaps only the ‘relaxed’ part of Bryn Renner’s comment could be questioned, as Bill Renner still displays plenty of fire at times while coaching.

It’s easy to see where Bryn Renner gets his positive approach from, however.

“In my 23 years as head coach I always wanted to play the toughest opponents first to find out your strengths and weaknesses,” Bill Renner said of the Tar Heels opening-game setback. “I still think the kids will be fine.”

Count his kid among them.