Hickory Daily Record Football Preview Section 2 2013

HICKORY DAILY RECORD N www.hickoryrecord.
com FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 N 19

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
CATAWBAVALLEYATHLETIC 2A
Conf. All PF/Avg. PA/Avg. Avg. Margin
*-S. Iredell 6-1 14-2 591/36.9 216/13.5 +23.4
x-N-Conover 6-1 9-4 444/34.1 234/18.0 +16.1
x-Maiden 6-1 8-4 259/21.5 141/12.5 +9.0
x-Bandys 4-3 9-5 415/29.6 222/15.8 +13.8
x-E. Burke 3-4 5-7 184/15.3 274/22.8 -7.5
x-Draughn 2-5 5-7 245/20.4 296/24.6 -4.2
Bunker Hill 1-6 5-6 282/25.6 273/24.8 +0.8
W. Caldwell 0-7 0-11 69/6.2 459/41.7 -35.5
*won state 2AAchampionship; xmade state playoffs.
2012 FINAL STANDINGS
NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A
Conf. All PF/Avg. PA/Avg. Avg. Margin
x-S. Caldwell 6-0 12-1 503/38.6 180/14.5 +24.1
x-Hickory 4-2 8-5 292/22.4 245/18.8 +3.6
x-Hibriten 4-2 7-5 361/30.0 259/21.5 +8.5
x-Alex Central 4-2 5-7 370/30.8 396/33.0 -2.2
x-Watauga 2-4 5-7 248/20.6 419/34.9 -14.3
St. Stephens 1-5 2-9 93/8.4 361/32.8 -24.4
Fred T. Foard 0-6 2-8 125/12.5 369/36.9 -24.4
xmade state playoffs
ERNIE MASCHE/FORTHE HICKORY DAILY RECORD
Newton-Conover runningbackNickBaker, whois the RedDevils
top returning rusher, tries to slip away from East Burkes Larry
Clark in Newton-Conovers 7-6 home victory over the Cavs.
KNOWLEDGE iS POWER
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We talk to the COACHES and the PLAYERS
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LEWIS CAMPBELL, FRIEND OF CATAWBAVALLEY FOOTBALL
Its All
About You
GOOD LUCK
This football season!
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2013 BUNKER HILL ROSTER
Head Coach: Travis Conner
(81-124, 17 years; 18-17 at Bunker Hill, 3 years)
Last years record: 5-6
No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Grade
3 Jlen Wilson 6-1 155 WR-DB Jr.
4 Quad Lawrence 6-2 200 RB-DB Sr.
5 Colton Chapman 5-11 175 QB-DB Sr.
7 Cameron Chapman 6-1 170 QB-DB Jr.
10 Nick Frye 5-10 155 WR-DB Sr.
13 Scotty Martin 5-7 155 RB-DB So.
15 Casey King 6-3 180 WR-DB Sr.
17 Justin Bowman 5-8 175 LB Sr.
18 Austin Setzer 6-3 210 RB-LB Sr.
20 Jordan Eckard 5-10 195 RB-DB Sr.
23 Leonard Lee 5-8 150 WR-DB Jr.
29 Dijoun Huitt 6-2 180 RB-LB So.
32 Casey Peeler 5-10 185 OL-DL Sr.
34 Delone Goss 5-8 205 RB-DL Sr.
35 Landon Huffman 5-10 185 LB Sr.
40 Chris Forney 5-10 230 LB Jr.
42 Joe Grifth 5-9 220 OL-DL Sr.
44 Cody Dobbins 5-10 145 WR-LB Sr.
46 Cooper Wray 5-7 175 RB-LB Jr.
51 Daquan Huitt 5-10 215 OL-DL Sr.
54 TimCook 5-10 220 OL-DL Sr.
55 Kyle Guins 5-11 235 OL-DL Sr.
56 Cole Ervin 5-11 225 OL-DL Sr.
58 Chris Deal 6-3 220 OL-DL Sr.
59 Spencer Furches 5-9 215 OL-DL Jr.
64 Corbin Huhn 6-0 190 OL-DL Jr.
66 Devon Harris 6-4 250 OL-DL Sr.
70 Charlie Shutter 6-3 225 OL-DL Sr.
71 Justin Coker 5-9 250 OL-DL Sr.
74 Hunter Thompson 6-5 270 OL-DL Sr.
75 Allen Cloninger 6-7 295 OL-DL Sr.
78 Austin Rollins 6-0 210 OL-DL Sr.
89 Kirklan Cox 5-8 150 WR-DB Jr.
90 Jerry Redman 5-9 165 DL Jr.
91 Joseph Potter 5-8 170 LB Jr.
98 John Garcia 5-10 190 OL-DL Jr.
Assistant coaches: Lee Miller, Kyle Flynn, Jason Phelps,
Derrick Haynes, Eric Hollar, David Keller, Albert Reed, Todd Setzer,
Damon Creamer,
2013 BUNKER HILL SCHEDULE
Aug. 23
Cherryville, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30
at St. Stephens, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6
Fred T. Foard, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13
at W. Iredell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27
MAIDEN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4
W. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 11
at E. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
LINCOLNTON, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25
at BANDYS, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1
at NEWTON-CONOVER, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8
W. CALDWELL, 7:30 p.m.
DOYOU REMEMBER?
Alook back at 20 seasons ago (1993) and 10 seasons ago (2003)
in Bears football history (statistical totals are unofcial):
1993
Head coach Randy Faucettes eighth teamnished fourth in
the Southern District 7 2Aafter winning one of ve conference
games and went 2-8 overall with the only wins coming against West
Lincoln and West Caldwell.
RB Allen Allison led the Bears with 203 carries for 1,497 yards
rushing and 15 TDs. He had four of those scores in a 40-35 home
victory over West Caldwell.
One of the Bears all-time great RBs, Darnell Lyerly, was also on
the teamand ran 29 times for 155 yards and two TDs. He went on
to set the school record for single-season rushing at 3,697, which
stood until Reggie Davis nished his career with 4,212 in 2011.
2003
With former Bears player Lee Miller the head coach for his third
season, the Bears went 1-6 and tied for sixth in the Midwest 2A.
Bunker Hill won its rst two games 41-15 over Cherryville and
14-7 over Fred T. Foard and only one of its last nine (8-6 over
West Lincoln).
QB Martin Turbeville ran 103 times for 436 yards and four TDs
and completed 50.7 percent of his 197 passes for 1,180 yards and
nine scores. He threwfor three of those scores in a 31-28 home
loss against Newton-Conover, the Red Devils 13th win in a run of 15
straight years beating the Bears.
The Bears also had RB-LB J.P. Killian, who ran 123 times for
576 yards as part of a four-year varsity career in which he ran 402
times for 2,265 yards and 18 TDs.
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20 N FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 HICKORY DAILY RECORD N www.hickoryrecord.com
Bunker Hill Bears
OFFENSE
Returning starters: 8.
The Bears will run: T, Notre Dame
Box, Spread Single-Wing.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rusher: Colton
Chapman, 6-foot, 185 pounds, Sr.
(71-397, 4 TDs)
The scoop: The Bears are search-
ing for a feature back heading into
the new Southern District 7 Athletic
2A season. Chapman, a quar-
terback, is the leading returning
rusher, and several players return
that have also factored into Bunker
Hills running game, including Jor-
dan Eckard (5-11, 195, Sr.); Delone
Goss (5-9, 215, Sr.); Quad Lawrence
(6-2, 200, Sr.); and Austin Setzer (6-
3, 205, Sr.).
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Colton
Chapman, 6-0, 185, Sr. (62-147-13,
853, 7 TDs).
Leading returning receiver:
Casey King, 6-3, 170, Sr. (26-421, 3
TDs).
The scoop: Chapman will start
at QB for the third straight season
and he will have a big target in King,
while the addition of JLenWilson
(6-1, 155, Sr.), who did not play
football last year, will give the Bears
a second receiving option because
of his speed.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
Bunker Hill returns eight offensive
starters but must nd a running
back to carry the load. Chapman is
a solid QB and the Bears have some
experienced linemen returning.
Four of the ve interior linemen
return center Kyle Guins (5-11,
230, Sr..), guards Daquan Huitt (5-8,
210, Sr.) and Ryan Hedrick (5-10,
220, Sr.) and tackle Devon Harris
(6-3, 260, Sr.).
The Bears also get big Allen
Cloninger (6-7, 295, Sr.) back. He
started as a sophomore but was lost
last season due to a knee injury in a
preseason scrimmage.
We have eight or nine starters
coming back on offense depending
on how you look at it, said head
coachTravis Conner. Having a
three-year starter in Colton return-
ing at quarterback is a denite
strength and with two really good
skill kids at receiver, we will have to
nd a way to get them the ball.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Colton Chapman,
QB, Sr.; Kyle Guins, OL, Sr.; Ryan
Hedrick, OL, Sr.; Allen Cloninger,
OL, Sr.; Austin Setzer, FB, Sr.; Casey
King, WR, Sr.; Devon Harris, OL, Sr.;
Jordan Eckard, RB, Sr.
Top newcomers: JLenWilson,
WR, Jr.; Dijoun Huitt, RB, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Conner says: Were
headed into a season with some
unknown answers. I think we could
be solid in a lot of positions, but we
have to nd the guy that is going to
run the football for us.
Kyle Guins is denitely our leader
up front. This is my fourth year at
Bunker Hill and hes started every
single game that Ive coached.
DEFENSE
The Bears will run: Multiple.
THE RUNNING GAME
With four upfront guys and two
linebackers returning, the Bears
should improve against the run
after allowing 236.6 yards per game
last season, seventh among eight
teams in the Catawba Valley Ath-
letic 2A.
Defensive linemen Guins and
Goss return, along with defensive
ends Joe Grifth and Casey Peeler.
Also back are linebackers Landon
Huffman and Cody Dobbins.
The scoop: Bunker Hill must get
better against the run after allow-
ing 22 rushing TDs last season. The
Bears appear to have the personnel
to do that.
THE PASSING GAME
The Bears return Jordan Eckard
and Nick Frye at defensive back.
Quad Lawrence, a starter at the
beginning of the season who was
then sidelined by an injury, will also
help in defending the pass.
The scoop: Bunker Hill has
experience in some key positions
returning after nishing fourth in
the CVAC 2A against the pass a year
ago (87.1 yards per game, 12 TDs).
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
With eight defensive starters
returning, the Bears should improve
after allowing 323.8 yards per game
last year (seventh among eight
league teams).
All four guys up front are back,
Conner said. But were not going
to be very big up front but the kids
that we have there have played for at
least a year up there and have a lot of
experience playing varsity football.
We just have to decide to get
more physical on that side of the
ball. We have two of our three line-
backers back but again are going to
be small, so they will have to be very
physical and do things technically
correct.
We also have a couple of kids
back in the secondary, but again
they also have to be very physical
and play with a lot of technique be-
cause some of the teams we play are
going to be more athletic than we
are, so we will have to play smarter
than they do.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jordan Eckard,
DB, Sr.; Delone Goss, DL, Sr.; Quad
Lawrence, DB, Sr.; Cody Dobbins,
LB, Sr.; Landon Huffman, LB, Sr.;
Cole Ervin, DL, Sr.; Nick Frye, DB,
Sr.; Kyle Guins, DL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Cameron Chap-
man, DB, Jr.; Justin Bowman, LB, Jr.;
Cooper Wray, LB, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Conner says: We expect
guys like Delone Goss, Landon
Huffman and Kyle Guins to be lead-
ers on defense.
Also guys like Jordan Eckard and
Nick Frye should step up and be ball
players for us but this time of the
year, everything is unknown.
WHATS IN STORE?
The Bears have 16 returning
starters but are still searching for
the right personnel in some key
positions.
We were already in a strong con-
ference and now in the new confer-
ence its even stronger, Conner
said. We lose South Iredell and we
gain East Lincoln. A state champion
for a state champion.
You lose East Burke and Draughn
and you gain Lincolnton, who is a
contender for the state champion-
ship every year. I dont think there is
any conference in the state of North
Carolina in any division thats as
strong from top to bottom as our
league.
Its going to be tough, its going
to be interesting and I think a lot of
teams have an opportunity every
Friday night and everybody is going
to have to absolutely play their rear
ends off every Friday just to be able
to compete in this league.
I think if we can get off to a good
start that will be big.
ALLEN HAYNES
Jordan Eckard (20), one of eight returning defensive starters for Bunker Hill, makes an attempt to knock down a pass intended
for East Burkes Chuckie Ritchie in the Cavs 36-29 victory last season at Bunker Hill.
Conner
GO Bears!
Bunker
Hill
Good Luck On A Great Year!
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GO BLUE DEVILS!
2013 MAIDEN ROSTER
Head Coach: Frank Snider
(11-23, 3 years; 8-4 at Maiden, 1 year)
Last Years Record: 8-4.
1 Nick Killian 5-7 145 QB-DB Soph.
2 Ethan Dellinger 5-8 134 WR-S Sr.
4 Jake McRee 6-0 210 QB-OLB Sr.
5 Matt Fowler 6-0 203 TE-LB Sr.
6 Kyle Kelly 6-3 195 WR-S-P Sr.
7 Shaquan Kimble 5-7 143 RB-DB Soph.
8 Jashon Shaw 5-6 130 WR-DB Jr.
9 Isaac Dalton 6-3 175 WR-DB Sr.
10 Ricky Taylor 6-0 215 WR-OLB Sr.
11 Anthony Miller 6-1 165 WR-S Sr.
13 John Partin 5-9 170 WR-LB Jr.
15 M.J. Perry 5-7 178 RB-LB Jr.
20 Tony Hernandez 5-7 165 RB-DB Jr.
21 Kevin Aragon 5-9 162 K Sr.
22 SamPoovey 5-9 140 WR-DB Jr.
24 T.J. Vick 6-0 195 WR-CB Sr.
30 Hunter Honeycutt 5-7 165 WR-DB Jr.
50 Christian Hammonds 5-9 225 G-DT-LS Sr.
51 Zack Cotter 6-0 223 G-DT Sr.
52 Jessie Parker 5-10 192 G-DE Jr.
55 Josh Danner 5-10 223 OT-DE Jr.
56 Landon Hedrick 5-9 185 C-DE Jr.
57 Joseph Hateld 6-0 200 C-DE Soph.
60 Elijah Whitener 5-10 246 OG-DT Jr.
62 Julian Vang 5-7 256 OL-DT Jr.
63 Holden Goode 5-6 158 OL-DL Jr.
64 Preston Hester 6-0 295 OL-DL Jr.
66 Richard Barnette 5-8 188 OG-DT Jr.
71 Christian Day 6-3 247 OT-DL Jr.
72 James Zoblosky 6-3 255 OT-DT Jr.
73 Jordan Starnes 6-0 192 OL-DL Jr.
75 Robbie Campbell 6-2 273 OT-DL Jr.
77 Frank Durden 6-2 230 OL-DT Sr.
80 Justus Woods 6-0 175 WR-S Sr.
82 Alex White 6-3 225 TE-MLB Sr.
85 Dalais Woods 6-4 208 WR-DE Jr.
Assistant coaches: Butch Parker, Will Byrne, Bill Vaughan,
Robbie Abernethy, Mike Elmore, Hugh McCall, Jeffrey Enck, Mark
Herman, Deon Henry.
2013 MAIDEN SCHEDULE
Aug. 23
at Fred T. Foard, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30
W. Iredell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13
St. Stephens, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20
at S. Caldwell (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27
at BUNKER HILL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4
NEWTON-CONOVER, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11
at W. CALDWELL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
at BANDYS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25
W. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Nov. 1
at E. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8
LINCOLNTON, 7:30 p.m.
DOYOU REMEMBER?
in Blue Devils football history (statistical totals are unofcial):
1993
In the eighth season of Tom Browns second tenure as head
coach, a powerful running game led the Blue Devils to a 4-1 record
that tied Bandys and Newton-Conover for the Southern District 7
2Atitle. One year removed fromhaving played for the state 2Atitle,
the teamnished 11-3 after falling 42-18 at Lincolnton in the state
seminals.
QB Matt Rummage had 10 rushing TDs, and RB Lewis Mack
came on strong at the end of the season to nish with 20 rushing
TDs after he scored 13 of themin the nal ve games.
Chris Ramseur, a star RB who later signed with Tennessee,
scored six rushing TDs that season.
2003
Maiden was playing its third season in the Southern Foothills 1A
in TomBrowns 31st overall season as Maiden head coach and went
3-3 in the league (nishing fourth) and 8-5 overall, falling 34-12 in
the second round of the state playoffs at Hendersonville.
The Blue Devils had a 1-2 offensive punch of QB Logan Spake
and RB Tommy Henry, who combined for 3,302 of their 4,507
yards of total offense.
Spake had 311 rushing yards and completed 81 passes for 1,177
yards and 17 TDs, highlighted by going 9-of-12 for 155 yards in a
victory at Fred T. Foard.
Henry averaged 6.6 yards per carry (271-1,815) and scored 24
rushing TDs, including ve in a 72-0 league victory at Highland
Tech.
Maiden Blue Devils
OFFENSE
The Blue Devils will run: Pistol/
Gun.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Ricky
Taylor, 6-0, 207 pounds, Sr. (60-276,
2 TDs).
The scoop: The Blue Devils
ranked last in the CatawbaValley
Athletic 2A, averaging 102.8 rush-
ing yards per game. Taylor was the
HDRs Defensive Player of the Year
last season, but after seeing spot
duty in the Maiden backeld he will
transition into Maidens primary
running threat this year.
Paving the way up front will be a
largely inexperienced group with
only Christian Hammonds (5-9, 225,
Sr.) back on the line.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Jake
McRee, 6-0, 210, Sr. (115-209-9,
1,580, 17 TDs).
Leading returning receivers: Ricky
Taylor (60-741, 7 TDs), AlexWhite,
6-3, 225, Sr. (14-176, 4 TDs), Justus
Woods, 6-0, 175, Sr. (10-137, 1 TD).
The scoop: While the Blue Devils
running game sputtered last fall,
their work through the air averaged
nearly 146 yards a game to top the
conference. McRees 131.6 pass-
ing yards per game also topped the
league and his 17 TDthrows tied for
third best. Taylors 741 yards receiv-
ing ranked as the conferences sec-
ond best and his sevenTDcatches
tied for second.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
Maiden will again offer one of the
areas more potent passing attacks,
but head coach Frank Snider is
looking for a more balanced of-
fense in 2013. With only one starter
returning on the offensive line,
nding that balance could prove
challenging.
We want to be closer to 50-50
run/pass, so we have to improve
our running game, said Snider.
Our passing game should be solid,
but there are times in a game where
you need to control the ball, so we
need to develop a consistent run
game.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jake McRee, QB,
Sr.; Ricky Taylor, RB, Sr.; Alex White,
TE, Sr.; Justus Woods, WR, Sr.; Chris-
tian Hammonds, OL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Preston Hester,
OL, Jr.; Joseph Hateld, OL, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Snider says: We certainly
have experience inthe passing game.
We have capable leadership, and our
receiving corps is big and physical,
plus they runwell. Our line is inex-
perienced, but they are improving
and theyll need to improve more as
we go along for us to develop a more
consistent running game.
DEFENSE
The Blue Devils will run: 4-3.
THE RUNNING GAME
Last year, Maiden allowed op-
ponents nearly 167 yards a game
on the ground but gave up only 12
TDs rushing, easily the best in the
CatawbaValley Athletic 2A.
The scoop: Of the ve starters
back for the Blue Devils defense,
three are on the line or in Maidens
linebacking corps. Hammonds re-
turns to anchor the defensive front,
while White and Taylor are back to
lead the linebackers. Matt Fowler
(6-0, 203, Sr.) will round out the
starting linebacker group.
THE PASSING GAME
While the Blue Devils showed a
steady run defense last year, their
pass defense was even stronger.
They gave up a league-low 48 yards
per game passing.
Maiden is set at one cornerback
slot withT.J. Vick (6-0, 195, Sr.) back
and Kyle Kelly (6-3, 195, Sr.) return-
ing at safety but the tandem lling
out the secondary will be raw, said
Snider.
We have two returning guys that
we feel good about, but we need to
develop two more in the backeld,
Snider said. I think we do have to
improve our pass defense a little bit.
We lack experience there, but we
have a number of guys developing
into solid players.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
Snider looks for his run defense
to ex its muscle this season, but
said stopping opposing aerial at-
tacks will be a worry at the seasons
outset.
I think our defense is going to be
better than people think, and our
run defense should be our stalwart,
said Snider. But I do think we have
to improve our pass defense a little
bit to be a complete defense.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Christian Ham-
monds, DL, Sr.; Alex White, LB, Sr.;
Ricky Taylor, LB, Sr.; T.J. Vick, CB, Sr.;
Kyle Kelly, S, Sr.
Top newcomers: Sam Poovey, DB,
Jr.; Tony Hernandez, DB, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Snider says: On both
sides of the ball we have great
leadership this year. The seniors and
upper classmen have stepped up
and done things that we as coaches
havent had to spend time asking
them to do them.
WHATS IN STORE?
With 11 starters back, Maiden will
offer one of the more experienced
teams in the area. Good thing,
because the transition into the
Southern District 7 Athletic 2A will
test that experience this fall.
The Blue Devils expectations
are always high and familiar foes
in Newton-Conover, Bandys and
Bunker Hill will dot the conference
schedule. But if Maiden hopes to
claim a league crown, it will now
have to contend with three Lin-
coln County programs, including
defending state 2A champion East
Lincoln.
PAUL FOGLEMAN
Ricky Taylor, last years HDR Sports Defensive Player of the Year, closes in on Gabe Brockett of Thomasville in a 27-24 loss at
Maiden in the rst round of the state 2A playoffs. Taylor will also be a key player for Maiden this season as a running back.
Snider
ROBERT C. REED/HICKORY DAILY RECORD
Maiden quarterback Jake McRee looks down eld against St. Stephens in the Blue
Devils 28-7 victory last season. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 142 yards and one
TD in that win at St. Stephens.
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Gary Weaver 1114 E. MaiE St.
(828) 428-3191 MaideE, NC 28650
2013 DRAUGHN ROSTER
Head coach: Scott Lambert
(18-29, 4 years)
1 Travis Cook 5-10 145 WR-DB Sr.
2 Brandon Sagaon-Lozada 6-0 175 K Sr.
11 Coy Lambert 6-0 160 QB-DB Jr.
15 Dominique Patterson 5-10 175 RB-DB Sr.
17 Alex Monroe 6-3 160 WR-LB Sr.
21 Justice Patterson 6-0 190 RB-DB Jr.
22 Donnie Patton 6-1 170 QB-DB Sr.
24 Ricky Williams 5-10 180 RB-LB Sr.
28 Gavin Morton 5-8 155 RB-LB Sr.
30 Cole Huffman 6-1 180 RB-LB Sr.
33 AdamEstep 6-1 245 RB-LB Sr.
34 Logan Cline 5-8 200 RB-LB Soph.
44 Kwan Hall 6-0 265 RB-DL Sr.
51 Garrett Bortnick 6-3 225 OL-DL Jr.
54 Tyler Angley 6-0 240 OL-DL Sr.
56 Matt Smith 5-10 205 OL-DL Jr.
57 Dustin McDaniel 6-1 205 OL-DL Sr.
60 Truman Walton 5-10 210 OL-DL Sr.
66 Corey Brittain 6-1 205 OL-DL Jr.
70 Jordan Kendrick 6-4 250 OL-DL Sr.
72 Kristian Pittman 6-0 240 OL-DL Jr.
75 Chris Bumgarner 6-3 295 OL-DL Sr.
76 Austin Hamby 6-0 200 OL-DL Sr.
77 Daniel Morton 6-1 280 OL-DL Sr.
79 Alden Johnson 6-0 275 OL-DL Jr.
81 Felix Berry 5-8 145 WR-DB Sr.
85 Morgan Mazaleski 6-1 180 WR-DB Sr.
86 Ryker Warlick 6-0 175 WR-LB Jr.
87 Marcus Smith 5-11 190 TE-LB Jr.
Assistant coaches: Jay Murray, Ken Pressley, Darren
Beneld, Brett Huffman, Josh Anthony, Bob Harrison, Bran-
don Siska, Darian Pearson.
2013 DRAUGHN SCHEDULE
Aug. 23
at W. Lincoln (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30
Freedom, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6
at Patton, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13
at CREST, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20
R-S CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27
at CHASE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4
KINGS MOUNTAIN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11
at E. BURKE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
E. RUTHERFORD, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 25
at BURNS, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1
SHELBY, 7:30 p.m.
Draughn Wildcats
OFFENSE
The Wildcats will run: Spread
option
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Adam
Estep, 6-1, 245 pounds, Sr. (190-888,
8 TDs); Dominique Patterson, 5-10,
165, Sr. (74-496, 3 TDs); Donnie
Patton, 6-1, 170, Sr. (123-446, 6 TDs);
Gavin Morton, 5-8, 155, Sr. (78-441,
1 TD).
The scoop: The Wildcats are the
only team from the Catawba Valley
Athletic 2A last season that has
more than two returning players
who gained more than 400 yards,
led by Estep. Estep led the CVAC 2A
in attempts (190) and his 74 yards
rushing per game ranked fourth in
the conference.
Only one team (Bandys) ran
the ball more last season than
Draughns 598 attempts, and the
Wildcats were third in league rush-
ing (225.7 yards per game) behind
Newton-Conover and Bunker Hill.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Donnie
Patton, 6-1, 170, Sr. (8-31-3, 182, 2
TDs).
Leading returning receivers: Alex
Monroe, 6-3, 160, Sr. (4-100, 1 TD);
Dominique Patterson, 5-10, 165, Sr.
(3-43, 0 TDs).
The scoop: The Wildcats threw
more than 10 times in a game only
once last season, finishing last in
the CVAC 2A in yards per game
(28.7) and completion percent-
age (29.5). This year, theyll have
two players Coy Lambert, last
seasons junior varsity QB, and
Patton battling to be the start-
ing QB.
Scott Lambert said Coy Lambert
and Patton have really been bat-
tling it outTheyve been working
hard and we feel like the competi-
tion has made them both better.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The Wildcats have a backeld
nucleus that lends itself to no one
player having to carry the load,
which could prove important be-
cause they will have about 25 varsity
players and many of them will have
to play both ways.
Estep is durable, Patterson and
Morton are small, shifty and quick
and Justice Patterson (6-0 190, Jr.)
is a bigger back so Draughn has a
good mixture and will probably run
a four-man rotation.
Our backs, we try to teach them
all the positions, fullback as well as
halfback, because of depth con-
cerns, Scott Lambert said.
Draughn has good size on an of-
fensive line led by four-year starter
Chris Bumgarner (6-3, 295, Sr.), plus
Jordan Kendrick (6-4, 250, Sr.) and
Daniel Morton (6-2, 270, Sr.) helped
the Wildcats average 20.7 points per
game last season.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Chris Bumgarner,
OL, Sr.; Jordan Kendrick, OL, Sr.;
Garrett Bortnick, OL, Jr.; Truman
Walton, OL, Sr.; Daniel Morton, OL,
Sr.; Alex Monroe, WR, Sr.; Morgan
Mazeleski, WR, Sr.; Adam Estep, FB,
Sr.; Dominique Patterson, RB, Sr.
Top newcomers: Coy Lambert,
QB, Jr.; Justice Patterson, RB, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Lambert says: We have a
lot of people back... and we have a
lot of returning experienced players
from last year and we hope that we
can capitalize on that.
Were bigger and stronger and
faster than we were last year because
weve had another year in the weight
room, another year to physically
mature, so were hoping that will be
a strong asset for us.
DEFENSE
The Wildcats will run: 3-4.
THE RUNNING GAME
Draughn gave up 195.8 yards
rushing per game last season in the
CVAC 2A and 28 rushing TDs, which
was more than any league team
other thanWest Caldwell.
Freedoms 12-win team was the
only one to pile up yardage on the
Wildcats, though, running 37 times
for 375 yards.
The scoop: Three key linemen
return Bumgarner, Morton and
Estep and so do four lineback-
ers, so the Wildcats can be as good
against the run if not better
than they were last season.
We hope we can create a new line
of scrimmage from the defensive
point of view, said Scott Lambert.
We expect (those linemen) to have
big years.
THE PASSING GAME
Opponents threw 164 times last
year on Draughn, completing 48.7
percent of those passes for 88.8
yards per game and 10 TDs. That
ranked the Wildcats fth in the
CVAC 2A, but no one passed for
more than 150 yards in a game
against Draughn and they held foes
to 91 or fewer yards in ve of their
rst six games a year ago.
The scoop: The Wildcats will
have Patton, Travis Cook (5-10, 145,
Sr.), Dominique Patterson and Felix
Berry (5-8, 1435, Sr.) in the second-
ary. They wont overpower anyone
on sheer size, but they are aggres-
sive andpretty good cover people,
Lambert said.
Two linebackers could help
Draughn pick up its pass defense
Kwan Hall (6-0, 265, Sr.) and
Logan Cline (5-8, 200, Soph.). Hall
transferred from Freedom, where he
played defensive line, and Cline is
up from the junior varsity.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The Wildcats have an experienced
trio along the defensive front,
potentially good linebackers and
an experienced but physically small
secondary. None of that may end up
mattering as much as the majority
of the players having to pull double
duty, an extremely challenging
setup in a playmakers-on-every-
team league like the South Moun-
tain Athletic 2A-3A.
Our biggest concern is our lack
of depth on both sides of the ball,
says Scott Lambert. Aside from the
risk of injury, which is obvious when
you have a lack of depth, fatigue late
in the game with your kids playing
both ways can be an issue.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Chris Bumgarner,
DL, Sr.; Daniel Morton, DL, Sr.; Adam
Estep, DL, Sr.; KwanHall, LB, Sr.; Alex
Monroe, LB, Sr.; Donnie Patton, DB,
Sr.; Felix Berry, DB, Sr.; Travis Cook,
DB, Sr.; Dominique Patterson, DB, Sr.
Top newcomers: Logan Cline,
LB, Soph.; Garrett Bortnick, LB, Jr.;
Justice Patterson, DB, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Lambert says: Prob-
ably, as a whole unit, our size and
strength combined with our experi-
ence, are the good points of the
defense, which last season gave up
24.6 points per game.
Draughns won-loss margin last
season was minus 4.2 points, so
an improvement on defense could
open a path to success since the
offense is experienced enough to
score some points.
WHATS IN STORE?
With 17 starters back nine
on offense and eight on defense
theres reason to believe the
Wildcats can be up to matching last
years ve-win total or going beyond
that if they arent caught by their
lack of depth or can avoid multiple
injuries at key positions.
But wondering where the depth is
going to come from and having
to play players both ways is very
likely to pop up as a major concern
in the SMAC 2A-3A, where many of
the offenses, from top to bottom in
the league, are more explosive than
top to bottom in the CVAC 2A last
year.
Were going into a split confer-
ence and well be the smallest
school in the league, said Scott
Lambert. Well try to play as hard
as we can every week and try to
prepare as best we can.
There are some real good teams
with a lot of tradition (like) Crest,
Burns and Shelby. Well prepare for
them and play as hard as we can.
Thats all we can ask our kids to do.
Were not afraid of anybody, but
we worry more about Draughn than
we do about anybody else.
CHRIS HOBBS ANDTYLERJOHNSON
Donnie Patton,
one of Draughns
eight returning
defensive
starters, catches
up with Jordan
Bess of Maiden
in the Blue
Devils 23-13 win
last season at
Maiden.
Lambert
NATHAN CULLITAN/FORTHE HICKORY DAILY RECORD
Donnie Patton of Draughn brings down Jordan Bess of Maiden
in a Catawba Valley Athletic 2A game last season at Maiden.
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2013 EAST BURKE ROSTER
Head coach: JimRuark
(60-73, 12 years; 9-25 at East Burke, 3 years)
2 Larry Clark 6-0 155 RB-DB Sr.
4 Seth Cline 6-1 145 WR-DB Sr.
5 Nick Canipe 5-10 171 RB-OLB Sr.
6 Chuckie Ritchie 6-0 163 WR-DB Sr.
7 Dillon Phillips 5-8 165 RB-DB Sr.
12 Landon Ward 6-1 205 WR-OLB Jr.
15 Ryan Newell 5-9 155 QB-WR-DB Soph.
18 Elijah Reese 6-4 180 QB Sr.
21 Corey Young 5-8 130 RB-DB Sr.
22 Brandon Clark 5-9 160 RB-DB Soph.
27 Brent Young 5-8 150 RB-OLB Jr.
30 Danny Carson 5-11 185 FB-MLB Jr.
40 Nic Lo 6-1 175 TE Sr.
41 Dylan Hicks 5-8 152 RB-OLB Sr.
50 Zach Brown 6-0 180 C-MLB Sr.
53 Austin Smith 5-10 190 OG-DE Jr.
54 Jake Prestwood 6-1 185 OT-MLB Soph.
55 Hunter Hise 6-0 230 OG-DT Jr.
58 Reid Cloninger 6-2 215 DE Sr.
60 Thomas Martin 6-0 180 OT-DT Sr.
61 Eli Duckworth 5-8 195 C-NG Soph.
63 Joe Brown 5-7 225 OG-MLB Sr.
64 James Robinson 5-8 215 OG-DT Jr.
65 Garrett Cultrera 5-9 170 OG-NG Soph.
71 Frank Keen 5-9 362 OT-DT Jr.
75 Mike Stillwell 6-2 235 OT-DT Soph.
77 Hunter Adkins 6-2 295 OG-DT Jr.
78 Jordan Craig 5-9 170 OG-DT Jr.
80 Ricky Walker 5-9 155 WR-DB Jr.
85 Justin Reid 6-4 170 WR Jr.
87 Nathan Poteat 5-8 150 WR-DB Sr.
88 Drake Haas 6-5 240 TE-DE Jr.
Assistant coaches: Mark Buffamoyer, JimChilders,
Tommy Blanton, Evan Short, Cayman Brooks, Mitch McGuire,
Jacob Creson, Cameron Pierce, Josh Prince.
2013 EAST BURKE SCHEDULE
Aug. 23
at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30
Patton, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6
McDowell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20
at E. RUTHERFORD, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27
BURNS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4
at SHELBY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11
DRAUGHN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
at CREST, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25
R-S CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Nov. 1
at CHASE, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8
KINGS MOUNTAIN, 7:30 p.m.
DOYOU REMEMBER?
Alook back at 20 seasons ago (1993) and 10 seasons ago
(2003) in Cavaliers football history (statistical totals are unof-
cial):
1993
After six straight winning seasons and four state playoff
berths, the Cavaliers stumbled in Wayne Fletchers 10th
season as head coach. They were 3-8 overall and 1-4 in the
Northwestern 4Aand nished fth.
East Burke threwfor only six scores three by Sam Met-
calf, two by Aaron Berry and one by Jeremy Puckett and
scored seven or fewer points in eight games.
The Cavaliers then had back-to-back 4-7 years the next two
seasons, then went 8-3 in newhead coach Curtis Threatts
second year as head coach in 1996.
2003
The second of head coach Mike Biggerstaffs seven state
playoff teams in his eight years as head coach emerged, going
10-2 and tying what was then the school record for single-sea-
son wins (1988 teamalso won 10) in his second year in Icard.
The Cavaliers nished second in the Northwestern 4A, going
5-1 behind QB Robbie Putnamand RB Jonathan Marsh.
Putnamhad 48 carries for 287 yards rushing with seven
TDs and also threwfor 642 yards and seven TDs, while Marsh
gained 888 yards on 168 carries and added 10 rushing scores.
That included a season-high 163 yards on 11 carries in a 49-6
victory at Newton-Conover.
Biggerstaffs next teamset the school record for wins (11), a
mark not surpassed until the Cavaliers won 12 games in 2007,
also under Biggerstaff.
East Burke Cavaliers
OFFENSE
The Bears will run: Multiple I,
some Pistol.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Larry
Clark, 6-foot, 155 pounds, Sr. (72-515,
5TDs ineight games); BrandonClark,
5-9, 160, Soph., (12-40, 0TDs); Elijah
Reese, 6-4, 180, Sr., (25-29, 0TDs).
The scoop: The Cavs, at least ear-
ly on, could feel some of the impact
of the graduation of fullback Robbie
McGee, a three-year starter who
graduated. But Clark, back from an
injury, is very likely to be one of the
South Mountain Athletic 2A-3As top
backs. Head coach Jim Ruark thinks
the Cavs running game, which
netted 4.4 yards per rush a year ago,
will be better this season.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Elijah
Reese (21-52-4, 215, 1 TD).
Leading returning receivers:
Chuckie Ritchie, 6-0, 163, Sr. (28-441,
3 TDs); Larry Clark (8-71, 0 TDs).
The scoop: Reese and Ritchie are
a good nucleus and likely only to get
better as the season progresses. The
Cavs started Reese late in the 2012
season, and Ruark likes what he
brings to the passing game.
Ritchie was the Cavs leading
receiver last year. Hes steady, runs
good routes and is a Ricky Proehl-
type receiver with good hands who
runs good routes, Ruark said.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The Cavs are excited about their
returning skill position players, led
by Clark getting back into the lineup
after missing the nal four games
last year with an injury (spleen). He
had two 100-yard games last season,
including 20 carries for 187 yards in
a victory at Bunker Hill.
All but 20 yards and three of
Reeses completions came in the
nal three games a year ago, and
Ritchie was fourth in the Catawba
Valley Athletic 2A in receiving yards
per game (36.7).
East Burke will have to rebuild its
offensive line, where senior tackle
Reid Cloninger returns, and will
need sophomores Mike Stillwell and
Eli Duckworth and junior Hunter
Hise to step up if an offense that
averaged 15.3 points per game last
year is to improve.
The Cavs moved the ball last year,
gaining 300 or more yards four
times, but they still ended up next-
to-last in total offense in the CVAC
2A at 246.2 yards per game, had 32
turnovers and the leagues worst
turnover ratio at minus-15.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Larry Clark, RB-
DB, Sr.; Nick Canipe, RB, Sr.; Elijah
Reese, QB, Sr.; Reid Cloninger, OL,
Sr.; Chuckie Ritchie, WR, Sr..
Top newcomers: Drake Haas, TE,
Jr.; Ryan Newell, WR, Soph.; Landon
Ward, FB, Jr.; Mike Stillwell, OL,
Soph.; Eli Duckworth, OL, Soph.;
Hunter Hise, OL, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Ruark says: We can be
pretty explosive if we get them (the
young linemen) to do the things
they need to do. Theres a certain
amount of speed (on offense) but
its really more about speed and
power. You really want to end up
with a team that can do either one.
DEFENSE
The Bears will run: 4-2.
THE RUNNING GAME
The Cavs were fth among eight
teams against the run in the Ca-
tawba Valley Athletic 2A last season,
allowing 194 yards per game and
nearly 4.7 yards per carry. Because
of a solid secondary that gave up a
league-low 10.7 yards per comple-
tion, opponents ran nearly three
times as much as they tried to pass
against East Burke.
Only four opponents Patton,
Freedom, South Caldwell and Band-
ys ran for more than 200 yards in
a game against the Cavs. After South
Caldwell ran for 487 yards against
East Burke, the Cavs allowed fewer
than 199 in each of the next seven
games.
The scoop: Ruark says he does
expect the Cavs to be better against
the run because he feels his defend-
ers are a bit more disciplined/expe-
rienced in their approach to playing
run defense this season.
The pace of the development of
the new linebackers could hold the
key.
THE PASSING GAME
Although opponents completed
nearly 51 percent of their 166 passes
and the Cavs picked off only seven,
East Burke was third-best in pass
defense last season in the CVAC 2A
(75.5 yards per game, behind only
Maiden and Bandys).
Every teamin the CVAC2A allowed
at least 12.4 yards per catch except
for East Burke, and the Cavs did
not give up a passing TDuntil the
fth game. Bandys, which threwfor
2,012 yards, had ve of the 11 scores
against the East Burke secondary,
two in a regular season game and
three in a state playoff game.
The scoop: Defending the pass
shouldnt be a major concern for the
Cavs because of the returning play-
ers they have who have experience
in the secondary, but the key players
there are going to play both ways in
a new league the South Moun-
tain Athletic 2A-3A that is full of
playmakers.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The Cavs should again be strong
in the secondary, where leading
tackler Nick Canipe (outside line-
backer) returns, and Reid Cloninger
will be a leader on the defensive
front.
East Burke will be young de-
fensively at inside linebacker and
along the defensive front, while the
secondary does have a challenge in
that the players in it play both ways.
I think were going to be pretty
good on the perimeter, Ruark said.
Where we have to develop is ... we
have young inside linebackers and
they have to step up. I think we have
to be better inside the tackles.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Brandon Clark,
DB, Soph.; Dillon Phillips, DB, Sr.;
Corey Young, DB, Sr.; Larry Clark,
DB, Sr.; Nick Canipe, DB, Sr.
Top newcomers: LandonWard,
DL, Jr.; Jake Prestwood, LB, Soph.;
Ryan Newell, DB, Soph.; Hunter
Hise, DL, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Ruark says: Its hard
to project (level of team success
this season). I think we can cer-
tainly contend for a playoff spot and
would like to think we can contend
with Shelby (the leagues 2A favor-
ite).
Thats a lot of ifs (development of
an offensive line and inside line-
backers) when youre talking about
kids.
WHATS IN STORE?
If the Cavs get the right pieces to
t, which primarily means shoring
up concerns about the offensive line
and the linebackers being so young,
they could be in line to surpass last
years total of ve wins.
Going into a new league that plac-
es football powerhouses like Burns,
Crest and Shelby on the schedule is
challenging, but Ruark said it wont
be signicantly different than life
in the CVAC 2A other than perhaps
the best league opponents are 3A
schools instead of 2As.
Youre talking quality oppo-
nents, in both leagues, Ruark said.
They may be bigger (schools), but I
still think we have to go out and do
what we do. (In either conference)
you cant be good at one thing. You
have to be good at everything.
Theres going to be a big learning
curve (for the younger Cavs). For us,
learning is how we do in terms of
making progress.
Ruark said hell have his best feel
for how good the Cavs can be after
they play their rst three games
against Freedom, Patton and
McDowell and then take an
open date to prep for league games
against East Rutherford and Burns.
Talk to me when Im nished
with the Burns week, Ruark said for
a clear indication of what the Cavs
are capable of doing this season.
CHRIS HOBBS
Ruark
Chuckie Ritchie,
last years top
receiver at East
Burke, makes
one of his three
catches against
Draughn last
year before the
Wildcats Cole
Huffman hits
him. East Burke
beat Draughn
26-7 at East
Burke.
E. Burke
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Oee 1-40 EXIT 121, LONG VIEW
Southern
District 7
Athletic 2A
BANDYS TROJANS
Aug. 23 at St. Ste-
phens (Endowment)
Aug. 30 Fred T.
Foard
Sept. 6 at Chase
Sept. 13 Alexander
Central (Endowment)
Sept. 27 E. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 4 at W.
CALDWELL
Oct. 11 at LINCOLN-
TON
Oct. 18 MAIDEN
Oct. 25 BUNKER
HILL
Nov. 1 at W. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Nov. 8 NEWTON-
CONOVER
BUNKER HILL BEARS
Aug. 23 Cherryville
Aug. 30 at St. Ste-
phens
Sept. 6 Fred T.
Foard
Sept. 13 at W.
Iredell
Sept. 27 MAIDEN
Oct. 4 W. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 11 at E. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 18 LINCOLN-
TON
Oct. 25 at BANDYS
Nov. 1 at NEWTON-
CONOVER
Nov. 8 W. CALDWELL
EAST LINCOLN
MUSTANGS
Aug. 23 at E. Gaston
Aug. 30 Q Founda-
tion (Endowment)
Sept. 6 N. Lincoln
Sept. 13 at Forest-
view
Sept. 27 at BANDYS
Oct. 4 at LINCOLN-
TON
Oct. 11 BUNKER HILL
Oct. 18 at NEWTON-
CONOVER
Oct. 25 W.
CALDWELL
Nov. 1 MAIDEN
Nov. 8 at W. LIN-
COLN
LINCOLNTONWOLVES
Aug. 23 N. Lincoln
Aug. 30 South Point
Sept. 6 at N. Gaston
Sept. 13 E. Gaston
Sept. 27 at W. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 4 E. LINCOLN
Oct. 11 BANDYS
Oct. 18 at BUNKER
HILL
Oct. 25 NEWTON-
CONOVER
Nov. 1 at W.
CALDWELL
Nov. 8 at MAIDEN
MAIDEN BLUE DEVILS
Aug. 23 at Fred T.
Foard
Aug. 30 W. Iredell
Sept. 13 St. Ste-
phens
Sept. 20 at S.
Caldwell (Endowment)
Sept. 27 at BUNKER
HILL
Oct. 4 NEWTON-
CONOVER
Oct. 11 at W.
CALDWELL
Oct. 18 at BANDYS
Oct. 25 W. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Nov. 1 at E. LINCOLN
Nov. 8 LINCOLN-
TON
NEWTON-CONOVER
RED DEVILS
Aug. 23 Chase (En-
dowment)
Aug. 30 at Lexing-
ton, N.C.
Sept. 6 at Hickory
Sept. 13 Freedom
Sept. 27 W.
CALDWELL
Oct. 4 at MAIDEN
Oct. 11 W. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 18 E. LINCOLN
Oct. 25 at LINCOLN-
TON
Nov. 1 BUNKER
HILL
Nov. 8 at BANDYS
WEST CALDWELL
WARRIORS
Aug. 23 at N. Wilkes
Aug. 30 at S.
Caldwell
Sept. 6 Hibriten
Sept. 13 at Enka
(Endowment)
Sept. 27 at NEW-
TON-CONOVER
Oct. 4 BANDYS
Oct. 11 MAIDEN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at W. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 25 at E. LIN-
COLN
Nov. 1 LINCOLN-
TON
Nov. 8 at BUNKER
HILL
WEST LINCOLN
REBELS
Aug. 23 Draughn
Aug. 30 at N. Lin-
coln
Sept. 6 Cherryville
Sept. 13 at W.
Iredell
Sept. 27 LINCOLN-
TON
Oct. 4 at BUNKER
HILL
Oct. 11 at NEWTON-
CONOVER
Oct. 18 W.
CALDWELL
Oct. 25 at MAIDEN
Nov. 1 BANDYS
Nov. 8 E. LINCOLN
Northwestern
3A-4A
FREDT. FOARDTIGERS
Aug. 23 Maiden
Aug 30 at Bandys
Sept. 6 at Bunker
Hill
Sept. 13 W. Lincoln
Sept. 27 at FREE-
DOM
Oct. 4 WATAUGA
(Homecoming)
Oct. 11 at HIBRITEN
Oct. 18 PATTON
Oct. 25 at HICKORY
Nov. 1 S. CALDWELL
Nov. 8 at ST. STE-
PHENS
FREEDOMPATRIOTS
Aug. 23 E. Burke
Aug. 30 at Draughn
Sept. 6 Burns (En-
dowment)
Sept. 13 at Newton-
Conover
Sept. 27 FREDT.
FOARD
Oct. 4 at HICKORY
Oct. 11 at WATAUGA
Oct. 18 S. CALDWELL
(Homecoming)
Oct. 25 HIBRITEN
Nov. 1 at ST. STE-
PHENS
Nov. 8 at PATTON
HIBRITEN PANTHERS
Aug. 23 W. Iredell
Aug. 30 Wilkes
Central
Sept. 6 at W.
Caldwell
Sept. 13 at Ashe
County (Endowment)
Sept. 27 S.
CALDWELL
Oct. 4 at ST. STE-
PHENS
Oct. 11 FREDT.
FOARD (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at WATAU-
GA
Oct. 25 at FREE-
DOM
Nov. 1 PATTON
Nov. 8 HICKORY
HICKORY
REDTORNADOES
Aug. 23 Statesville
Aug. 30 at S. Iredell
Sept. 6 Newton-
Conover
Sept. 13 Mooresville
(Endowment)
Sept. 27 at PATTON
Oct. 4 FREEDOM
Oct. 11 S.
CALDWELL
Oct. 18 at ST. STE-
PHENS
Oct. 25 FREDT.
FOARD (Homecoming)
Nov. 1 at WATAUGA
Nov. 8 at HIBRITEN
PATTON PANTHERS
Aug. 23 at Mountain
Heritage
Aug. 30 at E. Burke
Sept. 6 Draughn
Sept. 13 at Davidson
Day
Sept. 27 HICKORY
Oct. 4 at S.
CALDWELL
Oct. 11 ST. STE-
PHENS (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at FREDT.
FOARD
Oct. 25 WATAUGA
Nov. 1 at HIBRITEN
Nov. 8 FREEDOM
ST. STEPHENS
INDIANS
Aug. 23 Bandys
(Endowment)
Aug. 30 Bunker Hill
Sept. 13 at Maiden
Sept. 20 at ALEXAN-
DER CENTRAL
Sept. 27 at WATAU-
GA
Oct. 4 HIBRITEN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 11 at PATTON
Oct. 18 HICKORY
Oct. 25 at S.
CALDWELL
Nov. 1 FREEDOM
Nov. 8 FREDT.
FOARD
SOUTH CALDWELL
SPARTANS
Aug. 30 W. Caldwell
Sept. 6 at Alexander
Central
Sept. 13 at A.C.
Reynolds
Sept. 20 Maiden
Sept. 27 at HI-
BRITEN
Oct. 4 PATTON
Oct. 11 at HICKORY
Oct. 18 at FREE-
DOM
Oct. 25 ST. STE-
PHENS (Homecoming)
Nov. 1 at FREDT.
FOARD
Nov. 8 WATAUGA
WATAUGA PIONEERS
Aug. 23 Alexander
Central
Aug. 30 at Ashe
County
Sept. 13 at Avery
County
Sept. 20 Wilkes
Central (Endowment)
Sept. 27 ST. STE-
PHENS (Homecoming)
Oct. 4 at FREDT.
FOARD
Oct. 11 FREEDOM
Oct. 18 HIBRITEN
Oct. 25 at PATTON
Nov. 1 HICKORY
Nov. 8 at S.
CALDWELL
N. Piedmont
3A-4A
ALEXANDER CENTRAL
COUGARS
Aug. 23 at Watauga
Sept. 6 S. Caldwell
Sept. 13 at Bandys
(Endowment)
Sept. 20 St. Ste-
phens
Sept. 27 at LAKE
NORMAN
Oct. 4 N. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 11 at MOORES-
VILLE
Oct. 18 at STATES-
VILLE
Oct. 25 S. IREDELL
Nov. 1 at W. IRE-
DELL
Nov. 8 N. IREDELL
LAKE NORMAN
WILDCATS
Aug. 23 N. Mecklen-
burg (Endowment)
Aug. 30 at Hopewell
Sept. 6 Hough
Sept. 13 at Salis-
bury
Sept. 27 ALEXAN-
DER CENTRAL
Oct. 4 STATESVILLE
Oct. 11 at S. IREDELL
Oct. 18 W. IREDELL
(Homecoming)
Oct. 25 at N. LIN-
COLN
Nov. 1 N. IREDELL
Nov. 8 at MOORES-
VILLE
MOORESVILLE
BLUE DEVILS
Aug. 23 W. Rowan
Aug. 30 at Hough
Sept. 6 Hopewell
Sept. 13 at Hickory
Sept. 27 at STATES-
VILLE
Oct. 4 at N. IRE-
DELL
Oct. 11 ALEXANDER
CENTRAL (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at N. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 25 at W. IRE-
DELL
Nov. 1 S. IREDELL
Nov. 8 LAKE NOR-
MAN
NORTH IREDELL
RAIDERS
Aug. 23 Wilkes
Central
Aug. 30 at Forbush
Sept. 6 at W. Wilkes
Sept. 13 E. Wilkes
Sept. 27 at W. IRE-
DELL
Oct. 4 MOORES-
VILLE
Oct. 11 N. LINCOLN
(Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at S. IRE-
DELL
Oct. 25 STATES-
VILLE
Nov. 1 at LAKE NOR-
MAN
Nov. 8 at ALEXAN-
DER CENTRAL
NORTH LINCOLN
KNIGHTS
Aug. 23 at Lincoln-
ton
Aug. 30 W. Lincoln
Sept. 6 at E. Lincoln
Sept. 13 Bessemer
City
Sept. 27 S. IREDELL
Oct. 4 at ALEXAN-
DER CENTRAL
Oct. 11 at N. IREDELL
Oct. 18 MOORES-
VILLE
Oct. 25 LAKE NOR-
MAN
Nov. 1 at STATES-
VILLE
Nov. 8 W. IREDELL
SOUTH IREDELL
VIKINGS
Aug. 23 S. Rowan
(Endowment)
Aug. 30 Hickory
Sept. 6 at Starmount
Sept. 20 Salisbury
Sept. 27 at N. LIN-
COLN
Oct. 4 at W. IREDELL
Oct. 11 LAKE NOR-
MAN
Oct. 18 N. IREDELL
(Homecoming)
Oct. 25 at ALEXAN-
DER CENTRAL
Nov. 1 at MOORES-
VILLE
Nov. 8 STATESVILLE
STATESVILLE
GREYHOUNDS
Aug. 23 at Hickory
Sept. 6 N. Rowan
Sept. 13 at W.
Forsyth
Sept. 20 Lexington,
N.C.
Sept. 27 MOORES-
VILLE
Oct. 4 at LAKE NOR-
MAN
Oct. 11 W. IREDELL
Oct. 18 ALEXANDER
CENTRAL
Oct. 25 at N. IRE-
DELL
Nov. 1 N. LINCOLN
Nov. 8 at S. IREDELL
2013 SPONSORS
BIG DAWG 92.1
JEWELRY EXCHANGE
KICKS 103.3
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SALES & SERVICE
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WALLACE PRINTING, INC.
WALLACE ROOFING
WRENN VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
ZAMBELLI FIREWORKS
Legions Pride
828-464-5433 www.hickoryfair.com
100
th
Hickory American Legion Fair
August 28th - September 2nd
Pig Racing, Nightly Live Concerts,
Daily Shows, Rides, Fireworks
HWY 70
EXIT 128 OFF 1-40
EVENTS SUBJECT
TO CHANGE
FOR MORE INFO
CALL 464-5433
Monday September 2ND
THE FARM
Friday August 30TH
BUCKY COVINGTON
Thursday August 29TH
AMERICAN PRIDE
Sunday September 1ST
ANTHEM LIGHTS
Saturday August 31ST
RONNIE MCDOWELL
Wednesday August 28TH
DARIN & BROOKE
ALDRIDGE
August 29TH SCHOOL NIGHT (Sponsored by VESCO) All School Aged Children receive free admission Veterans with ID FREE
August 30TH SENIOR CITIZEN DAY Free Admission From 12-5 PM! Regular admission after 5PM
LAWNMOWER PULL Saturday, Aug 31, 2013 at 5PM KIDDIES TRACTOR PULL Sunday, Sept 1, 2013 at 5PM
Ages 0-6 FREE
Ages 7-17-$5
Ages 18 & Over-$7
Advance tickets at local
retailers:
The Jewelry Exchange
Sigs Tires
Killians Hardware
Startown Tire
Fair Offce (Fairgrounds)
FIREWORKS
BINGO
RIDES
GAMES
PIG RACES
4-H EXHIBITS
CATTLE SHOWS
ARTS & CRAFTS
The Hansens Spectacular
Acrobatic Sensations
Extreme Illusions
& Escapes Starring
Josh Knotts & Lea
Randy Everett
- Chainsaw Artist
Hogway Speedway
Racing Pigs
Buford Bear & his
Miniature Truck
Agricadabra
Heritage Village - Living
History at the Fair
ADMISSION
RIDE SPECIALS
DAILY
ENTERTAINMENT DAILY SHOWS
WEDNESDAY
5:00 PM
Unlimited Rides $18
THURSDAY
5:00 PM
Unlimited Rides $18
SATURDAY
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Unlimited Rides $18
SUNDAY
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dollar Day
Each Ride $1
MONDAY
12:00 PM
Unlimited Rides $25
COME CELEBRATE WITH US!
NIGHTLY LIVE MUSIC
Saturday, August 31 - Lawn
Mower Pull at 5pm
Sunday, September 1 - Kiddie
Tractor Pull at 5pm
2013 SCHEDULES
CONTINUED, Page 29
WEST IREDELL
WARRIORS
Aug. 23 at Hibriten
Aug. 30 at Maiden
Sept. 13 Bunker Hill
Sept. 20 Elkin (En-
dowment)
Sept. 27 N. IREDELL
Oct. 4 S. IREDELL
Oct. 11 at STATES-
VILLE
Oct. 18 at LAKE
NORMAN
Oct. 25 MOORES-
VILLE
Nov. 1 ALEXANDER
CENTRAL
Nov. 8 at N. LINCOLN
South
Mountain
Athletic 2A-3A
BURNS BULLDOGS
Aug. 23 Ashbrook
Aug. 30 at Hunter
Huss
Sept. 6 at Freedom
Sept. 13 at CHASE
Sept. 20 KINGS
MOUNTAIN
Sept. 27 at E. BURKE
Oct. 4 E. RUTHER-
FORD
Oct. 18 at SHELBY
Oct. 25 DRAUGHN
Nov. 1 at CREST
Nov. 8 R-S CENTRAL
CHASE TROJANS
Aug. 23 at Newton-
Conover
Sept. 6 Bandys
Sept. 13 Burns
Sept. 20 at SHELBY
Sept. 27 DRAUGHN
Oct. 4 at CREST
Oct. 11 R-S CENTRAL
Oct. 18 N. Gaston
Oct. 25 at KINGS
MOUNTAIN
Nov. 1 E. BURKE
Nov. 8 at E. RUTHER-
FORD
CREST CHARGERS
Aug. 23 South Point
Aug. 30 at Ash-
brook
Sept. 13 DRAUGHN
Sept. 27 at R-S
CENTRAL
Oct. 4 CHASE
Oct. 11 at KINGS
MOUNTAIN
Oct. 18 E. BURKE
Oct. 25 at E. RUTH-
ERFORD
Nov. 1 BURNS
Nov. 8 at SHELBY
DRAUGHN WILDCATS
Aug. 23 at W. Lincoln
(Endowment)
Aug. 30 Freedom
Sept. 6 at Patton
Sept. 13 at CREST
Sept. 20 R-S CEN-
TRAL
Sept. 27 at CHASE
Oct. 4 KINGS MOUN-
TAIN
Oct. 11 at E. BURKE
Oct. 18 E. RUTHER-
FORD (Homecoming)
Oct. 25 at BURNS
Nov. 1 SHELBY
EAST BURKE
CAVALIERS
Aug. 23 at Freedom
Aug. 30 Patton
Sept. 6 McDowell
Sept. 20 at E. RUTH-
ERFORD
Sept. 27 BURNS
Oct. 4 at SHELBY
Oct. 11 DRAUGHN
Oct. 18 at CREST
Oct. 25 R-S CEN-
TRAL (Homecoming)
Nov. 1 at CHASE
Nov. 8 KINGS
MOUNTAIN
EAST RUTHERFORD
CAVALIERS
Aug. 23 Asheville
Erwin
Aug. 30 at N. Gaston
Sept. 6 at Waynes-
ville Tuscola
Sept. 13 at KINGS
MOUNTAIN
Sept. 20 E. BURKE
Oct. 4 at BURNS
Oct. 11 SHELBY
Oct. 18 at DRAUGHN
Oct. 25 CREST
(Homecoming)
Nov. 1 at R-S CEN-
TRAL
Nov. 8 CHASE
KINGS MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINEERS
Aug. 23 Hunter
Huss
Aug. 30 at E. Gaston
Sept. 6 Forestview
Sept. 13 E. RUTHER-
FORD
Sept. 20 at BURNS
Sept. 27 SHELBY
Oct. 4 at DRAUGHN
Oct. 11 CREST
Oct. 18 at R-S CEN-
TRAL
Oct. 25 at CHASE
Nov. 8 at E. BURKE
R-S CENTRAL
HILLTOPPERS
Aug. 23 McDowell
Sept. 6 at Polk
County
Sept. 13 SHELBY
Sept. 20 at
DRAUGHN
Sept. 27 CREST
Oct. 11 at CHASE
Oct. 18 KINGSMOUN-
TAIN(Homecoming)
Oct. 25 at E. BURKE
Nov. 1 E. RUTHER-
FORD
Nov. 8 at BURNS
SHELBY
GOLDEN LIONS
Aug. 23 at Polk
County
Aug. 30 A.C. Reynolds
Sept. 6 at South
Point
Sept. 13 at R-S
CENTRAL
Sept. 20 CHASE
Sept. 27 at KINGS
MOUNTAIN
Oct. 4 E. BURKE
Oct. 11 at E. RUTH-
ERFORD
Oct. 18 BURNS
Nov. 1 at DRAUGHN
Nov. 8 CREST
2013
Cheer
Off
attention
VARSI TY CHEERLEADERS
For more info visit HendrickHondaCheerOff.com
HENDRICK HONDA HICKORY
945 Hwy. 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
828.322.2673
2013 SCHEDULE (Continued)
Freedoms Khris
Gardin breaks
free for a TD in
the Patriots
42-14 victory
over East Burke
in last years Fat
Friday game at
East Burke.
Gardin went
53 yards on his
only carry of the
game to score.
WAYNE WHALEY/MORGANTON NEWS HERALD
220 Catawba Meadows Dr.
Morganton, NC 28655
Call tobookyourtour
828.430.3440
2013 ALEXANDER CENTRAL ROSTER
Head Coach: Nick Bazzle
(117-63, 14 years; 5-7 at Alexander Central, one year)
2 Landon Hammer 6-1 190 QB-DB Soph.
3 Austin Brown 5-8 155 WR-DB Sr.
4 Connor Fox 5-9 150 K Sr.
5 Landon Thomas 6-0 165 A-DB Sr.
6 Alex Fox 6-0 180 QB-DB Jr.
7 Lawson Bowman 5-10 165 WR-DB Sr.
8 Justin Schronce 6-0 180 WR-DB Sr.
9 Luke Price 5-8 160 A-LB Jr.
10 MatthewCarrigan 5-10 165 WR-DB Jr.
12 Zac Hefner 6-0 160 QB-DB Sr.
15 Najahwan Smalls 5-6 145 A-DB Sr.
16 Matt Beneld 6-2 160 WR-DB-K Sr.
17 Quandry Redman 5-11 160 WR-DB Sr.
20 Jacob Reese 5-10 175 A-DB Sr.
21 Darius Spratt 5-10 140 A-DB Sr.
22 Devante Clark 5-10 180 B-LB Soph.
23 Tanner Starnes 6-0 205 A-LB Sr.
25 Brandon Byrd 5-8 140 WR-DB Sr.
30 Jacob Hoke 5-10 200 B-LB Sr.
34 Kevin Alanis 6-1 210 A-DL Jr.
36 Victor Calin 5-11 195 B-LB Sr.
50 Daniel Little 6-4 220 OL-DL Jr.
52 Logan Campbell 6-1 195 OL-DL Sr.
55 Kendall Mayes 5-8 290 OL-DL Sr.
56 Zack Moose 5-11 200 OL-DL Sr.
58 Dustin M. Jones 6-1 210 OL-DL Sr.
60 Avery Robinette 6-2 255 OL-DL Jr.
62 Lucas St. Clair 5-8 280 OL-DL Sr.
64 Curtis Belcher 6-2 245 OL-DL Jr.
65 Dalton Sweat 6-1 220 OL-DL Sr.
68 Brock Moretz 5-9 275 OL-DL Jr.
70 Jesse Luffman 6-5 250 OL-DL Sr.
72 Zach Stevenson 6-1 240 OL-DL Sr.
74 Dylan Adams 6-1 260 OL-DL Sr.
75 Wade Phillips 6-2 300 OL-DL Sr.
76 Ben Rogers 5-9 235 OL-DL Jr.
77 Bub Parsons 5-11 295 OL-DL Jr.
78 Jordan Wagoner 5-9 250 OL-DL Jr.
80 Hunter Houston 6-0 175 TE-LB Sr.
82 Jeremy Brown 6-2 200 TE-DL Jr.
84 Marco Barradas 6-0 190 TE-LB Sr.
86 Dylan Stikeleather 5-9 145 WR-DB Sr.
Assistant coaches: Matt Wilson, Lee Crawford, Larry
Robinson, Marcus Bowen, Chris Marshall, Ken Haynes, Nathan
Robinson, Arland Mays, Justin Kaylor, Bob Phaup, Josh Bowles, Dan
Fincannon.
2013 ALEXANDER CENTRAL SCHEDULE
Aug. 23
at Watauga, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6
S. Caldwell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13
at Bandys (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20
St. Stephens, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27
at LAKE NORMAN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4
N. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 11
at MOORESVILLE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18
at STATESVILLE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25
S. IREDELL, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1
at W. IREDELL, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8
N. IREDELL, 7:30 p.m.
DOYOU REMEMBER?
in Cougars football history (statistical totals are unofcial):
1993
In the second of Gene Prices six seasons as head coach, the
Cougars went 3-2 in the Northwestern 4Ato nish in third place.
Led by RB Chris Brown, they nished 6-4 overall and did not
advance to the postseason.
Browns rushing totals that led Alexander Central were 96 carries
for 565 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His big night came with
three scoring runs of 3, 48 and 43 yards in a 23-0 victory over
Hickory, the third win by the Cougars in the rst nine matchups
against the Red Tornadoes in a series that began in 1985.
Other memorable season highlights included kickoff returns
of 88 and 98 yards by Malcom Mallard in victories over Wilkes
Central and Freedom, respectively.
2003
Sparked by QB Brandon Kinnaird, the Cougars tied for fourth
place in the Northwestern 4A, going 2-4 in league games and
4-8 overall and advancing to the state playoffs in the third of six
seasons with Chris Deal as the head coach.
Kinnaird nished the season with 159 rushes for 634 yards and
12 TDs and completed 92 passes for 1,065 yards and 11 scores,
helping Alexander Central earn a rst-round state playoff visit to
Greensboro Page (lost 48-27).
RB Justin Bowles added 84 rushes for 448 yards and two elec-
trifying kickoff return TDs, taking one 91 yards for a score against
Wilkes Central and a 95-yarder to the house against East Burke.
Alex Central Cougars
OFFENSE
The Cougars will run: Triple op-
tion.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Tan-
ner Starnes, 6-foot, 205 pounds, Sr.
(31-292, 1 TD); Jacob Reese, 5-10,
175, Sr. (14-142, 0 TDs); Darius
Spratt, 5-10, 140, Sr. (22-134, 1 TD).
The scoop: A very green group
will be tested to replace a ground
game that featured Casey Anderson
with 1,117 yards on 143 carries,
second in yards in the Northwestern
3A-4A last season.
The Cougars averaged 263.2 yards
per game and 6.1 yards per carry,
trailing only South Caldwell and
Hibriten in those league stats.
There are four seniors starting
on the offensive line, but only one
(Zach Stevenson) started last year.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Tanner
Starnes, 6-0, 205, Sr. (2-5-2, 50, TD).
Leading returning receivers:
Tanner Starnes, 6-0, 205, Sr. (4-49, 0
TDs).
The scoop: Landon Hammer
(6-1, 190, Soph.) will move into a
starting role at quarterback and
juniors Lawson Bowman and Austin
Brown are expected to be his pri-
mary receiving targets. Head coach
Nick Bazzle said one challenge for
Hammer will be throwing to smaller
receivers.
Last year, graduated starting QB
Luke Bean had 6-2 Matt Quigley as
a primary go-to receiver and Bean
threw for 103.1 yards per game,
second in the Northwestern 3A-4A,
and 11 scores.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
Starting from scratch with a crop
of new players will be the main task
for the Cougars.
We dont have a Luke Bean, the
quarterback we had last year,
Bazzle said. Its going to be very
hard to replace Matt Quigley (22-
573, 4 TDs), the receiver we had last
year. That combination is going to
be tough to replace. You may see a
little different dimension out of us
this year than you might of saw last
year.
One of the two returning players
on offense, lineman Zach Steven-
son, will miss preseason practice
and the rst game of the season as
he is currently at boot camp with
the U.S. Army.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Tanner Starnes,
RB, Sr.; Zach Stevenson OL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Landon Ham-
mer, QB, So.; Devante Clark, RB, So.;
Lawson Bowman, WR, Sr.; Austin
Brown, WR Sr.
THE WORD
Coach Bazzle says: (Hammer
and Clark) have the potential to
be great ones one day. Theyre just
young right now, but by the time
they get to be seniors, if everything
continues to improve with them,
they might be special one day. But
theyre going to have to go through
growing pains.
DEFENSE
The Cougars will run: 4-3.
THE RUNNING GAME
Alexander Central was fth out
of seven teams in the Northwest-
ern 3A-4A last year in stopping the
run, allowing 237.5 yards per game,
nearly 6.6 yards per carry and giving
up 39 rushing scores.
The scoop: The Cougars are look-
ing to Bub Parsons (5-9, 295, Jr.) to
join senior Dustin Jones (6-1, 210,
Sr.) to anchor the front four. Bazzle
says the other two down lineman
spots are up for grabs.
Alexander Central is returning to a
4-3 scheme this season.
THE PASSING GAME
The Cougars were last in the
Northwestern 3A-4A in pass defense
a year ago, giving up 120 yards per
game and a league-high 14 TDs.
Opponents completed 61.6 percent
of their passes and got 16 yards per
catch.
The scoop: Bazzle believes safety
LandonThomas (6-0, 165, Sr.) has
the ability to play in college. He is
returning froma knee injury (ACL)
suffered last season. Newcomer Matt
Carrigan (5-10, 165, Jr.) and Naja-
hwanNaz Smalls (5-6, 145, Sr.)
should bring more speed and ath-
leticismto the defensive backeld.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
With 40 varsity players, several
will be asked to line up on both
sides of the ball. Staying healthy
will be as important as anything
else.
Said Bazzle: If who were starting
with onAugust 23 is who we nish
with inNovember, thenI feel like
weve got a chance to be pretty good.
Despite scoring 32 points a game
last season, the Cougars won only
ve games because of the inability
to stop opposing offenses. Bazzle
hopes a switch to a 4-3 alignment
will tighten up things.
Weve got to stop the run, no
questions about itWith the
change in the scheme this year, we
feel like were doing something that
ts our team better.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: LandonThomas,
DB, Sr.; Tanner Starnes, LB, Sr.;
Dustin Jones, DL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Bub Parsons,
DL, Jr.; Matt Carrigan, DB, Jr., Jake
Hoke, LB, Sr. (did not play in 2012);
Naz Smalls.
THE WORD
Coach Bazzle says: Weve got to
win the turnover ratio (minus six in
2012 after losing 15 fumbles). If we
get more fumbles and picks than
we give up and we win the time of
possession, then weve got a chance
to win games. Thats what weve
got to do If we can keep peoples
offense off the eld that will be our
best defense.
WHATS IN STORE?
The buzz word for this years Cou-
gars is unknown.
With nine new starters on offense
and eight on defense, combined
with a new conference (North Pied-
mont 3A-4A), there is uncertainty
on Bazzles part of what to expect
this season.
When I look at our kids and see
how we are developing ourselves,
I feel pretty good about us, Bazzle
said. I dont know how to compare
us and know how good we can be
yet because Im in this league where
I know nothing about the teams
were playing
When youve never played Lake
Norman; when youve never played
MooresvilleThese teams Im just
unfamiliar with, so its kind of hard
for me to say how were going to
be, but I like the way were coming
along.
MARK PARKER
RECORD FILE PHOTO
Landon Thomas, who returns for Alexander Central this season, looks for room to run and to get around a wall of Fred T. Foard
defenders on a return in the Cougars 28-14 victory last season in Taylorsville.
Bazzle
WISHING THE COUGARS
A SUCCESSFUL
ATHLETIC YEAR
(IN ALL SPORTS)!
From all employees of
HANCOCK & MOORE, INC.
Leather/Fabric Furniture Makers
166 Hancock & Moore Lane
Hickory
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POWERSPORTS, INC.
44 Chevy Drive, Taylorsville, NC 28681
828-632-3147
www.schronceseadoo.com
schroncepowersports@msn.com
Best of luck Cougars,
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9771 NC Hwy 127 | Hickory, NC 28601
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828-495-8351
M-F: 7:30 - 6:00 Sat: 7:30 - 4:00 Sun: 1:00 - 4:00
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Alexander
Central
Adjacent to Hickory Furniture Mart
2260 US Hwy 70 SE | Hickory
828- 431- 4804
MONDAY FRIDAY 9: 30AM- 6: 00 PM
SATURDAY 9:00AM-5:00 PM | SUNDAY 1:00-5:00 PM
Catawba Shoe Store
Good luck this season,
COUGARS!
2DB2 Mcrth Center Street Hickory, NC 28601
www.TheHickoryTavern.com
Look For Us On And
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www.lynwoodkennel.com
2013 FREEDOMROSTER
Head Coach: Blair Hardin
(50-18, 5 years; 0-0 at Freedom, rst year)
1 Niguel Moore 5-11 160 QB-DB Fr.
2 Jamie ONiel 5-11 180 WR-DB Soph.
3 Solomon Ervin 6-1 195 WR-LB Sr.
4 Titus Smith 5-11 175 QB-DB Jr.
5 B.J. Emmons 6-1 195 RB-DB Soph.
6 Chris Bridges 5-11 200 RB-DB Sr.
7 Khris Gardin 5-8 160 WR-DB Sr.
8 Mitch Brown 5-9 160 RB-DB Jr.
10 Marcus Hawkins 6-3 260 TE-DL Fr.
11 Josh Ray 5-11 160 WR-DB Jr.
12 Marcus Wakeeld 5-10 160 WR-DB Sr.
16 Mark Biggerstaff 5-8 180 RB-LB Soph.
18 Trevor Propst 6-0 170 WR-LB Sr.
20 Steven Beck 5-8 175 WR-LB Soph.
21 Jakolbie Edgerton 5-8 175 WR-LB Jr.
22 Braxton Grant 5-9 160 RB-DB Jr.
23 Gerren Wilkins 5-10 155 RB-DB Sr.
24 Rodney Thompson 5-9 170 RB-DB Jr.
30 Javae Howell 6-1 240 TE-DL Sr.
33 Izzy Davis 5-10 225 RB-LB Jr.
34 Nick Dumaine 6-1 215 RB-DE Soph.
40 Kenyon Johnson 6-0 205 TE-DL Jr.
43 Scott Harlow 5-8 215 OL-DL Jr.
44 Kenmar Edwards 5-10 180 RB-LB Jr.
45 Robby Campbell 6-0 190 TE-DL Sr.
50 Jhron King 6-0 250 OL-DL Sr.
52 Malik Drury 6-3 260 OL-DL Jr.
55 Eli Palmer 6-1 210 OL-DL Sr.
58 Kenneth Hunt 6-1 200 OL-DL Sr.
60 Daniel Cox 5-10 255 OL-DL Sr.
61 Patrick Annas 6-5 190 OL-DL Sr.
62 Will Beach 6-0 230 OL-DL Sr.
63 DeAndre Carpenter 5-10 200 OL-DL Sr.
64 Trynton Rutherford 6-3 265 OL-DL Sr.
65 Casey Rutherford 6-4 295 OL-DL Jr.
66 Eric Solomon 5-9 225 OL-DL Soph.
68 Saxton Setzer 5-10 220 OL-DL Jr.
71 Ethan Vance 5-6 225 OL-DL Jr.
72 Kenray Edwards 6-1 295 OL-DL Soph.
74 Lance Cook 6-2 280 OL-DL Jr.
78 Nate Moore 6-3 365 OL-DL Sr.
Assistant coaches: Dennis Clay, Zach Johnson, Jeff Williams,
Grayson Capps, Matt Mullholland, James Atkinson, Robert Crawley,
SamMackey, RakeemRutherford.
2013 FREEDOMSCHEDULE
Aug. 23 E. Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 at Draughn, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Burns (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Newton-Conover, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 FREDT. FOARD, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at HICKORY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at WATAUGA, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 S. CALDWELL, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 25 HIBRITEN, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 at ST. STEPHENS, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 at PATTON, 7:30 p.m.
Freedom Patriots
Hardin
OFFENSE
The Patriots will run: 2-back
Spread.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Chris
Bridges, 5-11, 200, Sr. (59-367, 3 TDs)
The scoop: The Patriots return
senior running back Bridges, but
must replace graduated David Bur-
gess (340-2,826, 29 TDs).
Also returning are senior offensive
linemen Nate Moore, Jharon King
and Kenneth Hunt.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: none.
Leading returning receiver: Khris
Gardin, 5-8, 160, Sr. (63-1,155, 14
TDs).
The scoop: Gardin is the top
returning receiver in the North-
western 3A-4A but will have a new
quarterback throwing to him.
Titus Smith (5-11, 175, Jr.) replaces
graduated quarterback Shawn
Faireld.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
We feel like we have decent size
up front, said new head coach Blair
Hardin. We have four seniors start-
ing up there so well rely on their
leadership to really help us.
We also feel like we have some
decent skilled kids that if we can get
the ball to them with space they can
be competitive.
We want to geep our quarter-
backs reads real simple so he can
manage the game, protect the
football and get the ball to some of
those athletes.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Trynton Ruth-
erford, OL, Sr.; Nate Moore, OL, Sr.
Khris Gardin, WR, Sr.; Chris Bridges,
RB, Sr.; Jharon King, OL, Sr.; Ken-
neth Hunt, OL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Titus Smith, QB,
Jr.; Jamie ONiel, WR, Soph.; Marcus
Hawkins, TE, Fresh.; B.J. Emmons,
RB, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Hardin says: Its a brand
new offense for them and its the
triple option so everything is new.
Our timing and our communication
has to improve. Weve had the ball
on the ground a few times in prac-
tice and that cant happen in games.
I think if we can execute and
communicate then we can be
competitive but we still have work
to do.
DEFENSE
The Patriots will run: 4-3.
THE RUNNING GAME
The Patriots return only junior
Izzy Davis at linebacker and will
have four new upfront guys.
The scoop: Freedom must
overcome the inexperience upfront
to be able to stop opponents from
running the football.
THE PASSING GAME
The Patriots return B.J. Emmons
(6-1, 195, Soph.) at free safety, Chris
Bridges at strong safety and Khris
Gardin at defensive back.
The scoop: With experience in
the secondary, the Patriots should
be able to match up with most
teams they face.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
We feel like we have decent speed
defensively and that we move fairly
well, Hardin said. Were still trying
to ne tune small details and get
everybody in the right position.
Our communication must im-
prove, but I feel like what were do-
ing ts our personell. We just want
to continue to ne tune before we
play East Burke on opening night.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: B.J. Emmons, FS,
Soph.; Chris Bridges, SS, Sr.; Khris
Gardin, DB, Sr.; Izzy Davis, LB, Jr.
Top newcomers: Rodney Thomp-
son, DB, Jr.; Steven Beck, LB, Soph.;
Marcus Hawkins, DL, Fresh.
THE WORD
Coach Hardin says: The biggest
thing for all of our kids is to gain
condence. We have decent speed
defensively and if we can be in posi-
tion, I think we will make the plays.
WHATS IN STORE?
Coming off the best season in
school history with a 12-3 record a
year ago, the Patriots enter the new
season with a new head coach.
We want to continue that Freedom
tradition, Hardinsaid. Play tough,
play sound, be disciplined and thats
what were really about. I think if you
play hard, you play sound and play
fundamental and prepare well for
your opponents thenthe expectation
should be there.
Being new to the area, Ive had
to learn a lot about the teams we
play, but the biggest thing when you
come down to it is to be competi-
tive we have to be able to block and
tackle well. If we do that, it really
comes down to a players game
because they make the plays. Well
prepare each week and see where
we are.
ALLEN HAYNES
JAMES LYNCHJR./MORGANTON NEWS HERALD
Returning running back Chris Bridges
of Freedom looks downeld as he runs
against Concord in last seasons state
seminal game at Freedom. He had one
carry for seven yards in that 27-20 loss
to the Spiders.
2013 PATTON ROSTER
Head Coach: Joe Glass
(2-9, one year)
No. Player Pos. Grade
2 Chance Carswell RB-LB Sr.
3 Nick Conklin QB-LB Jr.
4 Collins Hamer RB-DB Jr.
5 Josh Rutherford RB-LB Soph.
6 Peyton Mull QB-DB Soph.
7 Dalton Shipley RB-LB Jr.
8 AndrewDavis WR-DB Jr.
9 Brandon Ollis WR-LB Sr.
10 Ethan Roper WR-DB Soph.
11 Jevon Morris K-P Sr.
12 Kieon Ervin WR-DB Sr.
15 Marcus Whitner WR-DB Sr.
17 Thomas Singley K-P Sr.
20 Isaiah Williams WR-DB Soph.
21 Landon Colley WR-DB Sr.
22 Ben Johnson TE-LB Jr.
23 Russell Cuthbertson WR-DB Soph.
24 Matt Dale LB Soph.
25 Hayden Caraway TE-LB Sr.
26 Jordan Avery WR-DB Sr.
28 Sampson Cuthbertson RB-LB Sr.
32 Seth Ledford TE-LB Sr.
34 Tyriq Ervin RB-LB Sr.
38 TimPerkins TE-LB Jr.
42 Chad Spurlin OL-DL Sr.
50 Hampton Brown OL-DE Soph.
51 Brant Goforth OL-DL Jr.
52 Alex Nunez OL-DL Sr.
53 Alex Brown OL-DE Jr.
54 Tyler Foster OL-DL Jr.
55 Colton Caraway OL-DL Jr.
56 Zaquan Price OL-DL Soph.
57 Riley Caraway OL-DL Soph.
68 Howard Mungo OL-DL Jr.
70 Jared Sain OL-DLSr. Sr.
72 Diamond Villanueva OL-DL Jr.
74 Josh Biddix OL-DL Jr.
75 Bryce Pruitt OL-DL Sr.
76 Jesse Bunton OL-DL Sr.
80 Josh Espinoza OL-DE Jr.
Assistant coaches: Ron Turner, Allen Wittenberg, Jeff Davis,
Gianni Niglio, Jeff McCarrick, Ben Johnson, Josh Coffey, A.J. Craw-
ley, Eric Shehan.
Note: Patton does not provide height and weights of its players on
rosters.
2013 PATTON SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 at Mountain Heritage, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 at E. Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Draughn, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Davidson Day, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 HICKORY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at S. CALDWELL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 ST. STEPHENS, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at FREDT. FOARD, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 WATAUGA, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 at HIBRITEN, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 FREEDOM, 7:30 p.m.
Patton Panthers
Glass
OFFENSE
The Panthers will run:
Spread.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning
rusher: Tyriq Ervin, 5-
foot-10, 215 pounds, Sr.
(47-206, 0 TDs)
The scoop: The Pan-
thers return Ervin, a senior
running back, and junior
quarterback Nick Conklin
in the backeld.
Also returning are senior
offensive linemen Jared
Sain (6-0, 230), Jesse Bun-
ton (6-0, 245) and Bryce
Pruitt (6-4, 320).
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning
passer: Nick Conklin, 5-10,
200, Jr. (21-42-2, 283, 4
TDs).
Leading returning re-
ceivers: Landon Colley, 5-
10, 180, Sr. (9-134, 3 TDs);
Marcus Whitener, 5-10,
160, Sr. (10-131, 1 TD).
The scoop: Conklintook
over the starting quarter-
back spot after Chance
Carswell was injured last
season. He returns as the
Panthers starting quarter-
back and has two returning
receivers inseniors Landon
Colley and MarcusWhiten-
er to throwto. Carswell also
returns, but will primarily
play defense.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
This is year two of us
being here, said head
coach Joe Glass. We
were also able to hire Ron
Turner (former Bunker
Hill head coach and Alex-
ander Central and Hickory
assistant) as our offensive
coordinator, which was a
big hire for us.
Consistency is our
biggest strength this year.
This will be the rst year
since J.K. Adkins left in
2009 that Patton has had a
coach more than one year
in a row.
We will be pretty big up
front with a couple of 300-
pounders and also feel like
we have a lot of depth at
running back. We also have
both returning wide receiv-
ers and have some depth
this year at all the positions.
My biggest concern
offensively is hiring Coach
Turner so late that tweak-
ing what weve been doing
during the summer will
affect us. Were just trying
to get caught up with him
and him with us and thats
somewhat of a concern.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jared
Sain, OL, Sr.; Jesse Bunton,
OL, Sr.; Nick Conklin, QB,
Jr.; Landon Colley, WR, Sr.;
Marcus Whitener, WR, Sr.;
Bryce Pruitt, OL, Sr.; Tyriq
Ervin, RB, Sr.
Top newcomers: Samp-
son Cuthbertson, RB, Sr.;
Russell Cuthbertson, WR,
Soph.; Josh Rutherford,
RB, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Glass says: I
think we will be able to
move the ball and score
some points. Last year, we
had one kid that ran the
ball all year long and in the
third and fourth quarter he
started getting tired.
I think we will surprise
some people upfront and
surprise some people
offensively with some of
the stuff that were going
to do.
DEFENSE
The Panthers will run:
3-3-5.
THE RUNNING GAME
With two up front guys
and three linebackers
returning, the Panthers
should improve against
the run after allowing
25.3 points per game last
season.
The scoop: Patton must
be able to contain the run
and give its offense more
opportunities with the
football.
THE PASSING GAME
The Panthers return
senior Landon Colley at
corner and junior Collins
Hamer at safety.
The scoop: With experi-
ence and more depth
at defensive back, the
Panthers should be able to
be more aggressive.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
We have a lot of guys
back that got a good num-
ber of snaps on defense
last year, said defensive
coordinator AllenWit-
tenburg. We have seven
starters back and have at
least three others that got
a good number of snaps.
Our system is basically
the same and with the
number of players back
that will hopefully bring
more consistancy and that
will be a strong suit for us.
Were running pretty
much the same scheme,
but just like on offense,
weve tweaked it some.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jesse
Bunton, DL, Sr.; Landon
Colley, CB, Sr.; Collins
Hamer, FS, Sr.; Tyriq Ervin,
LB, Sr.; Alex Nunez, DL,
Sr.; Tim Perkins, LB, Jr.;
Hayden Caraway, LB, Sr.;
Chance Carswell, LB, Sr.
Top newcomers: Russell
Cuthbertson, DB, Soph.;
Josh Rutherford, LB, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Wittenburg says:
I think were going to be
more aggressive, and I
think the kids are re-
ally buying into that. With
what were doing, I want
to be able to create more
sacks and turnovers.
Im just hoping this
year that we create more
turnovers and give the of-
fense the ball back more.
WHATS IN STORE?
The Panthers have 14
returning starters and are
heading into the second
season under Glass with
optimism.
I really feel like we kind
of control our owndestiny,
Glass said. I dont think its
a questionof speed, size
and strength for us. Now
its the questionof canthey
overcome what theyve
beenthrough the past two
or three years with the in-
consistency and the losing?
Really it will be them
growing up a little bit
and learning to play the
next play and staying up
and not letting their head
drop. If were able to play
the next play and not get
down when something
bad happens then theres
no telling what well do.
Ive been at Patton ev-
ery year since the start but
one and this is by far the
best team weve had from
top to bottom. Of course
with that brings some lofty
expectations, but we have
good coaches in place
where we need them.
So the expectationfor
me is whenpeople say Pat-
tonfootball, thensome-
body doesnt start laughing.
I think we earned some
respect last year, but now
we want some people to
worry about us a little bit.
ALLEN HAYNES
F-150 SVT Raptor Crew
Go Panthers!
Tommy Calhoun
Owner
PLACE
1
st
Hwy 18 Lenoir 828.754.1524 www.FirstPlaceFord.com
Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 6:00PM Saturday 8:30AM - 4:00PM
2013 HIBRITEN ROSTER
Head Coach: Clay Lewis
(26-13, three years)
2 Jacob Cooper 6-0 196 QB-S Sr.
4 Lucas Smith 5-8 174 QB Jr.
5 Dontavis Caldwell 5-6 148 A-QB-DB Jr.
7 Nick Logan 5-10 170 A Sr.
8 Drake Honeycutt 5-7 161 SE-DB Sr.
14 Hunter Penley 6-1 202 TE-DL Sr.
15 Zac Dillard 5-7 139 A-DB Jr.
20 Daquan Suddreth 5-7 174 A Sr.
21 Chris Echeverria 5-8 186 SE Sr.
23 Chris Gilreath 5-8 168 B Jr.
24 JQuan Taylor 5-7 178 SE-DB Sr.
26 Connor Caldwell 5-6 146 SE-DB Sr.
27 TiShawn Daniels 5-8 188 B-LB Jr.
28 Montell Killian 5-7 148 A-DB Jr.
32 Jamal Grier 5-11 225 B-LB Jr.
35 Devell Maxwell 5-9 197 A-S Jr.
38 Davone Jones 6-0 206 A Sr.
40 Elijah Wakeeld 5-10 138 K-P So.
41 Kyle Harmon 5-8 194 SE-LB Sr.
43 Elijah Baker 5-10 164 SE Jr.
45 Brandon Freeman 5-7 198 B-DL Sr.
46 Tyler Jones 5-11 196 TE-DL Sr.
48 Zac Walker 5-8 184 B-LB Sr.
50 Mark Wilson 5-11 198 OL-DL Jr.
52 Coleman Clark 5-8 196 OL-LB Jr.
53 Justin Ashburn 5-10 185 OL-LB Jr.
60 Ethan Rogers 5-10 169 OL-DL Sr.
66 Ryan Ellis 5-8 274 OL Jr.
67 Geovanny Casco 5-8 281 OL Jr.
72 Thomas Murphy 6-2 261 OL Sr.
73 Jonathan Minton 6-3 191 OL-DL Sr.
74 Casey Vess 6-4 240 OL-DL Jr.
75 Daniel Minton 6-3 325 OL Jr.
77 Trevor White 6-1 283 OL Sr.
78 Jy Rippy 5-11 271 OL Sr.
80 Drak Felder 6-1 205 SE-DL Jr.
82 Matt Cannon 5-6 142 SE Jr.
84 WilliamKent 5-11 174 TE-LB Jr.
86 WilliamReed 5-11 185 TE-DL Jr.
Assistant coaches: Shea Bridges, Chuck Cannon, Brandon Dilling,
Scott Faw, Todd Champion, TimPoarch, Derek Reeves, Monte Simmons,
Jimmy Watkins.
2013 HIBRITEN SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 W. Iredell, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 Wilkes Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at W. Caldwell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Ashe County (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 S. CALDWELL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at ST. STEPHENS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 FREDT. FOARD, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at WATAUGA, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at FREEDOM, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 PATTON, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 HICKORY, 7:30 p.m.
Hibriten Panthers
Lewis
OFFENSE
The Panthers will run: Pistol Flex.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Zac
Walker, 5-foot-8, 184 pounds, Sr.
(109-523, 7 TDs); Jacob Cooper, 6-0,
196, Sr. (64-466, 5 TDs); TiShawn
Daniels, 5-8, 188, Jr. (54-406, 7 TDs);
Duquan Suddreth, 5-7, 174, Sr. (22-
299, 5 TDs); Davone Jones, 6-0, 206,
Sr. (28-230, 2 TDs).
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passers: Jacob
Cooper, 6-0, 196, Sr. (15-37-3, 282, 4
TDs); Dontavius Caldwell, 5-6, 148,
Jr. (8-25-4, 69, 0 TDs).
Leading returning receiver: Zac
Walker (7-84, 1 TD).
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The strength for Hibriten is in its
backeld and offensive line.
The Panthers return the bulk of
their backeld and four on the of-
fensive line, including two three-
year starters.
Offensively we are in good shape
and excited to start the season,
said Hibriten head coach Clay
Lewis. Our biggest concern is at
receiver, where we really dont have
anyone coming back. This is to
going to put more pressure on our
running game at the start of the
season.
If we can get our running game
going, I feel we will be able to put
some points on the board. The
running game is without question
our strength with the returning
players in the backeld and on the
line.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jacob Cooper, QB,
Sr.; Hunter Penley, WR, Sr.; Daquan
Suddreth, RB, Sr.; Devell Maxwell,
A-S, Jr.; TiShawn Daniels, FB, Jr.;
Thomas Murphy, C, Sr.; Jon Min-
ton, OL, Sr.; Daniel Minton, OL, Sr.;
Trever White, OL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Drake Honeyc-
utt, SE, Sr.; JQuanTaylor, SE, Sr.
THE WORD
Coach Lewis says: We are going
to hang our hat on our running
game especially early in the season
until we can get some players
comfortable at receiver. I feel good
about where we are at on offense
in each position and know that our
passing game will come around. A
number of the returning players are
seniors and been starters for several
years so they know the system and
what to expect.
DEFENSE
The Panthers will run: 3-3-5.
THE RUNNING GAME
Hibriten was third in the North-
western 3A-4A last year against
the run, allowing 285.2 yards
per game and matching South
Caldwell for fewest yards per rush
allowed (4.9).
It may be hard for the Panthers
to match that, especially at the
start of the season as there are no
returning starters on the defensive
line.
THE PASSING GAME
Hibriten was fth among seven
teams in the Northwestern 3A-4A
defending the pass, allowing 104.9
yards per game but ending up best
at holding those completions to
short gains (11.7 yards). Opponents
completed 55.7 percent of their 192
passes and had a league-high 107
completions against the Panthers
defense.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
With seven returning defensive
starters, the Panthers have a chance
to be much better defensively. That
could take some time as the defen-
sive front gains experience.
Having the bulk of the return-
ing defensive starters back behind
the front linebackers and pass
defenders could force oppo-
nents to run the ball more against
Hibriten.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Jacob Cooper,
S, Sr.; Drake Honeycutt, DB, Sr.,
Daquan Suddreth, S, Sr.; JQuan
Taylor, DB, Sr.; TiShawn Daniels, LB,
Jr.; Davone Jones, S, Sr.; Zac Walker,
LB, Sr.
Top newcomers: Jamal Grier, LB,
Jr.; Mark Wilson, NG, Jr.; Montell
Killian, CB Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Lewis says: This will be
one of our quicker defenses we
have had in my time at Hibriten
as a head coach or an assistant.
Linebackers and secondary have
experience but our line is going
to need to grow up in hurry. Our
linebackers and defensive linemen
are also more athletic than we had
up front last year.
WHATS IN STORE?
After many years of having sub.-
500 finishes, Hibriten has reached
the top of Greater Hickory area
football in terms of consistency
with its .761 winning percentage
over the past five seasons, second
only to Newton-Conover (.768).
The Panthers are No. 3 in that
category over the past 10 sesaons
and now No. 4 over the past 15
seasons.
We have been very fortunate
and had good success the last few
years, said Lewis. ... We have
gotten bigger, stronger and faster
and had a really good offseason.
We are getting a little better each
day, keep improving and working
together we can have a successful
year.
W.D. FISHER
2013 WEST CALDWELL ROSTER
Head Coach: Kyle Dunn
(0-11, one year season)
1 Dashawn Greene 5-8 150 Slot-DB Jr.
5 Elijah Battle 5-10 170 LB-WR Jr.
7 David Denison 5-6 160 QB-DB Sr.
8 Haden Hagaman 6-0 155 TB-LB Jr.
9 Dylan West 5-7 130 QB-DB Jr.
11 Malik Wiley 5-7 128 Slot-DB Sr.
19 Grayson Barnette 6-1 180 K Sr.
21 RakeemSpikes 5-9 165 5-9 Jr.
23 Fred Horton 6-1 210 LB.QB Sr.
24 Amani Banner 5-2 138 DB-WR Sr.
25 Herman Tate 5-9 170 DB-TB Sr.
26 Grayson Morgan 5-8 140 DB-WR Jr.
36 Keenan Dula 5-8 245 DE-FB Jr.
40 Kyle Bennett 5-9 148 WR-LB Sr.
42 Dayton Helton 5-10 195 LB-TE Sr.
43 Marquel Jackson 5-11 210 FB-LB Sr.
48 Clay West 6-1 185 LB-FB Sr.
54 Marquell Jones 5-10 230 OL-DL Sr.
60 Chris Gragg 6-0 195 OL-DE Sr.
64 Jordan Coleman 6-0 300 OL-DL Sr.
65 Nick Jeronimo 5-9 264 OL-DL Jr.
66 Kelsey Webb 5-10 229 OL-DL So.
67 Cristian Solis 6-0 280 OL-DL Sr.
75 Lyric Parsons 6-3 345 DL-OL Jr.
76 Hunter Andrews 6-2 208 OL-DL Jr.
81 Dylan Moretz 5-11 141 WR-DB Sr.
83 Phillip Ward 6-1 168 WR-DE Sr.
Assistant coaches: Grayson Beane, Marc Demiter, Arex Crooke,
Mike Swanson, Mike Fredrick, Laremy Dula, Ronnie Williams.
2013 WEST CALDWELL SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 at N. Wilkes, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 at S. Caldwell, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Hibriten, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Enka (Endowment), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at NEWTON-CONOVER, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 BANDYS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 MAIDEN, 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 at W. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at E. LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 LINCOLNTON, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 at BUNKER HILL, 7:30 p.m.
W. Caldwell Warriors
Dunn
OFFENSE
The Warriors will run: Spread, Pro I.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Fred
Horton, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Sr.
(86-340, 1 TD); Dashawn Greene,
5-8, 150, Jr. (44-135, 0 TDs); Marquel
Jackson, 5-11, 210, Sr. (16-77, 0 TDs).
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: David
Denison, 5-6, 160, Sr. (28-104-5, 1
TD).
Leading returning receiver:
Dashawn Greene (5-27, 0 TDs).
The scoop: Like the running
game, the Warriors passing game
has more questions than answers.
They threw only 110 times last sea-
son, averaging 33.3 yards per game,
and had only two scoring passes.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
Aconcernfor West Caldwell is
developing anoffense that canscore
more often. Ina winless seasona year
ago, theWarriors scored 69 points,
averaging less thanoneTDper game,
and they ranked last or next-to-last
infour offensive categories inthe
CatawbaValley Athletic 2A.
I think the thing that makes us a
little better is coming from where
we are is we have only one way to
go, saidWest Caldwell head coach
Kyle Dunn. On the ip side, we are
inexperienced and lacking depth in
a lot of areas.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Chris Gragg, LG,
Sr.; Cristian Solis, RT, Sr.; David
Denison, QB, Sr.; Dashawn Greene,
Flanker, Jr.; Fred Horton, QB,RB, Sr.;
DylanWest, QB, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kelsey Webb, C,
Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Dunn says: I think of-
fensively we will be better because
we have some kids playing different
positions that are better positions.
We also know a little more about the
offense this year. We are looking at
moving DylanWest to quarterback
and David Denison to slot.
DEFENSE
The Warriors will run: 4-4.
THE RUNNING GAME
West Caldwell was last against
the run in the CVAC 2A last year,
allowing 250 yards per game and a
league-worst 7.1 yards per carry. Of
the 66 TDs scored by opponents last
season, 47 were by running the ball.
Among the nine returning defen-
sive starters are two linemen, four
linebackers, and three defensive
backs.
THE PASSING GAME
West Caldwell was sixth in the
CVAC 2A last year, giving up 92 yards
per game but a league-high 15.5
yards per catch and 14 TDs. League
teams threw less often against the
Warriors (109) but had the best suc-
cess (59.6 percent) against the West
Caldwell secondary.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The biggest concern is battling in
perhaps a tougher top-to-bottom
league this year with the return of
the Southern District 7 2A and hav-
ing enough depth to do that. The
Warriors have 26 varsity players.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: Dashawn Green,
DB, Jr.; Elijah Battle, LB, Jr.; David
Denison, FS, Sr.; Rakeem Spikes, LB,
Jr.; Amani Banner, DB, Sr.; Dayton
Helton, LB, Sr.; Clay West, LB, Sr.;
Lyric Parsons, DL, Jr.; Keenan Dula,
DE, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kyle Bennett,
LB, Sr.
THE WORD
Coach Dunn says: We are stronger
and quicker thana year ago. Our
linemenhave to understand howto
play their positionand as a group our
linebackers are the strength of our
teamfollowed by our secondary.
WHATS IN STORE?
West Caldwell opens the season at
NorthWilkes with a 22-game losing
streak, last winning in the next-to-
last game of the 2010 season over
Draughn (34-33).
There is only one way for us to go
and that is up, said Dunn, who is
trying to turn the programaround
after it posted its third winless
record in ve years, had its 10th
straight losing record and missed the
state playoffs for the eighth straight
year. Last year, we were a little
young, inexperienced and slow. This
year we are more experienced and
faster. I amfeeling pretty good about
the teamespecially our defense.
W.D. FISHER
Go SPARTANS!
2013 SOUTHCALDWELLROSTER
Head coach: Butch Carter
(79-66, 12years)
1 Zac Pollard 5-10 198 RB-DB Sr.
2 NickWilliams 5-11 175 WR-DB-K Sr.
3 Brent Dula 6-0 165 WR-DB Sr.
5 Alex Burch 5-9 150 K Jr.
6 Riley Cook 6-2 154 WR-DB Jr.
7 Gavin Reed 5-10 176 QB-DB Jr.
8 CameronWright 6-2 202 RB-DB So.
9 Mason Hughes 6-1 181 WR-LB Jr.
11 ChristianTucker 6-2 185 WR-DB Sr.
12 Garrison Drum 6-0 185 RB-LB Jr.
13 Duncan McClure 5-10 160 WR-DB Sr.
14 JonathanAlmond 5-10 160 WR-DB Sr.
15 Tanner Penley 6-11 160 WR-DB Sr.
17 Noah Bradshaw 5-11 145 WR-DB Jr.
18 Trevar Soles 6-4 205 QB-DB Sr.
20 Leon Mascaro 5-9 160 WR-DB Sr.
21 Josh Brackett 6-1 175 WR-DB Jr.
22 AndrewTilghman 6-2 186 RB-LB Sr,
24 PhillipAdams 5-8 150 WR-LB Jr.
25 Brandon Campbell 5-7 126 WR-DB Jr.
32 AdamWatson 5-8 200 RB-LB Sr.
34 Noah Bumgarner 5-6 172 TE-LB Jr.
36 Emanuel Mesa 5-6 145 WR-DB Jr.
37 Peter Lambert 5-10 163 TE-LB Sr.
40 Elijah Davis 6-0 210 TE-LB Sr.
42 Nick Hudson 5-9 180 RB-LB Jr.
43 Joe Mikeal 5-6 140 RB-DB Sr.
45 Mason Sides 5-7 145 RB-DB Sr.
50 Mike Iasiello 6-1 220 OL-DL Sr.
51 Josh Serrano 5-8 180 OL-LB Jr.
52 Mason Stone 5-11 279 OL-DL So.
53 Alex Pennell 5-8 220 OL-DL Sr.
54 Josh Reuscher 6-0 205 OL-LB Sr.
55 MasonJohnson 5-10 205 OL-DL Sr.
56 Kurt Waibel 6-0 188 OL-LB Jr.
60 Mason Bean 6-0 175 OL-DL Sr.
61 Adysen Clark 6-1 185 OL-DL Sr.
62 Dakota Moore 5-5 204 OL-DL Jr.
63 MarvinVillanueva 5-9 218 OL-DL Jr.
64 AndrewMarshall 5-9 205 OL-DL Jr.
65 Jake Sinclair 6-3 185 OL-DL Jr.
66 Dustin Moody 6-1 242 OL-DL Sr.
70 Russell Littlejohn 6-6 265 OL-DL Jr.
71 Yash Patel 6-3 210 OL-DL Jr.
74 Levi Annas 6-3 260 OL-DL Sr.
75 NicolasTessener 6-0 250 OL-DL Jr.
76 JoshTurner 6-0 288 OL-DL Sr.
78 LoganWilcesewski 6-2 299 OL-DL So.
84 Robert Clontz 6-1 174 TE-LB Jr.
91 AndrewLackey 5-11 210 TE-LB Jr.
Assistant coaches: Scott Parham, James Reed, Marc Kirkpatrick,
Eric Boston, CaseyJustice, Will Rudicil, Issac Poythress, Robby Shelby.
2013 SOUTHCALDWELLSCHEDULE
Aug. 30
W. Caldwell, 7:30p.m.
Sept. 6
at Alexander Central, 7:30p.m.
Sept. 13
at A.C. Reynolds, 7:30p.m.
Sept. 20
Maiden, 7:30p.m.
Sept. 27
at HIBRITEN, 7:30p.m.
Oct. 4
PATTON, 7:30p.m.
Oct. 11
at HICKORY, 7:30p.m.
Oct. 18
at FREEDOM, 7:30p.m.
Oct. 25
ST. STEPHENS, 7:30p.m. (Homecoming)
Nov. 1
at FREDT. FOARD, 7:30p.m.
Nov. 8
WATAUGA, 7:30p.m.
DOYOUREMEMBER?
Alook back at 20seasons ago (1993) and 10seasons ago (2003) in
Spartans football history (statistical totals are unofcial):
1993
The Spartans, coached by one of their former linemen (Dan Hardee) for
the fourth season, went 2-2 in theWestern Piedmont 3A, tying for second
place, andwent 5-6overall. It was the 15th straight losing season for South
Caldwell but set the table for a teamthat won the league title the next year
andwent 9-3.
Ateamleader that year is alsocurrently anassistant coachat his alma
mater. Marc Kirkpatrick, whose older brother Donnie Kirkpatrickplayed
quarterback before himandwhose dad, Red Kirkpatrick, was the Spar-
tans headcoachinthe schools rst sevenseasons, was the teams anchor.
The younger Kirkpatrick ended up leading South Caldwell in scoring that
season (62 points), scoring threeTDs on runs and throwing for six scores.
2003
Former Caldwell County Post 29head baseball coach Brandon Banks
andversatile Gary Crouchled the Spartans to a 3-8record in head coach
Butch Carters third season.
Banks, aQB, threwfor 791 yards andninescores andranfor 258yards
that includedscoringruns of 60and81 yards ina34-27victoryover Hibriten.
Crouchs junior season was lledwith exciting plays. He ran for a modest
356yards and four TDs but caught 27 passes for 720yards and eight TDs.
His kick return ability was a spark, as he took one 93yards for aTDin a
34-31 win over West Caldwell andwent 90yards for aTDin a 20-12victory
over St. Stephens.
The next year, South Caldwell won eight games and has won at least six
in seven of the past nine seasons.
South Caldwell Spartans
OFFENSE
The Spartans will run: Wing-T.
THE RUNNING GAME
Leading returning rushers: Zac
Pollard, 5-foot-10, 198 pounds, Sr.
(269-3,073, 36 TDs); Mason Sides,
5-7, 145, Sr. (23-109, 0 TDs); Trevar
Soles 6-4, 205, Sr. (32-70, 1 TD).
The scoop: The Spartans return
just one of their top ve leading
runners from last year but Pollard
accounted for more yards than the
other four combined.
Pollard averaged a whopping 236.3
yards per game 125.3 yards more
per game than the next top rusher in
the Northwestern 3A-4A and had
at least 129 yards rushing per game
while playing only one half in many
games. He had more than 200 yards
in eight games and more than 300 in
three games, topped by 366 in a state
playoff loss to SunValley. He cleared
1,000 yards rushing in the rst ve
games a year ago.
THE PASSING GAME
Leading returning passer: Trevar
Soles (42-97-0, 832, 11 TDs).
Leading returning receivers: Nick
Matthews, 5-11, 175, Sr. (5-117, 2
TDs); Elijah Davis, 6-0, 210, Sr. (3-
65, 0 TDs);
The scoop: The Spartans return
three-year starter Soles, who threw
no interceptions last year. They
dont have a lot of experience re-
turning at receiver, with top return-
ees Matthews and Davis combining
for just nine catches last season.
Gavin Reed, a junior who played
on an unbeaten junior varsity team
last year, is a player to watch in the
receiving unit.
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
South Caldwell head coach Butch
Carter knows his two biggest assets
are Pollard and Soles.
Im not too shy about giving the
ball to Pollard, Carter said. Im not
going to try to out-coach myself. We
have one of the best running backs
by numbers in the state back and
Trevar Soles is a good solid quarter-
back. You cant replace experience.
Overall, we have some good solid
core guys returning.
The three biggest concerns for
the Spartans are depth and experi-
ence at running back, offensive line
and receivers, as Pollard is the only
returning back and there are no
offensive linemen among the seven
overall returning starters.
We need to improve onour pass-
ing game and be able to throwwhen
we want to and not whenwe have
too, Carter said. I feel that Soles has
improved a great deal inthat area.
We need to be able to make op-
ponents pay for ganging up on our
running back. We did lose a number
of starters on the line but as the
season progresses I feel condent
that the line will mature and be very
solid. Now that we have gotten into
practice and were staying with the
same system, they are starting to
take shape.
The Spartans led the Northwest-
ern 3A-4A last year in team scoring
(38.6 points per game), rushing
(366.7) and total offense (432.3).
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: AndrewTilgh-
man, WB, Sr.; Elijah Davis, TE, Sr.;
Mike Iasiello, RG, Sr.; JoshTurner,
RT, Sr.; Nick Matthews, WR, Sr.
Top newcomers: LoganWilc-
sewsk, OT, Soph.; Levi Annas, OT,
Sr.; Adysen Clark, C-G, Sr.; Dustin
Moody, C-T. Sr.; AdamWatson, FB,
Sr.; Gavin Reed, WR-WB-QB, Jr.;
CameronWright, RB, Soph.
THE WORD
Coach Carter says: I feel like no
matter what scheme you use, you
win games on the interior. We want
to control the ball with the running
game and mix in the pass.
We are not trying to win by style
points. We have a group of great
kids and had a great summer in the
weight room. We are going to do
what we are good at until someone
stops us.
DEFENSE
The Spartans will run: Multiple,
3-4.
THE RUNNING GAME
The Spartans should be solid
again against the run with two
defensive linemen and two line-
backers returning. Last years team
was rst in the Northwestern 3A-4A
against the run, allowing 147.1 yards
per game and 4.4 yards per carry.
South Caldwell held ve op-
ponents to 87 or fewer yards, the
lowest being Pattons 56 yards on 36
carries in a 46-0 victory.
The scoop: With three lineback-
ers and a defensive lineman return-
ing, the experience in stopping the
run is there.
THE PASSING GAME
South Caldwell was second in the
Northwestern 3A-4A against the
pass after allowing 87.3 yards per
game and a league-low sevenTDs.
The Spartans did not give up a
passingTDuntil the eighth game last
season, against Hickory. They have
one returning secondary starter.
The scoop: Many new faces will
be on the eld for the Spartans,
especially in the secondary, and that
part of the defense could be often
challenged. Opponents chose to
run against the Spartans (426) about
twice as many times as they tried
to pass (197) last season, and South
Caldwell tied Hickory for fewest
yards allowed per play (4.9).
STRENGTHS/CONCERNS
The Spartans should again be
strong in stopping the run with
linebackers Tilghman (6-2, 186, Sr.),
Josh Reuscher (6-0, 205, Sr.) and
defensive linemen Iasiello (6-1, 220,
Sr.) and Davis (6-0, 210, Sr.), but its
wait-and-see on how well they can
defend the pass.
TOP PERSONNEL
Key returnees: AndrewTilgh-
man, OLB, Sr.; Josh Reuscher, ILB,
Sr.; Nick Matthews, CB, Sr.; Mike
Iasiello, DT, Sr.; Elijah Davis, DT, Sr.
Top newcomers: Gavin Reed, OLB,
Jr.; CameronWright, FS, Soph.; Kurt
Waibel, ILB, Jr.; Riley Cook, CB, Jr.
THE WORD
Coach Carter says: We feel like
weve got a pretty tough group.
Were pretty strong at linebacker
and should be pretty strong on
the defensive line. The big thing is
the secondary as those guys are all
new and will have to be prepared
to learn on the run. We are going to
hang our hat on defense.
WHATS IN STORE?
Things have been good over the
past ve years at South Caldwell.
The Spartans have won back-to
back-conference titles and over the
last ve years their .639 winning
percentage is third-best among
Greater Hickory area schools.
South Caldwell has played better
than .500 football over the past 10
seasons after ranking 11th (.392) in
the area in winning percentage from
1983 through last season.
We have been very fortunate the
last few years, said Carter. We try
to prepare these guys and get ready
to play each and every year. Win-
ning the conference each of the last
two years is something we are proud
of but thats the past.
Its time to move on. If you contin-
ue to live in the past fewyears, you
are going to get left out real quick.
We have some good talent returning
for us on both sides of the ball but
we do have some holes to ll.
The Spartans nished 12-1 and
advanced to the second round of
the state playoffs.
We dont feel like theres any-
body we can take for granted, said
Carter. We have to play well every
Friday night to stay competitive and
thats hard because were in a tough
league that will be real competitive.
W.D. FISHER
Zac Pollard (44), who has changed his uniform number to No. 1 for his senior year at South Caldwell, had a banner season as
a junior. He rushed for 100 to 199 yards ve times, 200 to 299 in four games and for more than 300 in four games. His lowest
one-game rushing total a year ago was 129 yards against R-S Central.
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Hickory Daily Record Football Preview Section 2 2013

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HICKORY DAILY RECORD N www.hickoryrecord.

com FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 N 19

, customization rules! So grab

and create a superior

2411 North Center St.

+0S +3t| St. S| |c'o, |C

2411 North Center St.

+0S +3t| St. S| |c'o, |C

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