This afternoon's pep rally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
It was a scene so raucous it made an out-of-shape reporter delusional enough to think he could make at least one tackle in tonight's game against A.L. Brown.
(But, no, I didn't hit anyone.)
The players all entered the gym behind the drum line and the "K" AND "M" flags were waived proudly throughout the gym.
School principal Ronny Funderburke rode a dirtbike around the gym, while other teachers rode in on anything from four-wheelers to battery-powered scooters.
There was even a skit featuring teachers dressed up like KM and A.L. Brown players that was intended to foretell what would happen in the late stages of tonight's game, supposedly another close contest down the stretch.
Roberts faked a hand-off to Chambers and....
They said you would have to show up tonight to see the result of the play.
A somewhat cute and laughable scene for the students I'm sure to see their teachers making fools out of themsleves.
(Let's hope Roberts looks a little more agile tonight than the teacher playing his role...)
The players rounded out the Mounties' get-together getting rowdy at center court before and as the band played the alma mater.
By the way, the seniors won the spirit contest, and rightfully so.
After what will no doubt go down as the most exciting week during their time at the high school, was there any other way the celebration could have ended?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Kings Mountain vs. Anson County game blog; third round 3AA state playoffs
4:25pm---I'm not sure I even need to hype this one up. KM is currently abuzz as the Mountaineers are in the midst of their longest playoff run since losing the '98 state title game. Tonight's opponent, Anson County, brings in a 10-3 record like the Mountaineers, and likes to mix the run and pass, again, like the Mountaineers.
Watch out for RB Patrick Polk and WR Rasaun Rorie. I haven't seen tape on their quarterback, Jordan Hildreth, so I'm not sure if he is a capable runner when the pocket breaks down---But I would think KM needs to find out quickly tonight.
Some things I wonder as we are about 3 hrs to kickoff... Will KM play with the same sense of desperation they played with in the 10-point fourth quarter comeback last week for 48 minutes, because you would figure they need to. Or will they be content in a way with having already won 2 playoff games?... One thing I always enjoy watching when I see KM play is the obvious - the play of QB Michael Roberts. He's been very good the two games I've covered for The Star so far... What will the crowd be like? With no other county teams in action, will folks who support the other schools show up? Is anyone still asleep after eating way too much turkey for Thanksgiving? And did everyone survive Black Friday, in my opinion the worst day of the year to enter ANY store. Should be a great crowd, but we'll see. More to come.
5:00pm---Anson County has won nine games in a row, and the last eight of those have been by at least 25 points. It will be interesting to see how they respond if the game tonight is close, as the Bearcats are just 1-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less. KM, on the other hand, has won two games decided by seven or less after losing three straight close ones early in the year... Anson beat Kannapolis A.L. Brown 35-28 on Sept. 12 to start their current hot streak. A.L. Brown is the No. 4 seed opposite KM-Anson in the west 3AA bracket and plays at No. 1 seed Charlotte Catholic tonight.
7:10pm---Its still almost half an hour from kickoff and John Gamble Stadium is filling up. Anson brought a pretty good crowd and the home side looks to be two-thirds full already. There's definitely a big-game feel up in the press box. From what we're hearing, the thing that makes Anson so tough is their team speed. They don't appear as big as Mooresville from what people are saying though. Their quarterback, Hildreth, looked good during pre-game warmups, throwing a nice tight spiral right on target each time.
7:18pm---Now entirely full on the home side of the stadium. Will update on here when we flip the coin before opening kick...
7:30pm--- KM wins the toss and elects to receive.
KM starts at their own 30. The Mounties pick up a first down on carries by RB Joe Chambers and QB Mike Roberts. KM then gets stopped on a 3rd and 4 and punt from their own 49. Anson calls for a fair catch and will take over from their own 16.
A false start penalty on second down and incompletion set up a third and long, on which the Bearcats set up a perfect WR screen that went 82 yards for a TD. BUT, a block in the back after the Anson receiver was behind everyone and on his way to the house brings it back to the KM 47, 1st and 10. Two plays later, the Anson QB, Hildreth options left side, keeps it, and goes 45 yards untouched for the game's first score. Anson 7, KM 0; 7:45, 1st qtr.
KM moves backwards the first two plays with a penalty and failed HB draw play, then Roberts overthrows Terrance Young along the sideline; KM punts, and Anson will have it on KM's side of the field at the 44. 6:05 left 1st qtr.
KM's defense comes up with a big stop, holding Anson to a 3-and-out. They punt and KM will have the ball at their own 10. 5:05 left 1st qtr.
On a third-and-long, Roberts makes something out of nothing. Back in his own endzone being chased by mutliple defenders, Roberts loops around and makes it past more Anson defenders out to the KM 35, 1st down and more. Roberts flips a pass out to RB Carlos Bell, who picked up a big third-down conversion. For good measure, Bell laid the wood on an Anson DB on the sideline, firing up the bench.
Roberts has directed three straight 3rd-down conversions now, completing a pass over the middle to TE Devon Thompson for nine yards to the Anson 28. 1:04 left, 1st qtr.
Chambers busts a long run around the left side to the 1 and on the next play, Roberts sneaks in for a TD. :29 left 1st qtr, 7-7.
On Anson's second play on offense, Patrick Polk runs 63 yards for a TD through the left side. 14-7 Anson leads with :15 left, 1st qtr.
After an out-of-bounds kickoff, KM takes over at the 35 and Chambers runs for 5 yards on 1st down, setting up a 2nd-and-5 from the KM 40. END 1ST QTR, 14-7 ANSON.
Roberts converts a third-and-two breaking a tackle and spinning around the left and out of bounds. 1st D at the Anson 47. Roberts can't find anyone open and spins around to his left again for a big gain on the ground to the Anson 29.
It's 7-7 at last update between Catholic and A.L. Brown, with the winner of that game going against this game's winner.
In the grasp of Anson DB Greg Lomax who was blitzing around the right side, Roberts still has the strength to flip it to a wide open Cameron Roseboro in the end zone. 14-14; 9:54; 2nd qtr.
After a first down run by Polk, Hildreth can't handle the snap under center and KM DT Thomas James fell on the football. KM ball the Anson 15. KM goes three-and-out though after picking up 5 yards and attempts a FG. Anson blocks the kick and the ball is kicked around to the KM 43. 1st down Anson; 7:10 left 2nd qtr.
A quick 3 and out by Anson ends in a fake punt running play, which was unsuccessful, and KM takes over at their own 34. 6:30 left 2nd qtr.
Roberts sneaks on 3rd and 1 from their own 44, but comes up an inch short. One more time on fourth down, and Roberts has the first down on the sneak.
A big Chambers run straight up the middle sets up KM at the Anson 15; 4:50 and counting 2nd qtr. A misdirection play freezes the Anson defense; Roberts looks bck to his left at the last second and hits Chambers out of the backfield in the chest in the corner of the endzone right over an Anson CB; but Chambers dropped the ball. Blackburn, after already having a field goal blocked, hooks a 34-yarder and we're still tied. 14-14, 2:30 2nd qtr.
An option keeper around the right and Hildreth takes off down the sideline to the KM 18. Polk runs a sweep around the left side for a TD on the next play. 1:49 left 2nd qtr; 21-14 Anson.
Roberts makes an absolutely amazing play!!! Scrambling around to his right with seemingly nothing available, he found Jacoby Giles 40 yards or more downfield behind everyone; Giles caught the ball, which was lofted high in the air and allowed the secondary to catch up, and then he made two guys miss and scored to tie the game. 21-21 :49; 2nd qtr. To quote someone from up here in the press box, "Mike the Magician."
A wild half that contained over 500 yards of combined offense is over and it's 21-21. KM may be a little upset about leaving even more points on the board, though they did score three TD's.
Second half underway, and more of the same with the scoring...Anson CB D.J. Ellerbe runs the opening kickoff back to the house, 85 yards, and Anson leads 28-21 11:47 left 3rd qtr.
Chambers answers right back for the Mounties...he took the kick at the KM 21 and ran it back to the Anson 27 through the middle and down the left sideline. The fireworks look to be continuing...An incompletion on third down from the 21 and KM will go for it on 4th down...Roberts makes another big play, what a shock. He completes a pass to Young, who makes a nice play to stay inbounds on the sideline, and Chambers runs in 6 yards to tie the game on the next play. 28-28; 9:50 left; 3rd qtr.
KM forces a three-and-out and that after a 5 yard offsides penalty meant Anson only needed five yards. Big stop, and KM takes over at their own 22 with 7:54 left 3rd qtr.
21-21 now between Catholic and A.L. Brown.
Roberts tosses across the field on a screen to Chambers who receives a jaw-breaking block on the sideline from TE Devon Thompson. Chambers rambled way down the sideline to the Anson 20. Roberts makes the normal five players miss on a broken pass play and spins in the left side of the end zone. 35-28, KM's first lead of the night; 6:00 left 3rd qtr.
Big gain on a screen pass to FB Jamie Bennett and Anson is down to the KM 27. After a penalty, Bennett then takes it 28 yards up the middle into the endzone. 35-35 with 3:45 left 3rd qtr.---730 total yards of offense combined at the moment; anyone wanna bet we don't hit 1000?!
A failed onside kick attempt gives KM decent field position, and Roberts hits Devon Thompson with a pass to get across midfield; the senior QB then runs for a first down down to the Anson 30-yard line. Roberts barely underthrows his TE, Thompson, in the endzone while rolling his right. On a third down, Roberts gains seven yards by running 40 yards around people, creating a 4th and 3 in an area of the field you have to go for it...Roberts completes a pass over the middle to Thompson down to the 12 for a first down. END 3RD QTR---35-35, KM driving...
Chambers runs up the middle to the 4; Roberts gains a couple and gets what appears to be a first down around the 2. Chambers take it in for a TD a play later from the 1 and KM is back in the lead, 41-35 after a blocked kick; 10:20, 4th. Wonder if that XP comes back to haunt the Mounties...
Anson takes over at its own 29 after the kick and Bennett carries once for 5 yards, then a second time for 67 yards and the TD, right up the middle. kick good, 42-41 Anson; 9:35 left-4th.
KM takes over in decent position and Roberts takes a keeper around the right side down to the Anson 38. On a third and 8 from the 36, KM drops another one in the endzone, as Jacoby Giles had his vision blocked for a second by an Anson DB's outstretched arms. But Roberts is still Roberts, and he completes a pass over the middle to Cam Roseboro gaining just enough for a first down. KM is now 4-of-4 on 4th down conversions.
Roberts hits Thompson over the middle for 16 yards and a score. He then runs bootleg around right side on play action for the 2-pt conversion. 49-42 KM; 4:51 left in the game. But Roberts still down in the endzone. Deafly quiet in the stadium, as you would expect.
Anson takes over at their own 33. Big defensive possession for KM with Roberts not looking good at all. Might be an ankle; he walked off but was not moving well.
Three-and-out and decision time for Anson...Going for it on fourth and 9...time out Anson stops play for a moment. Strange call to go for it so deep in their own territory without Roberts playing most likely.
Hook-and-ladder works to perfection on the right sideline as Rasaun Rorie catches and flips to Stephone Anthony around midfield, who goes untouched for the tying score. 49-49; 3:09 left 4th.
KM takes over at their own 38. Roberts is out there at QB. Chambers runs for seven yards and a first down after an offsides call on Anson. KM ball at the Anson 48. 2:52 left. Another encroachment call on Anson. under 2:00 left.
Bell carries it just inside the 40; third and 2 to go. Roberts sneaks to the 38, first down KM, under a minute left. KM takes a time out to stop the clock after a bobbled shotgun snap to Roberts. :46 left 2nd and 12 at the Anson 39, 49-49.
Roberts avoids the rush, rolls to his right and hits Thompson for a 39-yard touchdown toss with :37 left 56-49 KM. Unbelievable game and its not over yet.
Anson takes over at their own 34 after the kick; :32 left First play, Hildreth to Anthony over the middle 66 yards touchdown. :23 left; Anson timeout to talk over a possible 2-pt conv and the win in regulation...56-55, KM
Anson going for 2 and the win...Polk gets the toss going left side, and he's cut down at the knees by a KM defender, inches away from the goal line. KM holds the lead 56-55 with :23 left!
With only 1 timeout left, it should be over, but with this game, I'm not saying anything yet. A couple personal foul unsportsmanlike penalties has the Bearcats backed up to their own 13 for the kickoff, which no doubt will be an onside attempt.
Here's the kick...KM recovers and will host one more game after a couple knees, as Catholic was upset by 4 seed A.L. Brown. KM will host them next week. KM 56-55 WIN! WHAT A GAME!!!!!!
POST-GAME REVIEW
BY THE NUMBERS:
35:01---KM's time of possession, to only 12:59 for Anson; Anson preferred the 2-play 80-yard type drive, while KM chose the 10-play, 85-yard type version
15.8---The number of yards per play Anson averaged for the game...AND THEY LOST!
8---consecutive possessions by both sides combined that ended with touchdowns to end the game, until KM took a knee for the win
7---touchdowns in the game that were over 40 yards in length; also the number of players resposible for two or more touchdowns
6---the number of touchdowns Mike Roberts was responsible for
5---players with over 100 yards rushing
4---the number of punts in the entire game (and I'm surprised it was that high); also the number of successful fourth-down conversions KM had, to 0 that failed
2---the number of wins the Mountaineers now need for their first ever state title, starting with next Friday's home game against A.L. Brown
IN MY OPINION...
These are the nights when I remember why I have the job I do.
This was truly the most exciting football game I've ever seen regardless of level---NFL, College, High School, in-person or on TV.
The crowd from both sides was great. The atmosphere was electric. It meant a ton to both sides, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
The KM crowd on the field after the game was so much that I couldn't find Coach Greg Lloyd for almost 10 minutes and he had so many people congratulating him, I couldn't talk to him for almost 10 more minutes.
Big play after big play ended in a whale of a contest that both teams should be proud to be associated with and both sets of fans no doubt left wondering when they would see another game like this.
Having said all that, I'm pulling a page out of Sportscenter's book; here's a look at my top ten plays of the game (you'll have to imagine the crazy accents and inflections in voice), in chronological order... (because there's no other way to separate these!)
10) Bring it back---No doubt, the opening series by Anson gave a glimpse of what was to come. Junior QB Jordan Hildreth threw a perfectly executed WR screen to playmaking WR Rasaun Rorie, only to have the play called back to around midfield because of a block in the back away from the play. Unphased, Hildreth took an option keeper for a 45-yard score two plays later.
9) Third down's the charm---The KM offense got things going a couple series later to tie the game, led by QB Mike Roberts cool demeanor on third downs. Starting the drive at his own 9, Roberts ran around and to his left in the endzone on a third and long play to the KM 25 for a first down. He then hit Carlos Bell on the sideline and Devon Thompson across the middle on the next two third-and-longs to assure that the Mounties would not fall two scores behind.
8) Can't bring this guy down---After a long Patrick Polk run put KM a score down again, Roberts engineered an early second-quarter drive that got into Anson's red zone. Anson brought a well-timed blitz that would have brought down any other quarterback for a big loss, moving them out of field-goal range and halting momentum. But not Roberts. While DB Greg Lomax was dragging Roberts to the ground by a handful of jersey, Roberts spotted WR Cameron Roseboro alone in the end zone and calmly threw him the ball for the tying score.
7) Scramble and toss--- On what really might have been the play of the game, Roberts bought time, got a great block from an offensive lineman (#70. don't have my roster in front of me) and just before he crossed the line of scrimmage, heaved a throw downfield to a wide open Jacoby Giles. The throw sailed, allowing two Anson DB's to catch up to Giles, but Jacoby wouldn't be denied his first TD of the season, doing the rest of the work from 5-10 yards out to tie the game at 21-21 heading to halftime.
6) The return(s)--- Tied 21-21 at halftime, Anson wasted no time regaining the lead in the second half, as CB D.J. Ellerbe ran the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. But not to be outdone, KM RB Joe Chambers ran the ensuing Anson kick back 53 yards setting the Mounties up at the Anson 21.
5) Devon decks 'em--- Midway through the third quarter KM got a rare stop in this game and was primed to take the lead. Roberts set up a backside screen to Chambers, who got two key blocks to get past the first down marker. But he wasn't done running, and TE Devon Thompson made sure of that. Thompson threw a bone-crushing hit on a Bearcat defender pursuing Chambers, and the RB scampered over 60 yards down to the Anson 20. (Roberts made his usual five people miss on the next play and put KM ahead 35-28.)
4) Hook-and-ladder--- One of my favorite plays in football was executed perfectly in a crucial spot on 4th down by Anson. Down 49-42 after a KM touchdown, the Bearcats had their backs against the wall, on fourth down near midfield. After an Anson timeout, Hildreth delivered a pass right on target to Rorie around midfield outside the right hash, and the wide out flipped the ball right to Stephone Anthony, who sprinted untouched the rest of the way for the tying score.
3) Hurt? Who cares--- After a scary scene in which Roberts got a two-point conversion on the ground, he stayed on the ground in pain for a couple minutes that must have seemed like an eternity to KM fans. But he got off the field on his own, and refused to leave the game when KM got the ball back after the hook-and-ladder. Instead, he handed the ball off a few times, pushed ahead for a crucial third-down conversion on a sneak, and finally rolled to his right and threw a strike to a wide open Thompson in the endzone, putting KM ahead 56-49 with under a minute left.
2) The answer---Anson never flinched after the score. On the first play, Hildreth hit Anthony on a fly from the slot position and Anthony did the rest, tallying a 66-yard touchdown and pulling Anson within a point.
1) The stop---I called it "the stop" because it was about the only defensive play worth mentioning in this game. Anson took a timeout and realized they didn't want to test the Mounties in OT. Not on the road. And not after KM won a triple-overtime heart stopper last week. You can't fault the reasoning, especially after the offenses had combined for 111 points and over 1000 yards.
But KM rose to the occasion. I believe it was #9 (again, I don't have a roster in front of me) that chopped down Polk at the knees. Polk fell straight down and the ball remained inches from the goal line. The win was in hand after an onside kick recovery.
What a finish; what a game. What will be the encore to the last two weeks?
Watch out for RB Patrick Polk and WR Rasaun Rorie. I haven't seen tape on their quarterback, Jordan Hildreth, so I'm not sure if he is a capable runner when the pocket breaks down---But I would think KM needs to find out quickly tonight.
Some things I wonder as we are about 3 hrs to kickoff... Will KM play with the same sense of desperation they played with in the 10-point fourth quarter comeback last week for 48 minutes, because you would figure they need to. Or will they be content in a way with having already won 2 playoff games?... One thing I always enjoy watching when I see KM play is the obvious - the play of QB Michael Roberts. He's been very good the two games I've covered for The Star so far... What will the crowd be like? With no other county teams in action, will folks who support the other schools show up? Is anyone still asleep after eating way too much turkey for Thanksgiving? And did everyone survive Black Friday, in my opinion the worst day of the year to enter ANY store. Should be a great crowd, but we'll see. More to come.
5:00pm---Anson County has won nine games in a row, and the last eight of those have been by at least 25 points. It will be interesting to see how they respond if the game tonight is close, as the Bearcats are just 1-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less. KM, on the other hand, has won two games decided by seven or less after losing three straight close ones early in the year... Anson beat Kannapolis A.L. Brown 35-28 on Sept. 12 to start their current hot streak. A.L. Brown is the No. 4 seed opposite KM-Anson in the west 3AA bracket and plays at No. 1 seed Charlotte Catholic tonight.
7:10pm---Its still almost half an hour from kickoff and John Gamble Stadium is filling up. Anson brought a pretty good crowd and the home side looks to be two-thirds full already. There's definitely a big-game feel up in the press box. From what we're hearing, the thing that makes Anson so tough is their team speed. They don't appear as big as Mooresville from what people are saying though. Their quarterback, Hildreth, looked good during pre-game warmups, throwing a nice tight spiral right on target each time.
7:18pm---Now entirely full on the home side of the stadium. Will update on here when we flip the coin before opening kick...
7:30pm--- KM wins the toss and elects to receive.
KM starts at their own 30. The Mounties pick up a first down on carries by RB Joe Chambers and QB Mike Roberts. KM then gets stopped on a 3rd and 4 and punt from their own 49. Anson calls for a fair catch and will take over from their own 16.
A false start penalty on second down and incompletion set up a third and long, on which the Bearcats set up a perfect WR screen that went 82 yards for a TD. BUT, a block in the back after the Anson receiver was behind everyone and on his way to the house brings it back to the KM 47, 1st and 10. Two plays later, the Anson QB, Hildreth options left side, keeps it, and goes 45 yards untouched for the game's first score. Anson 7, KM 0; 7:45, 1st qtr.
KM moves backwards the first two plays with a penalty and failed HB draw play, then Roberts overthrows Terrance Young along the sideline; KM punts, and Anson will have it on KM's side of the field at the 44. 6:05 left 1st qtr.
KM's defense comes up with a big stop, holding Anson to a 3-and-out. They punt and KM will have the ball at their own 10. 5:05 left 1st qtr.
On a third-and-long, Roberts makes something out of nothing. Back in his own endzone being chased by mutliple defenders, Roberts loops around and makes it past more Anson defenders out to the KM 35, 1st down and more. Roberts flips a pass out to RB Carlos Bell, who picked up a big third-down conversion. For good measure, Bell laid the wood on an Anson DB on the sideline, firing up the bench.
Roberts has directed three straight 3rd-down conversions now, completing a pass over the middle to TE Devon Thompson for nine yards to the Anson 28. 1:04 left, 1st qtr.
Chambers busts a long run around the left side to the 1 and on the next play, Roberts sneaks in for a TD. :29 left 1st qtr, 7-7.
On Anson's second play on offense, Patrick Polk runs 63 yards for a TD through the left side. 14-7 Anson leads with :15 left, 1st qtr.
After an out-of-bounds kickoff, KM takes over at the 35 and Chambers runs for 5 yards on 1st down, setting up a 2nd-and-5 from the KM 40. END 1ST QTR, 14-7 ANSON.
Roberts converts a third-and-two breaking a tackle and spinning around the left and out of bounds. 1st D at the Anson 47. Roberts can't find anyone open and spins around to his left again for a big gain on the ground to the Anson 29.
It's 7-7 at last update between Catholic and A.L. Brown, with the winner of that game going against this game's winner.
In the grasp of Anson DB Greg Lomax who was blitzing around the right side, Roberts still has the strength to flip it to a wide open Cameron Roseboro in the end zone. 14-14; 9:54; 2nd qtr.
After a first down run by Polk, Hildreth can't handle the snap under center and KM DT Thomas James fell on the football. KM ball the Anson 15. KM goes three-and-out though after picking up 5 yards and attempts a FG. Anson blocks the kick and the ball is kicked around to the KM 43. 1st down Anson; 7:10 left 2nd qtr.
A quick 3 and out by Anson ends in a fake punt running play, which was unsuccessful, and KM takes over at their own 34. 6:30 left 2nd qtr.
Roberts sneaks on 3rd and 1 from their own 44, but comes up an inch short. One more time on fourth down, and Roberts has the first down on the sneak.
A big Chambers run straight up the middle sets up KM at the Anson 15; 4:50 and counting 2nd qtr. A misdirection play freezes the Anson defense; Roberts looks bck to his left at the last second and hits Chambers out of the backfield in the chest in the corner of the endzone right over an Anson CB; but Chambers dropped the ball. Blackburn, after already having a field goal blocked, hooks a 34-yarder and we're still tied. 14-14, 2:30 2nd qtr.
An option keeper around the right and Hildreth takes off down the sideline to the KM 18. Polk runs a sweep around the left side for a TD on the next play. 1:49 left 2nd qtr; 21-14 Anson.
Roberts makes an absolutely amazing play!!! Scrambling around to his right with seemingly nothing available, he found Jacoby Giles 40 yards or more downfield behind everyone; Giles caught the ball, which was lofted high in the air and allowed the secondary to catch up, and then he made two guys miss and scored to tie the game. 21-21 :49; 2nd qtr. To quote someone from up here in the press box, "Mike the Magician."
A wild half that contained over 500 yards of combined offense is over and it's 21-21. KM may be a little upset about leaving even more points on the board, though they did score three TD's.
Second half underway, and more of the same with the scoring...Anson CB D.J. Ellerbe runs the opening kickoff back to the house, 85 yards, and Anson leads 28-21 11:47 left 3rd qtr.
Chambers answers right back for the Mounties...he took the kick at the KM 21 and ran it back to the Anson 27 through the middle and down the left sideline. The fireworks look to be continuing...An incompletion on third down from the 21 and KM will go for it on 4th down...Roberts makes another big play, what a shock. He completes a pass to Young, who makes a nice play to stay inbounds on the sideline, and Chambers runs in 6 yards to tie the game on the next play. 28-28; 9:50 left; 3rd qtr.
KM forces a three-and-out and that after a 5 yard offsides penalty meant Anson only needed five yards. Big stop, and KM takes over at their own 22 with 7:54 left 3rd qtr.
21-21 now between Catholic and A.L. Brown.
Roberts tosses across the field on a screen to Chambers who receives a jaw-breaking block on the sideline from TE Devon Thompson. Chambers rambled way down the sideline to the Anson 20. Roberts makes the normal five players miss on a broken pass play and spins in the left side of the end zone. 35-28, KM's first lead of the night; 6:00 left 3rd qtr.
Big gain on a screen pass to FB Jamie Bennett and Anson is down to the KM 27. After a penalty, Bennett then takes it 28 yards up the middle into the endzone. 35-35 with 3:45 left 3rd qtr.---730 total yards of offense combined at the moment; anyone wanna bet we don't hit 1000?!
A failed onside kick attempt gives KM decent field position, and Roberts hits Devon Thompson with a pass to get across midfield; the senior QB then runs for a first down down to the Anson 30-yard line. Roberts barely underthrows his TE, Thompson, in the endzone while rolling his right. On a third down, Roberts gains seven yards by running 40 yards around people, creating a 4th and 3 in an area of the field you have to go for it...Roberts completes a pass over the middle to Thompson down to the 12 for a first down. END 3RD QTR---35-35, KM driving...
Chambers runs up the middle to the 4; Roberts gains a couple and gets what appears to be a first down around the 2. Chambers take it in for a TD a play later from the 1 and KM is back in the lead, 41-35 after a blocked kick; 10:20, 4th. Wonder if that XP comes back to haunt the Mounties...
Anson takes over at its own 29 after the kick and Bennett carries once for 5 yards, then a second time for 67 yards and the TD, right up the middle. kick good, 42-41 Anson; 9:35 left-4th.
KM takes over in decent position and Roberts takes a keeper around the right side down to the Anson 38. On a third and 8 from the 36, KM drops another one in the endzone, as Jacoby Giles had his vision blocked for a second by an Anson DB's outstretched arms. But Roberts is still Roberts, and he completes a pass over the middle to Cam Roseboro gaining just enough for a first down. KM is now 4-of-4 on 4th down conversions.
Roberts hits Thompson over the middle for 16 yards and a score. He then runs bootleg around right side on play action for the 2-pt conversion. 49-42 KM; 4:51 left in the game. But Roberts still down in the endzone. Deafly quiet in the stadium, as you would expect.
Anson takes over at their own 33. Big defensive possession for KM with Roberts not looking good at all. Might be an ankle; he walked off but was not moving well.
Three-and-out and decision time for Anson...Going for it on fourth and 9...time out Anson stops play for a moment. Strange call to go for it so deep in their own territory without Roberts playing most likely.
Hook-and-ladder works to perfection on the right sideline as Rasaun Rorie catches and flips to Stephone Anthony around midfield, who goes untouched for the tying score. 49-49; 3:09 left 4th.
KM takes over at their own 38. Roberts is out there at QB. Chambers runs for seven yards and a first down after an offsides call on Anson. KM ball at the Anson 48. 2:52 left. Another encroachment call on Anson. under 2:00 left.
Bell carries it just inside the 40; third and 2 to go. Roberts sneaks to the 38, first down KM, under a minute left. KM takes a time out to stop the clock after a bobbled shotgun snap to Roberts. :46 left 2nd and 12 at the Anson 39, 49-49.
Roberts avoids the rush, rolls to his right and hits Thompson for a 39-yard touchdown toss with :37 left 56-49 KM. Unbelievable game and its not over yet.
Anson takes over at their own 34 after the kick; :32 left First play, Hildreth to Anthony over the middle 66 yards touchdown. :23 left; Anson timeout to talk over a possible 2-pt conv and the win in regulation...56-55, KM
Anson going for 2 and the win...Polk gets the toss going left side, and he's cut down at the knees by a KM defender, inches away from the goal line. KM holds the lead 56-55 with :23 left!
With only 1 timeout left, it should be over, but with this game, I'm not saying anything yet. A couple personal foul unsportsmanlike penalties has the Bearcats backed up to their own 13 for the kickoff, which no doubt will be an onside attempt.
Here's the kick...KM recovers and will host one more game after a couple knees, as Catholic was upset by 4 seed A.L. Brown. KM will host them next week. KM 56-55 WIN! WHAT A GAME!!!!!!
POST-GAME REVIEW
BY THE NUMBERS:
35:01---KM's time of possession, to only 12:59 for Anson; Anson preferred the 2-play 80-yard type drive, while KM chose the 10-play, 85-yard type version
15.8---The number of yards per play Anson averaged for the game...AND THEY LOST!
8---consecutive possessions by both sides combined that ended with touchdowns to end the game, until KM took a knee for the win
7---touchdowns in the game that were over 40 yards in length; also the number of players resposible for two or more touchdowns
6---the number of touchdowns Mike Roberts was responsible for
5---players with over 100 yards rushing
4---the number of punts in the entire game (and I'm surprised it was that high); also the number of successful fourth-down conversions KM had, to 0 that failed
2---the number of wins the Mountaineers now need for their first ever state title, starting with next Friday's home game against A.L. Brown
IN MY OPINION...
These are the nights when I remember why I have the job I do.
This was truly the most exciting football game I've ever seen regardless of level---NFL, College, High School, in-person or on TV.
The crowd from both sides was great. The atmosphere was electric. It meant a ton to both sides, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
The KM crowd on the field after the game was so much that I couldn't find Coach Greg Lloyd for almost 10 minutes and he had so many people congratulating him, I couldn't talk to him for almost 10 more minutes.
Big play after big play ended in a whale of a contest that both teams should be proud to be associated with and both sets of fans no doubt left wondering when they would see another game like this.
Having said all that, I'm pulling a page out of Sportscenter's book; here's a look at my top ten plays of the game (you'll have to imagine the crazy accents and inflections in voice), in chronological order... (because there's no other way to separate these!)
10) Bring it back---No doubt, the opening series by Anson gave a glimpse of what was to come. Junior QB Jordan Hildreth threw a perfectly executed WR screen to playmaking WR Rasaun Rorie, only to have the play called back to around midfield because of a block in the back away from the play. Unphased, Hildreth took an option keeper for a 45-yard score two plays later.
9) Third down's the charm---The KM offense got things going a couple series later to tie the game, led by QB Mike Roberts cool demeanor on third downs. Starting the drive at his own 9, Roberts ran around and to his left in the endzone on a third and long play to the KM 25 for a first down. He then hit Carlos Bell on the sideline and Devon Thompson across the middle on the next two third-and-longs to assure that the Mounties would not fall two scores behind.
8) Can't bring this guy down---After a long Patrick Polk run put KM a score down again, Roberts engineered an early second-quarter drive that got into Anson's red zone. Anson brought a well-timed blitz that would have brought down any other quarterback for a big loss, moving them out of field-goal range and halting momentum. But not Roberts. While DB Greg Lomax was dragging Roberts to the ground by a handful of jersey, Roberts spotted WR Cameron Roseboro alone in the end zone and calmly threw him the ball for the tying score.
7) Scramble and toss--- On what really might have been the play of the game, Roberts bought time, got a great block from an offensive lineman (#70. don't have my roster in front of me) and just before he crossed the line of scrimmage, heaved a throw downfield to a wide open Jacoby Giles. The throw sailed, allowing two Anson DB's to catch up to Giles, but Jacoby wouldn't be denied his first TD of the season, doing the rest of the work from 5-10 yards out to tie the game at 21-21 heading to halftime.
6) The return(s)--- Tied 21-21 at halftime, Anson wasted no time regaining the lead in the second half, as CB D.J. Ellerbe ran the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. But not to be outdone, KM RB Joe Chambers ran the ensuing Anson kick back 53 yards setting the Mounties up at the Anson 21.
5) Devon decks 'em--- Midway through the third quarter KM got a rare stop in this game and was primed to take the lead. Roberts set up a backside screen to Chambers, who got two key blocks to get past the first down marker. But he wasn't done running, and TE Devon Thompson made sure of that. Thompson threw a bone-crushing hit on a Bearcat defender pursuing Chambers, and the RB scampered over 60 yards down to the Anson 20. (Roberts made his usual five people miss on the next play and put KM ahead 35-28.)
4) Hook-and-ladder--- One of my favorite plays in football was executed perfectly in a crucial spot on 4th down by Anson. Down 49-42 after a KM touchdown, the Bearcats had their backs against the wall, on fourth down near midfield. After an Anson timeout, Hildreth delivered a pass right on target to Rorie around midfield outside the right hash, and the wide out flipped the ball right to Stephone Anthony, who sprinted untouched the rest of the way for the tying score.
3) Hurt? Who cares--- After a scary scene in which Roberts got a two-point conversion on the ground, he stayed on the ground in pain for a couple minutes that must have seemed like an eternity to KM fans. But he got off the field on his own, and refused to leave the game when KM got the ball back after the hook-and-ladder. Instead, he handed the ball off a few times, pushed ahead for a crucial third-down conversion on a sneak, and finally rolled to his right and threw a strike to a wide open Thompson in the endzone, putting KM ahead 56-49 with under a minute left.
2) The answer---Anson never flinched after the score. On the first play, Hildreth hit Anthony on a fly from the slot position and Anthony did the rest, tallying a 66-yard touchdown and pulling Anson within a point.
1) The stop---I called it "the stop" because it was about the only defensive play worth mentioning in this game. Anson took a timeout and realized they didn't want to test the Mounties in OT. Not on the road. And not after KM won a triple-overtime heart stopper last week. You can't fault the reasoning, especially after the offenses had combined for 111 points and over 1000 yards.
But KM rose to the occasion. I believe it was #9 (again, I don't have a roster in front of me) that chopped down Polk at the knees. Polk fell straight down and the ball remained inches from the goal line. The win was in hand after an onside kick recovery.
What a finish; what a game. What will be the encore to the last two weeks?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Nothing to hand your head about...or anyone else's
With Crest and Shelby both dropping second round playoff football games Friday night, there's no doubt people are going to get on their favorite H.S. football message boards and talk bad about both coaches and discuss how they would have done things differently if they were the coach.
They're going to say it's time for a change in coaching staff's---at least Crest fans may. One person already made that comment attached to my Crest game story.
This hits a chord with me.
Chris Norman at Shelby has won three state titles. Roy Kirby has won two state titles. I don't care if Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi is your coach---you're not going to win it all every year.
A lot of people (not just around here) are too focused on the here and now and have no sense of history. Let's appreciate the heck outta the good times, learn from the tough times and realize that both are necessary for either to be meaningful.
These guys pour their lives into the coaching. Do they make mistakes? Sure. Doesn't everyone. They are coaching 16-18 year-old KIDS, who also are not perfect.
I urge everyone to take a deep breath and step back from the situation. Realize there's always next year. And move on.
(On a side note, I apologize to Crest fans who were planning on following the live game blog online last nite. My interent connection had failed, making it impossible to do what I needed to. Sorry for the inconvenience; hopefully we will not have that problem in the future.)
Odds and Ends...
UNC was at it again Friday night. This time, it was Danny Green leaving the game with what I understand was just a bruise above his knee, and he returned to play. Deon Thompson also left briefly after receiving a blow to the face which required stitches (but no foul was called on the play).
The good news for Heels' fans was the return of Hansbrough, but if these guys continue to be cursed with injuries, it really evens the playing field with the rest of the country.
As Phil Ford said, "You have to be three things to win a national championship. You have to be good, healthy, and lucky." Unlike Meatloaf's song, two out of three won't cut it.
THE ACC football race is unbelievable right now. It seems destined no team will run away with this thing. Nine of 12 teams have a shot at a title and it's five days 'til Thanksgiving. No team is yet out of the hunt for a bowl. Maryland is the only team with 2 or fewer conference losses. I've never seen anything like this.
People can say all they want about the ACC being terrible as a whole this year, but do this. Name three schools who are outright bad this year. I'll tell you this, there are going to be some unhappy schools when bowl bids are announced, because how do you draw a line in the conference between who goes to the Gator or Chick-Fil-A Bowl and who's sent to Hawaii or Idaho for the no-name bowl?
I hated to see George Steinbrenner hand the Yankees' reins officially over to his son Hal this week. Don't get me wrong; I hate the Yankees with a passion. But "The Boss," like him or not, was an all-time great owner both with the drama he brought to the clubhouse and with his passion for the Yankees and baseball that exuded everything he did.
He always shot straight and there's something to be said for that. And you can say what you want about his ludicrous spending for free agents; it poured revenue into a sport that is sadly struggling post-steroids.
I'm sure he'll be missed, especially by New Yorkers...and the media.
They're going to say it's time for a change in coaching staff's---at least Crest fans may. One person already made that comment attached to my Crest game story.
This hits a chord with me.
Chris Norman at Shelby has won three state titles. Roy Kirby has won two state titles. I don't care if Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi is your coach---you're not going to win it all every year.
A lot of people (not just around here) are too focused on the here and now and have no sense of history. Let's appreciate the heck outta the good times, learn from the tough times and realize that both are necessary for either to be meaningful.
These guys pour their lives into the coaching. Do they make mistakes? Sure. Doesn't everyone. They are coaching 16-18 year-old KIDS, who also are not perfect.
I urge everyone to take a deep breath and step back from the situation. Realize there's always next year. And move on.
(On a side note, I apologize to Crest fans who were planning on following the live game blog online last nite. My interent connection had failed, making it impossible to do what I needed to. Sorry for the inconvenience; hopefully we will not have that problem in the future.)
Odds and Ends...
UNC was at it again Friday night. This time, it was Danny Green leaving the game with what I understand was just a bruise above his knee, and he returned to play. Deon Thompson also left briefly after receiving a blow to the face which required stitches (but no foul was called on the play).
The good news for Heels' fans was the return of Hansbrough, but if these guys continue to be cursed with injuries, it really evens the playing field with the rest of the country.
As Phil Ford said, "You have to be three things to win a national championship. You have to be good, healthy, and lucky." Unlike Meatloaf's song, two out of three won't cut it.
THE ACC football race is unbelievable right now. It seems destined no team will run away with this thing. Nine of 12 teams have a shot at a title and it's five days 'til Thanksgiving. No team is yet out of the hunt for a bowl. Maryland is the only team with 2 or fewer conference losses. I've never seen anything like this.
People can say all they want about the ACC being terrible as a whole this year, but do this. Name three schools who are outright bad this year. I'll tell you this, there are going to be some unhappy schools when bowl bids are announced, because how do you draw a line in the conference between who goes to the Gator or Chick-Fil-A Bowl and who's sent to Hawaii or Idaho for the no-name bowl?
I hated to see George Steinbrenner hand the Yankees' reins officially over to his son Hal this week. Don't get me wrong; I hate the Yankees with a passion. But "The Boss," like him or not, was an all-time great owner both with the drama he brought to the clubhouse and with his passion for the Yankees and baseball that exuded everything he did.
He always shot straight and there's something to be said for that. And you can say what you want about his ludicrous spending for free agents; it poured revenue into a sport that is sadly struggling post-steroids.
I'm sure he'll be missed, especially by New Yorkers...and the media.
South Mecklenburg at Crest---live game blog (2nd round state playoffs)
5:30 p.m.---I'm about to head off to Sid Bryson Stadium for what should be a great playoff game between the South Mecklenburg Sabres (7-5) and the Crest Chargers (8-4). It's the first ever meeting between the two schools, adding to the intrigue. South Meck beat Catholic to start the year and has some losses against very good teams (i.e.---Independence, Butler). Crest struggled to put Watauga away last week and needs to play better this week to advance to play another round...More to come.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Are the Panthers prepared?
Earlier this year, I wrote a column basically saying that the Panthers were a legit threat to win the NFC and earn a spot in their second Super Bowl.
And in my opinion, nothing has changed. So what's there to blog about right?
Well here's my latest beef with the Cats.
For years, this team has played to the level of their competition. The last two weeks have been a great evidence of that.
Regardless of what Carolina coach John Fox wants to call it, the win at Oakland two weeks ago was unbearable to watch. To steal a line from the movie Dodgeball (granted, not a classic reference there, but my movie scope is a tad limited), "I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit."
And last week's fourth quarter squeaker at home against the Lions should be as close as that Detroit team gets to winning a game this season!
They did manage to win both games, and for surface-level Panthers fans that is enough.
But those who are passionate about this team and want to see another trip to the big game the first week of February know that this team has to pick it up a notch.
It's nice to the Julius Peppers' led resurgence of the defense this year; that has to continue barnone for this team to be a contender in the playoffs.
This team also must find an identity on offense.
Jake Delhomme looks really bad right now and the running game must have good weeks and not just against the Lions or Chiefs.
That said, I still feel that come a month and a half from now, this team will play to the level of their opponents...which at that point would be a good thing.
The key is why save your best football for when you absolutely need it? Play well now and you have a great shot at hosting a playoff game or two.
Then it's up to the fans to get behind this team and make sure no team that comes into Charlotte in the playoffs has a chance to win because Bank of America Stadium is rockin' from start to finish.
We'll see what happens...
And in my opinion, nothing has changed. So what's there to blog about right?
Well here's my latest beef with the Cats.
For years, this team has played to the level of their competition. The last two weeks have been a great evidence of that.
Regardless of what Carolina coach John Fox wants to call it, the win at Oakland two weeks ago was unbearable to watch. To steal a line from the movie Dodgeball (granted, not a classic reference there, but my movie scope is a tad limited), "I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit."
And last week's fourth quarter squeaker at home against the Lions should be as close as that Detroit team gets to winning a game this season!
They did manage to win both games, and for surface-level Panthers fans that is enough.
But those who are passionate about this team and want to see another trip to the big game the first week of February know that this team has to pick it up a notch.
It's nice to the Julius Peppers' led resurgence of the defense this year; that has to continue barnone for this team to be a contender in the playoffs.
This team also must find an identity on offense.
Jake Delhomme looks really bad right now and the running game must have good weeks and not just against the Lions or Chiefs.
That said, I still feel that come a month and a half from now, this team will play to the level of their opponents...which at that point would be a good thing.
The key is why save your best football for when you absolutely need it? Play well now and you have a great shot at hosting a playoff game or two.
Then it's up to the fans to get behind this team and make sure no team that comes into Charlotte in the playoffs has a chance to win because Bank of America Stadium is rockin' from start to finish.
We'll see what happens...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Heck of a football game
My hat goes off to both Burns and Kings Mountain after both teams played their tails off in a great Cleveland County football game Friday.
After the season they've had, Burns had every reason to pack it in after a quick Joe Chambers 52-yard TD scamper four plays into the game, but they didn't.
The Bulldogs pulled into the lead by halftime and still led after the third quarter. Those seniors were not used to knowing in advance when their last game of the season would be, and they played like a team on a mission.
Though they didn't win, I can't say enough about the job interim coach David Devine and his staff did preparing that team to play in their last game of the season. I feel that coach Devine has taken a lot of heat for that team's record this year, but those same people should realize how much he bleeds Burns blue and wants to win...
On to the Mountaineers...KM found themselves in a dog fight and responded the way you would expect a veteran team to. Their confidence never wavered, their defense responded to shut the 'Dogs out over the final 23 minutes, and Mike Roberts is unbelievable.
Roberts single-handedly refused to let that team lose. He laid a perfect pass on a fade route for receiver Terrance Toung to draw KM within 2 points in the third, then ran for two scores, including a 75-yard burst, to seal the win. In the process, he went over 1000 yards on the season through the air and on the ground.
Maybe he just knows when I'm going to be there...In the two KM games I have seen this year, Roberts has thrown for 311 yards and run for 392 more.
Like Devine, KM coach Greg Lloyd deserves some praise. In two years, Lloyd has resurrected a once-proud program and the entire community in the process...
Some people might have the perception that KM stumbled down the stretch and maybe lost some momentum heading into the playoffs with a win that should have been more one-sided.
I would say it's just the opposite. Winning a game to finish an undefeated season in conference over a county rival (on the road) who has all the motivation in the world to beat you doesn't leave any reason to doubt this team will have a great shot in the playoffs.
This was my first county v. county team game and I hope they're all this good!
(P.S.---The refs were a joke. I didn't want to mention that any earlier in the blog, because it takes away from what the players did. But those guys penalized both teams for a combined 295 yards on 31 penalties---We were at 200 yards in penalties by mid-second quarter too, so it could have been worse. The refs from last night need to learn that people come to the games to see high school football, not stripes taking over a game.)
After the season they've had, Burns had every reason to pack it in after a quick Joe Chambers 52-yard TD scamper four plays into the game, but they didn't.
The Bulldogs pulled into the lead by halftime and still led after the third quarter. Those seniors were not used to knowing in advance when their last game of the season would be, and they played like a team on a mission.
Though they didn't win, I can't say enough about the job interim coach David Devine and his staff did preparing that team to play in their last game of the season. I feel that coach Devine has taken a lot of heat for that team's record this year, but those same people should realize how much he bleeds Burns blue and wants to win...
On to the Mountaineers...KM found themselves in a dog fight and responded the way you would expect a veteran team to. Their confidence never wavered, their defense responded to shut the 'Dogs out over the final 23 minutes, and Mike Roberts is unbelievable.
Roberts single-handedly refused to let that team lose. He laid a perfect pass on a fade route for receiver Terrance Toung to draw KM within 2 points in the third, then ran for two scores, including a 75-yard burst, to seal the win. In the process, he went over 1000 yards on the season through the air and on the ground.
Maybe he just knows when I'm going to be there...In the two KM games I have seen this year, Roberts has thrown for 311 yards and run for 392 more.
Like Devine, KM coach Greg Lloyd deserves some praise. In two years, Lloyd has resurrected a once-proud program and the entire community in the process...
Some people might have the perception that KM stumbled down the stretch and maybe lost some momentum heading into the playoffs with a win that should have been more one-sided.
I would say it's just the opposite. Winning a game to finish an undefeated season in conference over a county rival (on the road) who has all the motivation in the world to beat you doesn't leave any reason to doubt this team will have a great shot in the playoffs.
This was my first county v. county team game and I hope they're all this good!
(P.S.---The refs were a joke. I didn't want to mention that any earlier in the blog, because it takes away from what the players did. But those guys penalized both teams for a combined 295 yards on 31 penalties---We were at 200 yards in penalties by mid-second quarter too, so it could have been worse. The refs from last night need to learn that people come to the games to see high school football, not stripes taking over a game.)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Crest homecoming vs. Hunter Huss
5:00 pm---Crest comes into the game at 5-3, 2-1 in conference; Hunter Huss's record is identical. All three Chargers' losses have been by three points or less. Crest won possibly its biggest game of the season exactly four weeks ago on a Monday night, downing Ashbrook on the road 28-14.
It's certainly going to feel like football weather tonight, and wouldn't you know it, I couldn't find my heavy coat this afternoon before I left the house. I've got like four layers on though, along with my beanie for later, so hopefully I'll be okay. DRESS WARMLY IF YOU'RE COMING TONIGHT!!!
6:25pm---Here are some comparative scores between the Huskies and Chargers for those of you who believe in that sort of thing...
Crest 7, Kings Mountain 2
Kings Mountain 32, Hunter Huss 18
Crest 46, North Gaston 0
Hunter Huss 26, North Gaston 2
Advantage Crest??
7:00pm---Huss wins the toss and elects to defer the option until the second half. Crest will recieve the opening kickoff. Aldrick Watson returns the kick from the 11 to the Crest 29.
7:05---A penalty brought back a nice run by Justin Price to begin the game, but can't stop a Rhaheim Ledbetter 19-yard carry on 1st and 20 after that. After a couple more first downs, including a third and 5 conversion, Qourtez Wright carries up the middle for a 31-yard touchdown run. 7-0 Crest, 9:50, 1st qtr.
7:20pm---A Huss first down was the result of a couple Marshall Williams keepers, but the drive stalled near midfield. The snap then went over the Huskies' punter's head and Crest recovered at the Huss 34. Reggie Wilkins broke a 26 yard run, completed a pass and Ledbetter ran for a 3 yard touchdown. Kick is good, 14-0 Crest at 4:45 1st qtr.
7:35pm---It appeared Crest had forced a three and out but Huss faked a punt, with QB Williams running for a first down and more. Then on a 3rd and 15, a pass bounced off one Husky to another who rambled 48 yards down to the Crest 9. But a penalty and an Akeem Boyce sack moved Huss back to the 25 and three straight incompletions gave Crest the ball on downs. END 1ST 14-0 Crest
7:40pm---Teams have traded three punts, and with 5:00 left until half, it's still 14-0 Crest.
7:55pm---At halftime, it's still 14-0 Crest; neither team seriously threatened in the 2nd quarter, as Huss moved the ball to Crest's 42 early in the period, but that's as far as either team got. Huss seemed to establish some kind of rhythm on offense, and is still hanging around, the way they did two years ago at Crest in a late come-from-behind win. The feeling around the press box is that Crest needs another score to feel safe at all.
STATS---Huss- Marshall Williams, 3-for-8 passing for 73 yards, 10 carries for 66 yards. Brandon Garvin, 1 catch 48 yards. Tevin Lindsey 7 carries, 21 yards.
Crest- Reggie Wilkins, 8 carries, 58 yards, 2-for-9 passing 22 yards; Qourtez Wright 4 carries, 52 yards, TD; Rhaheim Ledbetter 3 carries, 23 yards, TD.
8:25pm---Huss gets the ball to begin the second half, gets a first down, then nothing else. A good punt traps Crest back at its own 10. 9:04 left 3rd qtr. 14-0 Crest
8:34pm---Huss gets in the end zone after a poor punt and two straight Crest personal foul penalties set them up inside the 10. Marshall Williams scored on a 2-yard keeper and Dennis Price then grabbed a botched snap and ran into the end zone left side for a 2-pt conversion. 14-8 Crest at 4:48 left 3rd qtr.
Crest starts their next drive from their own 40 and goes three-and-out for the second time this half. Momentum appears to have shifted...
The Chargers defense gets a big third and 7 stop on a pass to the left sideline broken up by a defensive back. 1:00 left 3rd, 14-8 Crest
Crest didnt have a first down in the 3rd qtr, but they made up for it to begin the 4th. 5 straight first downs included an 8-yard TD run by Wilkins and Crest leads 21-8 10:34 left. Was that the same Crest team???
8:57 pm---Now 7:30 to play in the 4th qtr after Crest forces a turnover on downs around midfield.
Crest now faces a 4th and less than a yard at Huss's 43. 4:41 left and a 1st down could be huge...Rhaheim Ledbetter got it and more with a huge burst through a hole on the left side. 1st down Crest at the Huss 25.
Two plays later, Wilkins ran right side on a 3rd and 3 untouched for an 18-yard touchdown run. That should pretty much do it, and Crest should have survived a horrible third quarter. 28-8 Crest, 2:32 4th.
A fumble ends it for Huss, 28-8 Final.
It's certainly going to feel like football weather tonight, and wouldn't you know it, I couldn't find my heavy coat this afternoon before I left the house. I've got like four layers on though, along with my beanie for later, so hopefully I'll be okay. DRESS WARMLY IF YOU'RE COMING TONIGHT!!!
6:25pm---Here are some comparative scores between the Huskies and Chargers for those of you who believe in that sort of thing...
Crest 7, Kings Mountain 2
Kings Mountain 32, Hunter Huss 18
Crest 46, North Gaston 0
Hunter Huss 26, North Gaston 2
Advantage Crest??
7:00pm---Huss wins the toss and elects to defer the option until the second half. Crest will recieve the opening kickoff. Aldrick Watson returns the kick from the 11 to the Crest 29.
7:05---A penalty brought back a nice run by Justin Price to begin the game, but can't stop a Rhaheim Ledbetter 19-yard carry on 1st and 20 after that. After a couple more first downs, including a third and 5 conversion, Qourtez Wright carries up the middle for a 31-yard touchdown run. 7-0 Crest, 9:50, 1st qtr.
7:20pm---A Huss first down was the result of a couple Marshall Williams keepers, but the drive stalled near midfield. The snap then went over the Huskies' punter's head and Crest recovered at the Huss 34. Reggie Wilkins broke a 26 yard run, completed a pass and Ledbetter ran for a 3 yard touchdown. Kick is good, 14-0 Crest at 4:45 1st qtr.
7:35pm---It appeared Crest had forced a three and out but Huss faked a punt, with QB Williams running for a first down and more. Then on a 3rd and 15, a pass bounced off one Husky to another who rambled 48 yards down to the Crest 9. But a penalty and an Akeem Boyce sack moved Huss back to the 25 and three straight incompletions gave Crest the ball on downs. END 1ST 14-0 Crest
7:40pm---Teams have traded three punts, and with 5:00 left until half, it's still 14-0 Crest.
7:55pm---At halftime, it's still 14-0 Crest; neither team seriously threatened in the 2nd quarter, as Huss moved the ball to Crest's 42 early in the period, but that's as far as either team got. Huss seemed to establish some kind of rhythm on offense, and is still hanging around, the way they did two years ago at Crest in a late come-from-behind win. The feeling around the press box is that Crest needs another score to feel safe at all.
STATS---Huss- Marshall Williams, 3-for-8 passing for 73 yards, 10 carries for 66 yards. Brandon Garvin, 1 catch 48 yards. Tevin Lindsey 7 carries, 21 yards.
Crest- Reggie Wilkins, 8 carries, 58 yards, 2-for-9 passing 22 yards; Qourtez Wright 4 carries, 52 yards, TD; Rhaheim Ledbetter 3 carries, 23 yards, TD.
8:25pm---Huss gets the ball to begin the second half, gets a first down, then nothing else. A good punt traps Crest back at its own 10. 9:04 left 3rd qtr. 14-0 Crest
8:34pm---Huss gets in the end zone after a poor punt and two straight Crest personal foul penalties set them up inside the 10. Marshall Williams scored on a 2-yard keeper and Dennis Price then grabbed a botched snap and ran into the end zone left side for a 2-pt conversion. 14-8 Crest at 4:48 left 3rd qtr.
Crest starts their next drive from their own 40 and goes three-and-out for the second time this half. Momentum appears to have shifted...
The Chargers defense gets a big third and 7 stop on a pass to the left sideline broken up by a defensive back. 1:00 left 3rd, 14-8 Crest
Crest didnt have a first down in the 3rd qtr, but they made up for it to begin the 4th. 5 straight first downs included an 8-yard TD run by Wilkins and Crest leads 21-8 10:34 left. Was that the same Crest team???
8:57 pm---Now 7:30 to play in the 4th qtr after Crest forces a turnover on downs around midfield.
Crest now faces a 4th and less than a yard at Huss's 43. 4:41 left and a 1st down could be huge...Rhaheim Ledbetter got it and more with a huge burst through a hole on the left side. 1st down Crest at the Huss 25.
Two plays later, Wilkins ran right side on a 3rd and 3 untouched for an 18-yard touchdown run. That should pretty much do it, and Crest should have survived a horrible third quarter. 28-8 Crest, 2:32 4th.
A fumble ends it for Huss, 28-8 Final.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Random thoughts on a Monday
So the UNC football team lost in Charlottesville...again. What else is new? They haven't won a game in Scott Stadium since before I was born---1981! So I have no idea what a celebration would be like after a win at Virginia.
And after two days in deep thought (kind of), I still don't know what the most frustrating part of the loss was. Was it losing to a team the Heels are better than? Was it giving the game away in the last two minutes with a "prevent" defense when our normal defense had in fact prevented the Hoos from scoring a touchdown for 57 minutes? Was it knowing that was coming after watching Notre Dame almost do the same thing a week before? Was it probably losing a shot at an ACC title game appearance? Take your pick. They all suck!...
On a brighter note, Gardner-Webb absolutely steamrolled Presbyterian and showed that they have a lot of fight left in them after a frustrating loss at currently 23rd-ranked Georgia Tech that would have shook up the football world. The Bulldogs showed they can bounce back; look for a great game on homecoming day Saturday against VMI. Get out to Boiling Springs if you can; believe me, you won't regret it...
Can anyone believe Tampa Bay is in the World Series? I'm still in shock. This whole season of theirs has me in shock. I'm glad that either the Phillies or the Rays will break their string of futility and win a title! It almost seems like the Phillies have "earned" the right to win the big one, because of many, many years of struggling. While it seems like the Rays have struggled forever (and they have), it's only been a decade. Ask the Phillies. A decade of struggles are nothing. But whoever wins, it's a great story for the sport...
Congrats to the Kings Mountain football team, on their 21-0 win over Shelby Friday night. After 10 years of getting the brunt of an always solid Shelby team in the "Battle of Buffalo Creek", the Mountaineers pulled through, won the game, and now have the inside track on the Southwestern conference crown. Hopefully, Shelby will bounce back, Crest will keep winning, and Burns can come through with a couple wins over the last few weeks. It is starting to feel like playoff football weather, and I couldn't be more ready!...
And after two days in deep thought (kind of), I still don't know what the most frustrating part of the loss was. Was it losing to a team the Heels are better than? Was it giving the game away in the last two minutes with a "prevent" defense when our normal defense had in fact prevented the Hoos from scoring a touchdown for 57 minutes? Was it knowing that was coming after watching Notre Dame almost do the same thing a week before? Was it probably losing a shot at an ACC title game appearance? Take your pick. They all suck!...
On a brighter note, Gardner-Webb absolutely steamrolled Presbyterian and showed that they have a lot of fight left in them after a frustrating loss at currently 23rd-ranked Georgia Tech that would have shook up the football world. The Bulldogs showed they can bounce back; look for a great game on homecoming day Saturday against VMI. Get out to Boiling Springs if you can; believe me, you won't regret it...
Can anyone believe Tampa Bay is in the World Series? I'm still in shock. This whole season of theirs has me in shock. I'm glad that either the Phillies or the Rays will break their string of futility and win a title! It almost seems like the Phillies have "earned" the right to win the big one, because of many, many years of struggling. While it seems like the Rays have struggled forever (and they have), it's only been a decade. Ask the Phillies. A decade of struggles are nothing. But whoever wins, it's a great story for the sport...
Congrats to the Kings Mountain football team, on their 21-0 win over Shelby Friday night. After 10 years of getting the brunt of an always solid Shelby team in the "Battle of Buffalo Creek", the Mountaineers pulled through, won the game, and now have the inside track on the Southwestern conference crown. Hopefully, Shelby will bounce back, Crest will keep winning, and Burns can come through with a couple wins over the last few weeks. It is starting to feel like playoff football weather, and I couldn't be more ready!...
Monday, October 6, 2008
How good are the Panthers?
When wide receiver Steve Smith sent teammate Ken Lucas to the hospital with a broken nose during Panthers’ training camp in early August, outsiders might have been watching like vultures for a Carolina collapse in 2008.
But now it’s the Panthers who are picking apart the opposition.
And the thanks should go to head coach John Fox and his commitment to his beliefs.
Though it meant possibly getting off to a disappointing start, Fox suspended his star wide-out for the first two games of the season.
The move paid off in two huge ways.
First, the team answered the call without Smith in the lineup, figuring out ways to win both games during his absence. The Panthers young and improved running game, the poise of veteran Jake Delhomme, and the reacquisition of receiver Muhsin Muhammad—after a three-year exile in Chicago—helped in that regard.
And so did the defense, which it seems is always a team strength when the Panthers are good.
But secondly, (and I think more importantly) the move built team cohesion.
When Smith scored his only touchdown of the season, he gave the ball to Lucas, and it seems any riff between the two, if once there, is legitimately over.
Whether it’s pulling out late wins (like the win over the Chargers in week one) or blowing out teams by record margins (last Sunday against the Chiefs), it seems the Panthers are starting to believe they can overcome anything after surviving a personality conflict involving their star player.
There’s no telling how big of an “x” factor something as seemingly little as that could be as the Panthers look forward to a possible postseason berth and maybe more.
The Panthers now come to a crucial part of the season over the next two weeks, with division games at Tampa Bay and at home against New Orleans, a stretch that should show fans exactly what the team is made of.
Given the fact that they have the same coach, the same quarterback, and the same commitment to hard-nosed defense as the Panthers’ teams that reached Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and the NFC title game two years later, fans expect a lot from Carolina this year.
And rightfully so.
So how good will the Panthers be this year??? Give me your feedback on how they will fare this year!
But now it’s the Panthers who are picking apart the opposition.
And the thanks should go to head coach John Fox and his commitment to his beliefs.
Though it meant possibly getting off to a disappointing start, Fox suspended his star wide-out for the first two games of the season.
The move paid off in two huge ways.
First, the team answered the call without Smith in the lineup, figuring out ways to win both games during his absence. The Panthers young and improved running game, the poise of veteran Jake Delhomme, and the reacquisition of receiver Muhsin Muhammad—after a three-year exile in Chicago—helped in that regard.
And so did the defense, which it seems is always a team strength when the Panthers are good.
But secondly, (and I think more importantly) the move built team cohesion.
When Smith scored his only touchdown of the season, he gave the ball to Lucas, and it seems any riff between the two, if once there, is legitimately over.
Whether it’s pulling out late wins (like the win over the Chargers in week one) or blowing out teams by record margins (last Sunday against the Chiefs), it seems the Panthers are starting to believe they can overcome anything after surviving a personality conflict involving their star player.
There’s no telling how big of an “x” factor something as seemingly little as that could be as the Panthers look forward to a possible postseason berth and maybe more.
The Panthers now come to a crucial part of the season over the next two weeks, with division games at Tampa Bay and at home against New Orleans, a stretch that should show fans exactly what the team is made of.
Given the fact that they have the same coach, the same quarterback, and the same commitment to hard-nosed defense as the Panthers’ teams that reached Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and the NFC title game two years later, fans expect a lot from Carolina this year.
And rightfully so.
So how good will the Panthers be this year??? Give me your feedback on how they will fare this year!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Football Tonight: Watauga at Shelby
4:45 p.m.- It's almost three hours to kickoff, and I've got a few pre-game thoughts for you...It's homecoming night at Shelby, so they should be fired up. And it doesn't hurt that they haven't won two games in a row yet this year, and have a chance to do so with a win tonight. Watauga has its own streak to protect, having won four straight games coming in.
It figures to be a defensive struggle, at least on paper, as Watauga has allowed just 13 points over the last two weeks combined. Shelby has allowed an average of 12.3 points per game this year...More to come when I arrive at Shelby later on.
7:00 p.m.- It's a beautiful night for football in Shelby. Clear skies as the sun sets with temperatures in the mid 60's. A lot better than last week!
It will be interesting to see how the respective offenses try to move the ball against the defenses. Running back and Clemson commitment Larry Raper leads a Shelby ground attack that also features backs Jonathan Hopper and Michael Copeland. The three backs combined for over 200 yards last week in a win over Brevard.
Watauga may try to move the ball more through the air, as junior QB Devan Corum went 13-for-19 for 235 yards and three touchdowns last week. His favorite target was Baine Martin our of the backfield. Martin caught for balls for 146 yards and a score.
7:28- Watauga wins the toss and elects to kick to Shelby to begin the game.
7:41-Shelby began their first drive at their own 34 yard line. After a first down on the ground, Shelby quarterback Anthony Franklin lost seven yards on a keeper, but made up for it by converting a third-and long pass to Reid Houser down the sideline to the Watauga 33. But Watauga's defense held and moved Shelby back 10 yards, forcing a Lions' punt. On a short punt, a Watauga player touched the ball and Shelby is given an early break as the Lions recovered. 1st and 10 Shelby from the Watauga 18.
7:44-After gaining eight yards, Shelby fumbled the ball on third and two from the Watauga 10. A Franklin pitch to Hopper was high, and Hopper had the ball briefly before dropping it. Watauga recovered and they have the ball for the first time tonight. Shelby 0, Watauga 0, 4:55 1st quarter.
Watauga picked up nine yards on three plays, then lined up to go for a 4th and 1 play, but didn't have to, as Shelby jumped offsides. Then on a 3rd and 6, Watauga QB Devan Corum avoided the Lions' rush for a run across midfield. But Corum fumbled a couple plays later, and Shelby recovered. 1st and 10, Shelby, on their own 47, Copeland ran for 16 yards up the middle and Shelby is back across midfield. END 1st quarter. Shelby 0, Watauga 0.
7:55 p.m.- Shelby couldn't move the ball after Copeland's run and faced a 4th and 9 at the Watauga 34. They went for it, Frankiln rolled to his left and lofted a pass itno the endzone that was picked off. Watauga ball, 1st and 10 from their own 20. Still no score, and four turnovers combined!
8:00 pm- On a 3rd and long, Shelby's defense held again, with "Boom-Boom" Murray and R.J. Ussery combining for a sack. Watauga punts, and Shelby gets the ball back, 1st and 10 from the Watauga 38.
"Boom-Boom" is now lining up at wingback on offense! First play, Raper ran 38 yards across the right side for a TD...but, a penalty brought it back. Two plays later, the same play worked for the same result. 34 yard TD run Raper, no penalty--- extra point is wide right. 6-0 Shelby, 9:07 2nd quarter.
8:08pm- Boom-Boom is all over the field. A sack forced a Watauga 3rd-and-long, and on that play an attempted screen pass is intercepted by team co-captain Peter McInnis, who ran 11 yards the other way for a touchdown. He's still down in the endzone, however, injured. They are going to cart McInnis off the field. Turner Almond kick is good; 13-0 Shelby, with 7:05 left 2nd quarter.
Watauga went 3-and-out, with a dropped ball on 3rd down. On the first play from their own 43, Shelby's Anthony Franklin hooked up with Raper for a 55-yard TD pass deep over the middle, Raper's second TD. Wow, that was quick...5:09 2nd quarter, 20-0 Shelby.
8:30pm- Boom-Boom and company are still at it. Another Boom-Boom sack backed Watauga up after a couple penalties. Watauga had crossed midfield, but got backed way up by the time they had to punt. And then, the punt was blocked by Gerald Jennings, who fell on the ball at the Watauga 7. It looked like he could have picked the ball up and rambled in had he taken his time on it. And it's too bad for Shelby that he couldn't. After a procedure penalty, Shelby's Jonathan Hopper fumbled the ball a yard away from paydirt. Watauga fell on the ball, and the clock dwindled away into halftime after a couple sneaks. Shelby 20-0, Halftime.
8:50pm-For those interested, Shelby's 2008 homecoming queen is...Alexis Cannon.
9:05pm- Back now after a lengthy halftime...Watauga started the half with a big kickoff return and their best field position of the game, just on Shelby's side of the field. Two consecutive completions has the Pioneers at the Shelby 30, but a Ussery tackle for loss on third-and-long forces a punt. Shelby ball after the punt, 1st and 10 at their own 25. After a 20 yard carry by Hopper, Franklin fumbles the ball after tripping apparently. It was recovered by Watauga's Tanner Wilson and taken 47 yards the other way for a score. Kick failed, 20-6 Shelby, 8:34-3rd.
9:15pm-Shelby went three and out and after a punt Watauga is moving the ball a bit, they face a 3rd and 6 from the Shelby 47 yard line. It's hard to believe Watauga is still in this game right now!
Two penalties, and offsides and a pass interference keeps Watauga's drive moving. 1st and 10 at the Shelby 16. The offsides call was the third tonight that has resulted in a Watauga first down (Strangely, they have more first downs than Shelby 9-6, despite being seriously outgained in total yardage.) Watauga goes for it on a fourth down in the red zone, with the quarterback, Corum, being tackled short of the mark. Shelby's ball again, end 3rd quarter- Shelby 20, Watauga 6.
9:47pm- Sorry about the long delay...computer issues! Shelby's Michael Copeland and Jonathan Hopper gashed Watauga on the first drive of the 4th quarter, with Hopper taking the ball into the endzone for a score. A long kick return by Watauga on the ensuing kick was wiped off due to penalty. That was followed by a three-and-out and a long, winding punt return by Ussery. Quinton Hopper, the new Shelby QB, fumbled on his first play of the game. 3:00 left in the 4th quarter, Shelby 27, Watauga 6.
Final score- Shelby 27, Watauga 6
Look for the story on shelbystar.com by 11:45 or so...
It figures to be a defensive struggle, at least on paper, as Watauga has allowed just 13 points over the last two weeks combined. Shelby has allowed an average of 12.3 points per game this year...More to come when I arrive at Shelby later on.
7:00 p.m.- It's a beautiful night for football in Shelby. Clear skies as the sun sets with temperatures in the mid 60's. A lot better than last week!
It will be interesting to see how the respective offenses try to move the ball against the defenses. Running back and Clemson commitment Larry Raper leads a Shelby ground attack that also features backs Jonathan Hopper and Michael Copeland. The three backs combined for over 200 yards last week in a win over Brevard.
Watauga may try to move the ball more through the air, as junior QB Devan Corum went 13-for-19 for 235 yards and three touchdowns last week. His favorite target was Baine Martin our of the backfield. Martin caught for balls for 146 yards and a score.
7:28- Watauga wins the toss and elects to kick to Shelby to begin the game.
7:41-Shelby began their first drive at their own 34 yard line. After a first down on the ground, Shelby quarterback Anthony Franklin lost seven yards on a keeper, but made up for it by converting a third-and long pass to Reid Houser down the sideline to the Watauga 33. But Watauga's defense held and moved Shelby back 10 yards, forcing a Lions' punt. On a short punt, a Watauga player touched the ball and Shelby is given an early break as the Lions recovered. 1st and 10 Shelby from the Watauga 18.
7:44-After gaining eight yards, Shelby fumbled the ball on third and two from the Watauga 10. A Franklin pitch to Hopper was high, and Hopper had the ball briefly before dropping it. Watauga recovered and they have the ball for the first time tonight. Shelby 0, Watauga 0, 4:55 1st quarter.
Watauga picked up nine yards on three plays, then lined up to go for a 4th and 1 play, but didn't have to, as Shelby jumped offsides. Then on a 3rd and 6, Watauga QB Devan Corum avoided the Lions' rush for a run across midfield. But Corum fumbled a couple plays later, and Shelby recovered. 1st and 10, Shelby, on their own 47, Copeland ran for 16 yards up the middle and Shelby is back across midfield. END 1st quarter. Shelby 0, Watauga 0.
7:55 p.m.- Shelby couldn't move the ball after Copeland's run and faced a 4th and 9 at the Watauga 34. They went for it, Frankiln rolled to his left and lofted a pass itno the endzone that was picked off. Watauga ball, 1st and 10 from their own 20. Still no score, and four turnovers combined!
8:00 pm- On a 3rd and long, Shelby's defense held again, with "Boom-Boom" Murray and R.J. Ussery combining for a sack. Watauga punts, and Shelby gets the ball back, 1st and 10 from the Watauga 38.
"Boom-Boom" is now lining up at wingback on offense! First play, Raper ran 38 yards across the right side for a TD...but, a penalty brought it back. Two plays later, the same play worked for the same result. 34 yard TD run Raper, no penalty--- extra point is wide right. 6-0 Shelby, 9:07 2nd quarter.
8:08pm- Boom-Boom is all over the field. A sack forced a Watauga 3rd-and-long, and on that play an attempted screen pass is intercepted by team co-captain Peter McInnis, who ran 11 yards the other way for a touchdown. He's still down in the endzone, however, injured. They are going to cart McInnis off the field. Turner Almond kick is good; 13-0 Shelby, with 7:05 left 2nd quarter.
Watauga went 3-and-out, with a dropped ball on 3rd down. On the first play from their own 43, Shelby's Anthony Franklin hooked up with Raper for a 55-yard TD pass deep over the middle, Raper's second TD. Wow, that was quick...5:09 2nd quarter, 20-0 Shelby.
8:30pm- Boom-Boom and company are still at it. Another Boom-Boom sack backed Watauga up after a couple penalties. Watauga had crossed midfield, but got backed way up by the time they had to punt. And then, the punt was blocked by Gerald Jennings, who fell on the ball at the Watauga 7. It looked like he could have picked the ball up and rambled in had he taken his time on it. And it's too bad for Shelby that he couldn't. After a procedure penalty, Shelby's Jonathan Hopper fumbled the ball a yard away from paydirt. Watauga fell on the ball, and the clock dwindled away into halftime after a couple sneaks. Shelby 20-0, Halftime.
8:50pm-For those interested, Shelby's 2008 homecoming queen is...Alexis Cannon.
9:05pm- Back now after a lengthy halftime...Watauga started the half with a big kickoff return and their best field position of the game, just on Shelby's side of the field. Two consecutive completions has the Pioneers at the Shelby 30, but a Ussery tackle for loss on third-and-long forces a punt. Shelby ball after the punt, 1st and 10 at their own 25. After a 20 yard carry by Hopper, Franklin fumbles the ball after tripping apparently. It was recovered by Watauga's Tanner Wilson and taken 47 yards the other way for a score. Kick failed, 20-6 Shelby, 8:34-3rd.
9:15pm-Shelby went three and out and after a punt Watauga is moving the ball a bit, they face a 3rd and 6 from the Shelby 47 yard line. It's hard to believe Watauga is still in this game right now!
Two penalties, and offsides and a pass interference keeps Watauga's drive moving. 1st and 10 at the Shelby 16. The offsides call was the third tonight that has resulted in a Watauga first down (Strangely, they have more first downs than Shelby 9-6, despite being seriously outgained in total yardage.) Watauga goes for it on a fourth down in the red zone, with the quarterback, Corum, being tackled short of the mark. Shelby's ball again, end 3rd quarter- Shelby 20, Watauga 6.
9:47pm- Sorry about the long delay...computer issues! Shelby's Michael Copeland and Jonathan Hopper gashed Watauga on the first drive of the 4th quarter, with Hopper taking the ball into the endzone for a score. A long kick return by Watauga on the ensuing kick was wiped off due to penalty. That was followed by a three-and-out and a long, winding punt return by Ussery. Quinton Hopper, the new Shelby QB, fumbled on his first play of the game. 3:00 left in the 4th quarter, Shelby 27, Watauga 6.
Final score- Shelby 27, Watauga 6
Look for the story on shelbystar.com by 11:45 or so...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
New Burns, Brevard coaches trying to make adjustment
First-year interim Burns head coach David Devine and first-year Brevard coach Mark Barnes can definitely agree on at least one thing.
It isn’t easy to replace successful, long-tenured coaches.
Especially when your first season begins by losing a bunch of starters from the previous year’s team.
Devine came on staff with the Bulldogs in 1999 and was the defensive coordinator until stepping up to replace long-time coach Ron Green, who is out this season after having knee replacement surgery.
Devine also played on Green’s 1994 state championship team and was a two-way starter---at center on offense and linebacker on defense---so he knows the history of Burns football (which currently has six straight playoff appearances, including state quarterfinal losses in 2004 and 2006) better than anyone.
And he is finding out how tough it is to replace 16 starters from last year, including converted quarterback Keron Phelps, who is now playing defensive back at Gardner-Webb, and skilled utility man Donta Hopper, now a Guilford College defensive back.
Devine said that though he can’t completely control his team’s wins and losses, he is focusing on the things he can control.
“I give 110 percent of everything I’ve got every day,” Devine said. “No day’s different for me, no matter whether we’re winning or losing. The kids know I’m going to give then everything I’ve got every day. I’m never going to take a day off.”
Barnes, who spent 16 years at Scotland HS, and has 20 years of experience overall as a head coach, replaced retired coach Dan Esselberg, under whom Brevard had 39 wins in the last four seasons.
Brevard also lost a slew of players from last season, including their starting quarterback, running back, three linebackers, and three offensive linemen (including Brian Owens and Taylor Perez, both currently playing at Mars Hill College.)
Barnes, who said he is still getting used to to having guys playing on both sides of the ball at Brevard, knows his team is still adjusting to the new spread offense he brought in, as opposed to the power-I the team had been using.
“It’s a new system with a new coach, and there’s an adjustment period going on,” Barnes said. “But the guys have worked hard, and I hope our best days are in front of us.
“Most importantly, we want to make sure we’re getting better. We expect to have a chance to win each Friday night we take the field, and we know we’re going to have to play well to do that. We expect to have a chance to compete in our conference too; that’s what our community expects, and that’s what our players expect.”
It isn’t easy to replace successful, long-tenured coaches.
Especially when your first season begins by losing a bunch of starters from the previous year’s team.
Devine came on staff with the Bulldogs in 1999 and was the defensive coordinator until stepping up to replace long-time coach Ron Green, who is out this season after having knee replacement surgery.
Devine also played on Green’s 1994 state championship team and was a two-way starter---at center on offense and linebacker on defense---so he knows the history of Burns football (which currently has six straight playoff appearances, including state quarterfinal losses in 2004 and 2006) better than anyone.
And he is finding out how tough it is to replace 16 starters from last year, including converted quarterback Keron Phelps, who is now playing defensive back at Gardner-Webb, and skilled utility man Donta Hopper, now a Guilford College defensive back.
Devine said that though he can’t completely control his team’s wins and losses, he is focusing on the things he can control.
“I give 110 percent of everything I’ve got every day,” Devine said. “No day’s different for me, no matter whether we’re winning or losing. The kids know I’m going to give then everything I’ve got every day. I’m never going to take a day off.”
Barnes, who spent 16 years at Scotland HS, and has 20 years of experience overall as a head coach, replaced retired coach Dan Esselberg, under whom Brevard had 39 wins in the last four seasons.
Brevard also lost a slew of players from last season, including their starting quarterback, running back, three linebackers, and three offensive linemen (including Brian Owens and Taylor Perez, both currently playing at Mars Hill College.)
Barnes, who said he is still getting used to to having guys playing on both sides of the ball at Brevard, knows his team is still adjusting to the new spread offense he brought in, as opposed to the power-I the team had been using.
“It’s a new system with a new coach, and there’s an adjustment period going on,” Barnes said. “But the guys have worked hard, and I hope our best days are in front of us.
“Most importantly, we want to make sure we’re getting better. We expect to have a chance to win each Friday night we take the field, and we know we’re going to have to play well to do that. We expect to have a chance to compete in our conference too; that’s what our community expects, and that’s what our players expect.”
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
MLB Playoffs Preview
To me, this year's baseball playoffs will have the most original story lines we have seen in quite some time. The perennial postseason presence of the Yankees is replaced by the Tampa Bay Rays. Need I say more? Chicago sports fans are hoping for the Windy City crosstown series, while Brewers fans' are celebrating their team's first postseason berth in 26 years. The Dodgers have Manny and Torre this time around, the Red Sox are back to defend their title, and the Phillies can flat-out bomb the ball. Did I mention TAMPA BAY IS IN THE PLAYOFFS?! Wow. On to the picks...
Phillies 3, Brewers 1
The Phillies have one of the best lineups in baseball and are out to avenge a loss in the Divisional round last year. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins was the NL MVP in 2007, and first baseman Ryan Howard made a strong case for 2008 honors. Howard hit eight more home runs (48) and had 16 more RBI’s (146) than anyone in baseball. Second baseman Chase Utley got off to a great start to the season, and outfielder Jayson Werth finished on a tear. And once the Phillies take a lead, their bullpen, unlike some NL East teams, holds onto it. Closer Brad Lidge didn’t blow a save all season, and the Phillies won each game they led after eight innings. C.C. Sabathia was great for the Brewers this season after a mid-season trade brought him over from Cleveland and they can slug with bats like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, but the bullpen is a major weakness. Looks like it will be one and done for the Brewers in their first playoff appearance since 1982.
Cubs 3, Dodgers 0
To me, the Cubs’ strength this postseason will be their starting pitching. Their 1-2-3 starters---Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden---are better than anyone in baseball. Beyond that, Kerry Wood provides some solid pitching at the end of games, though the rest of the bullpen has struggled lately. Like the Phillies, the Cubs are set on making it further this time around in the postseason after an early exit last year, and their improved offense (with role players like Edmonds, Soto, and Derosa) will help that. Plus none of the Dodgers starting pitchers are too intimidating. I know the Dodgers added manager Joe Torre---who’s hard to bet against in October---and Manny Ramirez to bolster their lineup and it worked towards season’s end; I just don’t see where Ramirez’s help will come from in this lineup.
Angels 3, Red Sox 2
As David Ortiz reminded a national audience after the Red Sox clinched a posteseason berth last week, Boston is a dangerous team come playoff time. That said, they also come in a banged-up team. The big question is the health of ace Josh Beckett, who had his start pushed back to the third game of the series. Losing Ramirez to the Dodgers this year won’t help any for a team relying on unproven postseason names in the lineup like the oft-injured J.D. Drew and slumping Jason Bay. And third baseman Mike Lowell has health issues entering the postseason as well. Both teams have solid bullpens, with the slight edge to the Angels, led by Francisco Rodriguez and his ML record 62 saves in 2008. I also give the managerial edge to the Angels, as skipper Mike Scioscia simply knows how and when to play “small ball” to put up key runs in the playoffs. Look for a great series here.
Rays 3, White Sox 2
There’s certainly something to be said for entering the playoffs on a roll, as we have seen in recent years. And the White Sox do just that, having already won elimination-type games Monday and Tuesday just to make the playoffs with the AL Central crown. They face perhaps the greatest Cinderella story of all time, as the Tampa Bay Rays held off perennial powers Boston and New York to win the AL East. (I never thought I’d see the day I was writing a Tampa Bay baseball playoff preview.) For almost the entire regular season, I didn’t believe the Rays were for real, despite a great start and multiple heart-pounding late wins. I can’t pinpoint why I think this, but I see the series going the distance with Tampa Bay pulling off another crazy late rally to win in five games.
Phillies 3, Brewers 1
The Phillies have one of the best lineups in baseball and are out to avenge a loss in the Divisional round last year. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins was the NL MVP in 2007, and first baseman Ryan Howard made a strong case for 2008 honors. Howard hit eight more home runs (48) and had 16 more RBI’s (146) than anyone in baseball. Second baseman Chase Utley got off to a great start to the season, and outfielder Jayson Werth finished on a tear. And once the Phillies take a lead, their bullpen, unlike some NL East teams, holds onto it. Closer Brad Lidge didn’t blow a save all season, and the Phillies won each game they led after eight innings. C.C. Sabathia was great for the Brewers this season after a mid-season trade brought him over from Cleveland and they can slug with bats like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, but the bullpen is a major weakness. Looks like it will be one and done for the Brewers in their first playoff appearance since 1982.
Cubs 3, Dodgers 0
To me, the Cubs’ strength this postseason will be their starting pitching. Their 1-2-3 starters---Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden---are better than anyone in baseball. Beyond that, Kerry Wood provides some solid pitching at the end of games, though the rest of the bullpen has struggled lately. Like the Phillies, the Cubs are set on making it further this time around in the postseason after an early exit last year, and their improved offense (with role players like Edmonds, Soto, and Derosa) will help that. Plus none of the Dodgers starting pitchers are too intimidating. I know the Dodgers added manager Joe Torre---who’s hard to bet against in October---and Manny Ramirez to bolster their lineup and it worked towards season’s end; I just don’t see where Ramirez’s help will come from in this lineup.
Angels 3, Red Sox 2
As David Ortiz reminded a national audience after the Red Sox clinched a posteseason berth last week, Boston is a dangerous team come playoff time. That said, they also come in a banged-up team. The big question is the health of ace Josh Beckett, who had his start pushed back to the third game of the series. Losing Ramirez to the Dodgers this year won’t help any for a team relying on unproven postseason names in the lineup like the oft-injured J.D. Drew and slumping Jason Bay. And third baseman Mike Lowell has health issues entering the postseason as well. Both teams have solid bullpens, with the slight edge to the Angels, led by Francisco Rodriguez and his ML record 62 saves in 2008. I also give the managerial edge to the Angels, as skipper Mike Scioscia simply knows how and when to play “small ball” to put up key runs in the playoffs. Look for a great series here.
Rays 3, White Sox 2
There’s certainly something to be said for entering the playoffs on a roll, as we have seen in recent years. And the White Sox do just that, having already won elimination-type games Monday and Tuesday just to make the playoffs with the AL Central crown. They face perhaps the greatest Cinderella story of all time, as the Tampa Bay Rays held off perennial powers Boston and New York to win the AL East. (I never thought I’d see the day I was writing a Tampa Bay baseball playoff preview.) For almost the entire regular season, I didn’t believe the Rays were for real, despite a great start and multiple heart-pounding late wins. I can’t pinpoint why I think this, but I see the series going the distance with Tampa Bay pulling off another crazy late rally to win in five games.
Monday, September 29, 2008
UNC has found a quarterback
Hi Cleveland County sports fanatics and others! I just thought I would introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me before I got started ranting and raving about everything sports...
My name is Paul Schenkel, and I recently graduated from USC Upstate in Spartanburg, SC. While there I wrote and edited our sports page for the university's newspaper. I also wrote some sports for the Herald-Journal in Spartanburg over the past year.
While I went to school in SC, I grew up in NC, living in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem for a combined 11 years as a child (between other frequent moves my family made.)
Having said that, I have been a Tar Heels' fan for as long as I can remember. When other kids my age were playing the original Nintendo or watching "Pee-Wee's Playhouse," I remember watching J.R. Reid and Kenny Smith playing together on the '87 team when I was five years old... and I will never forget Rick Fox's runner in '90 to beat No. 1 seed Oklahoma in the NCAA second round (I was listening on the radio with my dad while we were visiting a friend's house.)
And while my dad got me started as a UNC basketball fan because he was a Dean Smith guy, I turned him into a UNC football fan in the 90's after the team had turned the corner under Mack Brown. And for whatever the reason, I made my way over to many more UNC home football games than basketball over the years (maybe it has to do with the availability of tickets, just a thought.)
Of course, as any Carolina fan can tell you, the expectations are not exactly the same between the two programs from the outside. The basketball team has to win 20 games minimum, reach the sweet 16, and beat Duke at least once for the season to be anything other than a disaster.
As for the football team...well, just beat Duke once.
So when I watched the closing minutes of the game at Miami on Saturday, I was and still am truly hopeful that my Tar Heels may have found a quarterback---at least to fill in while normal starter T.J Yates is out with a broken ankle, and maybe longer.
The answer was clearly not redshirt freshman and brother of Duke point guard Greg Paulus, Mike (Paulus, of course) who replaced Yates at the end of the VT game last week (a game UNC lost after owning a 14-point lead in the second half) and started the Miami game the same way the VT game ended, with a quick two-touchdown deficit.
Rather, it was Cameron Sexton, yes the same Cameron Sexton who struggled to do much of anything when forced into action as a freshman two years ago.
I don't know what happened over those two years sitting on the bench, but the now junior QB seemed under control in the pocket, and his dart over the middle to Hakeem Nicks with 9:00 left woke me up from my post-VT blues to thinking we actually had a shot over the last quarter.
Then, just when I thought we would settle for a field goal and force OT against the 'Canes, Sexton's beautiful toss while rolling to his right had me and dad high-fiving like it was basketball season.
So Coach Davis, please do me a favor.
Let Duke stick to starting folks with the last name Paulus. We Tar Heels enjoy winning.
My name is Paul Schenkel, and I recently graduated from USC Upstate in Spartanburg, SC. While there I wrote and edited our sports page for the university's newspaper. I also wrote some sports for the Herald-Journal in Spartanburg over the past year.
While I went to school in SC, I grew up in NC, living in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem for a combined 11 years as a child (between other frequent moves my family made.)
Having said that, I have been a Tar Heels' fan for as long as I can remember. When other kids my age were playing the original Nintendo or watching "Pee-Wee's Playhouse," I remember watching J.R. Reid and Kenny Smith playing together on the '87 team when I was five years old... and I will never forget Rick Fox's runner in '90 to beat No. 1 seed Oklahoma in the NCAA second round (I was listening on the radio with my dad while we were visiting a friend's house.)
And while my dad got me started as a UNC basketball fan because he was a Dean Smith guy, I turned him into a UNC football fan in the 90's after the team had turned the corner under Mack Brown. And for whatever the reason, I made my way over to many more UNC home football games than basketball over the years (maybe it has to do with the availability of tickets, just a thought.)
Of course, as any Carolina fan can tell you, the expectations are not exactly the same between the two programs from the outside. The basketball team has to win 20 games minimum, reach the sweet 16, and beat Duke at least once for the season to be anything other than a disaster.
As for the football team...well, just beat Duke once.
So when I watched the closing minutes of the game at Miami on Saturday, I was and still am truly hopeful that my Tar Heels may have found a quarterback---at least to fill in while normal starter T.J Yates is out with a broken ankle, and maybe longer.
The answer was clearly not redshirt freshman and brother of Duke point guard Greg Paulus, Mike (Paulus, of course) who replaced Yates at the end of the VT game last week (a game UNC lost after owning a 14-point lead in the second half) and started the Miami game the same way the VT game ended, with a quick two-touchdown deficit.
Rather, it was Cameron Sexton, yes the same Cameron Sexton who struggled to do much of anything when forced into action as a freshman two years ago.
I don't know what happened over those two years sitting on the bench, but the now junior QB seemed under control in the pocket, and his dart over the middle to Hakeem Nicks with 9:00 left woke me up from my post-VT blues to thinking we actually had a shot over the last quarter.
Then, just when I thought we would settle for a field goal and force OT against the 'Canes, Sexton's beautiful toss while rolling to his right had me and dad high-fiving like it was basketball season.
So Coach Davis, please do me a favor.
Let Duke stick to starting folks with the last name Paulus. We Tar Heels enjoy winning.
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