Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 3

11:17 PM
Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 3
It’s week 3 of the 2012 high school football season and fans and teams are looking forward to Friday night. We’re changing things up this year and highlighting the top ten games to see each week. If you can’t make it to one of these games this Friday, be sure to go out and support your local team.

Carolina Gridiron Top Ten Games of the Week

10. Independence at Vance

Independence, winners of seven straight state titles a few years back, appears to back to their old ways under coach Bill Geiler.  Vance, two years removed from a state semifinal appearance, is in its first year under coach Keith Wilkes.

9. East Lincoln at Bandys

East Lincoln has scored 35 and 61 points in their first two games of the season, including a win over 4A Hopewell last week.  Bandys has yet to give up any points this season and is looking to ride its defense to another victory.

8. Orange at Carrboro

Carrboro has won each of their first two games by an average of 25 points.  Orange hasn’t given up a point in either of its first two games.

7. Maiden at Hickory

This Catawba County rivalry features two teams who are 1-1, facing tough losses in Week 1, and rebounded with wins last week.  Each team features a new head coach looking for their teams to make a statement in non-conference play. 

6. Pinecrest at Cox Mill

Cox Mill has scored 53 and 35 points in their first two games respectively without giving up a point on defense.  Pinecrest is coming into the game at 1-1, losing only to title contender Jack Britt.  Pinecrest won last year’s matchup 40-8 and the Chargers are looking for revenge.

5. Cummings at Western Alamance

These two Alamance County rivals have split their last two matchups.  Cummings is looking to compete for a conference title and has state title aspirations.  Western Alamance is seeking to return to their success of the last decade, where the Warriors made four straight title game appearances.

4. Burns at Mooresville

Coach Matt Beam’s Burns Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent 3A programs in western North Carolina over the last five years.  Mooresville shook off a loss to West Rowan in Week 1 to beat South Mecklenburg 35-14 last week.  Both teams are looking to build on regional final appearance from last year.

3. Thomasville at Andrews, T.W.

Thomasville has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state.  While 0-2, the Bulldogs look to rebound against the Red Raiders, who are coming off a win over 4A Ben Smith last Friday night.

2. Southern Nash at Bunn

The Southern Nash schedule did the team no favors by having them open up the 2012 season with three games on the road.  But, the Firebirds won their first two games and are looking to start 3-0 again for the fourth straight year.  But, standing in their way are the Bunn Wildcats, looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week to R.L. Fike.

1. Middle Creek at Fuquay-Varina

These two teams battled last year for the Tri-Nine conference title, each finishing 7-1 in conference play.  The Bengals and the Mustangs faced off against each other twice last year.  Middle Creek got the win in Week 3 last year in a thrilling 48-47 overtime win.  The two teams met again in the second round of the 4AA playoffs, with the Mustangs winning again.  These two teams have fought battles over the last few years and this week should be no different.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Wakefield's Mitch Player of the Week

7:20 PM

Quarterback Connor Mitch of Wakefield has been named the Carolina Gridiron Player of the Week for Week 2.  The preseason All-Gridiron quarterback led his team to a 49-20 victory over Holly Springs last Friday.

Playing only about three quarters, Mitch passed for 388 yards and five touchdowns.  Three of the  scores came in the second quarter, swinging the momentum in favor of the Wolverines.

Sure to be a force at the next level, Mitch committed to South Carolina earlier this year.  

Wakefield goes on the road to take on Knightdale this Friday night.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 2

8:52 PM
Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 2

It’s week 2 of the 2012 high school football season and fans and teams are looking forward to Friday night.  We’re changing things up this year and highlighting the top ten games to see each week.  If you can’t make it to one of these games this Friday, be sure to go out and support your local team.

Carolina Gridiron Top Ten Games of the Week


10. Cummings at Eastern Alamance

Both of these Alamance County teams have played for state titles in recent years and each had dominating wins in Week 1.  Eastern Alamance was able to balance a potent offense with a stingy defense in their 59-6 win over Cedar Ridge while Cummings took down West Montgomery 47-24.

9. West Johnston at South Johnston

Four of the last five games between these Johnston County rivals have been settled by a touchdown or less.  Coach Shane Duler and the Trojans look to avenge last year’s 39-33 loss to West Johnston.

8. Lincolnton at South Point

The Wolves fought a defensive battle against Maiden last week, winning 9-7. South Point is coming off a 34-21 win over private school power Providence Day.  These two teams are known for giving each other their best in this matchup of option-offense teams.

7. Statesville at South Iredell

The Greyhounds have BCS level talent on both sides of the ball in Carlis Parker and Breon Borders and look to take down the 2A power Vikings, who defeated 4A Lake Norman in Week 1.  South Iredell coach Scott Miller has a star of his own on defense in LB LaChaston Smith

6. Ardrey-Kell at Marvin Ridge

These two relatively new schools, located only six miles apart, have developed quite the rivalry in the past three years with two games coming down to the last play of the game.  Coach Scott Chadwick’s Mavericks took down East Mecklenburg 38-7 last week with a freshman and sophomore splitting snaps at quarterback.

5. Asheville at Hendersonville

The Cougars have been one of the most consistent teams in the 3A ranks over the last decade, reaching the regional finals five times in that span.  1A Hendersonville took down 3A West Henderson 21-0 in Week 1.

4. West Rowan at Davie County

Davie is coming off a big win over defending 4AA champ Greensboro Page.  West Rowan won last year’s matchup 45-32 on their way to their fourth straight 3A title game appearance.  Davie is big on the lines and returns players on both sides of the ball.

3. New Bern at Havelock
The Bears travel down US-70 to take on defending 3A champion Havelock in this matchup. New Bern looks to prove that last year’s 51-28 loss to the Rams was a fluke as they seek to return to top status among eastern 4A teams.  Havelock beat 4A Greenville Rose 48-14 last week.

2. Cardinal Gibbons at Cary

Questions about Cardinal Gibbons’ defense were answered last week as the Crusaders took down Clayton 20-15.  This week, the Cary Imps are the opponent and they are looking to build off a 21-7 win over Broughton in Week 1.  Both teams look to compete for their respective conference championships.

1. Page at Northern Guilford

This matchup of two defending state champions leads the way for games in Week 2.  Northern Guilford, winners of the last two 3AA state championships, are out to earn number three behind the running of T.J. Logan.  Logan, who has already committed to North Carolina, ran for over 2400 yards last year and 38 scores. Trying to stop him will be a Page defense that must get over last week’s loss to fellow 4A power Davie.  The Pirates’ coach Kevin Gillespie will look to find a way to improve on last week’s 14 point showing and much of that burden will be on the shoulders of QB Jordan Putnam.  An advantage for Putnam will be the experience of the offensive line protecting him.  This has the makings of an epic matchup and should be a lot closer than last year’s 35-14 win by Page.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Concord's Beecher Player of the Week

9:18 PM
Quarterback B.J. Beecher of Concord has been named the Carolina Gridiron Player of the Week for Week 1.  The senior signal caller led the Spiders to a 62-35 win over West Charlotte last Friday.

Along the way, Beecher passed for an amazing 454 yards and seven touchdowns, five in the first half alone.  Completing 20 of 24 passes with no interceptions, Beecher found six different receivers for scores.


Schools interested in Beecher include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, N.C. State, and Tennessee.

The Spiders take on East Rowan this Friday night.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cummings Jamboree Schedule

9:15 PM
Cummings Jamboree Schedule

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Stewart Hobbs To Serve As NCHSAA President For 2012-13 Academic Year

9:11 PM
CHAPEL HILL – Dr. Stewart Hobbs, superintendent of the Yadkin County schools, will serve as president of the North Carolina High School Board of Directors for the 2012-13 academic year.

Kathy Spencer, the superintendent of Onslow County, is the incoming vice president.

Stewart is currently the superintendent of the Yadkin system after serving three and a half years as the superintendent of the Stokes County schools. He was at the helm of the Sampson County school system from 2003 until January of 2008.
A graduate of Clinton High School, Hobbs received his undergraduate degree from UNC-Wilmington, a Masters of Education from Fayetteville State University and his doctorate in education from UNC-Greensboro.

Hobbs had a successful coaching career before going into administration.

New Board members were recommended by the NCHSAA's Nominating Committee, based on the requirements of the Association's constitution and by-laws. The member schools at eight regional meetings select nominees for consideration across the state, then from among those nominees individuals are selected by the Nominating Committee to fill the available slots. They are approved by the membership at the NCHSAA Annual Meeting in May.

The new Board members nominated were either filling vacancies produced by members going off the Board due to completion of their terms or those who are off due to retirement or leaving public school work.

They include: Region 2-- 1-A, principal M.D. Guthrie, Wallace-Rose Hill High School; 2-A, principal Joe Poletti, Croatan High School; Region 8--Tony Baldwin, superintendent, Buncombe County Schools.

Since the Annual Meeting, Sally Bradshaw, principal of Fred T. Foard High School in Catawba County, has left her position and thus has left the Board of Directors. Filling that position on a one-year interim basis for this year is Teresa Evans of North Iredell High School.

Herman Little of Elizabeth City Northeastern has also recently announced his retirement, and Ron Butler of the Pitt County schools will be assuming that spot on the Board on an interim basis.

"These individuals will continue to provide outstanding leadership,” said NCHSAA commissioner Davis Whitfield.  “We look forward to Stewart Hobbs serving as president and the direction he will provide.
"We are also excited about those who will be joining the Board of Directors, which should help us to maintain an outstanding Board to serve our membership.”

Monday, August 13, 2012

Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 1

11:39 PM
It’s week 1 of the 2012 high school football season and fans are ready to tailgate and cheer on their favorite teams this fall.  We’re changing things up this year and highlighting the top ten games to see each week.  If you can’t make it to one of these games this Friday, be sure to go out and support your local team.

Carolina Gridiron Top Ten Games of the Week

10. Freedom at South Caldwell

Old conference foes look to battle in 2012 opener.  Freedom seeks redemption after missing 2011 playoffs while South Caldwell looks to build on 11-win season a year ago.

9. Nash Central at Tarboro

Preseason All-Gridiron DE Tyquan Lewis looks to lead the three-time defending 2A champs against visiting Bulldogs.

8. Southern Durham at Dudley

After a 6-6 year in 2011, coach Steven Davis is hoping his Dudley Panthers can rebound in 2012, and Southern Durham is the first of a difficult group of non-conference games.

7. Leesville Road at Panther Creek

This matchup of western Wake County teams should be a battle of two teams who plan to compete for their respective conference championships.

6. A.L. Brown at Shelby

With the American Legion tournament in Shelby starting on Friday, the Golden Lions will be hosting the A.L. Brown Wonders on Thursday night in a battle of two historically successful teams.

Follow the game here.

5. Mooresville at West Rowan

West Rowan looks for revenge after Mooresville ended Falcons’ 46-game winning streak in 2011 opener.

4. Burns at Crest

Battle of Cleveland County rivals is always a show to see.  Expect plenty of fireworks in this rivalry matchup.

3. Hillside at New Bern

This is the game to see in eastern North Carolina.  Hornets’ swarming defense will look to slow down Bears’ spread offense in this battle of 4A title contenders.

2. Davie County at Page

Page begins its 4AA title defense against Davie team full of experience on both sides of the ball. Pirates will rely on veteran offensive linemen to move the ball against the War Eagles.

1. Mallard Creek at Butler

The big game this week will be taking place in downtown Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium featuring 4A preseason #1 Mallard Creek taking on #2 Butler.  The Mavericks, led by preseason All-Gridiron WR Marquez North on offense, can score in bunches.  Defensively, Mallard Creek and All-Gridiron DB Brian Walker only gave up 11.92 points a game last year and look to improve on that stat this year.  The Bulldogs, 2009 and 2010 4AA champions, will be very balanced on both sides of the ball this year.  Led by All-Gridiron LB Peter Kalambayi and DB Channing Stribling, throwing on the Bulldogs will be tough on 2012.  On offense, Butler QB Riley Ferguson and WR Uriah Lemay will anchor an offense that looks to build on their 2011 average of 46.23 points a game.

Friday, August 3, 2012

2012 Carolina Gridiron Preseason All-Gridiron Team

2:09 PM
Connor Mitch
Position:  Quarterback
School:  Wakefield
College:  Soutth Carolina


T.J. Logan
Position:  Running Back
School:  Northern Guilford
College:  North Carolina


Marquez Grayson
Position:  Running Back
School:  Lexington
College:  Undecided
Marquez North
Position:  Wide Receiver
School:  Mallard Creek
College:  Undecided
Pharoh Cooper
Position:  Wide Receiver
School:  Havelock
College:  South Carolina
Keeon Johnson
Position:  Wide Receiver
School:  A.L. Brown
College:  Virginia
Lucas Wilson
Position:  Tight End
School:  Mount Tabor
College:  Undecided
Tyrone Crowder
Position:  Offensive Lineman
School:  Richmond
College:  Undecided
Pat Roane
Position:  Offensive Lineman
School:  Gray's Creek
College:  N.C. State
R.J. Prince
Position:  Offensive Lineman
School:  Albemarle
College:  UNC
Cole Blakenship
Position:  Offensive Lineman
School:  Davie
College:  N.C. State


Greg Gilmore
Position:  Defensive Lineman
School:  South View
College:  Undecided
Dane Rogers
Position:  Defensive Lineman
School:  Crest
College:  Clemson
Lewis Neal
Position:  Defensive Lineman
School:  Hunt
College:  LSU
Nazir Jones
Position:  Defensive Lineman
School:  Roanoke Rapids
College:  UNC
LaChaston Smith
Position:  Linebacker
School:  South Iredell
College:  Virginia
Larenz Bryant
Position:  Linebacker
School:  Vance
College:  South Carolina
Peter Kalambayi
Position:  Linebacker
School:  Butler
College:  Stanford
Brian Walker
Position:  Defensive Back
School:  Mallard Creek
College:  UNC
Korrin Wiggins
Position:  Defensive Back
School:  Hillside
College:  UNC
Channing Stribling
Position:  Defensive Back
School:  Butler
College:  Michigan
Breon Borders
Position:  Defensive Back
School:  Statesville
College:  Duke

    
Tyler Cochran (Jr)
Position:  Kicker
School:  Marvin Ridge
College:  Undecided
Matt Wogan
Position:  Punter
School:  Porter Ridge
College:  Oregon
Julian Brown
Position:  Kick Returner
School:  Red Springs
College:  Undecided
Carlis Parker
Position:  Athlete
School:  Statesville
College:  Virginia Tech
Jalen McDaniel
Position:  Athlete
School:  Jack Britt
College:  N.C. State



Discuss the All-Gridiron Team on the Carolina Gridiron Discussion Forum.

(Helmets courtesy of mghelmets.com)

Thursday, August 2, 2012

2012 Carolina Gridiron Preseason 4A Top 15

9:13 AM
2012 Carolina Gridiron Preseason 4A Top 15

4A #1 Mallard Creek (2011: 13-1)
4A #2 Butler (2011: 11-2)
4A #3 Richmond County (2011: 8-3)
4A #4 Porter Ridge (2011: 14-1; 4A runner-up)
4A #5 Page (2011: 15-0; 4AA champ)
4A #6 Hillside (2011: 11-2)
4A #7 New Bern (2011: 12-2)
4A #8 Davie (2011: 8-4)
4A #9 Jack Britt (2011: 11-3)
4A #10 Leesville Road (2011: 12-1)
4A #11 New Hanover (2011: 10-3)
4A #12 Scotland County (2011: 15-0; 4A champ)
4A #13 Southeast Raleigh (2011: 9-3)
4A #14 Garner (2011: 15-1; 4AA runner-up)
4A #15 East Forsyth (2011: 9-3)


Talk about it on the Carolina Gridiron Discussion Forum

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

2013 All-Star Coaches Named

11:08 PM
2013 All-Star Coaches Named
2013 North Carolina/South Carolina Basketball

Women: Head Coach: Sherri Tynes (Laney HS)
   Assistant Coach: Tim Krotish (Eastern Alamance HS)

Men: Head Coach: Tony Marshburn (Northside-Jax HS)
  Assistant Coach: Frank Maennle (Swain County HS)


2013 East-West Football

East: Head Coach: Randy Raper (Hunt HS)
  Assistant Coaches: Ken Avent, Jr. (Kenan HS), Jim Bob Bryant (Havelock HS),
  Jeff Gould (Southwest Edgecombe HS), Tyrone Johnson (Beddingfield HS),
  David Lovette (Gray’s Creek HS)

West: Head Coach: Shane Laws (AC Reynolds HS)
  Assistant Coaches: Dale Barnes (West Davidson HS), Butch Carter (South
  Caldwell HS), Mike Johns (Mt. Pleasant HS), Scott Johnson (Starmount HS),
  Terry Radford (Huss HS)


2013 East- West Basketball

East Men: Head Coach: Bill Boyette (Terry Sanford HS)
  Assistant Coach: Tommy Moore (Enloe HS)

West Men: Head Coach: Rob Bliss, Jr. (Foard HS)
  Assistant Coach: Al Andrew (Albemarle HS)

East Women: Head Coach: Grady Williams (Weldon HS)
  Assistant Coach: Janie Cofield (Pasquotank County HS)

West Women: Head Coach: Amber Fox (Freedom HS)
  Assistant Coach: Greg Speight (North Stanly HS)


2013 East- West Soccer

East Men: Head Coach: Leshaun Jenkins (Tarboro HS)

West Men: Head Coach: Matt Martineau (Grimsley HS)

East Women: Head Coach: Deran Coe (Wake Forest-Rolesville HS)

West Women: Head Coach: Beth Luck (Asheboro HS)

Carolina Gridiron 2012 Preseason 3A Top 15

10:01 AM
Carolina Gridiron 2012 Preseason 3A Top 15
3A #1 Havelock (2011: 16-0; 3A champ)
3A #2 Northern Guilford (2011: 14-1; 3AA champ)
3A #3 Crest (2011: 14-2)
3A #4 Charlotte Catholic (2011: 13-1)
3A #5 Brown (2011: 12-2)
3A #6 Hunt (2011: 13-1)
3A #7 Byrd (2011: 13-2)
3A #8 Asheville (2011: 12-1)
3A #9 Northeast Guilford (2011: 9-2)
3A #10 West Rowan (2011: 13-3; 3A runner-up)
3A #11 South Point (2011: 10-1)
3A #12 Cleveland (2011: 11-4)
3A #13 Burns (2011: 13-2)
3A #14 Statesville (2011: 8-5)
3A #15 Concord (2011: 10-4)


Talk about it on the Carolina Gridiron Discussion Forum