Showing posts with label rivalry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rivalry. Show all posts

Sunday, September 22, 2024

NC Central Overwhelms NC A&T in High-Scoring Rivalry Game

11:21 AM


DURHAM – North Carolina Central overwhelmed North Carolina A&T in a lopsided 66-24 victory Saturday night at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. The Eagles improved to 2-2 on the season, while the Aggies fell to 1-2.


NCCU quarterback Walker Harris led the offensive onslaught, completing 15 of 22 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown. Running back J'Mari Taylor contributed significantly, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 66-yard scoring run in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish.


The game started with a bang as NC A&T's Aaron Harris returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. However, NCCU quickly responded and built a commanding 40-12 lead by halftime.


NCCU's defense played a crucial role in the victory, forcing four turnovers. Mekhi Bigelow, Jaylen Bowden, and Cameron Williams each intercepted passes from NC A&T quarterbacks. The Eagles also scored on a blocked punt recovered by Trey Goodridge and an 11-yard fumble return by Malcolm Reed.


For NC A&T, quarterback Justin Fomby struggled, completing just 12 of 26 passes for 153 yards and two interceptions. The Aggies' ground game was led by Shimique Blizzard, who rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.


The Eagles dominated in total yardage, outgaining the Aggies 512 to 327. NCCU was particularly effective on third downs, converting 8 of 13 attempts compared to NC A&T's 4 of 18.


Next Week

North Carolina Central hosts Norfolk State in the MEAC opener while North Carolina A&T travels to Orangeburg, SC to play South Carolina State in nonconference action.


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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Legends Meet for "Rivalry Dinner"

11:27 PM
CONCORD – Troutman’s Barbecue in south Concord was abuzz on Sunday night as past and present coaches from Concord High School and A.L. Brown High School met and talked about the history behind of the rivalry between the two schools. Concord and A.L. Brown are traditionally two of the strongest programs in North Carolina and have the longest continually played rivalry game in the state. Traditionally, the game is played during the last week of the season. This season, however, due to realignment (the Wonders are 4A, the Spiders 3A) the matchup opens the season in Week 1. The winner of the game keeps the “Victory Bell” for an entire year, painting it in their school’s colors. For many years, this game was known as the “Battle for the Bell” or simply “The Bell Game.”

Former Concord coach E.Z. Smith led off the evening and spoke about why he wanted to put on an event like this. “I’m here because of my love of the Concord-Kannapolis game” Smith mentioned as he introduced the coaches on the panel.

Roy Boyles was the first A.L. Brown coach to speak. “Nothing prepares you for what you see when you come out of the dressing room and see the crowd…there’s nothing quite like this” spoke Boyles as he talked about the relationship between the game, schools, communities, and Cannon Mills.

When Bob Boswell first got the head coaching job at A.L. Brown, he was asked by a Wonders fan at a local sandwich shop if he would rather be 9-1 with the loss being to Concord or 1-9 with the win being over the Spiders, he replied that 9-1 would be his choice. The fan quickly replied, “you ain’t gonna be here long.” Coach Boswell quickly learned about the magnitude of the rivalry game with Concord. “It’s a unique experience…fans would line the stands with towels and blankets when they got off their first shift.”

Hall of Fame coach Bruce Hardin, who took over as the coach at Kannapolis in 1989, was most proud of the sportsmanship between the two teams and fan bases. “I’m most proud that there was never an incident after a game in the eleven years I was there.”

Ron Massey, who said it was “tough following legends like Bob (Boswell) and Bruce (Hardin) at Kannapolis…I’ve coached in lots of games. Nothing compares to the Concord-Kannapolis game.”

The first Concord coach to speak was Sonny Pruette, who had the unique experience of coaching in the game in the 1960s as well as being an administrator in the 1990s during the week leading up to the game. “As time goes by, things change. What doesn’t change is the intensity and sportsmanship…two communities are coming together” Pruette recalled about the rivalry.

Gerald Cook coached the Spiders in two Bell games, winning one and losing the other. He also played in three games against A.L. Brown. One of Cook’s prized possessions, which he shared with the crowd on Sunday night, was the jersey he wore during his junior year, when Concord defeated Brown 20-19.

W.A. Cline took to the microphone next and talked about some of his memories with the games with A.L. Brown. “You have to experience it” to know the intensity and passion that the players play with, Cline commented, recalling his four games in the 1970s.

E.Z. Smith returned to the podium a second time and shared some of his fondest memories of the rivalry, including his first victory in the series, a 7-6 victory in 1981. “It becomes a part of your life” spoke Smith as he reflected on his twenty-nine regular season games as a head coach against the Wonders along with three playoff matchups in 1991, 1997, and 1999. Other coaches nodded in agreement as Smith spoke of how proud he was to watch his son play in multiple games against A.L. Brown. Coaches Boswell, Hardin, and Pruette have all had sons and/or grandsons play in the “Bell Game.”

The two current coaches were the last to speak at the event. Third-year head coach Mike Newsome spoke highly of the program at Brown: “to be the head coach at Kannapolis is a huge honor.” The former Charlotte area coach compared this rivalry game with others. “Butler and Independence at Memorial Stadium had a lot of people…but Concord and Kannapolis blow everything else out of the water…I’m so proud to be a part of the best rivalry around.”

Fourth-year Concord head coach Glen Padgett was a Concord assistant during the 1980s and 1990s. “This is such a special rivalry…I am humbled and honored to be here,” Padgett said as he spoke to the crowd. “Such a special game needs special attention…nothing matches the atmosphere when Concord and Kannapolis play each other.”

Concord and A.L. Brown play Friday night at 7:30 at Kannapolis’ Memorial Stadium. Both teams are young at key positions and the first game of the season is always a game where coaches are learning so much about their team. Fans should get there early to ensure a seat for the game. Follow us on Twitter, @NCGridiron, for updates from the game.


Standing (L-R): Ron Massey, Bruce Hardin, Mike Newsome, Glen Padgett, E.Z. Smith
Seated (L-R): Roy Boyles, Bill Watts, Bob Boswell, Gerald Cook, Sonny Pruette, W.A. Cline


Series Record
1931 Concord 13-0
1932 Kannapolis 12-0
1933 Concord 20-6
1934 Concord 20-7
1935 Concord 13-8
1936 Tie 0-0
1937 Tie 0-0
1938 Kannapolis 18-12
1939 Concord 13-6
1940 Concord 7-0
1941 Kannapolis 19-13
1942 Tie 7-7
1943 Concord 26-7
1944 Concord 25-0
1945 Concord 27-0
1946 Concord 13-0
1947 Concord 35-0
1948 Concord 23-0
1949 Concord 12-7
1950 Tie 0-0
1951 Concord 7-6 
1952 Kannapolis 27-13
1953 Kannapolis 32-0
1954 Kannapolis 7-6
1955 Kannapolis 41-0
1956 Kannapolis 20-14
1957 Concord 7-0
1958 Kannapolis 13-0
1959 Kannapolis 7-0
1960 Kannapolis 14-8
1961 Concord 14-6
1962 Concord 6-0
1963 Concord 20-19
1964 Concord 13-12
1965 Concord 12-0
1966 Concord 13-6
1967 Concord 21-11
1968 Concord 21-8
1969 Concord 33-6
1970 Concord 13-11
1971 Kannapolis 10-7
1972 Kannapolis 30-13
1973 Kannapolis 7-3
1974 Concord 14-6
1975 Concord 21-0
1976 Concord 7-3
1977 Concord 18-6
1978 Kannapolis 33-0
1979 Kannapolis 31-6
1980 Kannapolis 41-0
1981 Concord 7-6
1982 Kannapolis 14-10
1983 Concord 27-7
1984 Kannapolis 26-8
1985 Concord 7-6
1986 Concord 14-0
1987 Kannapolis 19-0
1988 Kannapolis 9-7
1989 Kannapolis 16-14
1990 Kannapolis 20-19
1991 Concord 30-20
1992 Kannapolis 27-19
1993 Kannapolis 28-6
1994 Concord 35-14
1995 Kannapolis 5-0
1996 Concord 27-0
1997 Kannapolis 33-14
1998 Kannapolis 28-10
1999 Kannapolis 10-7
2000 Kannapolis 28-0
2001 Kannapolis 1-0(Concord forfeit)
2002 Kannapolis 42-6
2003 Kannapolis 13-12 (OT)
2004 Concord 20-9
2005 Kannapolis 19-14
2006 Concord 42-20
2007 Kannapolis 45-25
2008 Kannapolis 56-6
2009 Concord 13-10
2010 Kannapolis 28-21
2011 Kannapolis 31-26 
2012 Concord 21-14
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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week - Week 11 Postgame Wrap-up

8:51 PM
Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week - Week 11 Postgame Wrap-up
KANNAPOLIS – Fans enjoy watching a good football game with some good weather on Friday nights.  Mother Nature had different plans for football fans this week though.  It was cold and rainy on Friday night as the longest continuous rivalry kicked off for its 81st year.  Although the Concord Spiders gave it their best in a comeback attempt, it was the A. L. Brown Wonders who won this year’s “Battle of the Bell” in front of a capacity crowd with a score of 31-26.

Concord won the coin flip and chose to defer to the second half, and Brown made them pay with a big run back on the opening kick-off giving the Wonders good field position.  A few plays later, Brown’s Damien Washington was in the end zone on a 9 yard end-around to the left side.  A fumble on Concord’s ensuing possession gave the Wonders terrific field position and Kalif Phillips scored on a 5 yard run to give Brown a quick 14-0 lead.

The rest of the first quarter showed a Brown team moving the ball at will against a Spider defense that was only giving up 17 points a game so far this year.  A 33 yard field goal by Erik Amaya and another touchdown run by Philips, this one from 32 yards out, made the score 24-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Making some adjustments, the Concord offense found their groove in the second quarter led by quarterback B. J. Beecher.  Beecher threw two scoring passes in the second quarter, one a 7 yard strike to Alex Asbury and another a 15 yarder to tight end Terrance Knox.  With the score 24-14 it looked like the Spiders were about to keep the momentum on their side, but a quick strike by Brown quarterback to Keeon Johnson with under 30 seconds left in the half made the halftime score 31-14 in favor of the Wonders.

The Spiders took the second half kickoff and drove 77 yards with a mix of runs and passes, scoring on a 15 yard pass from Beecher to Bravone Howard.  The PAT bounced off the upright, and the score stood at 31-20.

The Concord defense stood strong in the second half, only allowing Brown 60 yards of offense.  Getting the ball back on offense after a Xavier Thompson interception, Concord executed a 17 play, 85 yard drive resulting with a 1 yard keeper by B. J. Beecher.  The two point conversion attempt was no good, and the score stood at 31-26 with just under six minutes to play.

A successful pooch kick on the resulting kickoff led to a Brown fumble and Concord recovery.  But, Concord was unable to take advantage of the extra possession, coming up short on fourth down inside the Wonders’ 40 yard line.  Brown was unable to successfully run out the clock, and the Spiders were able to take over for a final attempt to win the rivalry game.  Concord couldn’t convert, though, and the Wonders celebrated at midfield as the last pass attempt fell incomplete.

After the game, A. L. Brown head coach Mike Newsome commented on his first “Bell Game”.  “It was great to get a win.  We set out to win championships and we won one tonight.  I’m proud of the guys and their effort tonight.  We’re going to have adversity and it’s good to face adversity and get a win. 

Concord’s Glen Padgett had the following to say about the game: “It took us a while to adjust to their speed, and we did…I’m so proud of our kids’ effort…they never gave up.  To be in a game like this against a great program and have a chance to win, I just like the way our team played.  This is the level of intensity we need to bring every Friday in the playoffs.

Check back with Carolina Gridiron for information on the playoffs and the final FAIR rankings of the 2011 season.
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