Carolina Gridiron

Friday, June 1, 2018

Kickoff Times, TV Selections Announced For Pair of ECU Home Non-Conference Games

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The kickoff time for ECU’s season-opening contest against North Carolina A&T, scheduled for Sept. 1 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, has been set for 6:00 p.m. (ET) and will be streamed live on ESPN3 according to an announcement by the American Athletic Conference on Thursday afternoon.

The matchup with North Carolina A&T marks the first meeting between the two programs and follows a visit by fellow-Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) member James Madison last September. The Aggies, who went 12-0, captured the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) national championship by downing Grambling State 21-14 in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The American also released a 3:30 p.m. (ET) start time for the Pirates’ Sept. 8 non-conference home bout against in-state opponent North Carolina, slated for broadcast on ESPNU. Including 2018, ECU's schedule has featured at least one ACC opponent in 23 consecutive years. The Pirates, who have faced UNC seven times since 2007, currently own a two-game win streak against the Tar Heels.

As previously announced, ECU’s Sept. 15 contest at Virginia Tech is scheduled for a 12:20 p.m. (ET) kickoff and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Season tickets remain on sale with packages starting as low as $175 each. Purchases may be made via ECU's Online Ticket Center or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500.

The remainder of the Pirates’ kickoff times will be announced once other television broadcast schedules have been finalized.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

NCCA East-West All Star Rosters Released

Justin Jones 9:00 AM

The NCCA is pleased to announce the rosters for the 2018 East-West All-Star Football Game to be played July 18 at Grimsley's Jamieson Stadium. The game will feature some of the best recently graduated football players from around the state.

The first East-West All-Star Football Game was played in 1949. Coach Bob Jamieson, the Director of the NCCA, received the keys to the stadium from the contractor at 4:00 pm the day of the game. Coach Jamieson then went onto the field at his school and coached the West team against the East’s Leon Brogden, Wilmington’s legendary coach.

The football game has featured hundreds of future NCAA Division I stars and many of the boys who have suited up have gone on to successful careers in the NFL. Over 3,400 North Carolina boys have had the chance to wear the royal of the East or the scarlet of the West in this wonderful rivalry.

The All-Star Game will be played at Greensboro's Jamieson Stadium, on the Grimsley High School campus, at 8:00 pm. Fireworks at halftime is always a crowd favorite!

2018 East Roster

Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	High School
Solomon Beligotti	LB	5'11	215	Havelock
Warren Bell	RB	5'10	230	Scotland
Baldwin Bell	OLB	5'11	205	Leesville Road
Chris Coleman	WR	6'1	193	Jacksonville
Chase Coulthard	OL	6'2	260	Richmond
Devonta Davis	DB	5'11	180	Tarboro
Marcus Davis	DL	5'10	270	Garner
Jacob Deering	OL	6'5	280	White Oak
Jaydin Dixon	RB	5'9	195	Garner
Keaton Forbes	LB	6'0	210	Lee County
McKenzie Frazier	DL	6'3	285	Hoggard
John Gliarmis	K	5'8	145	Fike
Walker Gliarmis	K	5'8	155	Fike
Alvin Grizzard	OL	6'9	335	Farmville Central
Dallas Hall	QB	6'4	200	Northeastern
Justin Harrington	WR	6'3	196	Southeast Raleigh
Aaron Harrison	DL	5'11	255	Gray's Creek
Josh Jones	QB	6'2	210	Hoggard
Josh King	OL	6'4	305	Wake Forest
Josh Latta	OL	6'3	250	Clayton
Emmanuel Lewis	WR	5`9	175	South Central
Ethan McCray	RB	5'8	175	Clayton
Jordan Mitchell	WR	6'1	175	Middle Creek
Jordan Mitchell	TE	6'0	210	East Duplin
Marcus Parker	DB	5'9	182	Beddingfield
Kyeem Perry	RB	5'7	180	Hertford County
Dorian Pickett	OLB	6'1	215	East Duplin
Quantavius Randolph	DB	6'1	186	Tarboro
De'Trell Revis	DB	5'9'	175	Rocky Mount
Jaelin Shaw	OL	6'3	280	Jordan
Trevor Sledge	DB	6'0"	170	Northern Nash
Dalen Spruill	QB	5'5	174	Cardinal Gibbons
Justin Swinson	DL	5'10	230	North Duplin
Johnathon Terrell	DL	5'11	236	Lee County
Wizdom Vaughn	WR	5'10	175	New Hanover
Greg Walker	OL	6'2	260	71st
Chris Williams	ILB	6´1	225	Scotland

Head Coach: Thurman Leach (Garner)

Assistant Coaches: Daniel Finn (Southeast Raleigh), Scott Gardner (Farmville Central), Eric Leary (White Oak), Hugh Martin (North Duplin), Brian Roach (Clayton)

2018 West Roster

Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	High School
Gunnar Anderson	QB	6'2	190	Alexander Central
Tyler Ashwood	OL	6'0	335	Olympic
Tate Beaver	LB	6'1	210	Fred T Foard
Bryce Blackwood	DL	6'0	265	Cuthbertson
TJ Boyce	RB	6'0	195	North Davidson
Cameron Bridges	WR	6' 3	175	South Alamance
Bernard Briley	WR	5'10	170	West Iredell
Dylan Bryan	WR	5'10	160	Independence
Tyrik Campbell	DB	5'10	180	Olympic
Ty Clawson	LB	5'10	205	Independence
Sage Costen	K	5'9	155	Reagan
Max Cudd	OL	6'2	275	Crest
TJ Cusick	DB	6'0	180	Butler
Jeremy Davis	OL	6'1	302	AL Brown
Kendyl Graves	OL	6'2	300	Eastern Guilford
Jabril Griffin	DB	6'1	185	North Mecklenburg
AJ Hall	WR	6'1	190	East Forsyth
Chauncey Hill	OL	6'3	310	West Forsyth
Tykel Landrum	WR	5'9	175	Hendersonville
Jaelon Maxie	RB	5'9	215	East Forsyth
Warren McClure	DB	6'	165	Mount Pleasant
Andrew McKay	DB	6'3	170	AC Reynolds
Jaylan Miller	DL	6'1	300	Robinson
McKinley Nelson	LB	5'11	205	Monroe
Abrion Pearson	DL	6'2	245	Rocky River
Coutize Pope	OL	6'2	250	Dudley
Jerdon Pressley	DL	6'1	240	Kings Mountain
Trey Robinson	ATH	5'11	205	Mountain Heritage
Malik Sarratt	QB	6'	205	Shelby
Josh Smith	DB	6'1	185	Shelby
Dalton Stepps	OL	6'3	310	West Caldwell
Charles Tassinari	LB	6'1	236	Hibriten
Frank Torres	LB	6'3	215	AC Reynolds
Devin Turner	DL	6'0	278	West Rowan
Dawson Williams	ATH	5'8	155	Robinson
Najee Williams	DL	6'2	230	AL Brown
Taheer Wyatt	LB	5'11	195	Mooresville

Head Coach: Todd Willert East Forsyth

Assistant Coaches: JK Adkins (East Wilkes), Jason Fowler (Olympic), Jeff Frady (Enka), Chris Miller (Southern Alamance), Lance Ware (Shelby)

Tags # 2018 # All-Star # East-West Continue Reading

Saturday, April 21, 2018

2018 NCHSAA Head Football Coaching Changes

Justin Jones 11:55 AM

As of 7/31/2018, 78 NCHSAA schools have made our Football Head Coaches changes list.

Latest news: David DelaO hired at Highland Tech. Elvin James steps down at Goldsboro due to medical reasons; Timothy Ray named interim head coach. Antonio King to take over at Cedar Ridge.

School	Old Coach	New Coach
Apex	Robert Graham	Britt Morton
Avery	Jason Phelps	Mac Bryan
Bandys	Trent Lowman	Tom Eanes
Bunker Hill	David Haynie	Patrick Clark
Bunn	David Weathersby	Dale Murphy
Cary	Mike Kirst	Jason Wilkes
Cedar Ridge	Scott Loosemore	Antonio King (1)
Chase	Daniel Bailey	Cort Radford
Clinton	Bob Lewis	Cory Johnson
Concord	Glen Padgett	Marty Paxton
Corinth Holders	Bubba Williams	Adam Khavari
Croatan	David Perry	Andrew Gurley
Currituck	John Wheeler	Paul Bossi (2)
Draughn	Scott Lambert	Chris Powell
East Chapel Hill	Ryan Johnson	Brian Nunn
East Davidson	David Hines	Vance Hanner
East Mecklenburg	Barry Shuford	Robert Forshee
East Montgomery	David Paddock	Jerry Spencer
East Surry	David Diamont	Trent Lowman
East Wake	Sean Murphy	Michael Murray
East Wilkes	J.K. Adkins	Jonathan Wilmouth
Eastern Guilford	Doug Robertson	Joe Glass
Eastern Randolph	Charles Arrington	Burton Cates
Franklinton	JeVar Bransome	Jimmy Williams
Freedom	Jim Bob Bryant	Luke Little
Goldsboro	Elvin James	Timothy Ray (3)
Harding	Sam Greiner	Robert Cross
Heritage	Dewayne Washington	Wallace Clark
Hickory Ridge	Jason Seidel	Sam Greiner
High Point Andrews	John Patterson	Kelly Clark (4)
Highland Tech	Jerry Jordan	David DelaO
Hobbton	Robert Hill	Joe Salas
Hoke	David Jorgensen	George Small
Hopewell	Quinn Martin	Jamelle Byrd
Lake Norman	Rob McNeely	Jonathan Oliphant
Lakewood	James Lewis	Barrett Sloan
Lee County	Burton Cates	Steve Burdeau
Lumberton	Mike Setzer	Kelly Williamson
Madison	Scott Eubanks	Kyle Hutchison
McMichael	Chris Walsh (5)	Daniel Bradford
Midway	Jason Fussell	Corey Barnes
Mooresville	Marty Paxton	Thad Wells
Mount Airy	Kelly Holder	JK Adkins
New Bern	Bobby Curlings	Steve Tapley
Newton-Conover	Matt Beam	Steven Pack
North Brunswick	Darren Willis	Bryan Davis
North Edgecombe	Keith Parrisher	Jason Miller
North Lenoir	Kim Brown	Jim Collins
North Lincoln	Steven Pack	Nick Bazzle
North Moore	Mike Vogt	Antwon Murchison
North Pitt	Garrett Wingate (6)	Greg Watford
Northern Nash	Randy Raper	Andrew Farriss
Northwest Halifax	Derrick Basnight	Eric McKnight
Pasquotank	Chris McGee	RaShawn Spencer
Patton	Tom Eanes	Jonathan Browning
Perquimans	Ian Rapanick	Randy Awray
Robinson	Joe Glass	Rich Williams
Rocky Mount Prep	Don Reams	Omar Jackson
Smoky Mountain	Chris Brookshire	Ricky Brindley
South Garner		Daniel Finn (7)
South Stanly	Bradley Frodge	Ryan Ochier
Southeast Halifax	Greg Watford	Antione Alston
Southeast Raleigh	Daniel Finn	JeVar Bransome
Southern Alamance	Andrew Carrouth	Fritz Hessenthaler
Spring Creek	Aaron Sanders	Daniel Robinson (8)
St. Pauls	Ernest King	Michael Setzer
Starmount	Scott Johnson	Sandy Grinton
Thomasville	Gil Maxwell	Doug Robertson
Tuscola	Tommy Pursley	JT Postell
Vance County		Darry Ragland (9)
Walkertown	Josh Pardue	Mitch Reeves
Washington County		Robert Cody (10)
Webb	Tony Midgette	Jonathan Adcock
Weddington	Tim Carson	Andy Capone
West Brunswick	Kelly Williamson	Brett Hickman
Westover	Craig Raye	Ernest King
White Oak	Eric Leary	Jonathan Byrd
Whiteville	Luke Little	JP Price

1. Cedar Ridge will not field a varsity team in 2018
2. Interim coach
3. Interim coach
4. Interim coach for 2017 season, hired full-time
5. Interim coach, replaced Darnell Wiggins midseason
6. Interim coach, replaced Brent Wooten prior to season
7. New school
8. Interim coach for 2017 season, hired full-time
9. Was coach at Southern Vance, which combined with Northern Vance to form new Vance County HS.
10. Was coach at Plymouth, which combined with Creswell to form new Washington County HS.

Tags # Coaching Carousel # coaching changes # North Carolina Continue Reading

Friday, April 13, 2018

Wingate’s Nate Poole Brings Wealth of Experience to Bulldog Coaching Staff

Justin Jones 4:18 PM

Wingate, N.C. – One look at Nate Poole's resume tells the reader that Poole has been preparing for a football coaching career his entire life. Poole is Wingate's new wide receivers coach, joining the Bulldog program this spring. The Marshall University alumnus has 18 years of playing experience and 10 years of coaching experience. His NFL playing resume includes four years with the Arizona Cardinals and two years with the New Orleans Saints.

"Coach Poole has already been a great addition to our staff," Wingate head football coach Joe Reich says. "He brings great experience to the staff and much wisdom for our wide receivers' group. Coach Poole is a very technical coach. He's really got great feel for the intricacies of different routes."

Most recently, Poole spent two years as the wide receivers coach and special teams' coordinator for Myers Park High School and head coach Scott Chadwick. Poole has deep coaching roots in Union and Mecklenburg counties, as he has spent time as an assistant coach at Charlotte Latin, Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge and Providence Day. Poole has kept his eye on the Bulldogs, as he attended two games during Wingate's South Atlantic Conference championship run in 2017.

"I enjoy the atmosphere at the Wingate games," Poole says. "I noticed the fans were very engaged. The players and coaches were giving their all."

"When I saw Wingate had a wide receiver coaching position open, I figured I would throw my hat in the ring," Poole says. "When (WU head coach) Joe Reich offered me the job...it didn't take long for him to get me to yes."

"When I toured the campus during my interview, I was overwhelmed," Poole says. "This is a great University family...with tremendous facilities. I knew I wanted to be a part of this."

Poole is quick to give credit to the people who have helped him on life's journey. One of his mentors is current Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer, who served a similar role during Poole's time as a student-athlete at Marshall.

"Coach Brewer spent much time mentoring me during the NFL off-season...taking time with me and helping me develop a career plan for my life following my playing days," Poole says. "Coach Brewer is all-around great guy. He models the philosophy of faith, family and friends."

Nate Poole file

-Six years in the NFL (Cardinals, Saints)

-Offensive Player of the Game with the Arizona Cardinals

-15-time Special Teams Player of the Game with the Cardinals

-Two-time Special Teams Player of the Game with the New Orleans Saints

-Multiple game balls for his on-the-field performances

-At Marshall, Poole played in four bowl games and earned first team All-Mid-American Conference honors three times...189 career receptions for 2556 yards and 32 touchdowns

-NFL coaching experience with the Buffalo Bills (wide receiver coach intern) and the NFL Europa Rhine Fire (offensive assistant/wide receiver coach/passing game coordinator)

-FXFL (experimental league) Brooklyn Bolts' special teams' coordinator/wide receiver coach/passing game coordinator

-High school coaching experience: Myers Park, Charlotte Latin, Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge, Providence Day

--Family: Wife (Neville), Daughters (Nia Poole, Natalie Poole and Shaunita Lee)

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING about Wingate's Nate Poole

Scott Chadwick, head football coach at Myers Park High School

"I had the chance to work with Nate for three years at Marvin Ridge and the last two years at Myers Park. He is very good at developing wide receivers. Nate is a fundamental guru...he is great at teaching the aspects of route running, hand positioning and using one's body. Nate is a great teacher of the game."

"During our time at Marvin Ridge, Nate coached K.J. Brent (now with the Indianapolis Colts). At Myers Park, we have the number one rated receiver in both the Class of 2019 and the Class of 2020. Obviously, Nate played a big role in the development of these three athletes...it is not coincidental."

Tags # Nate Poole # NCCFB # Wingate Continue Reading

Friday, April 6, 2018

ACC Announces 10-Year Extension with Charlotte as Football Championship Game Host Site

Justin Jones 4:21 PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference and the Charlotte Sports Foundation have reached a 10-year agreement that will keep the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game in Charlotte through the 2030 season, ACC Commissioner John Swofford announced Thursday.

The Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will continue to be played at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and site of seven of the last eight conference title games. Charlotte is also scheduled to host the 2018, 2019 and 2020 championship games.

“Charlotte has been a tremendous home for the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game and we’re pleased to announce the Queen City as our championship destination through 2030,” said Swofford. “With the outstanding efforts by the Charlotte Sports Foundation, Carolina Panthers and city of Charlotte, our game has grown into one of the premier sporting events in the country. We look forward every year to this annual celebration of ACC Football.”

The Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game has sold out at Bank of America Stadium four of the previous seven games, including last year’s matchup in which 74,372 watched No. 1 Clemson defeat No. 7 Miami, 38-3. The seven previous ACC Football Championship Games in Charlotte have averaged more than 70,000 fans per game. The game’s attendance record is 74,514 for the 2015 contest between Clemson and North Carolina, which also set an attendance record for Bank of America Stadium. Over the last eight years, the ACC ranks second among all conferences in attendance at its football championship games.

“We are very excited that the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will call Charlotte home through the end of the next decade,” stated Johnny Harris, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. “The ACC, Charlotte and the Charlotte Sports Foundation have proven to have a wonderful partnership. The Charlotte Sports Foundation’s mission is to attract major sporting events that enhance the quality of life in Charlotte. Hosting the prestigious Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game each year is a cornerstone of our foundation. We are thrilled the community has proven to embrace the game and events surrounding it. The ACC has truly found a home in Charlotte.”

“The Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game is one of the most exciting events in college football each year, and we are honored that Charlotte will host the game that has become the gateway to the College Football Playoff through 2030,” said Will Webb, Executive Director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. “We are very proud of the city of Charlotte and the surrounding community for proving that this is the best home for the championship game. We are committed to continuing our efforts to bolster community support around this premier event. We are delighted that Commissioner Swofford and the ACC have made Charlotte the home of the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game for many years to come!”

The Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Games in 2021-2030 will be held on the first Saturday in December.

Tags # ACC # ACC Championship # Bank of America Stadium Continue Reading

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Campbell’s Barker-Lane Stadium to Receive New Field Design

Justin Jones 4:24 PM

Buies Creek – Campbell has announced a new field design for Barker-Lane Stadium, home of the Fighting Camels’ football and women’s lacrosse programs.

The new AstroTurf surface will feature orange end zones featuring white script reading “Campbell” and “Camels”. The field’s yard markers will also be accented in orange.

At midfield, a silhouette of North Carolina, spanning 20 yards, will contain the Campbell Athletics logo. The Big South Conference logo will also be displayed at each 25-yard line.

The playing field will be bordered in black turf, with orange markers for “Barker-Lane Stadium” and “Ed Gore Field” located beyond the sidelines.

The project is set to be completed before the Campbell football team opens its 2018 fall camp.

The new playing surface is the latest in a long line of improvements to the facility, which saw the installation of a state-of-the-art high-definition Daktronics video board just beyond the north end zone prior to the 2016 season. The screen boasts a 24'-7 " height and 42'-4" width.

In January 2015, the Burt Family Sports Performance Center opened. The nearly 6,000 square foot facility, located in the southeast corner of Barker-Lane Stadium, provides a second strength and conditioning home (the other located inside the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center) for several Camel programs.

Carlie C's IGA Hometown Proud Press Tower and west stands were completed in 2013, helping expand the stadium’s seating capacity to 5,500. Lights were added prior to the 2012 football season.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for the stadium were held March 27, 2007, with the W. Irvin Warren Athletic Center and east stands being completed in 2008.

Campbell hosted Birmingham-Southern on Aug. 30, 2008 in the inaugural football game at the facility, attended by a standing-room crowd of 5,845 fans. CU’s lacrosse program played its first game at Barker-Lane Stadium on February 23, 2013, defeating Kennesaw State 21-4.

The Camels open the 2018 football season at Barker-Lane Stadium on August 30, hosting Chowan.

Tags # Barker-Lane Stadium # Big South # Campbell Continue Reading

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

ECU, Wake Forest to Renew Football Series With Contests in 2027 and 2028

Justin Jones 4:29 PM

GREENVILLE - ECU and Wake Forest have agreed to a two-year home-and-home football series in 2027 and 2028 according to a joint announcement by both institutions Tuesday.

The Pirates and Demon Deacons will renew an eight-game series that dates back to 1963 by meeting at ECU's Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Sept. 11, 2027 before following with a contest at Winston-Salem's BB&T Field on Sept. 23, 2028.

Including 2018, ECU's schedule has featured at least one Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for 23 consecutive years. Moving forward, ACC foes also currently appear on the Pirates' future schedules in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2027 and 2028.

The two teams have played on eight prior occasions - four times in Greenville and four times in Winston-Salem - with Wake Forest owning a 6-2 series edge. ECU defeated the Deacons to officially open what was then known as Ficklen Stadium on Sept. 21, 1963 before meeting again in 1979, 1997 and for five-straight seasons from 2001 to 2005.

Wake Forest will become the Pirates' first announced opponent for the 2027 season, while joining Boise State (Sept. 9) and Georgia State (Sept. 16) as early additions to ECU's 2028 non-conference schedule.

Game times, ticket information and broadcast plans will be released as those playing dates near.

Tags # college football # ECU # NCCFB Continue Reading