2 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football Lee County Yellow Jackets
New Jackets enter new era
BY ANDREW GIERMAK
Lee County Yellow Jackets
ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
SANFORD - Lee County head coach Burton Cates says this year’s Yellow Jacket squad is the youngest group he’s coached in 40 years of coaching high school football. Cates also says youth will be no excuse. “We’ve got to use it as an opportunity. I have confidence these kids will do well,” he said. “I’ve seen young teams do exceptionally well, teams that have gone way beyond the expectations that were there at the beginning of the season.” Along with Lee County being realigned from 4A and the Tri-Nine Conference, which the Jackets departed on fine terms with a 6-2 mark and reaching the second round of the 4A state playoffs, to the 3A Cape Fear Valley Conference, the Yellow Jackets lost 28 seniors from last fall. The Yellow Jackets have no returning starters on offense and three on the defensive side.
See Jackets, Page 6
Head coach - Burton Cates Last season - 9-4, 6-2 4A Tri-Nine State playoffs - Second round New conference - 3A Cape Fear Valley All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 at Spartanburg Christian (S.C.) 8/30 at Ben L. Smith 9/6 ATHENS DRIVE 9/13 at Western Harnett 9/20 OVERHILLS 9/27 GRAY’S CREEK * 10/4 at Douglas Byrd * 10/11 UNION PINES * 10/25 at Terry Sanford * 11/1 at Westover * 11/8 SOUTHERN LEE * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Above, Lee County running back Kentrell French followers his blockers during a practice earlier this month in Sanford. Right, head coach Burton Cates led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-4 mark, and the second round of the state playoffs last season. He’s entering his fifth season at Lee County.
2012 results at Southern Lee W 49-0 RICHMOND L 55-28 at Apex W 38-7 FUQUAY-VARINA W 37-14 at Middle Creek L 21-19 at Northwood W 35-14 CARY W 36-33 at Panther Creek W 35-14 GREEN HOPE W 38-14 at Athens Drive L 36-23 HOLLY SPRINGS W 28-21 * TERRY SANFORD W 57-35 * at Scotland L 56-27 * - state playoff game
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
On the cover, top from left, Lee County linemen Alelc Phillips, Asa Reid, Quinn Setzer, Ethan Lucas and Austin Cotton, and bottom from left, Southern Lee linemen Ben Long, Michael Chesney, Marquese Redding, Aaron Love and Joshua Watson.
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
3
SOUTHERN LEE CAVALIERS
Cavs aim to pick up pace
BY ANDREW GIERMAK ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
SANFORD - Southern Lee enters the football season after lots of changes since last November. The most obvious change is new head coach Don Simon, who comes to the Cavaliers from two successful tenures at schools in South Florida. Simon takes over a program which went 2-9 last season, including 1-5 in the Cape Fear Valley Conference. The positive outlook is much of the 2012 Cavalier roster returns, especially at the skill positions on offense. As Simon sees it in his first few months on the job, the best news is he has players who want to learn, work hard and improve. “I think they were looking for a change,” Simon said, “I think they were looking for someone to push them in the right direction, to push them to do what’s best. “Their work throughout the offseason, in the weight room and working on overall speed, has been outstanding,” he said. Changing offensive and defensive schemes, while part of what Simon is bringing to the Cavs, has been done at a careful pace and with the players’ talents in mind, Simon said.
See Cavaliers, Page 4
Southern Lee Cavaliers
Head coach - Don Simon Last season - 2-9, 1-5 3A Cape Fear Valley All games begin at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 at Western Harnett 8/30 at Northwood 9/6 at St. Pauls 9/13 TRITON 9/20 PINECREST 9/27 at Douglas Byrd * 10/4 GRAY’S CREEK * 10/18 at Union Pines * 10/25 WESTOVER * 11/1 at Terry Sanford *
11/8 at Lee County * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results LEE COUNTY L NORTHWOOD L ST. PAULS L at South Robeson W WESTOVER L at Wwestern Harnett L GRAY’S CREEK L at Overhills L UNION PINES W at Douglas Byrd L at Cleveland L
49-0 37-21 42-14 30-24 32-10 27-21 49-0 40-7 63-55 49-7 48-13
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Above left, Southern Lee defensive linemen Michael Chesney (44) and Ben Long, right, go up against Harnett Central’s offensive line during the Harnett County Jamboree in Erwin earlier this month. Above right, junior quarterback Emond Caldwell (4) throws while running back Monte McLean runs a pass route.
4 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football
Cavaliers
Continued from Page 3
“The kids here are more athletic here than at my last job,” he said. “Not that we’re completely there yet, we’re definitely not, but we’ll get there and with how the kids are putting the work in, maybe we’re ahead of schedule.” Three quarterbacks started games last fall for the Cavaliers, with wide receiver-turned-quarterback Aaron Blockman becoming the starter. Blockman made big plays, especially as a runner. Blockman is returning to wide receiver and junior Emond Caldwell is slated to be the starting quarterback. Moving the football, whether by air or ground, is key for Caldwell. Simon is looking for more though. “He didn’t even know he had the ability to be a leader in him, but we’ve pushed him and once he realized the kids will follow him, he’s become a great leader,” Simon
said. Seniors Cullen Boyette and Aaron Love are two more definite leaders Simon is counting on. Boyette, a key running back last year, moves full-time to linebacker. “He’s a heck of a linebacker and he’s a vocal leader for us and he’s also a lead-by-example kind of guy,” Simon said. Love, a senior offensive lineman, leads that unit. “He leads by example and he’s a senior who just wants to win,” said Simon. Seniors Damien Brown and Kevin McLeod will be receivers for Caldwell. Juniors Jerry Pullum and Monte McLean return at running back. The Cavalier defensive line is mostly one year older and stronger with seniors Justin McKinnon, Marquese Redding and Michael Chesney.
Brick City Bowl VIII, the Lee County vs. Southern Lee county rivalry, will be a conference game for the first time and it’ll be the regular-season finale. The Yellow Jackets have a 5-2 record in the series. Before getting to November, the Cavaliers face five non-conference games leading into six games in the realigned Cape Fear Valley. The Cavaliers open against rival, but no longer a conference foe, Western Harnett in Lillington on Friday. Western Harnett defeated Southern Lee 27-21 last season. If the attitude and focus is there, Simon said, the victories will come and success will build on itself. “We talk about doing everything we do with great effort,” he said, “it’s part of the culture we’re trying to change, to bring a winning attitude.”
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Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Southern Lee head coach Don Simon looks on during the Harnett County Jamboree at Triton earlier this month.
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6 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football Jackets Continued from Page 2
“One day it looks better, the next, maybe it doesn’t look so good,” Cates said. “We expect the peaks and valleys, but there’s no doubt about the kids’ effort and the coaching staff couldn’t be more pleased about their effort. We hope by the time we get to conference play, we’ll have a steady lineup and we’ll improve each week.” While young, the returning seniors have still provided leadership and high expectations off of last season’s success. “The kids have worked extremely hard. They’re very committed. They’ve worked very hard in the weight room all offsea-
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Lee County quarterback Duane Bland carries the ball during a Yellow Jacket practice earlier this month. son, we basically spent the summer together,” Cates said. Cates is pleased with the work ethic, yet knows the action under the
lights will bring up obstacles. How the new Jackets deal with tests under pressure will decide how they do in the Cape Fear Valley.
“The thing about leadership is you don’t know a lot about what you have until there’s adversity, so we won’t know about it until we get to the games. When we face adversity, we’ll see how we respond,” he said. The Yellow Jackets expect to build around their defensive front seven. Cates said the line is “solid” and the linebackers are “experienced.” Senior defensive ends Thomas Ferguson and Hampton Thomas will get after opposing quarterbacks and rushers. In a scrimmage at Asheboro last Friday evening, Cates was pleased with the progress made in the span of two hours.
The alternating 10play possessions to start, “were a little ragged,” he said. The game portion of the scrimmage was better as Lee County scored three touchdowns and held the Blue Comets scoreless. Starting quarterback Duane Bland played well, improving as the action went along, Cates said. Going from 4A to 3A is naturally seen as a plus for the Jackets. Going from three nonconference games while in the Tri-Nine to five is beneficial, specifically so as these Jackets learn some on the fly. Besides that, Fayetteville schools Gray’s Creek, Terry Sanford and Douglas Byrd
will be first in line to see it’s not so easy for Lee County making its first circuit. “It’s going to be a challenge. There are very good football teams in this conference,” Cates said. The Yellow Jackets take their talents to South Carolina for the first Friday night of the season, visiting Spartanburg Christian. In the CFVC, the Jackets have three road trips to Fayetteville. Brick City Bowl VIII, now a conference rivalry with the Jackets and Cavaliers perhaps with postseason meaning to battle for along with county bragging rights, will be the season finale on Nov. 8.
UNION PINES VIKINGS
Vikings believe work will pay off
BY ANDREW GIERMAK ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
CAMERON - Ryan Riggan believes he has the deepest Union Pines football squad he’s coached going into his fourth season guiding the Vikings. Even with building the Viking football program up and having a hardworking class of seniors who’ve grown with Riggan in command, getting wins in the Cape Fear Valley Conference will be a big hurdle even if this Viking team is improved. The Vikings went 2-9 overall and 0-6 in the old CFVC last fall. With NCH-
SAA realignment, Lee County and Terry Sanford move into the Cape Fear Valley for at least the next four years. Western Harnett and Overhills departed. “I think our conference, especially now, is one of the best 3A conferences in the state,” Riggan said. In most contests last
season, putting points on the board wasn’t the main Viking problem. The Vikings beat East Montgomery, their opening night foe in Cameron on Aug. 23, 35-34, and county rival North Moore 33-6. In CFVC games, Union Pines lost a frantic, backand-forth 63-55 shootout at Southern Lee and put points up in some of its other losses. Giving up 37.7 points per game was the steady problem. Seniors Byron Gaddy, Wesley Shaw and Tyler Southern lead the Viking line play, which, especially on the offensive side, is the best example of depth the Vikings haven’t
had before. “It all starts up front. You have to move people and stop people from moving you,” said Riggan following a preseason scrimmage in Cameron. “We have some depth for the first time,” he said. “We’re at the point where we have seven or eight guys who can play on the offensive line for us. It’s not just five guys and pray.” Overall on the roster, Union Pines has 12 seniors and a bigger junior class, signs of Riggan’s work to build a program which hasn’t mustered a winning record since
Andrew Giermak | The Sanford Herald
See Vikings, Page 14
Union Pines quarterback Max Yates passes during a preseason scrimmage earlier this month in Cameron.
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
7
CHATHAM CENTRAL BEARS
Senior Bears building on last year
BY ERIC DAVIDSON
Chatham Central Bears
Special to the Herald
BEAR CREEK - A new season brings along with it an abundance of optimism for coaches and their team. This is certainly true for Chatham Central ‘s football program for 2013. Coming off the 2012 season, which saw the Bears improve by two wins from the previous season, head coach Bob Pegram is excited to kick off the upcoming season with three home, non-conference contests to prepare for eight conference games in the realigned Yadkin Valley Conference. Pegram, entering his eighth season at Chatham Central, has a squad loaded with seniors who have been in his program for four years and includes several “skill” players. Naturally, Pegram is optimistic his Bears “ought to be pretty good this year,” and believes this team can continue to add to last year’s 4-8 record. Following a recent scrimmage against a much deeper Western Harnett squad, Pegram’s first reaction was “nobody got hurt,” but he quickly added he saw many positive things against a 3A program which was “bigger, faster, and stronger” than his squad of 36 players. “We have some young players and it was good for them to see things at game speed,” Pegram said. Although Pegram knows there “is lots of stuff we need to do better,” it is good to know he has a returning all-conference player in senior wing back/receiver Zack Burke. “Zack is the most athletic person in our school, and one of those play-
Head coach - Bob Pegram Last season - 4-8, 2-5 1A Yadkin Valley State playoffs - First round All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 WAKE CHRISTIAN 8/30 JORDAN-MATTHEWS 9/6 KESTREL HEIGHTS 9/13 at West Montgomery * 9/20 at Albemarle * 9/27 EAST MONTGOMERY * 10/4 NORTH STANLY * 10/18 at South Stanly * 10/25 UNION ACADEMY * 11/1 NORTH MOORE * 11/8 at South Davidson * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Chatham Central junior quarterback Rodney Van De Walker readies a handoff in the Bear backfield during a preseason scrimmage against visiting Western Harnett earlier this month. The Bears open up hosting Wake Christian Friday night. ers that will stay on the field the entire game for all 11 games.” said Pegram. The Bears’ coach also likes what he sees in his new starting quarterback, junior Rodney Van De Walker. “Rodney is a tough kid, he is working hard, he’s big and strong, he throws the ball well, makes good decisions, and he’s getting better every day. I’m looking for big things from him,” Pegram said. In the scrimmage, the Bears had nine players who played defense and offense. Over the many years of 1A foot-
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ball at Chatham Central, players going both ways isn’t new for the Bears, but Pegram hopes during the season there will only be five players going offense and defense most of the game. “We did get tired tonight, and then we began to think rather than react. And maybe we got a little overexcited,” he said. Pegram confirmed that the coaches have been more “offensively focused” as they prepare for the new season. He also knows they will be working hard to
2012 results at Wake Christian W 33-7 at Jordan-Matthews L 32-0 KESTREL HEIGHTS W 41-6 WHEATMORE L 23-7 at Albemarle L 47-14 SOUTH STANLY L 41-25 WEST MONTGOMERY L 48-28 at South Davidson W 40-14 NORTH ROWAN L 35-6 at East Montgomery L 28-9 at North Moore W 46-2 * at South Stanly L 29-20 * - state playoff game
bring the defense up to where it needs to be by the opening game against Wake Christian Academy on Friday night in Bear Creek.
See Bears, Page 14
8 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football Jordan-Matthews Jets
Northwood Chargers T
Young Jets must step up Chargers
BY ANDREW GIERMAK ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
SILER CITY - Opposing defenses know when they face Jordan-Matthews, they’ll have the task of stopping Hunter Causey. Likely for 30 or more bruising carries a game, the Jets are going to give the ball to their top running back. Last fall as a junior, Causey rushed for more than 2,200 yards and scored 19 total touchdowns along with many important twopoint conversions. All of it came when the defense
knew what was coming. Jet head coach Marty Scotten, entering his 20th year coaching Jordan-Matthews, knows he’ll be calling Causey’s number a lot this season. He knows other coaches will gear their defenses to stopping, or at least limiting, Causey, which presents tests, but also opportunities, for Scotten’s offense. “That’s going to be a challenge all year for us, to keep teams from ganging up on (Causey),” Scotten said following a morning of scrimmages at Union Pines on Aug.
10. “We had people step up today at a number of positions and do just that,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to stretch defenses out and run some good outside stuff.” It’s certainly not with the idea of going away from Causey, but making him more effective when he totes the ball, especially come fourth quarters. “We know we can rely on Hunter. We know what he’ll do for us,” Scotten said. Causey did his work last year with the help of
a large, senior-led offensive line. The Jets, looking to build on a 5-7 overall mark and reaching the first round of the state playoffs, lost 18 seniors in all, with the toughest losses being on both lines. The Jets return two experienced quarterbacks - junior Josh Hudson and sophomore Rahman Mateen. On the wings of the Jet option running game, senior Bryson Bittle and junior Tre’ Jones are the top returners who will be expected to give the
See Jets, Page 15
Jordan-Matthews Jets
Head coach - Marty Scotten Last season - 5-7, 2-4 2A Mid-State State playoffs - First round All games begin at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 PROVIDENCE GROVE 8/30 at Chatham Central 9/6 NORTHWOOD 9/13 PARKWOOD 9/20 at Eastern Randolph 9/27 at Western Harnett 10/11 at Reidsville * 10/18 at Graham * 10/25 CARRBORO * 11/1 at Bartlett Yancey * 11/8 CUMMINGS * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game
Andrew Giermak | The Sanford Herald
Jet running back Hunter Causey rushed for more than 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
2012 results at Morehead CHATHAM CENTRAL at Northwood WEST MONTGOMERY at Providence Grove at Eastern Randolph BARTLETT YANCEY GRAHAM REIDSVILLE at North Brunswick at Cummings * at South Granville * - state playoff game
W W L L L W L W L W L L
28-9 32-0 29-15 13-12 21-20 14-13 20-16 34-0 11-0 15-8 42-35 11-0
leaning on line, receivers
BY SHAWN KREST Special to the Herald
PITTSBORO - During preseason practice, Northwood coach Bill Hall had his eyes focused on the middle of his defense. “Linebacker play,” Hall said. “You never know how you’re going to be defensively until you see those linebackers, and how physical they can be.” The Chargers lose their two top tacklers from last season’s 6-6 team which lost to St. Pauls in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs. Jourden Blackmon and Ross Cooper combined for 290 of the team’s 809 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. “We’re very young at linebacker. We lost some all-state and all-conference quality linebackers,” Hall said. The lone returning starter is Jared Worley who made 30 tackles and three tackles for loss last season. Luckily, the backers will have time to develop behind a defensive line which has the potential to be one of the best in the area. “All of our D-line is returning from last year,” Hall said. “We have two all-conference players at tackle: Jay Williams (55 tackles, 12 TFL) and Elijah
Washington (47, 3).” Hall singled out Williams after an early preseason practice for his work in the weight room during the offseason. “We’re trying to get stronger so we can physically beat the other team,” Williams said. “Hunter Blackmon (5 sacks, 6 hurries, 7 TFL) and Brady Koenning (52 tackles, 9 TFL) are our two ends,” Hall continued. “Jay’s a senior. The other three are juniors. So we have a lot of experience. They’re big boys, very athletic. They’re clearly the best part of our team.” At defensive back, Hall will be looking at young players, especially at cornerback. On offense, the Chargers have the potential to light up the scoreboard. “We’re very athletic,” Hall said. “I’ve been here since ’89, and I’ve been head coach since 2000. We have more skill players than we’ve ever had.” Hall is 97-57 overall as the Charger head coach. Jalen Smith, B.J. Harrington and Imoh Udoh
See Chargers, Page 14
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
9
TRITON HAWKS
Hawks bring 3-peat to Two Rivers
BY ANDREW GIERMAK ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
ERWIN - Triton had an outstanding football season with a devastating conclusion last year. The Hawks won their third straight Eastern Carolina Conference crown, going 10-0 in the regular season with only two close contests. As a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs, Triton lost 33-0 to No. 8 D.H. Conley for a sudden finish to the season. Realignment takes Triton, and primary conference rival Cleveland, to the newly-tabbed Two Rivers Conference. The Hawks held off Cleveland 43-40 in what proved to be the decisive game atop
the ECC last October. Triton played just one other one-possession game through its 10 victories. With three straight conference titles in hand, the Hawks and head coach Ashley Ennis are used to reloading instead of rebuilding. This time around though, the Hawks must replace star running back Dedrick Stacker and veteran quarterback and leader Maurice McBryde. The Hawks return players used to carrying the ball in their usual run-dominant attack. Senior Todd Penny rushed for 450 yards and two touchdowns last year and senior fullback Devonte Stewart had 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns last year.
Senior Jeremy Leggett, who saw a little action as the Hawks’ second-string quarterback last season, is the new starter. During last Friday’s Harnett County Jamboree, Leggett looked confident putting the ball in the air and coordinating the Hawks’ misdirection rushing game. Senior tight end/defensive back Austin Lee, senior wide receiver/defensive back Chris Eason and senior running back/ defensive back Emmanuel Myles are a few of the Hawks who be expected to jump into larger roles. Even Triton’s defense was used to scoring last season and the Hawks return more experience on that side of the ball. Senior linebacker Tyler
Tyndall was the biggest playmaker, totaling 54 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three sacks and three touchdowns.
Senior lineman Tim McNeill had 58 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. Senior linebacker Brad Miller had 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. If there is some learn-
Triton Hawks
Head coach - Ashley Ennis Last season - 10-1, 6-0 3A Eastern Carolina State playoffs - First round New conference - 3A Two Rivers All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 CAPE FEAR 8/30 OVERHILLS 9/6 at Harnett Central 9/13 at Southern Lee 9/20 GRAY’S CREEK 9/27 at Rocky Mount 10/11 SOUTH JOHNSTON * 10/18 at Cleveland * 10/25 SMITHFIELD-SELMA *
ing on the fly for the younger Hawks, Triton gets the benefit of opening at home the first two Friday nights, hosting Cape Fear Friday night and Overhills on Aug. 30.
11/1 WESTERN HARNETT * 11/8 at Corinth Holders * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at Clinton W 25-21 HARNETT CENTRAL W 28-15 at Overhills W 27-6 at Western Harnett W 49-30 at C.B. Aycock W 29-14 at Southern Wayne W 21-0 NORTH LENOIR W 54-13 CLEVELAND W 43-40 EASTERN WAYNE W 45-26 at South Johnston W 34-15 * D.H. CONLEY L 33-0 * - state playoff game
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10 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football WESTERN HARNETT EAGLES
Eagles changing attack for Two Rivers BY ANDREW GIERMAK
ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD.COM
LILLINGTON - After going 3-8 last fall and with moving into a new 3A conference, Western Harnett’s football squad already had its fair share of adversity to combat. The Eagles were given more to deal with during the first week of preseason practices in early August. The Eagles had three probable starters move, moving out of the area as part of military families leaving, within the week, said third-year head coach Larry Brock. That was following three players leaving the Eagles for similar reasons following the 2012 football season. “So we’ve had some adversity, but the main thing is everyone’s worked
incredibly hard and all our coaches and players are very unselfish,” Brock said. The Eagles improved in many aspects last season, in their second season under Brock. With wins against Southern Lee and Union Pines, Western Harnett was 2-0 in the Cape Fear Valley before going up against the tougher squads in the league. NCHSAA realignment takes Western Harnett to the newly-tabbed Two Rivers Conference. Along with increased travel, the assignments on the gridiron will be tough. Four of the five Two Rivers foes made the postseason last year. Triton went 10-0 in the regular season, winning the Eastern Carolina Conference, but lost in the first round of the 3AA state playoffs. Cleveland, confer-
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Western Harnett quarterback Austin Speck rushes with the ball during a preseason scrimmage at Chatham Central earlier this month. ence runner-up to Triton, advanced to the 3AA quarterfinals and finished 11-2. Brock, a former Appalachian State player, put forward a challenge to his returning Eagles this past offseason and he’s pleased with how they answered. Thirty-six Eagle players came to workouts 90 percent or more of the days throughout the offseason. Along with the conditioning work, the Eagles are putting a revamped offensive attack on the field. From a wingT running game, which Brock admits he might miss, the Eagles are expecting to go to the air more with more shotgun and spread formations. Brock wants to keep a physical attitude and capitalize on the strong suits of his skill position players. “I like running the ball, and I promise we will still run the ball quite a bit, but this year I think we’re going to have better options to move the ball if we throw it a little more,” Brock said. Austin Speck, a sophomore who played cornerback on varsity as a freshman, will be the quarterback. Speck played quarterback in middle school and is a good athlete who can make plays throwing or running, Brock said. Senior fullback Laron Gilchrist, who brings the size of a lineman with the speed for a big play once he breaks a tackle, leads the Eagle running game, no matter the formation. Gilchrist ran
See Eagles, Page 15
Western Harnett Eagles
Head coach - Larry Brock Last season - 3-8, 2-4 3A Cape Fear Valley New conference - 3A Two Rivers All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 SOUTHERN LEE 8/30 at Harnett Central 9/6 at Overhills 9/13 LEE COUNTY 9/20 at Union Pines 9/27 JORDAN-MATTHEWS 10/11 at Corinth Holders * 10/18 SMITHFIELD-SELMA * 10/25 at South Johnston * 11/1 at Triton * 11/8 CLEVELAND * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at South Robeson W at Purnell Swett L HARNETT CENTRAL L TRITON L PINECREST L SOUTHERN LEE W at Union Pines W DOUGLAS BYRD L at Gray’s Creek L OVERHILLS L at Westover L
26-6 21-7 10-7 49-30 36-7 27-21 51-28 27-14 35-7 38-12 34-7
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
11
Overhills Jaguars
Barr guiding Jaguars into 4A
BY ANDREW GIERMAK
ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD.COM
SPRING LAKE - A football program with a new head coach usually signals a rebuilding project or a squad looking to improve off a poor record. That’s not the case at all for Overhills and new head coach Rodney Barr. The Jaguars were one of three trichampions in the 3A Cape Fear Valley last season, winning their first conference crown in program history. The Jags started 0-3 before getting hot for a 5-1 conference mark and a win over Western Alamance in the first round of the state playoffs. Barr takes over for the only head coach Jaguar football has known. Tim Karrs, who started the program at Overhills from scratch in 2005, retired following the 2012 season. Barr was an assistant coach and baseball coach at South Robeson last school year. He coached for eight years in Florence, S.C. before moving to South Robeson and played football and baseball at Shaw University. As Jaguar football has only known one head coach prior to this year, the new Overhills coach has a unique task of teaching his own systems and expectations while improving on the success the Jaguars had last fall. “One thing I told the kids is, we’re not taking anything away from the positives of the past. Our main goal is to build on that,” Barrs said. “Our goal is to make Overhills a program which is respected and to be reckoned with throughout the state,” he said. Barrs says he’s found a great level of commitment. He’s simply fostering it and directing it. Eighty to 85 kids regularly turned out for summer workouts. The Jaguars have 22 returning seniors. “Clearly, this is a very important season to them and I want them to take ownership of this team. They want their final season at Overhills to be a great one,” Barr said. Barr says he’s received help and support from the school, boosters and even
Overhills Jaguars
his predecessor. “Coach Karrs has been a great asset, to help me learn the ropes here,” Barr said. “I’ve been truly blessed to have people around me who’ve put us in a positive to be successful.” Under the lights starting Friday night versus visiting Pinecrest, success will be much more about the scoreboard. The Jaguars face the additional test of moving from 3A into the Fayettevillecentered 4A Mid-South Athletic Conference. While the Jags are senior-led in a lot of spots offensively and defensively, junior Tylo Rogers is taking up the quarterback position. The Jaguars boasted a balanced attack last season and Rogers has a number of good skill position athletes to get the ball to. Senior running back Tyler Stevens rushed for 474 yards and five touchdowns last season. Top returning receivers include senior wide receiver/ running back Quincy Ridley and junior tight end/slot receiver Chanler Renna. The Jaguar defense is experienced at linebacker and in the secondary. Senior cornerback Marquel King can change games in a variety of ways as he totaled 82 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season. Jadin Jones, Malik Hicks, Dionte Hairston, Corey Warren and Adrion Hargrove return at linebacker. Jones, now a junior, had 92 tackles last year. Warren, a senior, had 50 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Overhills has five games to build up for going into Mid-South Athletic contests starting with South View visiting Spring Lake on Sept. 27.
Head coach - Rodney Barr Last season - 7-5, 5-1 3A Cape Fear Valley State playoffs - Second round New conference - 4A MidSouth Athletic All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 PINECREST 8/30 at Triton 9/6 WESTERN HARNETT 9/13 HARNETT CENTRAL 9/20 at Lee County 9/27 SOUTH VIEW * 10/4 at Cape Fear * 10/18 SEVENTY-FIRST * 10/25 at Pine Forest *
11/1 E.E. SMITH * 11/8 at Jack Britt * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results E.E. SMITH L 31-26 at Pinecrest L 21-7 TRITON L 27-6 at Harnett Central W 58-0 UNION PINES W 46-0 at Douglas Byrd L 21-18 SOUTHERN LEE W 40-7 at Westover W 25-15 at Western Harnett W 38-12 GRAY’S CREEK W 27-20 * WESTERN ALAMANCE W 38-20 * at So. Guilford L 35-14 * - state playoff game
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12 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football North Moore Mustangs
HARNETT CENTRAL TROJANS
Vogt takes Mustangs’ reins Trojans rebuilding with familiar face
BY ANDREW GIERMAK
ANDREW@SANFORDHERALD. COM
ROBBINS - Following two straight winless seasons, North Moore’s football program has new leadership this season. The Mustangs went near
and far to find their new head coach. Mike Vogt, who took an assistant coaching position at Pinecrest following the 2012 season, where he was in his third year as head coach at Orange City University High School in Florida,
North Moore Mustangs
Head coach - Mike Vogt Last season - 0-11, 0-7 1A Yadkin Valley All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 at Trinity 8/30 UNION PINES 9/6 at South Robeson 9/13 SOUTH STANLY * 9/20 WEST MONTGOMERY * 9/27 at North Stanly * 10/4 SOUTH DAVIDSON * 10/11 at Union Academy * 10/18 at Albemarle * 10/25 EAST MONTGOMERY *
became the Mutsangs’ head coach in the winter. Vogt started Orange City University’s football program from scratch and built the squad from a 2-8 record in its debut year to 5-6 in 2012.
See Mustangs, Page 14
11/1 at Chatham Central * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at Union Academy L at Union Pines L at Fay. Christian L at Red Springs L WEST MONTGOMERY L SOUTH DAVIDSON L NORTH ROWAN L at East Montgomery L at South Stanly L ALBEMARLE L CHATHAM CENTRAL L
55-0 33-6 34-6 54-0 42-6 16-14 39-0 45-0 42-6 56-0 46-2
BY SHAWN KREST Special to the Herald
ANGIER - The Harnett Central Trojans will have a new look this season, even if the face on the sidelines is familiar to some. Dave Thomas took over as head coach after Patrick Turner resigned in February, following a 3-7 season. Thomas previously coached the Trojans in 2000 and 2001, going 5-6 with a firstround playoff loss in his final season. Thomas left to coach his sons at a school near Nashville and now returns after a decade of experience at one of Tennessee’s most successful programs. “I’m older,” Thomas said of what’s changed since his last tenure at Harnett Central. “I learned a lot about how to practice a team and about managing all the details. You’re always learning as a coach.” Thomas isn’t the only one who’s learning. He’s spent the last six months teaching the Trojans what it takes to succeed on the field.
Harnett Central Trojans
Head coach - Dave Thomas Last season - 3-7, 2-5 4A Greater Neuse River Games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted 8/23 at Apex - 7:30 p.m. 8/30 WESTERN HARNETT - 7:30 p.m. 9/6 at Triton - 7:30 p.m. 9/13 at Overhills - 7:30 p.m. 9/27 at Clayton * 10/4 SOUTHEAST RALEIGH * 10/11 KNIGHTDALE *
“My biggest concern in February was that we have to get these kids in the weight room,” he said. “We need to get them stronger. I think we’ve addressed it. I’m pleased with their effort, and they are getting stronger, but it takes years to get where you need to get,” Thomas will spend this year trying to build a foundation. “We talk to the kids about how this is a work in progress,” he said. “We’re in the process of building a football program. That means we aren’t just looking at this year. We’re going to do things that we feel are best for our program as a whole for next year, and the year after that, and the years after that.” That might sound like the Trojans have a long season in store for them, but Thomas isn’t ready to concede that. He’s installing an I formation offense that will depend on returning running back, junior Jay McNeill. That will take some of the pressure off of sophomore quarterback Taylor Smith. On defense, the team will run a 4-3, with the key players being senior nose guard Micah Robinson, who is the team’s top returning tackler, and senior end Deshaun Malloy. “We’re a young team. When I took
See Trojans, Page 15 10/18 at Garner * 11/1 at East Wake * 11/8 WEST JOHNSTON * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at Triton L at Western Harnett W OVERHILLS L SOUTHEAST RALEIGH W at Clayton L EAST WAKE L at Smithfield-Selma W WEST JOHNSTON L at Knightdale L GARNER L
28-15 10-7 58-0 17-16 38-7 23-17 ff. 23-21 40-13 56-14
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
PINECREST PATRIOTS
Patriots prep for Southeastern gauntlet
BY ERIC DAVIDSON Special to the Herald
SOUTHERN PINES - Entering his seventh year as head coach at Pinecrest, Chris Metzger is taking a practical approach to the upcoming football season – he is taking one game at a time. In the 4A Southeastern Conference, which includes perennial powers Scotland County and Richmond County, this may well be the best mindset for the Patriots. Although Metzger only has four returning starters on offense and four returning starters on defense, he has a balanced squad of seniors, juniors and sophomores heading into their 2013 campaign. Metzger has enthusiasm and pride in his players, saying they are, “a bunch of great kids who are getting better every
day, and who are a joy to work with.” The Patriots were 5-7 last year, and 2-3 in the SEC for a fourth-place finish and a spot in the 4AA state playoffs. The Southeastern’s coaches’ preseason predictions for 2013 tapped Pinecrest to finish fourth behind Scotland, Richmond and Hoke County, which would be a repeat of the conference standings. Metzger believes the strengths for his squad to be “team unity, the offensive line, the linebackers, and of course, the kicking game.” At the high school level, it’s unusual for a team to include its kicking game as a game-changer, but this is absolutely true for the Patriots. Pinecrest’s one returning all-conference player is senior kicker Jackson Maples, who as a junior made a 60-yard field goal.
Pinecrest Patriots
Head coach - Chris Metzger Last season - 5-7, 2-3 4A Southeastern State playoffs - First round All games start at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 at Overhills 8/30 at Douglas Byrd 9/6 at Beddingfield 9/13 PARKLAND 9/20 at Southern Lee 9/27 C.E. JORDAN 10/11 at Lumberton * 10/18 at Scotland * 10/25 PURNELL SWETT * 11/1 RICHMOND * 11/8 at Hoke County *
The 60-yarder was a yard short of the N.C. high school record. Not surprisingly, Metzger confirms Maples is “getting looks from several colleges.” Due to the format of the NCHSAA 2012 playoff pod system, Pinecrest lost its final two games last season to Hoke. Pinecrest ends the regular season at Hoke on Nov. 8, but now couldn’t face the Bucks in the opening round of the playoffs because the pod system format,
13
- Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at Jack Britt L 34-15 OVERHILLS W 21-7 at Cox Mill W 44-27 REAGAN L 28-20 at Western Harnett W 36-7 NEW HANOVER L 42-24 LUMBERTON W 24-0 SCOTLAND L 34-11 at Purnell Swett W 20-7 at Richmond L 27-18 HOKE COUNTY L 35-7 * at Hoke County L 24-14 * - state playoff game
adopted in 2010, was abolished by the NCHSAA in December 2012 except at the 1A and 1AA classes. The Patriots open play Friday night at Overhills; the first of six non-conference games . Metzger’s overview of the season is he, “is excited to be playing football again.” He believes his Patriots will be ready for the challenges before them.
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14 / Thursday, August 22, 2013 / 2013 Football Bears
Chargers
Continued from Page 7
Continued from Page 8
Chatham Central faces county rival Jordan-Matthews in their second contest of the season. CC’s Yadkin Valley campaign opens on Sept. 13 with a road trip to West Montgomery, ranked No. 14 in the state by maxpreps.com. The Bears face new YVC opponents North Stanly and Union Academy at home, and then end the season against
long-time opponents North Moore and South Davidson. Coach Pegram is optimistic his team, “will have a chance if they stay healthy. To win six conference games will be big for Chatham Central.” Who knows how the season will turn out, but the Bears have reasons to believe it could be their best season in a long time.
are young — Harrington’s 11 catches for 165 yards are the trio’s only varsity experience — but they have explosive playmaking ability. “We’re very, very athletic at wideout,” Hall said. “We’re going to be a wide-open, explosive offense. We’ll go four and five wide, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to
Continued from Page 12
2007. Two quarterbacks, junior Max Yates and senior Kaleb Johnson, split snaps in the scrimmages. Yates is moving from playing wide receiver last season. Johnson moves from running back and will still be at running back most of the time Yates is under center. “Max is doing a good job. He’s a good decisionmaker,” Riggan said. In a scrimmage, even a play
tangs. South Davidson scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, taking the lead with a two-point conversion with three minutes left, to win 16-14. The Mustangs should gain from the groundwork, including forming a JV squad, by previous head coach Greg Simmons. Juniors Ruben Gonzalez and Nathan Hussey
Fowler backing him up. The only concern on offense is on the line. “We were very young on offensive line last year, and we’re very young again this year,” Hall said. The Chargers have been realigned from 2A to 3A and the Big Eight Conference. Four conference games a season has become seven for Northwood, along with facing
Northwood Chargers
Mustangs North Moore isn’t starting from day one but the task Vogt takes on is sizeable. The Mustangs enter this season on a 27game losing streak. The Mustangs had one serious chance at a victory last season, which slipped away. Last September in Robbins, quarterback Kirby Lambert, now a junior, threw two touchdown passes for the Mus-
run the ball,” he said. Northwood returns junior Kadarus Rone, who led the team with 638 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last year. He’ll be joined by Montel Goods, who moves up from junior varsity. Ti Pinnix (1,065 passing yards, 13 passing TD, five rushing TD, five interceptions) is expected to run the show, with Jacob
will lead both lines. Other expected key contributors are junior wide receiver/defensive back Nick Rush, sophomore linebacker Braxton Beck, sophomore receiver/ defensive back Patrick Horner and sophomore quarterback Malik McCrimmon. North Moore opens up Friday at Trinity, then hosts county rival Union Pines Aug. 30.
Head coach - Bill Hall Last season - 6-6, 2-2 2A Carolina 12 State playoffs - First round New conference - 3A Big Eight Games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted 8/23 EAST CHAPEL HILL 8/30 SOUTHERN LEE 9/6 at Jordan-Matthews 9/13 at Carrboro 9/27 ORANGE* 10/4 at Cedar Ridge * - 7 p.m. 10/11 J.F. WEBB * - 7 p.m. 10/18 at So. Durham * - 7 p.m. 10/25 at No. Vance * - 7
larger programs. The new Big Eight includes Cardinal Gibbons (11-1 last season), Orange (11-3) and Chapel Hill (9-4). “We’ve got the potential, with those skill players, to be pretty good,” Hall said. “But you look at this conference: There’s some heat in this conference. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
p.m. 11/1 CHAPEL HILL * 11/8 at Cardinal Gibbons * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results EAST DUPLIN L 21-6 at Southern Lee W 37-21 JORDAN-MATTHEWS W 29-15 at Chapel Hill L 28-7 RIVERSIDE W 27-7 LEE COUNTY L 35-14 at Granville Cent. W 50-6 CARRBORO L 20-17 at South Granville L 40-30 at Union Pines W 34-10 CEDAR RIDGE W 42-0 * at St. Pauls L 22-17 * - state playoff game
Vikings Continued from Page 6
which ended in Yates throwing a pass safely away into the sideline pleased the Viking head coach. Johnson moves to quarterback to give the Vikings a different, speedy threat. Senior safety Phillip Hall is the defensive leader and should have an opportunity to play at the college level Riggan said. Junior Blake Lawrence
is a key player at linebacker and fullback, as is senior Ammon Gerber at wide receiver and defensive back. “I think the senior class as a whole has done everything they’ve needed to do for this season,” Riggan said. The Vikings start out facing the two schools it beat last year. The Vikings have five non-conference games before six straight CFVC contests.
Union Pines Vikings
Head coach - Ryan Riggan Last season - 2-9, 0-6 3A Cape Fear Valley All games begin at 7:30 p.m. 8/23 EAST MONTGOMERY 8/30 at North Moore 9/6 at Providence Grove 9/13 TRINITY 9/20 WESTERN HARNETT 9/27 at Westover * 10/4 TERRY SANFORD * 10/11 at Lee County * 10/18 SOUTHERN LEE * 10/25 at Douglas Byrd *
11/1 GRAY’S CREEK * - Home games are in CAPS * - conference game 2012 results at SW Randolph L NORTH MOORE W at Cardinal Gibbons L EAST MONTGOMERY W at Overhills L at Gray’s Creek L WESTERN HARNETT L WESTOVER L at Southern Lee L NORTHWOOD L DOUGLAS BYRD L
21-0 33-6 50-17 35-34 46-0 42-14 51-28 26-0 63-55 34-10 42-7
2013 Football / Thursday, August 22, 2013 /
15
Jets
Eagles
Trojans
Continued from Page 8
Continued from Page 10
Continued from Page 12
Jets speed on the outside to go with Causey going between the tackles. The Jet defense, which Scotten says is a young group as well, pitched two shutouts and kept Jordan-Matthews close in most of its defeats last year - such as an 11-0 loss at South Granville in the state playoffs. The Jets played four straight games decided by four points or less in September, but fell in three of the four contests. Chris Shelton, Ethan Cook, Joe Nunemann and Parker Thomas are the only returning seniors on the two lines. Two subtractions and one addition, being 2AA
state runner-up Carrboro, have made the 2A Mid-State a tougher conference this fall. Carrboro went 15-1 overall and 4-0 in the Carolina 12 last season. Defending MidState champ Reidsville went 11-3 overall and 6-0 in the league. The Jets begin league play Oct. 11 at Reidsville. The Jets lead off with six non-conference games, but get a familiar foe on opening night in former Mid-State rival Providence Grove.
for 13 touchdowns last season. Senior Antonio Hernandez, at guard and middle linebacker, is the only player Brock expects to go both ways most of the time. The defensive line, led by ends William Carter and Rasaahn Cox and tackle Nick Dunlap. Senior safety Darius Alston leads the secondary. He also turned in gains as a wing back and receiver last year. The Eagles will square off against three former conference rivals early in the season, starting by hosting Southern Lee Friday night. Overhills and Union Pines will meet the Eagles in September.
Wesley Beeson | The Sanford Herald
Western Harnett fullback Laron Gilchrist fights for yardage during a scrimmage at Chatham Central earlier this month.
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over, I didn’t realize how young we were. It’s hard to say how we’ll do. I don’t know what the other teams have. I think we can be competitive. But everything’s new. The offense is entirely new. The defensive is entirely new. I think we’re going to get better every week.” “We’re trying to make them accountable,” Thomas said. “If you miss a lift or if you’re late to practice, there are consequences. And, dealing with teenagers, some of them are going to test you. Overall, though, their attitude has been good. They’ve bought in. We’re headed in the right direction.”