It will be Reidsville-Shelby Part II next Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, following the Rams’ 49-19 win over Southern Vance Friday night at Community Stadium.
Reidsville (15-0) running back Tayon Graves set four school records with his 40 rushing attempts, 285 yards and seven touchdowns as the Rams won the 2-AA East Regional finals.
Shelby (14-1) defeated Mount Pleasant, 17-0 in the 2-AA West Regional finals.
The two teams met back in the 2005 state championship game, with Shelby coming away with a 26-18 victory.
Graves set new RHS marks for points in a game (42), yards rushing (285), rushing attempts (40) and touchdown runs (7).
In the win, Reidsville starting quarterback Ray Ray Butchee was injured during the first half and did not return.
No word on the severity of the injury was known as of Friday night.
Southern Vance (13-2) turned the ball over four times – two fumbles and two interceptions.
Next week’s championship game is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Raleigh.
Tayon Graves’ Night
· Point in a game (42) – Old mark was 30 set by Dominique Watkins (1996) and Victor Salde (1999)
· Yards rushing (285) – Old mark was 245 set by Anthony Wilson (1975)
· Rushing Attempts (40) – Old mark was 30 by Greg Dillard (1983)
· TD runs (7) – Old mark was 5 by Watkins (1996) and Slade (1999)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Ram Game Notes
Reidsville (14-0) and Southern Vance (13-1) will both be hoping for another shot at a state championship when they square off tonight at Community Stadium in the 2-AA East Regional finals.
At stake is a trip to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh for the 2-AA state championship game against the winner of tonight’s West Regional game with Mount Pleasant (14-0) playing at Shelby (13-1).
Reidsville, which has won 15 state titles in its storied history, last appeared in the state title game in 2005 and lost to Shelby. Southern Vance made its first-ever state title appearance a year ago and also lost to Shelby.
Reidsville and Southern Vance are very similar on offense and defense.
Both operate out of the shotgun attack and have prolific, diversified offenses. On defense, both the Rams and Raiders rely on team speed to shut down opponents.
Reidsville features the field generalship of junior Ray Ray Butchee and the slashing running of senior Tayon Graves. In last week’s 63-6 romp over St. Pauls, Butchee surpassed the 4,000-yard career mark in passing and Graves went over 5,000 yards rushing.
Butchee looks to a variety of receivers led by Kerry Hammock, Mike Brown, Jarrett Barnett, Marlon Roach and Niko McGirt.
The offensive line of Phillip McLaughlin, Rashard Williamson, Jazz Totten, Devin Sessoms and Lance Spivey will hold the key to slowing a fierce Southern Vance pass rush. Raider defensive end Shelton Gill made several huge plays against Northwood last week, adding to his already impressive season resume.
Another match-up to watch will be Reidsville’s passing attack against the Raiders’ quick secondary. Butchee has thrown just four interceptions all season while Southern Vance picked off Northwood three times last week.
Reidsville’s defense will face its biggest challenge of the season as Southern Vance brings in a 33.5 average to the game. Since a 28-13 loss to 3-A Southwest Edgecombe in mid-September, the Raiders have scored no less than 26 points during its current nine-game winning streak.
Senior Jamere Pugh, who quarterbacked Southern Vance as a freshman when the Raiders came to Community Stadium for a third-round game in 2004, is a threat running or passing. He has six receivers with at least 16 catches, a cast headed by senior standout D.J. Person.
The Raiders also feature a strong running attack with Jeremy Davis and O’Darren Gill both over 1,000 yards for the season.
The RHS defensive front four has a seven or eight-player rotation and is led by junior tackle Damien Lee, who has 10 sacks. Overall, the Rams have 34 sacks with Greg Black, Mike Brown, Jazz Totten, Travis Dean and Anthony Wooten also strong pass rushers.
Ram middle linebacker John Connally, who needs one tackle for 500 in his career, has three sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
E.J. Foster and Tayon Graves are the outside linebackers and Jordan Gunter (four interceptions), John Cooper (three interceptions), Kerry Hammock and Marcus Pickard make up the RHS secondary.
The key for the RHS defense will be containing Pugh’s scrambling and his ability to throw on the run.
The Rams come into the game healthy. Kickoff man A.J. Williams, who was questionable earlier in the week, has made progress with his thigh bruise and will be able to handle the kickoffs. His deep kicks in the first three rounds of the playoffs have helped provide Reidsville with a field position advantage.
THE COACHES: Since coming to Reidsville in 1992, coach Jimmy Teague has compiled a 180-40 record, including a 35-12 mark in the playoffs. His teams have made the playoffs every year except 1999. Southern Vance is under the direction of first-year coach Mark Perry.
TEAGUE SAYS: “Southern Vance has several quality wins. They beat Oxford Webb (which is playing Greensboro Dudley in the 3-AA East Regional tonight), Durham Hillside and they beat Northwood pretty handily last week. All of those are quality wins and indicate what kind of team they really have. And they made it all the way to the state finals a year ago, so they’ve got some experience playing in this type of game.
TEAGUE SAYS, PART II: “I think because of playing people like Cummings, we’ve got an idea of what we need to do to try to slow them down. It’s a preparation we’ve had in the past and not really new for us. We feel pretty good about what we’re going to do. When you play a team like Southern Vance, you’re not going to completely stop them but we’ve got to make them nickel and dime their way and limit the big plays.”
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE: The 2-AA title game is set for 7:30 at Carter-Finley on Saturday, Dec. 8, as the third game of a tripleheader. The 1-A game will kick off at 11 a.m. and the 2-A championship game at 3:30 p.m.
REIDSVILLE PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Rams are in the final four for the sixth straight year since the NCHSAA subdivided the four classifications in 2002. They have two state titles, one runner-up finish and two fourth-place finishes in that span.
In Reidsville playoff history, including the Golden Lion era, there have been 20 appearances in state championship games and 15 state titles.
SOUTHERN VANCE HISTORY: Southern Vance High School opened in 1990 when Henderson Vance High School was split into Southern and Northern. The Raiders have made six appearances in the NCHSAA playoffs and have an 11-6 record, highlighted by an advance to the state finals in 2006 where they lost to Shelby 27-24.
THE 2004 MEETING: Reidsville and Southern Vance met in the third round of the 2-AA playoffs and the Rams shut down the Raiders’ vaunted running game in a 50-7 victory. Southern’s Reggie Hicks, now on the team at James Madison University, entered the game with almost 2,000 yards but was held to a season-low 71 yards on 19 carries by a Reidsville defense led by Gary Pickard, Dwayne Jones, Ernest Blackwell and then freshman John Connally, who had seven tackles. Southern Vance ended its season at 12-2 while Reidsville lost in the regional final to Western Alamance the following week and finished 12-3. Jerere Pugh, then a freshman, accounted for Southern’s lone TD with a 46-yard pass.
DID YOU KNOW?: Reidsville assistant coach Al Hendricks played at Henderson Vance and was a member of the 1981 regional finalist team coached by Reidsville native Kelly Minyard.
TOP-SCORING TEAMS: Reidsville, averaging 49.5, is the top scoring team in the state in all classifications, according to statistics compiled by NCPreps.com. There are eight other schools averaging better than 40 points per game: West Montgomery (45.3), Plymouth (44.0), Mt. Airy (43.1), Pittsboro Northwood (42.4), Hickory (42.1), South Columbus (41.5), North Gaston (40.9) and Charlotte Independence (40.6).
MARGIN OF VICTORY: Reidsville leads the state in average margin of victory at 39.1. South Columbus is second with 37.0. Last week’s 57-point decision over St. Pauls was the largest playoff margin in school history. Previously, the 68-12 romp over Bandys in the 2003 championship game was at the top of that list.
STREAKS: Reidsville ranks second in the state in consecutive games not being shut out with 144. Greenville Rose tops that list with 146. Reidsville is second in games scoring in double figures with 92. Charlotte Independence leads that list with 131. The last time Reidsville was shutout was the 14-0 loss to West Brunswick in the opening round of the 1997 playoffs and the last time they were held below double digits was the 31-7 first-round playoff loss to Lincolnton in 2001.
BEST START EVER: At 14-0, the Rams are off to their best start. They can tie the school record for wins tonight. Both the 2002 and 2003 team finished 15-1. The only undefeated team in Ram history was the 1970 squad that finished 12-0-1.
RANKINGS: N.C. Preps (Baker’s Dozen) has Reidsville ranked No. 1 and Southern Vance No. 6. The Fantastic 50 2-A computer profile lists Reidsville No. 3 behind South Columbus and Shelby with Southern Vance at No. 5. Massey Ratings has Reidsville 2nd behind South Columbus and Southern Vance sixth.
PREDICTIONS: Fantastic 50 has Reidsville listed as an 8-point favorite; Massey Ratings has Reidsville favored by 14.
At stake is a trip to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh for the 2-AA state championship game against the winner of tonight’s West Regional game with Mount Pleasant (14-0) playing at Shelby (13-1).
Reidsville, which has won 15 state titles in its storied history, last appeared in the state title game in 2005 and lost to Shelby. Southern Vance made its first-ever state title appearance a year ago and also lost to Shelby.
Reidsville and Southern Vance are very similar on offense and defense.
Both operate out of the shotgun attack and have prolific, diversified offenses. On defense, both the Rams and Raiders rely on team speed to shut down opponents.
Reidsville features the field generalship of junior Ray Ray Butchee and the slashing running of senior Tayon Graves. In last week’s 63-6 romp over St. Pauls, Butchee surpassed the 4,000-yard career mark in passing and Graves went over 5,000 yards rushing.
Butchee looks to a variety of receivers led by Kerry Hammock, Mike Brown, Jarrett Barnett, Marlon Roach and Niko McGirt.
The offensive line of Phillip McLaughlin, Rashard Williamson, Jazz Totten, Devin Sessoms and Lance Spivey will hold the key to slowing a fierce Southern Vance pass rush. Raider defensive end Shelton Gill made several huge plays against Northwood last week, adding to his already impressive season resume.
Another match-up to watch will be Reidsville’s passing attack against the Raiders’ quick secondary. Butchee has thrown just four interceptions all season while Southern Vance picked off Northwood three times last week.
Reidsville’s defense will face its biggest challenge of the season as Southern Vance brings in a 33.5 average to the game. Since a 28-13 loss to 3-A Southwest Edgecombe in mid-September, the Raiders have scored no less than 26 points during its current nine-game winning streak.
Senior Jamere Pugh, who quarterbacked Southern Vance as a freshman when the Raiders came to Community Stadium for a third-round game in 2004, is a threat running or passing. He has six receivers with at least 16 catches, a cast headed by senior standout D.J. Person.
The Raiders also feature a strong running attack with Jeremy Davis and O’Darren Gill both over 1,000 yards for the season.
The RHS defensive front four has a seven or eight-player rotation and is led by junior tackle Damien Lee, who has 10 sacks. Overall, the Rams have 34 sacks with Greg Black, Mike Brown, Jazz Totten, Travis Dean and Anthony Wooten also strong pass rushers.
Ram middle linebacker John Connally, who needs one tackle for 500 in his career, has three sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
E.J. Foster and Tayon Graves are the outside linebackers and Jordan Gunter (four interceptions), John Cooper (three interceptions), Kerry Hammock and Marcus Pickard make up the RHS secondary.
The key for the RHS defense will be containing Pugh’s scrambling and his ability to throw on the run.
The Rams come into the game healthy. Kickoff man A.J. Williams, who was questionable earlier in the week, has made progress with his thigh bruise and will be able to handle the kickoffs. His deep kicks in the first three rounds of the playoffs have helped provide Reidsville with a field position advantage.
THE COACHES: Since coming to Reidsville in 1992, coach Jimmy Teague has compiled a 180-40 record, including a 35-12 mark in the playoffs. His teams have made the playoffs every year except 1999. Southern Vance is under the direction of first-year coach Mark Perry.
TEAGUE SAYS: “Southern Vance has several quality wins. They beat Oxford Webb (which is playing Greensboro Dudley in the 3-AA East Regional tonight), Durham Hillside and they beat Northwood pretty handily last week. All of those are quality wins and indicate what kind of team they really have. And they made it all the way to the state finals a year ago, so they’ve got some experience playing in this type of game.
TEAGUE SAYS, PART II: “I think because of playing people like Cummings, we’ve got an idea of what we need to do to try to slow them down. It’s a preparation we’ve had in the past and not really new for us. We feel pretty good about what we’re going to do. When you play a team like Southern Vance, you’re not going to completely stop them but we’ve got to make them nickel and dime their way and limit the big plays.”
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE: The 2-AA title game is set for 7:30 at Carter-Finley on Saturday, Dec. 8, as the third game of a tripleheader. The 1-A game will kick off at 11 a.m. and the 2-A championship game at 3:30 p.m.
REIDSVILLE PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Rams are in the final four for the sixth straight year since the NCHSAA subdivided the four classifications in 2002. They have two state titles, one runner-up finish and two fourth-place finishes in that span.
In Reidsville playoff history, including the Golden Lion era, there have been 20 appearances in state championship games and 15 state titles.
SOUTHERN VANCE HISTORY: Southern Vance High School opened in 1990 when Henderson Vance High School was split into Southern and Northern. The Raiders have made six appearances in the NCHSAA playoffs and have an 11-6 record, highlighted by an advance to the state finals in 2006 where they lost to Shelby 27-24.
THE 2004 MEETING: Reidsville and Southern Vance met in the third round of the 2-AA playoffs and the Rams shut down the Raiders’ vaunted running game in a 50-7 victory. Southern’s Reggie Hicks, now on the team at James Madison University, entered the game with almost 2,000 yards but was held to a season-low 71 yards on 19 carries by a Reidsville defense led by Gary Pickard, Dwayne Jones, Ernest Blackwell and then freshman John Connally, who had seven tackles. Southern Vance ended its season at 12-2 while Reidsville lost in the regional final to Western Alamance the following week and finished 12-3. Jerere Pugh, then a freshman, accounted for Southern’s lone TD with a 46-yard pass.
DID YOU KNOW?: Reidsville assistant coach Al Hendricks played at Henderson Vance and was a member of the 1981 regional finalist team coached by Reidsville native Kelly Minyard.
TOP-SCORING TEAMS: Reidsville, averaging 49.5, is the top scoring team in the state in all classifications, according to statistics compiled by NCPreps.com. There are eight other schools averaging better than 40 points per game: West Montgomery (45.3), Plymouth (44.0), Mt. Airy (43.1), Pittsboro Northwood (42.4), Hickory (42.1), South Columbus (41.5), North Gaston (40.9) and Charlotte Independence (40.6).
MARGIN OF VICTORY: Reidsville leads the state in average margin of victory at 39.1. South Columbus is second with 37.0. Last week’s 57-point decision over St. Pauls was the largest playoff margin in school history. Previously, the 68-12 romp over Bandys in the 2003 championship game was at the top of that list.
STREAKS: Reidsville ranks second in the state in consecutive games not being shut out with 144. Greenville Rose tops that list with 146. Reidsville is second in games scoring in double figures with 92. Charlotte Independence leads that list with 131. The last time Reidsville was shutout was the 14-0 loss to West Brunswick in the opening round of the 1997 playoffs and the last time they were held below double digits was the 31-7 first-round playoff loss to Lincolnton in 2001.
BEST START EVER: At 14-0, the Rams are off to their best start. They can tie the school record for wins tonight. Both the 2002 and 2003 team finished 15-1. The only undefeated team in Ram history was the 1970 squad that finished 12-0-1.
RANKINGS: N.C. Preps (Baker’s Dozen) has Reidsville ranked No. 1 and Southern Vance No. 6. The Fantastic 50 2-A computer profile lists Reidsville No. 3 behind South Columbus and Shelby with Southern Vance at No. 5. Massey Ratings has Reidsville 2nd behind South Columbus and Southern Vance sixth.
PREDICTIONS: Fantastic 50 has Reidsville listed as an 8-point favorite; Massey Ratings has Reidsville favored by 14.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Information on Friday night's RHS playoff game
Rams pre-game tailgate party set for Friday
Reidsville High School’s Community Stadium will again play host to a Reidsville Rams pre-game tailgate part from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday night – prior to the team’s state semifinal playoff game.
Tickets to the tailgate will be $5 in advance and $6 on Friday.
Those in attendance will get chili or a half-dozen chicken wings, chips, drink and a dessert.
Proceeds will go toward the Reidsville swimming teams, girls’ softball, wrestling, cheerleading and SGA (Student Government Association).
For more information, call Don or Arleen Settles (342-2690), Caroline or Ken McKinney (432-4839), Dr. John Ferguson (342-6063, weekdays), Mike Armstrong (349-6361), Marie Connally (349-6361), Wanda Totten (951-4510).
Tickets for Friday’s game on sale at RHS
Tickets for Friday’s game are also being sold this week at the high school’s main office.
Tickets are $6 in advance at $7 at the game. They will remain on sale through noon on Friday.
For more information on tickets, call the school at 349-6361.
Reidsville High School’s Community Stadium will again play host to a Reidsville Rams pre-game tailgate part from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday night – prior to the team’s state semifinal playoff game.
Tickets to the tailgate will be $5 in advance and $6 on Friday.
Those in attendance will get chili or a half-dozen chicken wings, chips, drink and a dessert.
Proceeds will go toward the Reidsville swimming teams, girls’ softball, wrestling, cheerleading and SGA (Student Government Association).
For more information, call Don or Arleen Settles (342-2690), Caroline or Ken McKinney (432-4839), Dr. John Ferguson (342-6063, weekdays), Mike Armstrong (349-6361), Marie Connally (349-6361), Wanda Totten (951-4510).
Tickets for Friday’s game on sale at RHS
Tickets for Friday’s game are also being sold this week at the high school’s main office.
Tickets are $6 in advance at $7 at the game. They will remain on sale through noon on Friday.
For more information on tickets, call the school at 349-6361.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
One-loss Southern Vance stands between Rams and state title shot
By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
Three down and one to go for the Reidsville Rams, who are one win away from their 21st appearance in a state championship game. In the Rams' rearview mirror are three teams - St. Pauls, Cedar Ridge and Orange, who have learned the hard way that speed kills.
In addition to Reidsville's 165-30 advantage in the playoffs, the Rams have not allowed a single point (126-0) during the first halves of those three games.
Welcome into Community Stadium, Southern Vance (13-1) - winners over Northwood, 33-15 Friday night in a 2-AA Eastern quarterfinals contest.
The Raiders, the No. 2 seed in the east, were impressive on both sides of the ball, limiting Northwood running back and North Carolina State-bound Tobias Palmer to 25 yards on 14 carries.
Northwood's 15 points were a season-low. The Chargers had not been held to under 30 points all season.
Southern Vance's defense limited Northwood to 171 yards of total offense.
Raider head coach Mark Perry spoke highly of his team's next opponent - the Rams.
"We'll be on the road next week in Reidsville," said Perry to the Henderson Dispatch. "...Somebody will go home and somebody will go on to the state championship game. That's a powerhouse up there. They're a tremendous football team."
The lone Raiders loss came in week five, a 28-13 loss to Southwest Edgecombe. On the season, Southern Vance has outscored its opponents, 469-216 (33.5-15.4). In their playoff run, the Raiders have been equally impressive. In addition to the win over Northwood, the Raiders beat Richland (47-14) and West Stanly (44-14).
Friday's win over the Chargers was led offensively by Southern Vance's rushing attack that produced 200 yards on 42 attempts (4.7 per attempt). Jeremy Davis gained 71 yards on 16 carries and scored once, but O'Darren Gill accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and 117 yards of total offense.
Gill (5-10, 165, Sr.) scored on runs of 58 and 10 yards and also hauled in a 24-yards touchdown pass from quarterback Jamere Pugh.
Pugh (5-10, 160, Sr.) was 8 of 16 passing for 140 yards and two TDs. His other touchdown pass - a 17-yarder to Rashod Campbell (6-0, 175, Sr.) - closed out the third quarter scoring.
The Raiders outscored the Chargers, 14-0 in the third quarter.
Southern Vance also intercepted Northwood QB Joaquin Green two times. Patrick Crews (5-11, 160, Jr.) hauled in two interceptions and Daric Hawkins (6-1, 160, Sr.) added the other. Palmer attempted one pass, but it was intercepted.
According to the Henderson Dispatch, it was the relentless pressure of junior defensive end Shelton Gill (6-1, 190, Jr.) that created the most problems for the Chargers' passing attack. Gill also blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half.
The FG would have cut Southern's lead to 12-10. Instead, the Raiders took a 12-7 lead into the intermission.
Green was just 9 of 19 passing for 99 yards.
The Raiders, champions of the Northern Carolina 2-A Conference, enter Friday's semifinal game riding a nine-game winning streak.
Reidsville, which has outscored its opponents 693-146, is averaging 49.5 points per game.
Rams running back Tayon Graves eclipsed the 5,000-yard rushing mark Friday night - finishing with 168 yards. Graves currently has 5,092 for his career to go along with 85 touchdowns.
Friday's winner will meet the winner of No. 2 Mount Pleasant (14-0) and No. 1 Shelby (13-1) in next Saturday's 2-AA NCHSAA State Championship game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mount Pleasant edged North Lincoln 18-13 on Friday and Shelby defeated Pisgah, 40-14.
It was Shelby who defeated the Rams in the 2005 NCHSAA State Championship.
Reidsville and Southern Vance have met once before, a 50-7 Reidsville victory in the 2004 state playoffs. Pugh, this year's Viking QB, was a freshman starter in that game.
Southern Vance at a Glance
Opponent Score
Dur. Hillside W, 26-16
S. Granville W, 35-32, OT
Webb W, 37-27
N. Vance W, 21-9
SW Edgecomb L, 28-13
N. Nash W, 34-9
Bunn W, 26-14
Roanoke Rapids W, 43-15
NW Halifax W, 35-0
Warren Co. W, 34-9
Franklinton W, 41-14
2-AA State Playoffs
W. Stanly W, 44-14
Richlands W, 47-14
Northwood W, 33-15
Sports Editor
Three down and one to go for the Reidsville Rams, who are one win away from their 21st appearance in a state championship game. In the Rams' rearview mirror are three teams - St. Pauls, Cedar Ridge and Orange, who have learned the hard way that speed kills.
In addition to Reidsville's 165-30 advantage in the playoffs, the Rams have not allowed a single point (126-0) during the first halves of those three games.
Welcome into Community Stadium, Southern Vance (13-1) - winners over Northwood, 33-15 Friday night in a 2-AA Eastern quarterfinals contest.
The Raiders, the No. 2 seed in the east, were impressive on both sides of the ball, limiting Northwood running back and North Carolina State-bound Tobias Palmer to 25 yards on 14 carries.
Northwood's 15 points were a season-low. The Chargers had not been held to under 30 points all season.
Southern Vance's defense limited Northwood to 171 yards of total offense.
Raider head coach Mark Perry spoke highly of his team's next opponent - the Rams.
"We'll be on the road next week in Reidsville," said Perry to the Henderson Dispatch. "...Somebody will go home and somebody will go on to the state championship game. That's a powerhouse up there. They're a tremendous football team."
The lone Raiders loss came in week five, a 28-13 loss to Southwest Edgecombe. On the season, Southern Vance has outscored its opponents, 469-216 (33.5-15.4). In their playoff run, the Raiders have been equally impressive. In addition to the win over Northwood, the Raiders beat Richland (47-14) and West Stanly (44-14).
Friday's win over the Chargers was led offensively by Southern Vance's rushing attack that produced 200 yards on 42 attempts (4.7 per attempt). Jeremy Davis gained 71 yards on 16 carries and scored once, but O'Darren Gill accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and 117 yards of total offense.
Gill (5-10, 165, Sr.) scored on runs of 58 and 10 yards and also hauled in a 24-yards touchdown pass from quarterback Jamere Pugh.
Pugh (5-10, 160, Sr.) was 8 of 16 passing for 140 yards and two TDs. His other touchdown pass - a 17-yarder to Rashod Campbell (6-0, 175, Sr.) - closed out the third quarter scoring.
The Raiders outscored the Chargers, 14-0 in the third quarter.
Southern Vance also intercepted Northwood QB Joaquin Green two times. Patrick Crews (5-11, 160, Jr.) hauled in two interceptions and Daric Hawkins (6-1, 160, Sr.) added the other. Palmer attempted one pass, but it was intercepted.
According to the Henderson Dispatch, it was the relentless pressure of junior defensive end Shelton Gill (6-1, 190, Jr.) that created the most problems for the Chargers' passing attack. Gill also blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half.
The FG would have cut Southern's lead to 12-10. Instead, the Raiders took a 12-7 lead into the intermission.
Green was just 9 of 19 passing for 99 yards.
The Raiders, champions of the Northern Carolina 2-A Conference, enter Friday's semifinal game riding a nine-game winning streak.
Reidsville, which has outscored its opponents 693-146, is averaging 49.5 points per game.
Rams running back Tayon Graves eclipsed the 5,000-yard rushing mark Friday night - finishing with 168 yards. Graves currently has 5,092 for his career to go along with 85 touchdowns.
Friday's winner will meet the winner of No. 2 Mount Pleasant (14-0) and No. 1 Shelby (13-1) in next Saturday's 2-AA NCHSAA State Championship game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mount Pleasant edged North Lincoln 18-13 on Friday and Shelby defeated Pisgah, 40-14.
It was Shelby who defeated the Rams in the 2005 NCHSAA State Championship.
Reidsville and Southern Vance have met once before, a 50-7 Reidsville victory in the 2004 state playoffs. Pugh, this year's Viking QB, was a freshman starter in that game.
Southern Vance at a Glance
Opponent Score
Dur. Hillside W, 26-16
S. Granville W, 35-32, OT
Webb W, 37-27
N. Vance W, 21-9
SW Edgecomb L, 28-13
N. Nash W, 34-9
Bunn W, 26-14
Roanoke Rapids W, 43-15
NW Halifax W, 35-0
Warren Co. W, 34-9
Franklinton W, 41-14
2-AA State Playoffs
W. Stanly W, 44-14
Richlands W, 47-14
Northwood W, 33-15
Friday, November 23, 2007
'Butter' Williams held in check
First I want to thank the 18 people that voted in our poll about how many yards St. Pauls' Bernard 'Butter' Williams would rush for Friday night.
Williams was held to 64 yards on 16 carries and 55 percent of those who voted selected between 50 and 100 yards.
Nice job!
Williams was held to 64 yards on 16 carries and 55 percent of those who voted selected between 50 and 100 yards.
Nice job!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
For the sixth year in a row and the 13th time overall, the Reidsville Rams will be hosting a prep football game on Thanksgiving weekend. This year the Rams will host St. Pauls at Community Stadium in a NCHSAA 2-AA quarterfinal playoff game.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools and the 74th different opponent to battle the Rams.
"It's fun to be playing this time of the year," said Reidsville head coach Jimmy Teague from his home Tuesday night. "Everyone associates Thanksgiving with football and there's a lot at stake right now."Teague said heading into the team's 2006 Thanksgiving weekend game, "home field advantage is a big factor, especially around this one [weekend]."
The Rams' first taste of turkey and football took place in 1969 when Reidsville defeated Mount Airy, 35-12 to win the Western 3-A Championship. One year later, the Rams defeated Pisgah, 10-7 at Kiker Stadium to repeat as state champion.It took 20 years for Reidsville to appear in another Thanksgiving weekend game.
In 1990, the Rams lost a 21-16 thriller to Southern Nash - the first of three straight 'turkey weekend' losses.
Reidsville got back on track in 1998 with one of its two most dramatic and memorable Thanksgiving weekend wins.
The Rams scored a 34-33 win over two-time defending state champion Clinton and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker. The other win was last season's 30-29 last-second victory over Newton-Conover, when many of the Ram faithful had made their way to the parking lot in the face of defeat.
Following a loss to Southwest Onslow (47-13) in 2000, the Rams have gone on their current five-game Thanksgiving weekend winning streak. Reidsville's 1998 win over Clinton was special because the Rams had their championship hopes dashed three previous times in the decade in the third round.
The win, at that time, got Reidsville to its furthest point in the state playoffs since the 1970 Western 3-A State Championship - won by the Rams, 10-7 over Pisgah.Trailing 21-14 late in the first half, the Rams got a second quarter touchdown pass from Josh Duncan to Kenyon Laughlin (11 yards) that tied the game at 21-21 heading into halftime.
Clinton, despite 401 yards rushing - 203 from Parker on 25 carries, could not overcome three fumbles.The Rams won although they were outgained, 475-339. Victor Slade's nine-yard touchdown run and a 19-yard touchdown reception by Isaiah Robinson from Duncan gave the Rams a 34-27 lead. Duncan was 12 for 22 for 239 yards and three touchdowns. With 2:03 remaining, Clinton turned a Reidsville interception into a Bryan Peterson TD run and narrowed the deficit to 34-33.
Having already missed one extra point earlier in the game, Brent McGirt missed wide right on the game-tying PAT - due to a low snap from center. McGirt had converted 29 straight heading into the game.
"Their three turnovers helped a great deal," said Teague, following the game. "We never stopped them but two or three times; they stopped themselves."
Clinton, which had won 20 straight games, finished the season at 12-1.Reidsville, which is in search of its 16th state championship and 21st state championship appearance, found itself in another historic game last season.
Newton-Conover stood toe to toe with the Rams on a muddy Community Stadium field in the 2006 quarterfinal playoff game. A 16-point third quarter got the Red Devils back into the contest (leading 23-17), after falling behind early 14-0.
With 4:31 left in the game, Reidsville led 24-23 following a one-yard plunge from quarterback Ray Ray Butchee. Marc Tuttle added his third extra point to go along with a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The Red Devils answered back with a Devon Danner 25-yard TD run that came with just 1:34 left. After a pair of big catches from Julius Graves that got the Rams into Newton territory, Graves was hit from behind and fumbled, turning the ball over to N-C with 56 seconds left on the clock.
At that point, Ram fans headed for the parking lot, the Newton-Conover band began to play "Na na na na, hey, hey, hey goodbye" and the P.A. announcer at the Burlington Cummings game announced that Newton-Conover would battle their Cavaliers the following week. That's when the "Miracle in the Mud" happened.
With a 29-24 lead, the Red Devils had the ball at their own 45. Reidsville had its full allotment of timeouts; prompting N-C head coach Nick Bazzle to try to run for the first down instead of taking three kneel-downs and punting. After two plays netted the Red Devils four yards, the visitors were faced with a third and six from N-C 49.
With 43 seconds left on the clock, Newton fullback Brian Sullivan was stacked up at the line of scrimmage by E.J. Foster, Larry Blackwell and Kwame Graves. Just then, Reidsville linebacker John Connally yanked the ball out and raced down to the N-C 2-yard line. Butchee scored on the next play, giving the Rams an improbable 30-29 lead.
Jordan Gunter intercepted Danner on the Red Devils' last-ditch effort and the Rams were on to the state semifinals.
"You can't play in a better atmosphere than we played tonight," said Teague following last year's game. "That's what high school football is all about."Like in 1998, the opposing team's fumbles - two by Newton-Conover - helped the Rams record their dramatic victories.
Reidsville is 8-4 all-time on Thanksgiving weekend.
Sports Editor
For the sixth year in a row and the 13th time overall, the Reidsville Rams will be hosting a prep football game on Thanksgiving weekend. This year the Rams will host St. Pauls at Community Stadium in a NCHSAA 2-AA quarterfinal playoff game.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools and the 74th different opponent to battle the Rams.
"It's fun to be playing this time of the year," said Reidsville head coach Jimmy Teague from his home Tuesday night. "Everyone associates Thanksgiving with football and there's a lot at stake right now."Teague said heading into the team's 2006 Thanksgiving weekend game, "home field advantage is a big factor, especially around this one [weekend]."
The Rams' first taste of turkey and football took place in 1969 when Reidsville defeated Mount Airy, 35-12 to win the Western 3-A Championship. One year later, the Rams defeated Pisgah, 10-7 at Kiker Stadium to repeat as state champion.It took 20 years for Reidsville to appear in another Thanksgiving weekend game.
In 1990, the Rams lost a 21-16 thriller to Southern Nash - the first of three straight 'turkey weekend' losses.
Reidsville got back on track in 1998 with one of its two most dramatic and memorable Thanksgiving weekend wins.
The Rams scored a 34-33 win over two-time defending state champion Clinton and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker. The other win was last season's 30-29 last-second victory over Newton-Conover, when many of the Ram faithful had made their way to the parking lot in the face of defeat.
Following a loss to Southwest Onslow (47-13) in 2000, the Rams have gone on their current five-game Thanksgiving weekend winning streak. Reidsville's 1998 win over Clinton was special because the Rams had their championship hopes dashed three previous times in the decade in the third round.
The win, at that time, got Reidsville to its furthest point in the state playoffs since the 1970 Western 3-A State Championship - won by the Rams, 10-7 over Pisgah.Trailing 21-14 late in the first half, the Rams got a second quarter touchdown pass from Josh Duncan to Kenyon Laughlin (11 yards) that tied the game at 21-21 heading into halftime.
Clinton, despite 401 yards rushing - 203 from Parker on 25 carries, could not overcome three fumbles.The Rams won although they were outgained, 475-339. Victor Slade's nine-yard touchdown run and a 19-yard touchdown reception by Isaiah Robinson from Duncan gave the Rams a 34-27 lead. Duncan was 12 for 22 for 239 yards and three touchdowns. With 2:03 remaining, Clinton turned a Reidsville interception into a Bryan Peterson TD run and narrowed the deficit to 34-33.
Having already missed one extra point earlier in the game, Brent McGirt missed wide right on the game-tying PAT - due to a low snap from center. McGirt had converted 29 straight heading into the game.
"Their three turnovers helped a great deal," said Teague, following the game. "We never stopped them but two or three times; they stopped themselves."
Clinton, which had won 20 straight games, finished the season at 12-1.Reidsville, which is in search of its 16th state championship and 21st state championship appearance, found itself in another historic game last season.
Newton-Conover stood toe to toe with the Rams on a muddy Community Stadium field in the 2006 quarterfinal playoff game. A 16-point third quarter got the Red Devils back into the contest (leading 23-17), after falling behind early 14-0.
With 4:31 left in the game, Reidsville led 24-23 following a one-yard plunge from quarterback Ray Ray Butchee. Marc Tuttle added his third extra point to go along with a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The Red Devils answered back with a Devon Danner 25-yard TD run that came with just 1:34 left. After a pair of big catches from Julius Graves that got the Rams into Newton territory, Graves was hit from behind and fumbled, turning the ball over to N-C with 56 seconds left on the clock.
At that point, Ram fans headed for the parking lot, the Newton-Conover band began to play "Na na na na, hey, hey, hey goodbye" and the P.A. announcer at the Burlington Cummings game announced that Newton-Conover would battle their Cavaliers the following week. That's when the "Miracle in the Mud" happened.
With a 29-24 lead, the Red Devils had the ball at their own 45. Reidsville had its full allotment of timeouts; prompting N-C head coach Nick Bazzle to try to run for the first down instead of taking three kneel-downs and punting. After two plays netted the Red Devils four yards, the visitors were faced with a third and six from N-C 49.
With 43 seconds left on the clock, Newton fullback Brian Sullivan was stacked up at the line of scrimmage by E.J. Foster, Larry Blackwell and Kwame Graves. Just then, Reidsville linebacker John Connally yanked the ball out and raced down to the N-C 2-yard line. Butchee scored on the next play, giving the Rams an improbable 30-29 lead.
Jordan Gunter intercepted Danner on the Red Devils' last-ditch effort and the Rams were on to the state semifinals.
"You can't play in a better atmosphere than we played tonight," said Teague following last year's game. "That's what high school football is all about."Like in 1998, the opposing team's fumbles - two by Newton-Conover - helped the Rams record their dramatic victories.
Reidsville is 8-4 all-time on Thanksgiving weekend.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Splitting divisions
“Why would you have eight playoffs?” It was question posed by our boss, Editor John Trump, the other day. They do things differently here in the Ol’ North State than they do in Steelers country where he’s from.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has four classifications for high school football teams during the regular season. However, they divide those up again come playoff season so there are eight classifications – the NCHSAA does not refer to them as divisions.
Thing is, if you’re in the 2A classification in the regular season you will play the let’s say Bulls as an example. But when the playoffs come around and they split those classes the Bulls may be in the 2AA class while you’re in the 2A.
All of the classifications are based on schools average daily attendance. NCHSAA Associate Executive Director Rick Strunk said there is a major difference in the size of a school ranked at the top of the 1A class versus a school ranked at the top of the 1AA.
The NCHSAA evaluates classifications every four years and adjust during that time for new schools. Because the NCHSAA is a membership organization the schools help determine the system.
Still, it’s okay during the regular season so why not in the playoffs. What can happen is your Bears may defeat the bigger Bulls team in a truly amazing regular season game. The two teams perform really well for the rest of the season but then when the playoffs come around and you should have a chance to knock those guys out….you have to settle with for some other rivalry.
This week as we worked on our next slideshow installment, this time focusing on the fans, two things kept coming up. Rams fans love their team’s winning legacy and their rivalries. Our question is, how would either of those be affected if the regular season classifications remained in place during the playoff season?
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has four classifications for high school football teams during the regular season. However, they divide those up again come playoff season so there are eight classifications – the NCHSAA does not refer to them as divisions.
Thing is, if you’re in the 2A classification in the regular season you will play the let’s say Bulls as an example. But when the playoffs come around and they split those classes the Bulls may be in the 2AA class while you’re in the 2A.
All of the classifications are based on schools average daily attendance. NCHSAA Associate Executive Director Rick Strunk said there is a major difference in the size of a school ranked at the top of the 1A class versus a school ranked at the top of the 1AA.
The NCHSAA evaluates classifications every four years and adjust during that time for new schools. Because the NCHSAA is a membership organization the schools help determine the system.
Still, it’s okay during the regular season so why not in the playoffs. What can happen is your Bears may defeat the bigger Bulls team in a truly amazing regular season game. The two teams perform really well for the rest of the season but then when the playoffs come around and you should have a chance to knock those guys out….you have to settle with for some other rivalry.
This week as we worked on our next slideshow installment, this time focusing on the fans, two things kept coming up. Rams fans love their team’s winning legacy and their rivalries. Our question is, how would either of those be affected if the regular season classifications remained in place during the playoff season?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Rams take liking to playing on Thanksgiving weekend
Rams on Thanksgiving Weekend
Year Opp. Score
1969 Mt. Airy 35-12
1970 Pisgah 10-7
1990 S. Nash 16-21
1993 W. Brunswick 3-21
1996 Ragsdale 21-24
1998 Clinton 34-33
2000 SW Onslow 21-48
2002 W. Alamance 47-13
2003 W. Alamance 51-33
2004 So. Vance 50-7
2005 Cummings 21-7
2006 Newton-Conover 30-29
8-4 all-time on Thanksgiving Friday
Year Opp. Score
1969 Mt. Airy 35-12
1970 Pisgah 10-7
1990 S. Nash 16-21
1993 W. Brunswick 3-21
1996 Ragsdale 21-24
1998 Clinton 34-33
2000 SW Onslow 21-48
2002 W. Alamance 47-13
2003 W. Alamance 51-33
2004 So. Vance 50-7
2005 Cummings 21-7
2006 Newton-Conover 30-29
8-4 all-time on Thanksgiving Friday
Monday, November 19, 2007
Ram Thanksgiving week schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Practice 3:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Practice 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, No. 22 (Thanksgiving Day)
Practice 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.
Friday, No. 23
Home vs. St. Pauls (playoffs) - 7:30 p.m.
Practice 3:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Practice 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, No. 22 (Thanksgiving Day)
Practice 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.
Friday, No. 23
Home vs. St. Pauls (playoffs) - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Rams send Cedar Ridge packing
On the heels of Friday night’s 54-12 romp of Cedar Ridge, the Reidsville Rams will now welcome St. Pauls into Community Stadium Friday night in the 2-AA quarterfinals of the NCHSAA prep football playoffs.
St. Pauls, a No. 4 seed, knocked off Southern Guilford 43-27 Friday night in its second-round game.
The Rams, who jumped out to a 35-0 first-quarter lead, were led by Ray Ray Butchee’s 213 yards passing and two touchdowns on just eight completions (8 for 10).
Mike Brown hauled in two catches – both touchdowns – for 102 yards.
Friday’s game will mark the 13th time the Rams will play a football game on Thanksgiving weekend.
Last year’s dramatic 30-29 win over Newton-Conover improved Reidsville’s Thanksgiv-ing record to 8-4.
The Rams will be playing in their sixth straight Thanksgiving weekend game.
Reidsville senior running back Tayon Graves finished the night with 71 yards and three touchdowns – leaving him 76 yards shy of 5,000 yards for his career. Graves now has 32 touchdowns for the season, his highest total ever.
Friday’s game with St. Pauls (9-4) gets under way at 7:30 p.m.
St. Pauls, a No. 4 seed, knocked off Southern Guilford 43-27 Friday night in its second-round game.
The Rams, who jumped out to a 35-0 first-quarter lead, were led by Ray Ray Butchee’s 213 yards passing and two touchdowns on just eight completions (8 for 10).
Mike Brown hauled in two catches – both touchdowns – for 102 yards.
Friday’s game will mark the 13th time the Rams will play a football game on Thanksgiving weekend.
Last year’s dramatic 30-29 win over Newton-Conover improved Reidsville’s Thanksgiv-ing record to 8-4.
The Rams will be playing in their sixth straight Thanksgiving weekend game.
Reidsville senior running back Tayon Graves finished the night with 71 yards and three touchdowns – leaving him 76 yards shy of 5,000 yards for his career. Graves now has 32 touchdowns for the season, his highest total ever.
Friday’s game with St. Pauls (9-4) gets under way at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ram Playoff Notes
The Reidsville Rams will play their 58th playoff game when another Hillsborough team - Cedar Ridge comes into Community Stadium tonight... The Rams, who are 40-17 all time, enter tonight's game 12-0, No. 1 in the NCHSAA 2-A state poll, No. 1 again according to www.masseyratings.com's 2-A classification and the top seed in the 2-AA East Regional bracket... The last Reidsville 12-0 start came in 1993... Cedar Ridge opened its doors in 2002, so tonight's meeting will be the first ever between the two... The Red Wolves are the 73rd different team to face the Rams all-time... Head coach Jimmy Teague, who is 178-40 (.817) all-time at Reidsville, has guided the Rams to a 32-12 (.727) playoff mark... Over the past five seasons, Teague's teams have won 21 of the last 24 playoff games (.875)... Four of Reidsville's 11 regular-season opponents this year are in still alive in playoff action tonight - Northeast Guilford, Southern Guilford, Winston-Salem Atkins and Burlington Cummings... Wilmington Hoggard (1) and Scotland County (11) - both 4-A schools - are the two teams the Rams scrimmaged back in August and those two are in action tonight... The Red Wolves are led by Domonic Currie, referred to as one of the best running backs in the Hillsborough area... Currie has rushed for 1,793 yards and 19 touchdowns this season for the Cedar Ridge (7-5).... Reidsville running back Tayon Graves is just 147 yards shy of 5,000 for his career... Only two running backs - McMichael's Kenny Harris and Southern Guilford's William Graves - have gone over 100 yards against the Rams' defense, which is allowing 175.1 yards per game and 10.7 points per game to its opposition...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Rams prepare for yet another tough RB
By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
On their way to a perfect 12-0 record, the Reidsville Rams have made a very good living shutting down featured running backs. Friday night will be another challenge for the Rams, who will play host to the second round of the state 2-AA playoffs at Community Stadium.
Cedar Ridge, which knocked off Warren County, 31-18 Friday night, will showcase Domonic Currie and pit him against a defense that has allowed 175.1 yards per game and 10.7 points per game to its opposition.
Currie, referred to as one of the best running backs in the Hillsborough area, has rushed for 1,425 yards and 17 touchdowns this season for the Red Wolves (7-5).
So far this season, Reidsville has put the clamps of such running backs as KaShaun Johnson (Morehead), Audi Smith (Cummings), J.R. McGee (Rockingham County), Kendall Bratcher (Northeast Guilford), Jonathan Adams (West Stokes), Gerrod Herbin (Eastern Guilford) and Mike Williams (Orange).
In Friday's win over Warren County, Currie rushed 30 times for 209 yards and scored four times. The Red Wolves also got a 22-yard field from Jeremy Gerlach, who was 4 for 4 in point after attempts.
Through 12 games this season, the Rams have only allowed two 100-yard rushers - William Graves (Southern Guilford) and Kenny Harris (McMichael).
Orange attempted to bring its one-dimensional Wing-T offense into Reidsville and found out how difficult it was to handle the Rams' defense. The Panthers were held to 116 yards on 51 carries (2.3 per rush) and Williams was held to 10 yards on 13 attempts.
Through the air against Warren County, Cedar Ridge was 3 of 6 passing for minus-five yards. The Red Wolves are quarterbacked by Alex Gregory.
Gregory, in the regular season finale against Orange (won by Orange, 15-14), was 7 of 18, but for just 44 yards. Currie rushed for 144 yards on 25 attempts in the loss.
Cedar Ridge's season did not get off to the start the Red Wolves had hoped it would. At least that's what it looked like. Cedar lost to Chapel Hill in its opener, but it was found Chapel Hill had an ineligible player the Red Wolves went from 0-1 to 1-0. Three more wins moved the team to 4-0 heading into a date with Eastern Guilford. The Red Wolves dropped back-to-back games with Eastern Guilford and Eastern Alamance before rebounding with wins over Cardinal Gibbons and Graham.
A late-season three-game slide (Cummings, Northwood and Orange) put Cedar Ridge at 6-5, but in the playoffs.
The Red Wolves have allowed just 203 points all season (16.9 per game), but the offense has not posted gaudy numbers, scoring 230 points in 12 games (19.2).
Reidsville, with one of the best scoring teams in the state, has piled up 576 points (48.0) and has not been held to under 30 points since last season's state semifinal loss to Cummings.
Following the team's win over Warren County, Cedar Ridge head coach Lou Geary told the Henderson Dispatch, "to tell you the truth, we're just happy to be in the playoffs. We had lost three games in a row on a downward spiral, but things were clicking for us tonight."
Warren County had the more balanced offense, rushing for 160 yards and passing for 191, but all three Currie touchdowns came before halftime as the Red Wolves built a 21-12 lead.
Geary also told the Dispatch, "we're going against the number one team and we feel like if you're going to be a championship quality team, you have to go up against those guys. We hope we can go up there and have a good showing and who knows what can happen."
The winner of Friday's game will face either St. Pauls or Southern Guilford in next week's quarterfinals. The Rams defeated the Storm, 46-14 three weeks ago.
All-time, Reidsville is 7-6 against Southern Guilford. The Rams have never faced St. Pauls in football.
Sports Editor
On their way to a perfect 12-0 record, the Reidsville Rams have made a very good living shutting down featured running backs. Friday night will be another challenge for the Rams, who will play host to the second round of the state 2-AA playoffs at Community Stadium.
Cedar Ridge, which knocked off Warren County, 31-18 Friday night, will showcase Domonic Currie and pit him against a defense that has allowed 175.1 yards per game and 10.7 points per game to its opposition.
Currie, referred to as one of the best running backs in the Hillsborough area, has rushed for 1,425 yards and 17 touchdowns this season for the Red Wolves (7-5).
So far this season, Reidsville has put the clamps of such running backs as KaShaun Johnson (Morehead), Audi Smith (Cummings), J.R. McGee (Rockingham County), Kendall Bratcher (Northeast Guilford), Jonathan Adams (West Stokes), Gerrod Herbin (Eastern Guilford) and Mike Williams (Orange).
In Friday's win over Warren County, Currie rushed 30 times for 209 yards and scored four times. The Red Wolves also got a 22-yard field from Jeremy Gerlach, who was 4 for 4 in point after attempts.
Through 12 games this season, the Rams have only allowed two 100-yard rushers - William Graves (Southern Guilford) and Kenny Harris (McMichael).
Orange attempted to bring its one-dimensional Wing-T offense into Reidsville and found out how difficult it was to handle the Rams' defense. The Panthers were held to 116 yards on 51 carries (2.3 per rush) and Williams was held to 10 yards on 13 attempts.
Through the air against Warren County, Cedar Ridge was 3 of 6 passing for minus-five yards. The Red Wolves are quarterbacked by Alex Gregory.
Gregory, in the regular season finale against Orange (won by Orange, 15-14), was 7 of 18, but for just 44 yards. Currie rushed for 144 yards on 25 attempts in the loss.
Cedar Ridge's season did not get off to the start the Red Wolves had hoped it would. At least that's what it looked like. Cedar lost to Chapel Hill in its opener, but it was found Chapel Hill had an ineligible player the Red Wolves went from 0-1 to 1-0. Three more wins moved the team to 4-0 heading into a date with Eastern Guilford. The Red Wolves dropped back-to-back games with Eastern Guilford and Eastern Alamance before rebounding with wins over Cardinal Gibbons and Graham.
A late-season three-game slide (Cummings, Northwood and Orange) put Cedar Ridge at 6-5, but in the playoffs.
The Red Wolves have allowed just 203 points all season (16.9 per game), but the offense has not posted gaudy numbers, scoring 230 points in 12 games (19.2).
Reidsville, with one of the best scoring teams in the state, has piled up 576 points (48.0) and has not been held to under 30 points since last season's state semifinal loss to Cummings.
Following the team's win over Warren County, Cedar Ridge head coach Lou Geary told the Henderson Dispatch, "to tell you the truth, we're just happy to be in the playoffs. We had lost three games in a row on a downward spiral, but things were clicking for us tonight."
Warren County had the more balanced offense, rushing for 160 yards and passing for 191, but all three Currie touchdowns came before halftime as the Red Wolves built a 21-12 lead.
Geary also told the Dispatch, "we're going against the number one team and we feel like if you're going to be a championship quality team, you have to go up against those guys. We hope we can go up there and have a good showing and who knows what can happen."
The winner of Friday's game will face either St. Pauls or Southern Guilford in next week's quarterfinals. The Rams defeated the Storm, 46-14 three weeks ago.
All-time, Reidsville is 7-6 against Southern Guilford. The Rams have never faced St. Pauls in football.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Ram Playoff Notes
The Reidsville Rams will play their 57th playoff game when Hillsborough Orange comes into Community Stadium tonight… The Rams, who are 39-17 all time, enter tonight’s game 11-0, No. 1 in the NCHSAA 2-A state poll and the top seed in the 2-AA East Regional bracket… Reidsville is off to its best start since the 1993 – a season where the Rams started 12-0 before losing to West Brunswick in the third round of the playoffs… Orange head coach Dick Schock, was scheduled to be the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest Rolesville, but the departure of Panther head coach Tim Bennett opened the way for Schock and his Wing-T offense… Schock’s old team, W-F Rolesville (No. 2, 11-0) opens postseason play tonight at home against Cary… Orange and Reids-ville have never met before – making the Panthers the 72nd different team to face the Rams all-time… Head coach Jimmy Teague, who is 177-40 (.816) all-time at Reidsville, has guided the Rams to a 31-12 (.721) playoff mark… Over the past five seasons, Teague’s teams have won 20 of the last 23 games (.870)… This year’s senior class at RHS were in the eighth grade the last time the Rams won a state championship (2003)… However, in the last three years, Reidsville has lost once in the championship game (Shelby, 2005) and twice in the state semifinals (2006, 2004)… Eight of Reidsville’s 11 opponents this year are in playoff action tonight – only McMichael, Rockingham and Magna Vista (still in regular season) are not… The Panthers’ offense is orches-trated by quarterback Luke Hawksworth and running backs Mike Williams, B.J. Riley, Kirk Haas and Cedric Leonard… The heart and soul of the Orange squad are captains Ben Brink (TE), Artimus Stewart (LB), Robby Dow (DB) and Larry McDonald (OL/DL)… Reidsville running back Tayon Graves is just 340 yards shy of 5,000 for his career…
The legacy continues
As Reidsville High School Varsity Football team makes its run at a state football championship we look at how that competition affects the lives of current players, former players, coaches and fans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)