With the winter sports season well under way, the North State 2-A Conference recently announced its all-conference teams for the fall 2007 season.
Reidsville High School landed 26 of its student-athletes on this year's North State 2-A All-Conference team - led by the Rams' football team, which brought home 11 selections.
Reidsville, winners of the North State Conference and the 2-AA state championship, swept the big three awards in the North State 2-A Conference with Tayon Graves being named offensive player of the year, John Connally named defensive player of the year and Jimmy Teague being named coach of the year.
Also named to the team were tight end Mike Brown, quarterback Ray Ray Butchee and offensive linemen Lance Spivey, Jazz Totten and Rashard Williamson on offense. Defensively, Connally, fellow linebacker E.J. Foster, secondary players Jordan Gunter and Kerry Hammock and defensive lineman Damien Lee were also selected.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Game HighlightsLetter of appreciation
To the Editor
As the president of the Reidsville Ram Football Booster Club, I want to take this time and space to give the Reidsville Review two big thumbs up for their coverage of the Rams' state title quest.
The coverage the sports staff and the paper in general gave Reidsville High School was unprecedented. As a former sports editor at the paper, i know the time it takes to put into making this effort a success. I think the staff did a tremendous job. A tip of the ol' helmut goes out to Steve Canulli, Steve Williams, Robert Ross, Brett Knight, and John Trump (and any others I don't know about) for the work they put in.
I also want to thank Coach Jimmy Teague and his great staff for the thankless hours they put in throughout the season. Fans only see the games on Friday, they don't see what Teague does behind the scenes. And, he's got the best coaching staff in North Carolina, which is what makes Reidsville the Football Capital of North Carolina with its 16 state championships.
As president of the booster club, I can't begin to name all those that help out during the preseason and throughout the four-month season. You know who you are and I greatly appreciate the job you do.
Closure to a great season can't be done without mention of the youth program I supervise at the Reidsville Parks & Recreation Department. Future Rams and borne out of this program every year and that can't be done without a great group of volunteer coaches. Thanks guys for all you do.
In closing, when the dust finally settled on Reidsville's 28-20 state 2-AA championship win over Shelby Dec. 8 in Raleigh, Reidsville school teams (Raiders, Baby Rams, Rams) finished with a combined 33-0 record. And, our Rec league 10-12 all-stars went undefeated in winning the USFA championship in King on Thanksgiving weekend.
By all indications there's plenty of reason to believe we'll see the Rams adding to their state record of 16 championships in years to come.
Dale Hagwood
308 Maple Ave
Reidsville
349-6251
As the president of the Reidsville Ram Football Booster Club, I want to take this time and space to give the Reidsville Review two big thumbs up for their coverage of the Rams' state title quest.
The coverage the sports staff and the paper in general gave Reidsville High School was unprecedented. As a former sports editor at the paper, i know the time it takes to put into making this effort a success. I think the staff did a tremendous job. A tip of the ol' helmut goes out to Steve Canulli, Steve Williams, Robert Ross, Brett Knight, and John Trump (and any others I don't know about) for the work they put in.
I also want to thank Coach Jimmy Teague and his great staff for the thankless hours they put in throughout the season. Fans only see the games on Friday, they don't see what Teague does behind the scenes. And, he's got the best coaching staff in North Carolina, which is what makes Reidsville the Football Capital of North Carolina with its 16 state championships.
As president of the booster club, I can't begin to name all those that help out during the preseason and throughout the four-month season. You know who you are and I greatly appreciate the job you do.
Closure to a great season can't be done without mention of the youth program I supervise at the Reidsville Parks & Recreation Department. Future Rams and borne out of this program every year and that can't be done without a great group of volunteer coaches. Thanks guys for all you do.
In closing, when the dust finally settled on Reidsville's 28-20 state 2-AA championship win over Shelby Dec. 8 in Raleigh, Reidsville school teams (Raiders, Baby Rams, Rams) finished with a combined 33-0 record. And, our Rec league 10-12 all-stars went undefeated in winning the USFA championship in King on Thanksgiving weekend.
By all indications there's plenty of reason to believe we'll see the Rams adding to their state record of 16 championships in years to come.
Dale Hagwood
308 Maple Ave
Reidsville
349-6251
Monday, December 10, 2007
Rams' Connally selected to Shrine Bowl
By STEVE WILLIAMS
Special to the Review
John Connally has one more game to play and several more tackles to make in his high school football career.
The four-year Reidsville High School defensive superstar was named to the 71st annual Shrine Bowl Friday and will be part of the North Carolina team that battles a squad from South Carolina this Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be played at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
Connally got on the team as a replacement for a linebacker from West Charlotte who was injured in the playoffs.
"We recommended him early on," Reidsville coach Jimmy Teague said. "They kept saying they liked him but they weren't sure about his size."
Connally checks in at 230 pounds but he's a shade under 6-feet tall. "When the initial team came out, I really wasn't surprised they didn't take him because they kept talking about his size. We thought all along he was deserving. They are going to be pleased with him."
Connally was the defensive ring-leader for the Reidsville defense that was crucial in the Rams' 16-0 season that ended Saturday with a 28-20 victory over Shelby in the 2-AA state championship game.
He had 15 tackles in the game, pushing his season total to 162 and his career total to 523. He ended the year with 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Connally had 14.5 sacks for his career to go with 51 tackles for loss, 15 fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
"He had the best nose for the football for anybody we've ever had at least since I've been here," said Teague, who just wrapped up his 16th season at RHS. "It a natural, God-given ability to have instincts for where the ball is going to be. He was excellent in covering underneath routes in the pass game too.
"He's just a great kid overall. He works hard and he's an intelligent young man."
Connally was named defensive MVP of the state championship game for Reidsville. He's also been named defensive player of the year in the North State 2-A Conference for the second straight year and was named all-conference for the third straight year.
Connally is destined to play college football and he's getting plenty of offers, mostly from smaller schools.
"He's getting a lot of attention, but again his height is keeping the Division I folks away. He's a good student and he'll get an opportunity, I feel certain. I'm not exactly sure where right now."
Any colleges that need verification of Connally's prowess can ask anybody from Shelby. He also left an impression on the Golden Lions as a sophomore in the 2005 state championship game with 14 tackles and two sacks.
And if they want an additional look at a linebacker who makes tackles all over the field, they can watch this Saturday's Shrine Bowl.
RHS Shrine Bowl Selections
Player Year
John Connally 2006
Jerome Simpson 2003
Justin Bridges 2002
Rashad Slade 1996
Randolph Galloway 1995
Na Brown 1994
Ronald Wilson 1993
Pete Glidewell 1963
Ted Lamb 1959
Don Coker 1955
Pete Chaney 1949
Bobby Peters 1948
Arlon Brande 1945
Bill Perry 1945
Tom Fetzer 1943
Charles Nichols 1943
Burnelle Cook 1938
Claude Reynolds 1938
Coaches Year
Jimmy Teague 2002
George Wingfield 1953
Special to the Review
John Connally has one more game to play and several more tackles to make in his high school football career.
The four-year Reidsville High School defensive superstar was named to the 71st annual Shrine Bowl Friday and will be part of the North Carolina team that battles a squad from South Carolina this Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be played at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
Connally got on the team as a replacement for a linebacker from West Charlotte who was injured in the playoffs.
"We recommended him early on," Reidsville coach Jimmy Teague said. "They kept saying they liked him but they weren't sure about his size."
Connally checks in at 230 pounds but he's a shade under 6-feet tall. "When the initial team came out, I really wasn't surprised they didn't take him because they kept talking about his size. We thought all along he was deserving. They are going to be pleased with him."
Connally was the defensive ring-leader for the Reidsville defense that was crucial in the Rams' 16-0 season that ended Saturday with a 28-20 victory over Shelby in the 2-AA state championship game.
He had 15 tackles in the game, pushing his season total to 162 and his career total to 523. He ended the year with 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Connally had 14.5 sacks for his career to go with 51 tackles for loss, 15 fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
"He had the best nose for the football for anybody we've ever had at least since I've been here," said Teague, who just wrapped up his 16th season at RHS. "It a natural, God-given ability to have instincts for where the ball is going to be. He was excellent in covering underneath routes in the pass game too.
"He's just a great kid overall. He works hard and he's an intelligent young man."
Connally was named defensive MVP of the state championship game for Reidsville. He's also been named defensive player of the year in the North State 2-A Conference for the second straight year and was named all-conference for the third straight year.
Connally is destined to play college football and he's getting plenty of offers, mostly from smaller schools.
"He's getting a lot of attention, but again his height is keeping the Division I folks away. He's a good student and he'll get an opportunity, I feel certain. I'm not exactly sure where right now."
Any colleges that need verification of Connally's prowess can ask anybody from Shelby. He also left an impression on the Golden Lions as a sophomore in the 2005 state championship game with 14 tackles and two sacks.
And if they want an additional look at a linebacker who makes tackles all over the field, they can watch this Saturday's Shrine Bowl.
RHS Shrine Bowl Selections
Player Year
John Connally 2006
Jerome Simpson 2003
Justin Bridges 2002
Rashad Slade 1996
Randolph Galloway 1995
Na Brown 1994
Ronald Wilson 1993
Pete Glidewell 1963
Ted Lamb 1959
Don Coker 1955
Pete Chaney 1949
Bobby Peters 1948
Arlon Brande 1945
Bill Perry 1945
Tom Fetzer 1943
Charles Nichols 1943
Burnelle Cook 1938
Claude Reynolds 1938
Coaches Year
Jimmy Teague 2002
George Wingfield 1953
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Ram 28 - Golden Lions 20
By STEVE WILLIAMS
Special to the Review RALEIGH – Sweet, sweet 16. Reidsville put a cap on a perfect 16-0 season and claimed the school’s historic 16th state championship Saturday night with a 28-20 victory over Shelby. While spoiling Shelby’s hopes for a three-peat, the Rams got a measure of revenge for the 2005 championship game that the Golden Lions won 26-18. This time, the Golden Lions couldn’t overcome a 28-7 deficit but made a spirited rally that kept the fans on both sides of the Carter-Finley Stadium on the edge of their seats until a fourth down pass fell harmlessly to the turf with 1:06 remaining. "The Lord has blessed us so much to be able to do this,” RHS coach Jimmy Teague said. "Except for a couple of plays, our game plan was pretty good defensively. We tried to get them out of the wing T ... they weren't ready to execute that part of the offense." The Rams have now won three 2-AA state championships in the six years that the NCHSAA subdivided the state’s four classes. They beat Bandys back to back in 2002 and 2003 with the last one also coming at Carter-Finley. Shelby gave the Rams their toughest game of the season and held them to a season-low in points. A 34-28 victory over Northeast Guilford was their closest previous game. The Rams did all their scoring during a 13-minute stretch that began with 8:03 left in the first quarter and ended with 7:27 left in the third. That was an impressive scoring spree when you note that Shelby had not allowed more than 15 points in a game all season. Shelby struck first as quarterback Howard Thompson broke free for 68 yards on an option keeper on the third play of the second quarter. It marked only the third time all season the Rams had been on the short end of the scoreboard. But the Rams fired back with 21 points in the final 8:03 of the half. With the Golden Lions stacking the line to stop Tayon Graves, the Rams opened up the passing lanes. Butchee first hit Kerry Hammock for 12 yards and then connected with Mike Brown for 52, the 6-4 tight end making a nice over-the-shoulder finger-tip catch and carrying ball to the 15. The Rams were set back to the 20 on a penalty and after an incompletion and a Butchee scramble back to the line of scrimmage, Butchee connected with Hammock on a short post pattern for the touchdown. James Scheer added the extra point to tie the score at 7-7 with 8:03 before the half. After a Shelby punt, the Rams were back in business. Butchee immediately connected with Marlon Roach along the left sideline for 37 yards and Graves broke off his longest gain of the night for 13 yards. After a sack and intentional grounding pushed the Rams back to the 30, Butchee hit Brown over the middle with a perfect pass for 30 yards and the TD. On Shelby’s next play, Donovan Gidney’s plunge up the middle turned into the game’s first big break. Jazz Totten stripped the ball and made the recovery at the Golden Lion 12. Two carries by Graves, the second one from eight yards out gave the Rams their third TD. Scheer’s PAT made it 21-7 2:26 before the half. Shelby had the first possession of the second half and after one first down, the were forced to punt. The Rams hit Shelby with one from their bag of tricks as wide receiver Hammock took a reverse and then launched a pass to Niko McGirt for 45 yards. With first down at the 12, the Rams called on Graves four straight times and he plunged over from the one on a first-down play. Reidsville looked to be in command when the forced the Golden Lions to punt, but the Rams returned the favor of the first half fumble when Butchee was hit from behind and Lanston Tayni recovered at the 21. Shelby got the TD four plays later on Gidney’s 7-yard surge up the middle. But Marcus Pickard blocked the extra point and the Rams’ lead was 28-13 with 2:48 left in the third quarter. The Golden Lions took advantage of the momentum shift to stop Reidsville’s next possession and forced a punt. They methodically worked their way down the field, mainly on the passing of Thompson and the receiving of Tim Gullatte. The TD came on a Thompson-to-Gullatte pass into the end zone for 14 yards. Turner Almond’s kick cut it to 28-20 with 7:50 remaining. Reidsville needed a clutch drive to melt away most of the remaining clock and they were able to take 5:20 away on some clutch passing by Butchee. He hit Jarrett Barnett for 14 yards and Hammock for 11 and 13, all producing drive-saving first downs. When the drive stalled, Anthony Wooten came through a super punt that pinned the Golden Lions back on their 1-yard line. Shelby immediately escaped the shadow of their own end zone on Thompson’s 18-yard keeper on first down but three straight incompletions and a 3-yard completion apparently stopped their drive. But a 5-yard face mask penalty kept them alive. Shelby picked up a first down on the next play to keep their hopes alive but four more incompletions ended it. Butchee, a junior lefty, was named the game’s MVP for his gutty performance and superb passing. Playing at less than 100 percent after suffering a badly bruised knee in last week’s victory over Southern Vance, he completed 10 of 17 for 190 yards. Teague said Butchee would have been held out of the game if it had been a regular season game. "It was a factor. We like to run him a lot ... we decided to run him one time and we had a turnover ... not a smart move on my part." Graves was named offensive player of the game as he ended with 94 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Hammock finished with four catches for 52 yards and also threw for 45 yards. The Rams outgained Shelby 311 to 254 and had a small edge in time of possession, 25:35 to 22:25. John Connally, who was named to the Carolinas Shrine Bowl game Friday, capped his brilliant career with 14 tackles. Jordan Gunter added seven tackles, Damien Lee had five and E.J. Foster four.
REIDSVILLE-SHELBY (Second half)
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 6 plays, -7 yards (1:54)
Result: 40 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 5 plays, 57 yards (2:37)
Result: Tayon Graves 1 yard TD run
James Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 28, Shelby 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 6 plays, 14 yards (1:51)
Result: 42 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 2 plays, 0 yards
Result: Fumble (Lanston Tanyi recovers)
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 21 yards (1:53)
Result: Donovan Gidney 7 yard TD run
PAT blocked, Reidsville 28, Shelby 13
END OF THIRD QUARTER, Reidsville 28, Shelby 14
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 7 plays, 19 yards (2:48)
Result: 32 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 8 plays, 67 yards (4:02)
Result: Tim Gullatte 14 yard TD pass from Thompson
Turner Almond kicks PAT, Reidsville 28, Shelby 20
2:51 LEFT IN FOURTH QUARTER
Reidsville 3rd down and 15 from Shelby 42
Reidsville 28, Shelby 20
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 11 plays, 28 yards (5:14)
Result: 47 yard Punt
1:45 LEFT IN GAME
Shelby 4th down and 2 from 27
6 YARD PASS THOMPSON TO GULLATTE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
Fourth down and 10 from 33
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
Reidsville takes over on downs (1:06)
FINAL SCORE
REIDSVILLE 28, SHELBY 20
Shelby 6 plays, -7 yards (1:54)
Result: 40 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 5 plays, 57 yards (2:37)
Result: Tayon Graves 1 yard TD run
James Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 28, Shelby 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 6 plays, 14 yards (1:51)
Result: 42 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 2 plays, 0 yards
Result: Fumble (Lanston Tanyi recovers)
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 21 yards (1:53)
Result: Donovan Gidney 7 yard TD run
PAT blocked, Reidsville 28, Shelby 13
END OF THIRD QUARTER, Reidsville 28, Shelby 14
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 7 plays, 19 yards (2:48)
Result: 32 yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 8 plays, 67 yards (4:02)
Result: Tim Gullatte 14 yard TD pass from Thompson
Turner Almond kicks PAT, Reidsville 28, Shelby 20
2:51 LEFT IN FOURTH QUARTER
Reidsville 3rd down and 15 from Shelby 42
Reidsville 28, Shelby 20
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 11 plays, 28 yards (5:14)
Result: 47 yard Punt
1:45 LEFT IN GAME
Shelby 4th down and 2 from 27
6 YARD PASS THOMPSON TO GULLATTE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
Fourth down and 10 from 33
THOMPSON INCOMPLETE
Reidsville takes over on downs (1:06)
FINAL SCORE
REIDSVILLE 28, SHELBY 20
Reidsville-Shelby Summary
Shelby 0 7 7 7 -- 20
Reidsville 0 21 7 0 -- 28
FIRST QUARTER
No Scoring
SECOND QUARTER
SHS - Howard Thompson 68 run (10:52), Turner Almond kick
RHS - Kerry Hammock 20 pass from Ray Ray Butchee (8:03), James Scheer kick
RHS - Mike Brown 30 pass from Butchee (3:29), Scheer kick
RHS - Tayon Graves 8 run (2:26), Scheer kick
THIRD QUARTER
RHS - Graves 1 run (7:27), Scheer kick
SHS - Donovan Gidney 7 run (2:48), Almond kick
FOURTH QUARTER
SHS – Tim Gullatte 14 pass from Thompson (7:50), Almond kicks
Reidsville 0 21 7 0 -- 28
FIRST QUARTER
No Scoring
SECOND QUARTER
SHS - Howard Thompson 68 run (10:52), Turner Almond kick
RHS - Kerry Hammock 20 pass from Ray Ray Butchee (8:03), James Scheer kick
RHS - Mike Brown 30 pass from Butchee (3:29), Scheer kick
RHS - Tayon Graves 8 run (2:26), Scheer kick
THIRD QUARTER
RHS - Graves 1 run (7:27), Scheer kick
SHS - Donovan Gidney 7 run (2:48), Almond kick
FOURTH QUARTER
SHS – Tim Gullatte 14 pass from Thompson (7:50), Almond kicks
Reidsville-Shelby
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 12 plays, 38 yards (5:16)
Result: 37-yard Field Goal (Missed left), 0-0
6:44 left in first quarter
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 5 plays, 22 yards (2:31)
Result: 36-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 4 plays, -2 yards (1:00)
Result: 37-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 5 yards (2:21)
Result: 27-yards Punt
END OF FIRST QUARTER, 0-0
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 4 plays, 7 yards
Result: 31-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 1 play, 68 yards (:14)
Howard Thompson 68-yard TD run
Turner Almond kicks PAT, Shelby 7-0
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 6 plays, 81 yards (2:49)
Result: Kerry Hammock 20 yard TD pass from Ray Ray Butchee
James Scheer kicks PAT, Shelby 7, Reidsville 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 6 plays, 34 yards (3:06)
Result: 28-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 5 plays, 70 yards (1:20)
Result: Mike Brown 30 yard TD pass from Butchee
Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 14, Shelby 7
3:23 left in the first half
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 1 play, 0 yards (:04)
Result: Fumble (Jazz Totten recovers)
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 2 plays, 12 yards (:45)
Result: Tayon Graves 8 yard TD run
Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 21, Shelby 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 8 yards (2:18)
Result: 53 yard Punt
HALFTIME
Reidsville 21, Shelby 7
Reidsville 12 plays, 38 yards (5:16)
Result: 37-yard Field Goal (Missed left), 0-0
6:44 left in first quarter
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 5 plays, 22 yards (2:31)
Result: 36-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 4 plays, -2 yards (1:00)
Result: 37-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 5 yards (2:21)
Result: 27-yards Punt
END OF FIRST QUARTER, 0-0
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 4 plays, 7 yards
Result: 31-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 1 play, 68 yards (:14)
Howard Thompson 68-yard TD run
Turner Almond kicks PAT, Shelby 7-0
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 6 plays, 81 yards (2:49)
Result: Kerry Hammock 20 yard TD pass from Ray Ray Butchee
James Scheer kicks PAT, Shelby 7, Reidsville 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 6 plays, 34 yards (3:06)
Result: 28-yard Punt
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 5 plays, 70 yards (1:20)
Result: Mike Brown 30 yard TD pass from Butchee
Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 14, Shelby 7
3:23 left in the first half
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 1 play, 0 yards (:04)
Result: Fumble (Jazz Totten recovers)
DRIVE SUMMARY
Reidsville 2 plays, 12 yards (:45)
Result: Tayon Graves 8 yard TD run
Scheer kicks PAT, Reidsville 21, Shelby 7
DRIVE SUMMARY
Shelby 4 plays, 8 yards (2:18)
Result: 53 yard Punt
HALFTIME
Reidsville 21, Shelby 7
Reidsville-Shelby
Live from N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium.
Both teams on the field warming up.
16:00 until kickoff
2-A Results
Lincolnton 28, South Columbus 14
3-AA Results
Greensboro Dudley 28, Charlotte Catholic 20
3-A Results
Western Alamance 62, North Gaston 36
4-A Results
Wilmington Hoggard 28, Mount Tabor 0
1-A Results
Plymouth 20, North Duplin 13
Both teams on the field warming up.
16:00 until kickoff
2-A Results
Lincolnton 28, South Columbus 14
3-AA Results
Greensboro Dudley 28, Charlotte Catholic 20
3-A Results
Western Alamance 62, North Gaston 36
4-A Results
Wilmington Hoggard 28, Mount Tabor 0
1-A Results
Plymouth 20, North Duplin 13
Friday, December 7, 2007
For many Rams, it's the final practice in Reidsville
For many Rams, it's the final practice in Reidsville
By Heather J. Smith
Staff writer
REIDSVILLE – It’s almost time. It’s Christmas, birthday, first car and recess rolled into one. It’s just hours away. It’s the worst case of butterflies and the longest drive to Raleigh.
The Reidsville High School Rams are going to the state championships Saturday. If they succeed, they return with the Rams’ 16th state title.
Football is not something the school, or its coaching staff, takes lightly. The leisurely way the team took the field for their next to last practice here Wednesday didn’t betray that gravity.
At least, not until pads went on and Coach Jimmy Teague’s voice hardened into a commanding bark. Before, they were a crowd of teenage boys, stretching on the cold turf, They were talking manly talk about interceptions, fumbles and failed romantic attempts.
“‘Night’s last time we practice on this field,” was uttered by a senior player, almost unbelieving. Saturday night’s championship game rematches the Rams against their 2005 championship opponent, the Shelby High Golden Lions. The senior Rams still remember when the title escaped them.
This, however, is a chance for revenge.
“I think we all really want to win this one,” said senior Phillip McLaughlin. “If we all really want to win, we just have to.”
Play over. Tackling drills followed rushing drills followed footwork drills followed punt drills. Tackles smacked together with unsettling crunches. Envy and awe swell with the thought their warm-up is more exertion anyone else chooses in a week.
Maybe it’s something they put on the turf — Miracle Grow or football pixie dust. Something must explain why anyone would run in this cold. Perhaps, if the average person scuffed around on the grass long enough, they would grow cheetah fast, fox sharp, bull strong.
A few minutes of watching reveals the team is not perfect, but near it. Coaches catch and correct missteps. Teague warns them to judge each movement of their opponent. What seems like a feint may be blind drives downfield.
In 16 seasons as the Rams’ head coach, Teague has amassed 180 victories against only 41 losses – a winning percentage of .814.
A Southern Alamance graduate, Teague came to Reidsville in 1992 and replaced Mark Barnes, who was 23-12 in three seasons.
“Outside, outside, stay outside,” was yelled simultaneously with “Gotta be better than that. State championship weekend. Move.”
While coaches always had an improvement suggested for defensive plays, offense was beautifully aggressive. The ball was no sooner in the air before other hands took it. Practice tackles were not softened by mutual friendship.
Special events call for special traditions. Curiosity sprouted around the blue and white box carried to every game and kept just on the sideline this fall. As the season wore on, the mysterious box became more of an enigma, especially when players wouldn’t say what was kept inside.
Safety Jordan Gunter explained its significance.
“Used to, in the past, we’d spray paint our cleats blue,” Gunter said. “This year we wanted to do something different.”
The box houses whatever meaningful things the players added over the fall. Gunter said the first entry was each player’s definition of a team.
“We wrote down a team’s characteristics, how they act, and why they win,” he said.
Gradually, players added newspaper clippings, obituaries, souvenirs from games and tokens from the school year.
And like all traditions, the Rams will pass the box on to sit on sidelines for years to come.
“Maybe we’ll pull it all out to look at during class reunions, look back at all the fun things,” Gunter said.
Like any good team, the Rams don’t hope, they know they’ll win. A good, hard game will make the state championship theirs.
“We’ve gonna go and we’re gonna win so hard,” Damien Lee said. “It’s gonna be 62 to 0.”
Staff writer Heather J. Smith can be reached at hsmith@reidsvillereview.com or 349-4331, ext. 16.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Go Rams!
By JOHN TRUMP
Managing Editor
Sixteen teams in North Carolina will vie this weekend for one of eight state titles, and the Reidsville Rams, in case you haven't heard, are among them. The Rams have compiled an incredible record since 1969, winning 324 games and four state titles. Shelby, their opponent Saturday in Raleigh, is equally impressive during that time, collecting 398 wins and 10 state titles, including a 26-18 victory two years ago against Reidsville.
Remember, however, that the Rams won 11 state titles prior to 1969, and Jimmy Teague's 2007 version appears to among Reidsville's best. Quarterback Ray Ray Butchee, who bruised a knee against Southern Vance, likely will play, so injuries won't be a factor. Reidsville's offense is spectacular, but Shelby is allowing fewer than 8 points per game. Something, as they say, has got to give. Our guess: Shelby will fail to match Reidsville's speed or keep up with its multiple weapons, tire and struggle late. But, hey, we're biased.
We've done our best to follow the Rams throughout their playoff run, even establishing a blog complete with slideshows, stories and polls. Access it through our Web site, www.reidsvillereview.com, and cast a vote predicting Saturday's winner. As of Thursday afternoon, 69 people had voted, and 84 percent are going with the Rams. Good choice. If you can't make it to Raleigh on Saturday night, follow the Rams' progress on the blog.
Rockingham County's four high schools are natural rivals and, during any respective sports season, that's the way it should be. But some 93,000 people live in the county, and they all should be wearing blue and gold.
Managing Editor
Sixteen teams in North Carolina will vie this weekend for one of eight state titles, and the Reidsville Rams, in case you haven't heard, are among them. The Rams have compiled an incredible record since 1969, winning 324 games and four state titles. Shelby, their opponent Saturday in Raleigh, is equally impressive during that time, collecting 398 wins and 10 state titles, including a 26-18 victory two years ago against Reidsville.
Remember, however, that the Rams won 11 state titles prior to 1969, and Jimmy Teague's 2007 version appears to among Reidsville's best. Quarterback Ray Ray Butchee, who bruised a knee against Southern Vance, likely will play, so injuries won't be a factor. Reidsville's offense is spectacular, but Shelby is allowing fewer than 8 points per game. Something, as they say, has got to give. Our guess: Shelby will fail to match Reidsville's speed or keep up with its multiple weapons, tire and struggle late. But, hey, we're biased.
We've done our best to follow the Rams throughout their playoff run, even establishing a blog complete with slideshows, stories and polls. Access it through our Web site, www.reidsvillereview.com, and cast a vote predicting Saturday's winner. As of Thursday afternoon, 69 people had voted, and 84 percent are going with the Rams. Good choice. If you can't make it to Raleigh on Saturday night, follow the Rams' progress on the blog.
Rockingham County's four high schools are natural rivals and, during any respective sports season, that's the way it should be. But some 93,000 people live in the county, and they all should be wearing blue and gold.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Saturday's matchup different from 2005 game
By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
The teams are the same and their coaching staffs are basically the same and not much has changed in their offensive and defensive approaches, but Golden Lions head coach Chris Norman knows Saturday's Reidsville-Shelby 2-AA state championship game is different from two years ago.
"These are two different football teams from 2005," said Norman. "Our base offense and defense has not changed much, but we are different from two years ago. The one thing that has not changed about Reidsville is that they still have speed."
The two storied programs, who have combined to win 25 state championships, return very few players from that 2005 meeting - won by Shelby 26-18.
Despite all that, Saturday's title game still has the same feel.
"In the 2005 game, the kids really got after each other," said Norman. "It was a game between two class organizations and I have no doubt Saturday will be no different."
Trying to stop a Reidsville offense that has produced 742 points (49.5 per game) and 6,286 yards (419 per game) is something the Golden Lions' head coach knows is tough to do.
"You expect speed at the skill positions," he said. "They have speed everywhere. The first thing I said when I watched them on tape is 'wow.'"
One could say 'wow' when looking at the Shelby defense, a unit that has allowed only 7.8 points per game and has not surrendered more than 15 points in any one contest.
"We have hung our hats on defense," said Norman. "We have won a bunch of games we shouldn't have because of the defense."
Shelby's defense is going to have to do something that only Reidsville has done and that is slow down senior tailback Tayon Graves. Graves, who up until last week, saw little time in the second half of the first three Reidsville postseason games. Despite that, Graves has amassed 2,079 yards and 43 touchdowns - both career highs.
"If you want to put guys on the line of scrimmage, they say we'll throw it to these good receivers," said Norman. "If you want to play soft coverage, they'll hand it to 42 (Graves) 40 times and let him score 15 touchdowns."
The lone Reidsville starters from the 2005 meeting are Kerry Hammock, Marcus Pickard and Graves. For Shelby, only right tackle Casey Burnett and defensive tackle Quevalas Murray are back.
Linebacker Corey Brooks, Sr., 6-0, 171 pounds, leads the Golden Lions defense with 114 tackles and seven blocked kicks. Cornerback Roderick Black leads the team with six interceptions.
Defensive end Lanston Tanyi (Sr., 6-3, 230), a Shrine Bowl selection, and Calvin Gullatte (Sr., 6-4, 173) anchor the defensive end spots.
"Reidsville is not a one-dimensional football team," said Norman, who has compiled a 118-26-1 record to go along with three state championships. "The key to offensive football is making first downs and moving the chains. It doesn't matter how."
With Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee in the shotgun Saturday, the Golden Lions defense will have to be wary of a signal caller, who has thrown for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
"Both offenses start there, with the quarterback position," said Norman.
Where it all ends, no one knows, but someone on Saturday will be crowned 2-AA state champion.
Sports Editor
The teams are the same and their coaching staffs are basically the same and not much has changed in their offensive and defensive approaches, but Golden Lions head coach Chris Norman knows Saturday's Reidsville-Shelby 2-AA state championship game is different from two years ago.
"These are two different football teams from 2005," said Norman. "Our base offense and defense has not changed much, but we are different from two years ago. The one thing that has not changed about Reidsville is that they still have speed."
The two storied programs, who have combined to win 25 state championships, return very few players from that 2005 meeting - won by Shelby 26-18.
Despite all that, Saturday's title game still has the same feel.
"In the 2005 game, the kids really got after each other," said Norman. "It was a game between two class organizations and I have no doubt Saturday will be no different."
Trying to stop a Reidsville offense that has produced 742 points (49.5 per game) and 6,286 yards (419 per game) is something the Golden Lions' head coach knows is tough to do.
"You expect speed at the skill positions," he said. "They have speed everywhere. The first thing I said when I watched them on tape is 'wow.'"
One could say 'wow' when looking at the Shelby defense, a unit that has allowed only 7.8 points per game and has not surrendered more than 15 points in any one contest.
"We have hung our hats on defense," said Norman. "We have won a bunch of games we shouldn't have because of the defense."
Shelby's defense is going to have to do something that only Reidsville has done and that is slow down senior tailback Tayon Graves. Graves, who up until last week, saw little time in the second half of the first three Reidsville postseason games. Despite that, Graves has amassed 2,079 yards and 43 touchdowns - both career highs.
"If you want to put guys on the line of scrimmage, they say we'll throw it to these good receivers," said Norman. "If you want to play soft coverage, they'll hand it to 42 (Graves) 40 times and let him score 15 touchdowns."
The lone Reidsville starters from the 2005 meeting are Kerry Hammock, Marcus Pickard and Graves. For Shelby, only right tackle Casey Burnett and defensive tackle Quevalas Murray are back.
Linebacker Corey Brooks, Sr., 6-0, 171 pounds, leads the Golden Lions defense with 114 tackles and seven blocked kicks. Cornerback Roderick Black leads the team with six interceptions.
Defensive end Lanston Tanyi (Sr., 6-3, 230), a Shrine Bowl selection, and Calvin Gullatte (Sr., 6-4, 173) anchor the defensive end spots.
"Reidsville is not a one-dimensional football team," said Norman, who has compiled a 118-26-1 record to go along with three state championships. "The key to offensive football is making first downs and moving the chains. It doesn't matter how."
With Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee in the shotgun Saturday, the Golden Lions defense will have to be wary of a signal caller, who has thrown for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
"Both offenses start there, with the quarterback position," said Norman.
Where it all ends, no one knows, but someone on Saturday will be crowned 2-AA state champion.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Butchee upgraded to probable
Staff Report
Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee, injured in the Rams' victory over Southern Vance last Friday, has improved and is now listed as probable for Saturday's state championship game against Shelby.
Butchee, a junior and two-year starter, suffered a knee injury late in the first half and didn't return. An MRI Monday revealed a bone bruise.
He will be held out of practice Wednesday and will be fitted with a knee brace. He's expected to return to live practice Thursday with no contact.
"I guess we won't know for sure until we actually see him practice, but I would list him as probable now," Teague said. "He's walking basically with no limp. It's swollen some but hopefully as days pass some of the swelling will go down.
"Ray's tough. A bone bruise might take somebody else out but I really don't think it will keep him out."
Butchee is a threat running or passing out of the Rams' shotgun offense. He has completed 88 of 146 passes (.603) for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has also run 127 times for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
Sophomore Tyrell Houghton is the Rams' No. 2 quarterback.
Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee, injured in the Rams' victory over Southern Vance last Friday, has improved and is now listed as probable for Saturday's state championship game against Shelby.
Butchee, a junior and two-year starter, suffered a knee injury late in the first half and didn't return. An MRI Monday revealed a bone bruise.
He will be held out of practice Wednesday and will be fitted with a knee brace. He's expected to return to live practice Thursday with no contact.
"I guess we won't know for sure until we actually see him practice, but I would list him as probable now," Teague said. "He's walking basically with no limp. It's swollen some but hopefully as days pass some of the swelling will go down.
"Ray's tough. A bone bruise might take somebody else out but I really don't think it will keep him out."
Butchee is a threat running or passing out of the Rams' shotgun offense. He has completed 88 of 146 passes (.603) for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has also run 127 times for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
Sophomore Tyrell Houghton is the Rams' No. 2 quarterback.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Shelby stands in way of Reidsville title No. 16
By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
Two of this state's most storied prep football programs are set to square off when the Reidsville Rams (15-0) and the Shelby Golden Lions (14-1) meet for the NCHSAA 2-AA State Championship on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Since 1969 - the first year of the Reidsville Ram era - these two schools have combined for 722 wins (Shelby 398, Reidsville 324) and 14 championships (Shelby 10, RHS 4). Reidsville won 11 state championships prior to 1969, giving the city 15 total - the most in state history.
The two teams met in the 2005 2-AA state finals, with Shelby taking home championship gold, 26-18 - in the first-ever meeting between these two successful programs.
After rattling off wins over Freedom (14-10) and Ashbrook (14-7), Shelby dropped its first game to Crest, 14-7. The Shelby Golden Lions, who have won 12 straight since that loss.
Eight of the team's 14 opponents finished the season with at or above .500 records.
Winners of the last two 2-AA state championships, the Golden Lions advanced to Saturday's finals with a 17-0 win over Mount Pleasant. Shelby won last year's title defeating Southern Vance, the team that fell to the Rams 49-19 Friday night in the semifinals.
Since the loss to Crest, Shelby's defense has answered the call - allowing no more than 15 points in any one game. The Golden Lions pitched three shutouts along the way, against Brevard, Chase and Mount Pleasant.
For the season, the Lions have allowed 118 points (7.9 per game) and the offense has posted 443 points (29.5).
Conversely, Reidsville has been nearly as impressive on defense - allowing 165 points (11.0) and scoring a staggering 742 points (49.5).
The Shelby offense is led by a three-headed rushing attack that features three 600-plus yard rushers. Larry Raper (Jr., 5-11, 160) leads the group with 698 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marc Williams (Sr., 6-1, 180) has gained 673 yards and 11 TDs and Donovan Gidney (Sr., 5-11, 206) comes in with 661 yards and 10 TDs. Raper (7.5) and Williams (8.9) are both well over seven-yards per carry. Gidney, the team's fullback, gained 107 yards on 19 carries during Friday's win over S. Vance.
Senior QB Howard Thompson (5-10, 165), who was not the starter during the 2005 meeting, has thrown for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns - on 50 of 95 completions (.526 percentage). Thompson was 4 of 7 through the air with two touchdowns and 82 yards.
O'Bryan Gullatte (Sr., 6-1, 152) hauled in both of Thompson's TD passes and finished with 68 yards receiving.
The Golden Lions are coached by Chris Norman, who has a record of 118-26-1 (82 percent) and three state titles to his credit.
His counterpart, Reidsville head coach Jimmy Teague has a record of 180-41 (.814) and two state championships (2002 and 2003).
Saturday's finals will be the fourth straight for Shelby, who lost in the 2004 championship game - a 49-21 defeat at the hands of Southwest Onslow.
While the Rams have won 28 of their last 30 games, the Golden Lions have won 35 of their last 36 - including an undefeated 16-0 campaign last year.
Reidsville QB Ray Ray Butchee was a freshman during the 2005 game, but RB Tayon Graves, played and gained 61 yards on nine carries and scored once.
Linebacker John Connally, who eclipsed the 500-tackle mark last week, finished the 2005 game against Shelby with 14 tackles.
SHELBY AT A GLANCE
Opponent Scores
Freedom W, 14-10
Ashbrook W, 14-7
Crest L, 7-14
Lincolnton W, 35-13
Brevard W, 7-0
Watauga W, 34-15
Burns W, 30-13
Kings Mountain W, 41-14
R-S Central W, 27-3
Chase W, 42-0
E. Rutherford W, 40-6
2-AA State Playoffs
West Stokes W, 54-2
W. Henderson W, 41-7
Pisgah W, 40-14
Mt. Pleasant W, 17-0
Sports Editor
Two of this state's most storied prep football programs are set to square off when the Reidsville Rams (15-0) and the Shelby Golden Lions (14-1) meet for the NCHSAA 2-AA State Championship on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Since 1969 - the first year of the Reidsville Ram era - these two schools have combined for 722 wins (Shelby 398, Reidsville 324) and 14 championships (Shelby 10, RHS 4). Reidsville won 11 state championships prior to 1969, giving the city 15 total - the most in state history.
The two teams met in the 2005 2-AA state finals, with Shelby taking home championship gold, 26-18 - in the first-ever meeting between these two successful programs.
After rattling off wins over Freedom (14-10) and Ashbrook (14-7), Shelby dropped its first game to Crest, 14-7. The Shelby Golden Lions, who have won 12 straight since that loss.
Eight of the team's 14 opponents finished the season with at or above .500 records.
Winners of the last two 2-AA state championships, the Golden Lions advanced to Saturday's finals with a 17-0 win over Mount Pleasant. Shelby won last year's title defeating Southern Vance, the team that fell to the Rams 49-19 Friday night in the semifinals.
Since the loss to Crest, Shelby's defense has answered the call - allowing no more than 15 points in any one game. The Golden Lions pitched three shutouts along the way, against Brevard, Chase and Mount Pleasant.
For the season, the Lions have allowed 118 points (7.9 per game) and the offense has posted 443 points (29.5).
Conversely, Reidsville has been nearly as impressive on defense - allowing 165 points (11.0) and scoring a staggering 742 points (49.5).
The Shelby offense is led by a three-headed rushing attack that features three 600-plus yard rushers. Larry Raper (Jr., 5-11, 160) leads the group with 698 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marc Williams (Sr., 6-1, 180) has gained 673 yards and 11 TDs and Donovan Gidney (Sr., 5-11, 206) comes in with 661 yards and 10 TDs. Raper (7.5) and Williams (8.9) are both well over seven-yards per carry. Gidney, the team's fullback, gained 107 yards on 19 carries during Friday's win over S. Vance.
Senior QB Howard Thompson (5-10, 165), who was not the starter during the 2005 meeting, has thrown for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns - on 50 of 95 completions (.526 percentage). Thompson was 4 of 7 through the air with two touchdowns and 82 yards.
O'Bryan Gullatte (Sr., 6-1, 152) hauled in both of Thompson's TD passes and finished with 68 yards receiving.
The Golden Lions are coached by Chris Norman, who has a record of 118-26-1 (82 percent) and three state titles to his credit.
His counterpart, Reidsville head coach Jimmy Teague has a record of 180-41 (.814) and two state championships (2002 and 2003).
Saturday's finals will be the fourth straight for Shelby, who lost in the 2004 championship game - a 49-21 defeat at the hands of Southwest Onslow.
While the Rams have won 28 of their last 30 games, the Golden Lions have won 35 of their last 36 - including an undefeated 16-0 campaign last year.
Reidsville QB Ray Ray Butchee was a freshman during the 2005 game, but RB Tayon Graves, played and gained 61 yards on nine carries and scored once.
Linebacker John Connally, who eclipsed the 500-tackle mark last week, finished the 2005 game against Shelby with 14 tackles.
SHELBY AT A GLANCE
Opponent Scores
Freedom W, 14-10
Ashbrook W, 14-7
Crest L, 7-14
Lincolnton W, 35-13
Brevard W, 7-0
Watauga W, 34-15
Burns W, 30-13
Kings Mountain W, 41-14
R-S Central W, 27-3
Chase W, 42-0
E. Rutherford W, 40-6
2-AA State Playoffs
West Stokes W, 54-2
W. Henderson W, 41-7
Pisgah W, 40-14
Mt. Pleasant W, 17-0
Saturday, December 1, 2007
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