Forest Hills' sophomore tailback Kendrick McLaurin entered the Union Co. record book after Friday night's 53-28 loss to Cuthbertson. McLaurin, a sophomore carried the ball 20 times for 259 yards and two touchdowns. McLaurin now finds himself Union Co.'s all-time best in Juanne Blount, Albert Funderburk, Jacob Oakley, Tre' Butler and Albert Ashcraft just to name a few. Congrats Kendrick!!!

Single Season Rushing Record Holders

Monroe's senior QB Zephaniah Wall's senior season came to an end last week in a 21-7 win over Weddington. Wall torn his ACL in the game and will have surgery in October and should be back in 6 months, just in time for track season. Wall has started for the Redhawks since mid-way through his freshman year when he led them to a 18-15 loss in the State Championship. Wall and the Redhawks won the 2A State Title last season and started the 2016 season 2-2. Wall is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Union Co. history. Wall currently ranks 3rd all-time in Union Co. career passing yards with 6564 yards and is tied for 2nd in career passing TDs with 76 TDs.GOOD LUCK Z and GET WELL FAST!!

Cuthbertson senior receiver JT Cauthen is now the Union Co. all-time leader in receptions. Cauthen entered the Charlotte Christian game tied with former Sun Valley standout and current Wingate Bulldog Jody Fuller who was the record holder with 175 career receptions. JT came away with two catches in the loss to Charlotte Christian but he is the new record holder. Cauthen already owns one Union Co. receptions record. JT set the Union Co. record for receptions in a season with 104 in 2014. Congrats JT!!!

Sun Valley's outstanding receiver senior Jeremiah Miller has committed to Coastal Carolina. Miller announced it on his twitter account with a simple tweet of, "Blessed to be Verbally Committed!!!!#ChantsUp #BAM". The 6'0 reciever has 94 career receptions for 2230 yards (7th all-time) has caught 33 TDs (2nd all-time). Jeremiah was named 1st Team ALL-UCHSF as a junior & 2nd Team ALL-UCHSF as a sophomore. Congraats Jeremiah!!

Marvin Ridge's outstanding receiver Emeke Emezie has committed to NC State. Emezie announced it on his twitter account with a simple tweet of, "Committed to NC State GO Wolfpack!!". The 6'2 reciever has 137 career receptions (7th all-time) for 2197 yards (9th all-time) and has caught 20 TDs. Emezie was named 1st Team ALL-UCHSF as a junior & 2nd Team ALL-UCHSF as a sophomore. Congraats Emeke!!

Piedmont's senior Jordan Deese will continue his football career at North Carolina Wesleyan in the upcoming fall. Deese, ran for 584 yards and 10 TDs for the Panthers in 2015. Deese was named All-UCHSF's 2nd Team. Jordan scored four touchdowns in a 49-6 win over Anson Co. Congrats Jordan!!!

UCHSF's 2015 Player of the Year Monroe's Braxton Knotts will continue his football career at Bluefield College. Mr. Knotts ran for 1315 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a receiver Braxton had 40 catches and totaled 1051 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is the 2nd Redhawk in school history to have over 1000 yards receiving in a season. Braxton totaled 2962 yards from scrimmage including 360 yards in kick-off returns, 176 yards in punt returns. Braxton finished the 2015 season with 34 total touchdowns which ranks him 3rd all time in Union Co. history for a single season. Knotts' 34 touchdowns scored is a Monroe Redhawk record previously held by Dion Byrum who had 33 TDs in 2000. In the state title game Knotts stepped up and with five receptions for 127 yards and 2 TDs. Braxton was named UCHSF's Player of the Week 3 times during the 2015 season. Braxton helped lead the Mornoe Redhawks to a 16-0 record, a Rocky River Conference title and more importantly a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!! Congratulations Braxton!

Former Parkwood Rebel and Marylan Terripan Marcus Leak has signed a free-agent contract with the Colts. Leak competed in 27 games (16 starts) in three seasons with Maryland (2011-12, 14) and totaled 55 catches for 775 yards and six touchdowns. While at Parkwood Leak was 1st-Team All-UCHSF along with ALL-SCC as a senior. Leak joins Marvin Ridge's KJ Brent, Monroe's Jamison Crowder, Issac Blakeney and Weddington's Darius Kilgo as former Union Co. players to make it to the NFL in the past 5 years. Congrats Marcus!!!

Union Academy's Alex Kirkley will continue his football caeer at Bluefield College in the fall of 2016. Kirkly, 6'0 258 offensive/defensive lineman helped lead the Cardinals to a 4-9 record for Coach Forshee. Alex was a senior captian while recording 45 tackles (19 solo) in 22 games on varsity. Congrats Alex!!!

Forest Hills senior QB Zacceus Rorie will continue his football career just down the road from Forest Hills High School at Wingate. Rorie, threw for 1957 yards and 20 TDs in just 17 games for Coach John Lowery. Rorie started as a junior but broke his had after 5 games in 2014. Rorie was a dual threat by rushing for 750 yards and 11 TDS over those 17 games.Rorie was All-Rocky RIver and UCHSF honorable mention as a senior. GOOD LUCK Z!!

The 2017 football season will have a very different look to it in regards to Union Co. Seven Union County schools will make up one of the top 3A football conferences in the state based on recent history starting in 2017. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association finalized the new conferences for all four classifications earlier this week. The realignment will be in effect for four years and names for the new leagues are still undeceided. The new 3A conference will be a powerhouse and will include Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge, Weddington, Monroe, Piedmont, Parkwood, Sun Valley and Charlotte Catholic. Monroe and Parkwood are moving up from 2A while Charlotte Catholic is moving down from the 4A class. The Redhawks are the defending 2AA state champions and have averaged 11.7 wins over the last seven seasons. They went 16-0 in 2015. Weddington has had double-digit victories each of the last three seasons. The Warriors were the 3AA state runner-up in 2014 and made it to the state quarterfinals last season before losing to eventual state champ Crest in double overtime. Charlotte Catholic is the defending 4A state champion after finishing 15-0 in 2015. The Cougars have averaged 13.7 wins and played in two state title games since moving up to 4A in 2013.

Forest Hills and Central Academy will leave the Rocky River conference and will be the only county schools in the new 2A conference. The Yellow Jackets and Cougars will be joined by Anson Co. , West Stanly, Mount Pleasant and East Montgomery. Anson is moving down from 3A while East Montgomery is making the jump from 1A as new members of the league.

Porter Ridge will remain in a 4A conference that includes Butler, Independence, Myers Park, Garinger, Rocky River, East Meck and Hickory Ridge for 2017.

The Union Academy Cardinals will remain 1A but will be in a conference that includes Queens Grant, Pine Lake Prep, Mountain Island Charter, Bradford Prep, Carolina International School and Coummunity School of Davidson.

Another former Union Co. football player has found his way to the NFL. Former Marvin Ridge Maverick KJ Brent has signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders. A 2011 graduate of Marvin Ridge High School played for Coach Scott Chadwick and was named AP All-State and selected to play in the NUC All-World Bowl. Brent was named 1st-team All-UCHSF as a senior. Brent signed with South Carolina and transfered to Wake Forest as a 5th year senior. Brent joins Monroe's Jamison Crowder, Issac Blakeney and Weddington's Darios Kilgo as former Union Co. players to make it to the NFL in the past 5 years. Congrats KJ!!

Weddington's QB Grayson Willingham will continue his football career at Lenoir Rhyne in the fall of 2016. Willingham threw for 1739 yards as a senior and led Weddington to a 11-3 record in 2015. Willingham connected on 16 TDs and ran for 9 TDs. Grayson, for his career connected on 61% of his passes for 2865 and 28 TDs to 16 INTs. Willingham announced his intentions via this Twitter account. "Blessed to say I have committed to Lenoir Rhyne University to further my education and football career." Congrats Grayson!!!

Porter Ridge offensive lineman Dylan McCarthy will continue his football career at Cincinnati Christian University this fall. Mr. McCarthy was a two year starter for the Pirates. He was awarded the Pirate award as a senior by coaching staff. McCarthy led the Pirates in pancake blocks. Congrats Dylan!!!

Weddington's Keith Duncan is now BIG 10 bound. On national signing day Keith Duncan put his name on a letter to Iowa. Duncan owns four of the top 10 longest field goals in Union Co. history. The career field goal record was held by Austin Herbert from Cary HS which was set during the 1997 thru 1999 seasons. Congrats Keith!!!

Career FG's

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Longets FG's

The Cuthbertson Cavaliers outstanding defensive back Patrick Hensley will continue his football career this fall at Johns Hopkins University. The 6'4 Hensley annoucned it via his twitter account, by "...thanking God, family and all his teachers and coaches over the years". Patrick played WR and OLB for the Cavaliers in his career. On offense Patrick had 18 receptiosn for 152 yards and three touchdowns his senior year. On defense Hensley recorded 30 tackles along with two sacks and an interception as a senior. Congrats Patrick!!

The Porter Ridge Pirates have looked to the past to see the future. The Poter Ridge Pirates have annoucend that their new head football coach is Michael Hertz. Hertz coached linebackers and served as the Defensive Coordinator under Blair Hardin and helped lead the Pirates a 51-17 record, including two state championship appearances and two Western Region Championships. Hertz returns to Porter Ridge as the Head Football coach after serving as Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach at both Providence and Independence High Schools. Coach Hertz will be the 4th HC at Porter Ridge in 5 years.

After becoming Monroe's 1st 1000-yard receiver, JD McManus had 171 receiving yards in the state championship win to finish the 2015 season with 1209 receiving yards! McManus now ranks 5th all-time in receiving yards in a season behind Piedmont's Dan Brooks (1649 yds, '02), Cuthbertson's BJ Muckelvene (1509 yds, '14) & JT Cauthen (1451 yds, '14) and Sun Vallye's Jeremiah Miller (1415, '15). Congrats JD!!

Most Rec Yards in a season

Monroe’s junior quarterback Zephaniah Wall finishes the 2015 season with a state title and now a nice spot in the Union Co. passing record book. McManus' threw for 283 yards and4 touchdwons in the win over Bunn HS. Wall now finishes the 2015 with 3507 passing yards, good fro 3rd all-time. Walls' 4 passing TDs puts him with a season total of 44 passing TDs and is now 2nd all-time in a single season behind Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall (49 TDs in '14). Wall now ranks 3rd all-time in career passing yards with 6149 yards. Congrats Zeph!!

Single season passing yards

Single season passing TDs

Career passing yards

The Forest Hills Yellow Jackets will have a new head football coach for the first time since 1986. John Lowery retired as head football coach a few weeks ago and the Yellow Jackets have named Cory Smith his replacement. Smith takes over one of Union Co.’s most successful football programs ever. Forest Hills have only missed the playoffs once in Lowery’s career. Smith has been on Lowery’s staff since 2011 and coached the quarterbacks on the football team. As a player at Sun Valley, Smith was a two-time all-South Piedmont conference pick and two-time Union County player of the year. Smith is 7th all-time in career passing yards in Union Co. with 5443 yards and is sixth all-time in career passing touchdowns iwth 51. While at UNC-Pembroke Smith started three seasons and threw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. Smith was also the head baseball coach at Forest Hills from 2011-14.

For the first time in school history the Monroe Redhawks have a 1000 receiver! In the 46-6 win over East Lincoln, Monroe junior receiver JD McManus had 8 catches for 187 yards. With those 244 yards it put McManus over the 1000 yard mark for the season. McManus now has 1099 receiving yards ranks him 12th all-time in Union Co. history with 1 game left, the 2AA state championship game. Former Red hawk Jaylon Barber held the record for the Redhawks with 861 receiving yards set in 2011. Trevor Russ had 858 yards in 2005 and Jamison Crowder had 790 yards in 2010 & 774 yards in 2008. Congrats JD!!

Most Rec Yards in a season

Weddington's Keith Duncan set the NC High school record for field goals in a season. Weddington senior kicker Keith Duncan made three field goals on Friday, giving him the state record of 21 for a single season. The previous record of 20 was held by former University of North Carolina 's Connor Barth (2003). Duncan connected on a 50-yarder in the first quarter Friday and added a pair of short field goals in the over- time sessions. Duncan, who has committed to Furman University, made five field goals of 50 yards or more in 2015. Congrats Keith!!!

Career FG's

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Longets FG's

Cuthbertson's outstanding junior wide receiver JT Cauthen is now Union Co.'s all-time leader in career receiving yards. Forest Hills' Cedric Hamilton was the record holder with 2626 receiving yards set from 2002-2004. Cauthen was sitting at 2528 receiving yards heading into the 2nd playoff game vs. Crest. Cauthen needed 99 yards to set the Union Co. all time record. Cauthen finished the game with 117 yards on the night. Congrats JT!!!

After three full varsity seasons at Marvin Ridge junior wide receiver Emeka Emezie is now Marvin Ridge's all time leader in receiving TDs. Emezie broke the record of 19 career receving TDs set by KJ Brent from 2007-2010. Emezie grabbed 11 TDs as a junior and 9 as a sophomore. Emezie has a chance to challange the Union Co. all time record which is currently held by Forest Hills' Cedric Hamilton with 36 receiving TDs set from 2002-2004. Congrats Emeka!!!.

With three full varsity seasons at Marvin Ridge junior receiver Emeka Emezie is the all-time leading in receiving yards. Emezie finished the 2015 season with 1101 yards to put his three year total to 2197 receiving yards. Marvin Ridge's KJ Brent previously held the record with 1963 from 2007-2010. Emezie is among a crop of junior receivers in Union Co. that will make a run at Union Co.'s all time receiving records in 2016. Congrats Emeka!!!

In the early part of the 00's Forest Hills went from a power run oriented offense to a pass first offense, well before anyone else saw the future. Cedric Hamilton set the majority of the Union Co. receiving records during his career from 2002-2004. Hamilton by far became the best receiver in Union Co. history. Hamilton went on to play at Western Carolina. Hamilton’s was Union Co.'s record for receiving yards with 2626 yards but that record fell Friday to Cuthberson’s JT Cauthen. Hamilton still holds Union Co.’s all-time receiving TDs record with 36. That record has stood since 2004 and will most likely fall in 2016 season. Cuthbertson's JT Cauthen (27 TDs), Sun Valley's Jeremiah Miller (30 TDs), Marvin Ridge's Emeka Emezie (20 TDs) all will be seniors in 2016 and will challenge the TD record. Records are meant to be broken and in 2016 this will fall.

Porter Ridge’s head coach Zach Bevilacqua is stepping down. Coach Bevilacqua stated via his twitter account: “Sad to announce I am no longer the head football coach at PR. Know that I am always a phone call away. Thank you players for your work.” The Pirates have struggled during his two seasons as coach, finishing 3-19. Bevilacqua took over the Pirate program after five straight winning seasons with a combined record of 55-15 from 2009-13. Blair Hardin built the Pirates’ program into a state powerhouse, reaching the 4A state title game in 2011 and again in 2012. G r e g N e u e n d o r f replaced Hardin and went 8-5 and made the playoffs in 2013 before leaving after one season. Porter Ridge’s football program will now be under a different leader for the fourth time since 2012 when a new head coach is announced.

Much has happened in Union Co. since I started covering sports in the area. The number of high schools has grown from five to nine and to where it sits now with 11 high schools. Sadly a number of head coaches have come and gone in that time as well. One thing that had not changed was the guy leading the program at Forest Hills. John Lowery is retiring as head football coach at Forest Hills.

John Lowery has worked at the school since 1978, when he began as an assistant football and head baseball coach. From 1978-98 as the Yellow Jackets baseball coach, Lowery won 250 games and the 1997 N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A state title. After serving as an assistant with the football team for seven years, including in 1984, the last time a Union Co. team won the state title. Coach Lowery was named head football coach of Forest Hills in 1986 and has gone on to win 16 conference championships and 266 games. He’s helped countless number of kids get to play football at the next level. John Lowery’s teams missed the playoffs once (’87) in his tenure.

John Lowery was the longest standing head football coach in Union Co. with 29 years at the helm. Now that mantle is passed to Monroe’s head coach Johnny Sowell, ironically Forest Hill’s arch rival. John Lowery could of gone else ware many times but chose to stay and build something. In an age of job jumping or “rogue” booster clubs calling for the removal of a coach there were two things certain in Union Co., the sun would come up in the east and John Lowery would be on the sidelines at Forest Hills. You will be missed Coach!!!

After three full varsity seasons at Sun Valley Jeremiah Miller is now Sun Valley's all-time leading in receiving yards. Miller finished the 2015 season with 1415 yards to put his three year total to 2230 receiving yards. Sun Valley's Ray Ray Davis was the Spartan record holder with 2224 yards from 2006-2008. Miller's 21 receiving TDs is a Sun Valley record too.Jody Fuller was the record holder with 16 set back in 2010. Miller is just a junior and will no doubt challange Union Co. all time record currently held by Forest Hills Cedrick Hamilton and his 2626 receiving yards set fron 2002-2004.

Marvin Ridge's junior QB Austin Colonna had a remarkable 2015 season. Colonna finished the season with 3053 passing yards which ranks him 3rd all-time in Union Co. history behind Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall (4461 yds '14) and Sun Valley's Sam Howell (3251 yds '15). Colonna also entered the Union Co. book after throwning for 450 yards earlier this season. Colonna's 450 passing yards ranks him 3rd all-time in passing yards in a game behind Sun Valley's Sam Howell with 461 yards and Sun Valley's Ryan Smith at 456. Congrats Austin.!!!

Sun Valley's young Sam Howell has put his name in the Union Co. passing record book and he's only a freshman. Howell slung it all season and finished with 3586 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Howell's 3586 passing yards ranks 2nd all-time in Union Co. history behind Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall's 4461 set in 2014. Howell's 35 passing TDs now ranks him 3rd behind Kendall (49) and Sun Valley's Andy Capone (37). Congrats Sam.!!!

Sun Valley junior receiver Jeremiah Miller caught seven balls for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the 56-28 playoff loss to Cocnord. Miller is the 12th player in Union Co. history to have more than 200 receiving yards in a game. Piedmont's Dan Brooks holds the record of 287 receiving yards set in 2002 vs. Ashbrook. Congrats Jeremiah!

Khris Missick ran for 89 yards in the loss to Cuthebrtson but those 89 yards put Mr. Missick into the Piedmont record book for most rushing yards in a season with 1633 yards. The Piedmont record for rushing yards in a season was held by Jacob Oakley (1,606 yards), who set in in 2010. Khris now sits 13th all-time for rushing yards in a season with 1,633 on the season. Despite the loss Piedont will head into the playoffs and will go to Crest in the 1st round. Congrats Khris!

On Sept. 4, Pinecrest defeated the Cavaliers 49-14 on Monroe High’s field. But a ruling was released by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association stating that Pinecrest used an ineligible player for the season. By NCHSAA rule, a junior varsity player cannot play more than eight quarters during the varsity season. Pinecrest appealed the decision, but was denied. Pinecrests record of 8-2 going into Friday night was dropped to 0-10. With the forfeit win and the 33-26 OT win over Piedmont in Week 12, they are now 7-4 overall and will travel to Erwin HS for the first round of the playoffs Nov 13th.

Austin Kendall has added another record to his resume as the best QB Union Co. has ever produced. Kendall, the future Oklahoma Sooner needed 11 completions to set the all time record for completions in a career. Kendall completed 17 of 25 passes for 191 yards and three TDs in the 33-26 overtime win. Kendall has completed 540 passes in his 3-year varsity career. Kendall played his sophomore year at Charlotte Christian. Kendall passes former Sun Valley's Ryan Smith who completed 533 passes. The win over Piedmont put the Cavaliers into the playoffs and will travel to Erwin HS for the first round of the playoffs Nov 13th. Congrats Austin!.

Pass Complettions in a Career

Sun Valley's young Sam Howell continues to impress. Sun Valley needed a win to make the playoffs and that is what they got. Howell was 12 of 17 for 272 yards and five TDs. Howell connected for 3 TDs to Anthony Marple and hooked up with Jeremiah Miller for 2 TDs on their way to a 44-20 win at Anson Co. Howell joins an elite club with names like Weddington's Jeff Buseick, Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall, Monroe's Justin Sanders and Zephanie Wall to throw five touchdowns in a game. Congrats Sam.!!!

Passing TDs in a game

Sun Valley's young Sam Howell has put his name atop the Union Co. record book after passing for 461 yards in 31-27 loss to Cuthbertson. Howell breaks the record of 456 passing yards set by Sun Valley's Ryan Smith vs. Clover in 2009. Howell now sits ahead of Ryan Smith (456 yds) and Marivn Ridge's Austin Colonna (450 yds) in the record book. Congrats Sam.!!!

Career Passing yards in a game

Sun Valley receiver Jeremiah Miller's 192 yards receiving in a 31-27 loss to Cuthbertson ranks him 14th All-Time in Union Co. history. Miller had a 191 receiving yard game vs. Rocky River earlier this season. and 183 yard receiving game vs. Weddington. Congrats Jeremiah.!!!

Receiving yards in a game

Sun Valley receiver Anthony Marple's 9 receptions vs. Cuthbertson ties him 5th all time for most receptions in a game. Marple had an 11 reception game earlier this season vs. Porter Ridge and that puts hims tied for 3rd all time. Congrats Anthony!!!

Receptions in a game

Marvin Ridge's junior QB Austin Colonna entered Union Co. book on his way to leading the Marvin Ridge Mavericks to a 62-34 win over Sun Valley. Colonna connected on 30 of 36 passes for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns. Colonna's 30 completions ranks him in 2nd place behind Porter Ridge's Ray Stanifer who completed 40 passes vs. Concord in 2009. Colonna's 450 passing yards ranks him 3rd all-time in passing yards in a game behind Sun Valley's Sam Howell with 461 yards and Sun Vallye's Ryan Smith at 456. Congrats Austin.!!!

Career Passing yards in a game

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Most Completions in a game

Keith Duncan's senior season just keeps getting better. After setting Union Co. and NC State records for field goals Duncan announced via his twitter account, "Excited to commit and spend the next 4 years of my academic and football career at Furman University" Congrats Keith!!!

Career FG's

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Longets FG's

Marvin Ridge's sophomore bruising tailback Calbe Deveaux has received his 1st offer from a Division-1 school to continue his football career after a racking up 186 yards and 3 tds in a 62-34 win over Sun Valley Friday night. Deveaux announced via his twitter account, "Blessed to receive my first offer from the University of Pittsburgh." Deveaux has 1039 rushing yards thru 8 games this season along with 12 rushing touchdowns. The Mavericks have now won 5 games in a row after starting out 0-3 this season. Congrats Caleb!!

Weddington's Keith Duncan set the NC High school record for career field goals with a 53-yarder in the 34-8 win over Anson Co. It was Duncan's 2nd 53-yarder field goal on the season. Duncan added a 25-yarder to extend HIS record to 39 field goals and counting. Duncan now has four of the top 10 longest field goals in Union Co. history. The career fied goal record was held by Austin Herbert from Cary HS which was set during the 1997 thru 1999 seasons. Congrats Keith!!!

Career FG's

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Longets FG's

The 2015 East/West shrine bowl rosters were released and Union Co. will be represented by Cuthbertson and future Oklahoma Sooners QB Austin Kendall. The 44-man N.C. team is made up of some of the top public school senior football players. They will play a team of S.C. stars Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg. Since the first Shrine Bowl game in 1937, the event has raised more than $75 million for Shriners Hospitals.

Due to some health issues I have recently encountered I will have to suspend the broadcast of the Game of the Week for the 2015 season. I will continue to cover all 11 teams in Union Co. and attend games. Thank you all for your support. We will return in 2016

Issac will look to continue this NFL career by signing with the Washington Redskins. Blakeney will join former Monroe and Duke teammate Jamison Crowder at the receiver position. Blakeney signed as a free agen with the 49ers but was unable to secure a roster spot prior to week 1 of the 2015 season. Congrats Issace!!!

For the 3rd time this season Weddington's Keith Duncan added his name to the record book. This time it was his 47-yard field goal in the 31-0 win over CCD. The 47-yarder gave Duncan his 37th career field gaol and tied the NC High school record held by Austin Herbert from Cary HS which was set during the 1997 thru 1999 seasons. Congrats Keith!!!

Austin Kendall continues his assult on the Union Co. passing records like a man possessed. Entering the game Kendall was tied with Sun Valley's Ryan Smith for the record of career passing TDs with 76. With 10 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter Kendall his favorite target in junior WR JT Cauthen for a 33-yard TD to set the record. The Cavs would go on to win the game 33-27 and improve to 3-1 on the season. Kendall set the record for passing TDs in a season last year with 49. Congrats Austin!!

Sun Valley sophomore reciever Anthony Marple's 197 yards receinving in the 28-25 win over Porter Ridge puts him 10th all-time in Union Co. history for receiving yards in a game. Marple now finds his name among some Union Co. greats like Piedmont's Dan Brooks, Forest Hills Cedric Hamilston, Monroe's Jamarius Colston and Sun Valley's Ray Ray Davis. Congrats Anthony!

Parkwood's Tre Butler ran straight into the record books with 344 yards rushing in a 49-28 win over Buford. The 344 rushing yards places Butler behind Sun Valley's Albert Funderburks 456 yards(2014) and Union Academy's Rasheed Rushing's 392 yards (2012) on the All-Time list Congrats Tre!

For the second time this season Weddington's Keith Duncan added his name to the record book. This time it was his 50-yard field goal in the loss to Monroe. Duncan now owns 2 of the top 5 longest field goals in Union Co. history. Duncan connected on a 53-yard field goal in week 2 vs. Forest Hills. Porter Ridge's Matt Wogan has the longest with a 58-yard field goal in a win at N. Davidson in the 2012 state playoffs. Weddington's Casey Lang has the 2nd longest with a 57-yarder in a win over Ardrey Kell in 2009. Congrats Keith!!!

Longets FG's

The Sun Valley Spartans have found their QB for the next 3 years. Sam Howell is just a freshman but after his stellar performance in a 63-38 win over N. Stanly the future looks bright for Sun Valley. Howell thew for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. Howell now finds him self among some of the greatest passing games in Union Co. history. Howell's 391 passing yards in a game ranks tied for 7th most all-time in Union Co. history. The freshman Howell now finds his name up there with the likes of Sun Valley's Ryan Smith, Cuthbertson's Austin Kednall, Porter Ridge's Ray Staniffer, Sun Valley's Andy Capone and CATA's Travis Levine. Congrats Sam!!!

The 2015 season will begin this Friday August 21st at 7:30 and I am extremely excited. A lot has happened in Union Co Football the past 15 years. I’ve seen Union Co. grow from five football programs to 11 football programs.

I’ve seen teams that historically were hammered rise up and become an elite programs. Porter Ridge was 0-11 with no seniors in 2005 and in 5 years they were in the state semi-finals and in 7 years went to the state title game in back to back years.

I’ve seen two Union Co. rivals in Weddington and Cuthbertson play for a spot in the state title game. Warriors won 24-21 on the road.

I’ve seen a Union Co. team in a State Championship game the past four years in a row (Porter Ridge in 2011 & 2012, Monroe in 2013 & Weddington in2014).

I’ve seen some of Union Co.’s football records shattered. Cuthbertson’s Austin Kendall shattered the record for passing TD’s in a season (49); his teammate JT Cauthen shattered the record for receptions in a season (104). Sun Valley’s Albert Funderburk is the all-time Union Co. record holder for most rushing yards in a game (456 yds), season (2342 yds) and career (6692 yds).

I’ve seen some of Union Co.’s finest football players make it on to play Division 1 football; Piedmont’s Cameron Tripp, Cuthbertson’s Ryan Kendall, Sun Valley’s Albert Funderburk, Monroe’s Quayshawn Chambers and some even all the way to play professionally; Monroe’s Jamison Crowder (Redskins) and Issac Blakeney (49ers), Weddington’s Darius Kilgo (Broncos) and Anthony Boone(CFL’s Montreal Alouettes).

The 2015 season looks extremely bright and I have no doubt that it’ll be as exciting a season we’ve ever had. ………………………..NOW LET’S GET IT ON!!

Central Academy has found their coach. The CATA Cougars have hired Shane Griffin as their new head football coach. Coach Griffin is the fourth coach in eight years of CATA football. The Griffin hire filled the coaching vacancy created by the departure of Scott Smith 16 days ago. Coach Griffin was previously teh offensive line coach at Anson Co. the past two years. Coach Griffin was previously the CATA Offensive Line Coach under then Central Academy head coach, Tad Baucom. Coach Griffin is a native of Union County, playing his high school football at Forest Hills High School. He played his college ball at Wingate Univeristy on the offensive line for the Bulldogs.