NIck Saldiveri (PW)
Parkwood offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri has committed to continue his education and football career at Old Dominion University. Saldiveri announced his intentions via his twitter account, “Excited to say that I have committed to play college football at Old Dominion University!!!” Saldiver is listed at 6’6 280 and a senior will anchor the Parkwood Rebels offense this season for first year head coach Tim Speakman. The Rebels have moved up from 2A to 3A classification and have joined the SCC.
C.A.T.A. Cougars
CATA has finally found their head caoch. In late May, the school named Tony Byrum its new coach. Byrum was an assistant at the school for two years under departing head coach Shane Griffin. Central’s new head coach is now Jeff Edwards, a former defensive coordinator at nearby Sun Valley High School. Edwards has also coached defense at West Lincoln, South Stanly and Fairmount. Central Academy was 1-10 last season and lost its final nine games. Since opening in 2007, the school has never had a winning season. Its best year came under coach Tad Baucom in 2011, when the Cougars finished 5-7.
Luke Burrnette (SV)
Sun Valley's Luke Burnette Burnette caught 23 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns as a junior at Sun Valley. On the defensive side of the ball Burnette had seven sacks and 57 tackles as a defensive end. The App State coaching staff projects him as a tight end or offensive tackle. Burnette also has offers from Richmond, Elon and Florida International. The Spartans went 8-4 last season.
Tony Byrum (CA)
Central Academy High football coach Tony Byrum has resigned as head football coach 5 days after accepting the position. CATA's twitter account lists personal reasons for his stepping down. CATA will now resume the search for a new football coach.
Mannesseh Missick (UA)
Union Academy’s multi-talented Mannesseh Missick has signed to continue his education and football career at NC Wesleyan. Missick was named 2nd Team All-UCHSF as a senior after rushing for 1091 yds and 10 touchdowns and threw for 1069 yds and 10 touchdowns as well as being named All-Yadkin Valley in 2016. For his career Manasseh has 2945 career passing yards and 22 TDs along with 1708 rushing yards and 23 TDs. GOOD LUCK Mannesseh!
Ishod Finger (SV)
Sun Valley’s leading rusher from 2016 will not return for his senior year. Ishod Finger, who rushed for 1110 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior will play his senior year at Metrolina Christian Academy. Finger announced his intentions via this twitter account, “After a thought-out process with family and friends I feel it would be in my best interests to attend Metrolina Christian for my senior year of football. I am thankful for all that Sun Valley has done for me through the years but it comes a time and place where a man has a stand on his own two feet and do what he feels is better for himself.” Finger was named 2nd Team All-UCHSF as a junior. Finger had 17 catches for 179 yards and 3 scores. Sophomore QB Sam Howell was the Spartans 2nd leading rusher in 2016 with 444 yards on the ground and 12 rushing TDs. Good Luck Ishod!
NIck Stitt & Rheece Hillard
Parkwood’s Nick Stitt will continue his education and football career at North Carolina Wesleyan. Stitt signed his letter of intent earlier this week and Mr. Stitt announced via his twitter account, “Committed to another four years to be a student-athlete at North Carolina Wesleyan.” Stitt, 5’6 150 lbs played receiver and defensive back for the Lynn Coble and the Rebels. Nick has 432 career receiving yards on 45 receptions and 4 touchdowns. Defensively Stitt has 5 career interceptions along with 77 tackles for the Rebels. Congrats Nick!!!!
Parkwood’s Rheece Hillard joins Nick Stitt in in continuing his football career and education as he is headed to St. Francis. Hilliard, a two-year starter for the Rebels at defensive end had 62 career tackles along with 5.5 sacks for Coach Coble. Congrats Rheece!!
Tyrese Marsh
Forest Hills Tyrese Marsh will continue his education and football career at Catawba. Marsh was a 3 year starter at linebacker Forest Hills and recorded 360 total tackles, 259 solo tackles. Marsh added 2 interceptions in his 3 years at Forest Hills. Marsh was named All-UCHSF 1st team as a junior and senior along with All-Rocky River for 3 years. Congrats Tyrese!!
Speakman came to Parkwood from Ave Maria University, where he served as the head softball coach. He was also the football team’s offensive coordinator from 2010-13. Speakman, who has 28 years of football coaching experience, was par t of Appalachian State’s football staff under head coach Jerry Moore. After his time at App State, Speakman spent four seasons as the head football coach at Pal- metto Ridge High School in Naples, Florida. Under Speakman, Palmetto Ridge finished 7-4 in 2006 and 7-3 in 2007. Speakman, who is now the head softball coach at Parkwood takes over a football team that finished 6-6 under head coach Lynn Coble last season. Coble spent the last six seasons at the helm for the Rebels, compiling a 27-45 record with the team. Parkwood has finished above .500 four times in the past 13 seasons, including twice under Coble. The Rebels will compete in the Southern Carolina 3A Conference next season as they move from the Rocky River 2A Conference. Coach Speakman!!!
Lynn Coble (PW)
Lynn Coble has stepped down as the head football coach at Parkwood High School after six seasons. Coble led the Rebles to the 2AA state semifinal round in 2013. Parkwood had a 6-6 record in 2016. Coble took over a Parkwood team that was 1-10 in 2010 under former HC Nelson Rowell. Coble leaves the program with a record of 27-45. Coble will remain at the school as a teacher and assistant wrestling and baseball coach. The school will begin to search for his replacement as football coach. You will be missed Coach Coble!!!
Porter Ridge Pirates
The Porter Ridge Pirates get 6 players and a HC Michael Hertz named to the All-SW4A team. The 2016 SW4A team was announced and 6 Porter Ridge players were named to the squad. Offensive tackle Austin Sikorski, offensive guard Brandon Nguyen and running back Mason Mills were named to the offensive team. Defensive end Nick Chiaravalotti, linebacker William Reed and defensive specialist Austin Richardson were named to the defensive side of the ball. Heac Coach Micahel Hertz shared the Coach of the Year honors with Myers Park Scott Chadwick. Congrats!!!
Emeke Emezie (MR)
Marvin Ridge's Emeka Emezie finishes his high school football career with a four overtime playoff loss despite having 11 receptions for 186 yards and 4 touchdowns. Emezie is now the holder of two Union Co. receiving records. Emezie is now the all-time leader in career receptions with 236 and career receiving yards with 3584. Emezie finished the 2016 season with 99 catches for 1387 yards and 18 touchdowns. Emezie's 11 receptions ties him for 3rd for most receptions in a game. Congrats Emeka!!
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Austin Colonna (MR)
Marvin Ridge's Austin Colonna set the Union Co. record for touchdwon passes in a game with seven in a 49-42 win vs. Concord in the 1st RD of the 3A Playoffs. Colonna connected on 20 of 30 passes for 425 yards. Austin connected with Alex Leshock three times, Emeka Emezie twice and Devin Powell twice to set the record. The previous record was held by Austin Kendall (CU), Sam Howell (SV) and Jeff Buseick (W). Colonna's 425 yards passing ranks as the 8th best passing game in Union Co. history! Congrats Austin!!
Devin Powell (MR)
Marivn Ridge junior Devin Powell had the game of his life and it landed him in the Union Co. record book. Powell had 237 yards receiving in the 49-42 playoff win over Concord. Powell had just 5 receptions that totalled 237 yards and 2 TDs. Powell's 237 yards ranks now as the 6th best receiving game in Union Co. history. Congrats Devon!!
Sam Howell (SV)
Sun Valley's Super Sophomore Sam Howell smashed his own record for passing yards in a game with 534 yards in a 49-27 win over Anson Co. Howell set the Union Co. record with 461 yards last season as a freshman against Cuthbertson. Howell threw 6 TDs for the second time this season in the win over Anson Co. and tied that Union Co record which he aleady shares with Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall and Weddington's Jeff Buseick. Howell now has four of the top 20 single game passing marks. Congrats Sam!!
Jeremiah Miller (SV)
Sun Valley's Jeremiah Miller's 236 receiving yards ranks as the 6th best all time in Union Co. history. Miller had 10 catches for 236 yards and 2 TDs in the 49-27 win over Anson Co. Miller's 236 yards is the Sun Valley record. Miller's previous high was 203 receiving yards vs. Concord in 2015. Congrats Jeremiah!!
For the first time in 29 years the Forest Hills Yellow Jackets will not be in the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets finished the 2016 season 1-10 and 1-4 in the Rocky River Conference. Forest Hills went 5-5 overall in 1987 and missed the playoffs with John Lowery at the helm. Coach Lowery retired in 2015 and Cory Smith took over the Yellow Jacket program. Smith, a former Union Co. standout when he was at Sun Valley had no previous head coaching experience. The 1-10 record is the worst record since they were 2-8 in 1978. The last time Forest Hills won just one game was 1973 when they were 1-9. The Yellow Jackets had opportunities for wins early in the season, losing close games to Anson Co. 20-13, Piedmont 24-21, Mt. Pleasant 36-35 and Parkwood 17-16. The Yellow Jackets do have three key players Coach Smith can build around in junior quarterback Tyson Davis, junior running back Jaleel McLaughlin and sophomore running back Kendrick McLaurn on offense. McLaurin only played in five games but ran for 642 yards and five touchdowns. Almost half (259) of those 642 yards came in a 53-28 loss to Cuthbertson. McLaughlin ran for 691 yards and 13 touchdowns. Davis, a first year as a starter threw for 1026 yards and six touchdowns but threw 13 interceptions.
Sun Valley's outstanding receiver senior Jeremiah Miller joined an elite group of Union Co. wide receivers after his four TD performance vs. Piedmont. Miller joined the ranks of Piedmont's Dan Brooks, Cameron Leviner, Cuthbertson's JT Cauther and BJ Muckelvene as the only players to record four receiving TDs in a game. Congrats Jeremiah!!
Marvin Ridge High teammates Emeka Emezie and D’mitri Emmanuel have been chosen to part of the 80th annual Shrine Bowl in December. The prestigious game features most of the top seniors from both North Carolina and South Carolina. It will be held at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College on Dec. 17. Emezie, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver, is a threeyear starter for the Mavericks. He has 161 catches for 2,572 yards and 26 touchdowns in 29 career games. Emezie has gone over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons and is on pace to make it three years. Emezie recently announced his de-commitment from N.C. State. Emmanuel, a 6-foot-3, 300-pounder, is the anchor of the Maverick offensive line and a three year starter for the Mavs. He committed to a scholarship with Charlotte earlier in September. Emezie and Emmanuel are just the third set of teammates in Union County history to be selected to the Shrine Bowl in the same season. Sun Valley’s Jody Fuller and Jared Barr both made it in 2011, while Stephen Marsh and Travis Colston both represented Forest Hills in the 1997 Shrine Bowl. Emezie and Emmanuel join some of Union Co.'s finest football players to be selected for the game.
Sam Howell (SV)
Sun Valley sophomore QB Sam Howell tied a Union Co. record with six touchdown passes in a game. In the 63-10 win over Forest Hills, Howell was 10-16 for 183 yards and six touchdowns. Howell threw five touchdowns in a win over Anson Co. in 2015. Howell joins Cuthbertson's Austin Kendall ('14 v.s Ahseboro) and Weddington's Jeff Buseick ('02 vs. Sun Valley) as the record holders. Congrats Sam!!!
Tyler Chadwick (MR)
Former Marvin Ridge Maverick QB Tyler Chadwick has decided to give football one more shot. After graduating from Coastal Carolina just a month ago, Tyler Chadwick is now a backup QB on the Coastal Carolina football team as a 5th year senior. Tyler is currently working on his master’s degree at Coastal Carolina. Chadwick was a 3-year starter at Marvin Ridge and threw for 5,648 career yards and 54 career touchdowns while posting a 24-4 record in the regular season as a starter. At one time Chadwick held the Union Co. record for passing yards in a career until 2014. He was one of five finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year at the Greater Charlotte High School Football Awards Banquet as a senior. Chadwick was named 1st team All-UCHSF as a senior as well as named two-time All-Southern Carolina Conference selection. Congrats Tyler!!!
Kendrick McLaurin (FH)
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!!!
Zephaniah Wall (M)
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!!
JT Cauthen (CU)
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!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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!!
Emeke Emezie (MR)
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!!
Jordan Deese (PM)
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!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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!
Marcus Leak
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!!!
Alex Kirkley (UA)
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!!!
Zaccheus Rorie(FH)
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!!
2017 Conference realignment
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.
KJ Brent (MR)
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!!
Grayson Willingham (W)
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!!!
Dylan McCarthy (PR)
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!!!
Keith Duncan (W)
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!!!
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Patrick Hensley (CU)
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!!
Michael Hertz (PR)
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.
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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!!
Zephaniah Wall(M)
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!!
Cory Smith (FH)
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.
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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!!
Keith Duncan (W)
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!!!
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JT Cauthen(CU)
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!!!
Emeka Emezie(MR)
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!!!.
Emeka Emezie (MR)
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!!!
Cedric Hamilton(FH)
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.
John Lowery(FH)
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!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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.
Austin Colonna (MR)
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.!!!
Sam Howell (SV)
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.!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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 (PM)
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!
Cuthbertson Cavaliers
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 (CU)
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!.
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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.!!!
Sam Howell (SV)
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
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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.!!!
Anthony Marple (SV)
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!!!
Austin Colonna (MR)
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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Keith Duncan (W)
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!!!
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Caleb Deveaux (MR)
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!!
Keith Duncan (W)
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!!!
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Austin Kendall (CU)
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.
Matt Abrigg (UCHSF)
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 Blakeney (M)
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!!!
Keith Duncan (W)
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 (CU)
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!!
Anthony Marple (SV)
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!
Tre' Butler (PW)
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!
Keith Duncan (W)
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!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
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!!
Shane Griffin (CA)
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.
Anthony Boone
Former Weddington QB Anthony Boone was released from the Detroit Lions but was quickly picked up by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football league. Boone was an undrafted free agent out of Duke where he played four seasons and completed 540 of 923 passes for 5789 yards and 38 touchdowns. Boone also ran for 800 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Blue Devils.
I have been covering Union Co. Football for 10 years and have always felt that there needed be a "record book" in regards to Union Co. high school football. Union Co. has developed some of the best football in the Charlotte area and it needs to be recognized. I am in the process of compiling the #'s and look forward to releasing it soon. Keep in mind that it is a on going process. If I have missed some stats etc. feel free to contact me.
Central Academy is looking for a new head coach as Coach Phil Smith steps down to accept the head coaching position at Albemarle. CATA athletic Director Jay Nessier annouced via Twitter that a search for a new HC will begin immediately. CATA was 4-7 and 1-4 in the Rocky River in Phil Smith's only year at CATA.
Quay Threatt(CA)
Central Academy’s Quay Threatt has committed to continue his football playing career at UNC Pembroke in 2015. Mr. Threatt was named 1st Team All-UCHSF along with being named to the All-Rocky River conference team as a senior. Quay had 16 receptions for 567 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Cougars as a senior. In Quay’s 3 years on varsity he produced 58 catches for 1113 yards and 12 touchdowns at the wide receiver position. Mr. Threatt scored 13 total touchdowns while playing a variety of positions for Central Academy. Congrats Quay!!
Aubrey Carter (MR)
Marvin Ridge High School is pleased to announce the selection of Aubrey Carter as their Varsity Head Football Coach. Mr. Carter has been a teacher and member of the football coaching staff at Lake Norman High School since 2002, having most recently served three years as the Offensive Coordinator and two years as the Defensive Coordinator. In 2014, Lake Norman advanced to the 4AA semifinals, losing to eventual champion Mallard Creek. Under Carter, Lake Norman’s offense averaged 42 points per game.
Mr. Carter is a graduate of Mars Hill College, where he majored in Physical Education and was a four-year letterman as an offensive lineman on the Mars Hill football team. He will be a Physical Education teacher at Marvin Ridge High School.
Max Robinson (PW)
Parkwood WR Max Robinson has commited to continue his football playing career as he signed with UNC-Pembroke. Mr. Robinson was named 2nd Team All-UCHSF along with being named to the All-Rocky River conference team as a senior. Max had 41 receptions for 860 yards and 11 touchdowns. Congrats Max!!
Josh Coble (PW)
Parkwood QB Josh Coble has commited to continue his football playing career as he signed with Catawba College. Mr. Coble was named Honorable mention All-UCHSF along with being named to the All-Rocky River conference team as a senior. Josh completed 55% of his passes while throwing for 1210 yards and 14 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions in 2014. Josh also ran for 7 touchdowns. Congrats Josh!!
Austin Kendall (CU)
Cuthbertson High quarterback Austin Kendall committed to the University of Oklahoma on Tuesday via his Twitter account. "I have officially committed to the University of Oklahoma!! #BoomerSooner”, Kendall tweeted on Tuesday. " Kendall originally committed to the University of Tennessee Austin before the 2014 Kendall season, but withdrew his commit to the Volunteers a few weels ago. Oklahoma and Auburn both extended scholarship offers to Kendall within weeks after his announcement. Kendall virtually rewrote the Union Co. passing record book in 2014, setting records for completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns in a season. Kendall is on the verge of setting the career records in those categories as well.
Brad Hoover (MR)
Head football coach at Marvin Ridge High, Brad Hoover has resigned, according to school Athletic Director Tom Jamerson and has accepted the same position at Concord’s Cannon High School. In Hoover’s lone year a the helm the Mavericks started out 0-6 but finished strong, winning three straight conference games and made the state 3A playoffs. Gastonia Asheboro knocked the Mavs out in a 28-27 loss in the first round giving them a final record of 3-9. Marvin Ridge’s football program will look for its 4th head coach in 4 seasons. Mavs made the football playoffs in each of their first six seasons. Scott Chadwick, currently, the head coach at Myers Park in Charlotte, had a 41-20 record in his five seasons (2008-12) at Marvin Ridge. Chadwick was relieved of his duties as football coach after a 7-5 season in 2012. Chadwick was followed by Danny Bailey in 2013 and Hoover last season.
Austin Kendall (CU)
Cuthbertson QB Austin Kendall de-committed from Tennessee and has now opened the door for other programs to recruit the four-star prospect.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder Kendall shared the news via his Twitter account :
“I want to thank everyone at the University of Tennessee, from the coaches to the fans. I want to thank them for the great opportunity they offered me. Having said that and after much thought. I have decided to reopen my recruitment."
Kendall had been committed to the Volunteers since August and will reportedly consider Auburn, Florida, Kentucky and Michigan going forward. The Auburn Tigers have been recruiting Kendall since his freshman season and made an offer to him on Feb 20th.
Kendall practically re-wrote the Union Co. record book in passing categories. He threw for 4,461 yards with 49 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season. Kendall is currently 2nd in career passing yards with 5961 yards despite playing outside of Union Co. his sophomore year. He is currently tied for 2nd in career passing TDs with 67, Sun Valley’s Ryan Smith threw for 76 from 2009-2011.
Chase Byrum (M)
After a little time the Monroe Redhawks running back, Chase Byrum, found his college home, signing a National Letter of Intent with Elizabeth City State University. As a senior, Byrum ran through defenses for 2,042 yards and 22 touchdowns. He helped the Redhawks to a 9-5 record and a trip to the third round of the playoffs. Byrum will join former Red hawk Lavonte Baker and former Union Academy standout Rasheed Rushing at ECSU. Byrum rushed for more than 4,500 yards in three varsity seasons at Monroe.
Andrew Chiarelli (CU)
Cuthbertson Cavaliers Andrew Chiarelli has chosen the University of Charleston to continue his college football career. Andrew (6'0, 245lbs) helped lead the Cavs to 4523 passing yards and into the State Semi Finals as a senior.
Chris Trevisan (W)
Weddington’s Chris Trevisan has chosen Davidson as to continue football career at the next level. Trevisan played both wide receiver and defensive back and led Union Co. in interceptions with 9 his senior year on defense. On offense Trevisan had 54 catches for 866 yards and 13 touchdowns. Trevisan was named 1st Team All-UnionCountyHighSchoolFootball.com as a senior. Trevisan helped lead the Weddington Warriors to the 214 State Championship game. Congrats Chris!!!
BJ Muckeleven (CU)
Cuthbertson's BJ Muckelvene has chosen the Wingate Bulldogs to continue to play college football. Muckeleven led Union Co. in receiving yards with 1509 and 23 TDs along with 97 catches as a senior. BJ helped lead the Cuthbertson Cavaliers to the State Semil Finals. Congrats BJ!
Aaron Braswell (PM)
Piedmont RB Aaron Braswell has decided to take his talents to Davidson. Braswell was a duel threat for the Panthers his senior year. Aaron ran for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns. Braswell also caught 23 passes for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior. Braswell was named 2nd Team All-UnioCountyHighSchoolFootball.com as a junior and senior.
Luke Hyatt (PM)
Piedmont High School has named Luke Hyatt as its new head football coach. Hyatt will come to Piedmont from Anson, where he was the head coach for the last six seasons. He is a graduate of Anson High School. Hyatt takes over the Piedmont program from interim coach Jamie Belk. Belk assumed the head coaching duties during the season after Ron Massey died suddenly in October. Anson was 1-10 last season and Hyatt’s teams posted a 27-45 mark there.
Lance Moore (W)
Junior defensive end Lance Moore added to his county record for sacks in a season/ Moore had 2.5 sacks in the win over Cuthbertson. Moore now has 24.5 sacks in 15 game in this season.
Austin Kendall (CU)
Cuthbertson junior QB Austin Kendall set the single season passing touchdown record in the 48-14 win over Asheboro. Kendall now has 43 touchdowns on the season. The previous record of 37 was held by Porter Ridge's Lee McNeill during the 2010 season.
JT Cauthen (CU)
Cuthbertson's sophomore WR JT Cauthen set the Union Co. record for receptions in a season with 104 catches. The previous record was held by Sun Valley's Ray Ray Davis who had 82 receptions in the 2006 season.
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
Sun Valley running back Albert Funderburke set the single season reocrd for rushing yards with 2342 yards. Forest Hills' QB Juanne Blount previously held the record of 2294 in 2008. Funderburke is the first player in Union County history to total over 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Keith Duncan (W)
Weddington’s Keith Duncan sets the single-season field goal record with 14 field goals so far this season. Duncan entered the Marvin Ridge game sharing the mark with former Porter Ridge standout and current Oregon Duck Matt Wogan. Wogan was 11-of-16 as a senior in 2012. Duncan is now 16-21 on the year.
Austin Kendall (CU)
Junior QB Austin Kendall is now holds the single season passing yards record for Union Co. Kendall needed 49 yards entering Monday’s delayed game vs. Sun Valley. Kendall broke the record of Marvin Ridge’s Tyler Chadwick on his second pass of the night, a 47-yard TD pass to BJ Mucklevene in the first quarter. Chadwick broke the record in 2010 with 2669 yards in a season. Which was held by Monroe QB Antwone Clyburn in the 2005 season.
This is the 4th Union Co. record to fall this season. Sun Valley’s Albert Funderburk set the All-time rushing record for yards in a career along with the single game rushing record of 456 yards. Cuthbertson’s BJ Mucklevene set the single game receiving yards record of 287 yards in the win over Weddington.
Kendall threw for 1500 yards as a freshman for the Cavaliers but transferred to Charlotte Christian as a sophomore. Kendall has thrown for 4482 yards in his 2 years at Cuthbertson. Kendall currently sits at 2982 yards this season and will surely pass 3000 yards in the final regular season game Friday when the Cavs travel to Piedmont.
Piedmont High head football coach Ron Massey passed away suddenly on the morning of October 11 of a heart attack. Coach Massey, who was 56 years old, took over the helm at Piedmont in March of 2012 and was in his third season with the program. During his 11 years at Brown, Coach Massey compiled a 120-32 record, winning nine conference championships. He had been Head Coach at Piedmont High since 2012. He was an assistant coach for the NC Shrine Bowl game in 2001. He also coached the 2001 East/West All-Star Game. He won SWC, NPC, and SPC Coach of the Year accolades numerous times. Coach Massey was on the sidelines in Friday's 74-58 home loss to Sun Valley. The Panthers have moved their game hosting Anson Co. on Friday to Monday at 6:30 pm according to Piedmont athletic director Bob Gearhar.
Albert Funderburk (SV)
Albert Funderburke broke Union County's single season rushing record with 456 yards on 20 carries in Sun Valley's 74-58 road win over Piedmont on Friday. Funderburke scored five touchdowns on runs of 71, 71, 7, 35 and 42 yards. He broke the record held previously by Rasheed Rushing of Union Academy, who gained 392 yards on Oct. 12, 2012 in a win over West Stanly. CONGRATULATIONS ALBERT!!!
Photo courtesy of Chris Summerville Photography
Sun Valley running back Albert Funderburke became Union County’s all-time rushing record holder in the Spartans 26-20 win over East Bladen on Sept. 12. Funderburke rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries, giving him 5,544 yards in his career to break former Forest Hills quarterback Juanne Blount’s record. Blount totaled 5,392 yards in his career from 2006-09. Funderburke rushed for 2,023 yards as a junior last season. Albert finished teh 2014 seaosn with 2342 yards which is a season record and the first player in Union County history to total over 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Austin Kendall (CU)
Austin Kendall still has two more years of high school to complete, but he's already made a big decision about his future.Kendall, a junior quarterback at Cuthbertson High, has committed to a full scholarship with the University of Tennessee. Kendall chose the Volunteers over offers from Kentucky, Clemson, N.C. State, Miami, Virginia, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Boston College and Charlotte. Tennessee was the third school to offer a scholarship. As a freshman in 2012, Kendall was 79-of-145 for 1,500 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Cavaliers. He also ran for 202 yards and a score.Kendall transferred to Charlotte Christian for his sophomore year, when he was 111-of-181 for 1,668 yards with 20 TDs and six interceptions. He led the Knights to a 12-0 record and the NCISAA 3A state championship. After making the move back to Cuthbertson, Kendall is focused on helping the Cavaliers secure their first winning season in school history.
Cameron Tripp (PM)
Piedmont 6'6 senior QB Cameron Tripp wil be playing football at Harvard University in the fall of 2015. Tripp has turned down numerous scholarship offers to play football including one to Alabama Birmingham as well as an offer to play basketball for The Citadel. Harvard's football team won the Ivy League championship in 2013.