Friday Nights in K-Town

The Wonder Football Web Page
"For the Discerning Wonder Football Fan"
Scott Boggs Editor/Historian

"Kannapolis Football "A Tradition of Excellence"

Wonder Football Combined Record Since 1952
535-Wins 193-Losses 19-Ties 747 Total Games
73.1% Since 1952
Total Points Scored-18,546 pts Total Points Allowed-9,675 pts

Wonder Football Combined Record Since 1930
640-Wins 287-Losses 30-Ties 957 Total Games
68.5% Since 1930
Total Points Scored-21,151 pts Total Points Allowed-11,714 pts

"The A.L. Brown Alma Mater"
Hail our Alma Mater: Brown High is the School:
Fighting Spirit, Courage, Brave: Win our Loyalty:
Long thy Praises in our Hearts: Ever will Ring True:
Love Friendship, Knowledge Dwell: In our Memory:

"The History of the Alma Mater"
(The Alma Mater was written and arranged by Jimmy Parker. Parker was a member of the class of 1957. The lyrics were written by Robbie Hobbs, and Miss Oveda Poag. The song was adopted as the school alma mater during an assembly program on October 12, 1956. This is our legacy and heritage)

"The Fight Song"
Fight for the Green and White:
And all The Praises We'll Sing:
We Will Fight for the Green and White:
Till Hills and Valleys Ring:

March, March on Down the Field:
And We Will Break Right through the Line:
Fighting with the Spirit True:
For the School that's yours and mine:

We'll Fight, We'll Fight:
For Kelly Green and White:
We'll Win, We'll Win:
We'll Win this Game Tonight:
Hey, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight:
Little Wonders Fight:

The A.L. Brown Fight Song
"Performed by the 1986 Big Green Machine"

"Current Updates"

"Home Page" (Updated) New Message from the Editor.

Wonder Football 2016: (Updated) Team and Position Photos from Picture Day, Current MECKA 7 Schedules and Standings, 2016 Team Previews, Photos and Summaries from the Wonders 35-12 victory over North Mecklenburg.

"Scrapbooks Vol-1" (No Updates)

"Scrapbooks Vol-2" (Updated) The 1997 State Championship Featurette Pt-2 has been updated with complete season highlights from the 1997 commemorative State Championship year tribute video. Highlights are located at the bottom of Page-2

"Battle for the Bell" (Updated) Pre and Post Game articles from the 86th Annual Battle for the Bell 2016.

"Hard Road to Glory" (No Updates)

"The Original Big Green Machine" (No Updates)

From the Desk of Friday Nights in K-Town
"Message from the Editor"

09-10-16: Hello Wonder Nation and Welcome Back to Friday Nights in K-Town: The Wonders improved to 1-0 in the MECKA 7, 4-1 overall with a dominating 35-12 victory over the Vikings of North Mecklenburg last Friday night for homecoming at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium. What looked like may become an offensive shootout between the two teams after the first three minutes of play, soon turned into an offensive showcase for the Wonders as they rattled off twenty one unanswered points before the break to take a 28-6 lead over the Vikings to begin the second half. The defense of the Wonders quickly shut down a potent Viking running attack and made life for their quarterback a nightmare. The Wonders would allow the Vikings to get a late second half touchdown that was not much more than a gratuitous gesture on the part of the Wonder defense. The Wonders would finish the game 35-12 victors taking a perfect clean sweep of the North Mecklenburg Vikings in their final season of competitive gridiron play. The Wonders overall record improved to 4-0 in the series that will conclude in 2017 with the Wonders re entry into the 3A classification. An overall great win for the Wonders who were intent on erasing the memory of a 23-21 defeat at the hands of the Mooresville Blue Devils two weeks ago.

Though the victory is a great way to start the conference season, it is definitely no time to rest on our laurels. Next Friday night at Memorial Stadium the Wonders will begin the first of a four week stretch where they will be tested like never before. This Friday night the Vance Cougars will come to town undefeated and ranked #1 in the MECKA 4A to take on our Wonders. The last visit by the Cougars in 2014 was not a meeting the Wonders care to remember as they gouged us for the most yardage ever given up by a Wonder football team in a single game. The Wonders gave up over 400 yards rushing on the ground to the Cougars who walked out of Memorial Stadium with a 48-35 thrashing of the Wonders before the home crowd. Last season the Wonders avenged the loss with a shocking 31-14 victory over the Cougars at Rocky River High School after a Friday night rain delay. The Cougars who were highly favored in that game were outplayed from the getgo by a group of Wonders intent on serving up some cold, fresh payback. The Wonders hold a 2-1 advantage over the Cougars in the series overall, with all of the Wonders wins having come on the road. The Cougars are 1-0 against the Wonders at Memorial Stadium and will return to K-Town this Friday night with the mindset of humiliating the Wonders for a game they felt should have been a Cougar victory last season.

I'm sure the experts are giving the Wonders no chance whatsoever of defeating the Cougars in this final meeting in the series this Friday night, but the game is not played on paper, it's played on the field. Make no mistake, for the Wonders to pull this monumental feat off they must play like they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Cougars who are led by an excellent Division 1 prospect in QB Kingsley Ifedi, will be lighting up the airways Friday night. The Wonders have not seen a team with this much talent on one sideline this entire season. It's going to be an uphill battle for the Wonders for sure, but it's not impossible. The Wonders, though fighting through some injuries are quite capable of taking care of business on their own, but they must play four mistake quarters of football to make that happen. The last home meeting with the Cougars I recall never having heard so much trash talking on the field by the Orange and Blue, but I don't suspect that will be the case this Friday night. I think the Cougars are walking softly and carrying a big stick this season having been criticized so much in the off season for their false bravado, and lack of control on the field. I suspect the Cougars will be all business this Friday night as the Wonders must be.

I hope everyone will get out to Memorial Stadium this Friday night and support the Wonders in this final meeting with Vance. The team is going to need all the support they can get from the 12th man. It's week one of four in the meatgrinder for the Wonders this Friday night, and all games count. Let's make this Friday night a shocker that we can all take pride in when it's all said and done. It's not an impossibility!! Go Wonders!!! -The editor

A.L. Brown Wonders Football
"The Pride of the Working Class"

The backdrop in this picture from the Charlotte Observer in 1998 speaks volumes about the A.L. Brown Wonders and the tie that binds in the city of Kannapolis . At one time in our great history the Wonders were the pride of the working class people in Kannapolis and were thought of as part of an extended family. Every Friday night from August to November the stands at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium were filled to capacity with rabid Wonder fans anxiously awaiting to see their adopted sons take the field of battle to bring pride and victory home to the Wonder faithful. This was an era of big bands and pride in one's alma mater. "Times change, but Tradition remains" is the rally cry for Wonder supporters today. Fact is the demographics in the "City of Looms" has changed drastically since the closing of the textile giant Cannon Mills back in 2003, which served as K-Town's chief source of employment and household income for so many years. The textile mill was the backbone of the city, and that of it's economic infrastructure. It's tough blue collar workers produced tough, gritty offspring who made their way through the Pop Warner leagues in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties, and eventually to A.L Brown High School.

Today with a foundering economy, and lack of blue collar industry to sustain it's inhabitants, what we once knew in Kannapolis may have been lost forever. Bio-Technology and the change in skyline in the city of Kannapolis has brought forth a new age, with a new cast of characters, with a new mindset, and new priorities. With that change much of what made us so tough and so gritty is no longer a part of daily life. Friday Nights in K-Town is committed to preserving the history of our stoic past, and celebrating the achievements that put our football program at the forefront of high school football programs in the state. The smoke stacks are gone, and the skyline is quite different today than what we once knew and loved so many years ago, but the echoes of a long lost Wonder generation still reverberates within the confines of Memorial Stadium today. All one has to do is step back and look at the rows of old mill houses that still surround the playing field, and all of those old ghosts echo the same sentiment. Get back to your roots!!
-The editor

"What's Causin All of This?" Woooooooo

Wonder Football has long been a standing tradition on Friday nights in the town of Kannapolis since A.L. Brown High School first opened its doors in 1952. Kannapolis or "The City of Looms" as it is translated in Greek terminology was a town built around the former textile giant Cannon Mills Inc, which at one time was the largest textile producing mill in the country. Kannapolis was a town full of hard nosed blue collar textile workers whose "common thread" if you will was football. Everything that is Kannapolis was centered around the high school football team. That team gave thousands of weary mill workers something to rally around every Friday night. The "Little Wonders" as they were known in the early days were the pride of Kannapolis, and belonged to the town almost liked adopted sons. Just about every employee of Cannon Mills had someone who was either directly or indirectly affiliated with the school in some shape or form, Whether it be the football team, the Big Green Machine, Cheerleaders, or any other school sponsored organization. From it's early roots as Central and J.W. Cannon High Schools, till A.L Brown came into existence the Football program has experienced its share of success, and failure. From the lean days of the middle sixties and middle seventies to the string of winning seasons from 1978 to the present, the Kannapolis football program has experienced it all. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, and everything in between. So where do you begin to tell the story of Wonder football without leaving out some pivotal moment in history? For the sake of our thirty six consecutive winning seasons I will begin after the 4-6 season of 1975, and former head coach Robert "Lope" Linder's final season as the head football coach at A.L. Brown High School. A time when there was no shortage of spirit, but limited success.

In 1976 former superintendent of Kannapolis City Schools, Dr. Grier A Bradshaw had become very unhappy with the lack of consistent success in the football program at A.L Brown High School. Bradshaw envisioned a program that would serve as the benchmark for high school football programs in the area and knew that could only be accomplished with superior leadership. So on the recommendation of Dr. Bradshaw in early 1976, the Kannapolis City School Board hired Coach Robert "Bob" Boswell who was working as head coach at T.Wingate Andrews in High Point as the new head coach of the Wonders. Boswell had also worked as an assistant to Lou Holtz at NCSU.

The systematic transformation of A.L. Brown High School into a football superpower began. Coach Boswell, who already had achieved state notoriety with his Red Raiders at T. Wingate Andrews in High Point would come to Kannapolis to try and breathe some life into a Wonder football program that was fading on life support in 1976. Coach Boswell was given carte blanche at the authority of Dr Bradshaw to bring the Wonder football program up to speed in areas where it was lacking. The first thing to go was the out of date equipment, and overall lackluster appearance of the facilities including Memorial Stadium. The Bullock Gym was repainted along with the stadium brickwork and press box. Extensive weight training equipment was purchased to replace the old universal machine which ushered in a new realm of strength and conditioning. Next would be the outdated look of the Wonders themselves. New uniforms were purchased with specific emphasis placed on the programs most identifying mark. The small letter "k" which had been festooned on the side of the old antiquated white helmets from 1971 to 1975 met it's overdue demise. Coach Boswell opted for a logo which carried far more impact. The old Kentucky University big block "K" was introduced which ushered in a certain feel of bigness to the program. Big was the mantra for coach Boswell and his fledgling program, but there was nothing "BIG" in the name Little Wonders. Meeting with some backlash from the public, but in keeping with coach Boswell's "Big Vision" the word "little" was dropped from the name "Little Wonders" from 1976 on A.L. Brown High would become forever known as simply The Wonders. "There is nothing "Little" about us" coach Boswell would later say, and his decision would have devastating consequences for future opponents later on.

New look, New name, New feel, New attitude, and a New vision, gave everyone in Kannapolis hope for what looked to be a very uncertain future. Of course as everybody knows, Rome wasn't built in a day, and in keeping with that philosophy, coach Boswell, though poised and focused for victory would have to struggle through two losing seasons in the first two years of his tenure in 1976 and 1977, before his big vision would begin to take shape. In 1977 the Wonders would find themselves in very unfamiliar surroundings as the WNCHSAA ceased operations, and the Wonders would become part of the NCHSAA. One of the biggest changes would be the Wonders move out of the South Piedmont 3A Conference and into the Central Piedmont 4A Conference. This set Wonder fans back a few steps, as the Wonders would begin playing seven new opponents from the greater Winston Salem and Greensboro areas. Opponents the Wonders new very little about. 1977 would be a test in futility for the Wonders as the new conference did not welcome the Green and White very hospitably in their first season. Boswell's first year in the CPC 4A would end in a 3-7 mark making many Wonder fans feel as if the program had jumped from the frying pan into the fire, but the winds of change were blowing in, and the Wonders would soon begin to reap the benefits of their patience. In 1978, the Wonders would record their first winning season under their new mentor, and there would be no looking back for a program that had not seen much positive since 1974. The Wonders would begin a then streak of thirty six consecutive winning seasons that has not fallen below 500% since 1977.

The Wonders have transitioned through three head coaching changes since Bob Boswell stepped down in 1988. Bruce Hardin would replace Boswell after the 1988 season and controlled the program from 1989 to 1999 leading the Wonders to state title games in three of his ten seasons. Hardin would capture the state AAA championship in his first season in 1989, and again in 1997. Hardin would also take a 3A State runner up title in 1991. Hardin would step down after the 1999 season, and the reigns were handed over to the former Kings Mountain Mountaineer head coach Ron Massey. Massey's Mountaineers defeated the defending state champion Wonders 26-21 in 1998 in a pivotal re match at Memorial Stadium making it one of Massey's most monumental victories.

Massey would assume the controls of power in Kannapolis from 2000 to 2010. During that time the winning tradition continued. The Wonders would make one state title game appearance in 2008 under Massey's leadership dropping that game to the Panthers of Greensboro Dudley 34-18. Massey would step aside at the conclusion of the 2010 season, and the reigns would be handed over to former Matthews Butler head coach Mike Newsome. Newsome had just come off back to back state 4AA title seasons with the Butler Bulldogs when he accepted the assignment citing the acceptance of the position as his "dream job" Today, the coach Newsome led Wonders have carried on the tradition of winning that was passed down to him by former head coach the late Ron Massey. The Wonders would find themselves thrown into the MECKA 4A Conference, formerly the IMECK 4A following the 2012 season. Once again re alignment would find the Wonders as one of the smallest 4A schools in the state. In 2014, the Wonders streak of thirty six consecutive winning seasons would come to an end after a disappointing 6-6 season following a first round loss in the state 4A playoffs at Ronald Reagan High School in Pfafftown NC.

The Wonder success story is extensive, and can be traced all the way back to the very golden age of football. The A.L. Brown Little Wonders were crowned Co Champions in the old WNCHSAA in 1960 along with Hickory which goes down as one of the Wonders very first football state titles. The Wonders have been crowned champions of the Central Piedmont AAAA Conference in the seasons of 79, 80, 87, and 88. The Wonders have done most of their damage in the South Piedmont 3A Conference where they have accounted for championships in 82, 84, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 05, 07 ,08, 09, 10,11.

The Wonders were also members of the North Piedmont 3A Conference for six years during the Ron Massey era, and were crowned champions in 01, 02, 03, and 04. Since 1960 the Wonders have made six appearances in the state title game in the seasons of 60, 84, 89, 91, 97, and 08 capturing titles in 89, and 97. Beginning the 2013 season the Wonders once again made the jump back into the 4A classification landing a spot for the first time in the Charlotte based MECKA 8 4A conference. Since 1952, the Wonders have recorded seven undefeated regular seasons coming in the seasons of 52, 82, 84, 87, 92, 98, and 99. In the eighty five year history of Kannapolis football since 1932, the Wonders have made the post season 35 times, winning 53 games with 32 losses and one tie in a total of eighty five post season contests.

The big block Kentucky "K" has become an iconic symbol of excellence in high school football in the State of North Carolina in company with the likes of Shelby, Richmond County, Maiden, Thomasville, Charlotte Catholic, and Concord. The A.L. Brown High School football program offers state of the art Strength and Conditioning complexes, knowledgeable coaching staff and medical trainers with the finest equipment available for it's athletes. Put all of these perks together, and you can begin to understand why the Kannapolis Football program ranks as one of the more elite programs in the region as well as the state.

Over the last several years there have been several high school football programs in the state who have accomplished multiple consecutive state title wins, but only a few of those programs can boast the continuous consistent winning tradition the Wonders of A.L. Brown High School have experienced over the last thirty seven years.

Many coaches in the state of North Carolina will tell you, that the Kannapolis football program has long been the measuring stick for success for their programs, and to defeat a Kannapolis football team in a season will put you in your programs history book as one of it's most monumental victories. This site is a celebration, and homage to that winning tradition. A tradition that has withstood the test of time and like a fine wine seems to get better with age. A tradition that has exceeded the expectations of those who laid the bricks so many years ago and shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. The tradition of excellence that is Kannapolis football.
-The Editor

"About the Editor"

Photo Courtesy of Crystal Pearson (Photos by Crystal)

Hello Wonder Nation: My name is Scott Boggs, and I would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome you to my Wonder football web site Friday Nights in K-Town, the up and coming web page for supporters and fanatics of Wonder football in Kannapolis North Carolina. I am a 1984 graduate of A.L Brown High School and I was born and raised in Kannapolis a loyal Wonder supporter. The original Wonders I grew up with in Kannapolis were the bi products of a thriving textile mill known to all as Cannon Mills. Today with the passing of the textile giant, the mill houses that was once home to its blue collar workers and A.L. Brown High School are the last remaining reminders of that once thriving little mill town which has since shifted gears into the age of biotechnology.

Football in Kannapolis was, and forever will be the passion of many of those residents who remained in Kannapolis after the mill closed it's doors in 2003. I am one of those residents who remained. My first introduction to Wonder Football came at the very young age of eight when I attended my first Wonder Football game in 1973 at Concord High School. That night I watched the Little Wonders defeat the Concord Spiders 7-3 on those cold, hard concrete slabs at CHS. An obsession was born on that cold November night in Concord, and I have been an avid supporter of the Wonders since. I hold a special place in my heart for those early days and for those of you who were lucky enough to experience it you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who were not as fortunate "If I have to explain, You wouldn't understand" I'm just sorry you missed it. Wonder football was a real show, a spectacle if you will, from the football played on the field to the ever impressive Big Green Machine led by the master Louis V Bean. It was the greatest show on turf in every sense of the word.

All of my family members are avid Wonder supporters, and their loyalty to community and team is just as strong today as it was in their day. My family has roots that run deep in the Wonder Football tradition as well. My father the late John Walter Boggs was a QB/Punter for the Little Wonders of J.W. Cannon High from 1948-1949. He would graduate with the class of 1950 and would enter the United States Air Force after graduation where he spent his tour of duty as a tailgunner aboard a B-29 Superfortress during the Korean Conflict. My dad loved football and continued to be supportive of the Wonders till his untimely death in 1970. Both of my sisters Wendy Boggs Cope and Lori Boggs Madsen (Pictured Below) were all accomplished cheerleaders at A.L. Brown High School. Wendy cheered during the varsity years of 1974-1975 before graduating with the class of 1976. Lori was chief cheerleader from 1977 until graduating with the class of 1979. Both would go on to have very successful careers in their chosen fields of endeavor, and are still loyal Wonder supporters to this day.

Wendy Boggs Cope in 1974

Lori Boggs Madsen in 1977

I would go on to have a daughter (Tara Madison Boggs) in 1994 which changed my life completely. I started her right out of the gate going to Kannapolis Memorial Stadium every Friday night as I had done by the time she was eight years old. She would begin her love of cheerleading early in life on the fields of the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County cheering for the Wonders on Saturdays. She would go on to cheer for the Eagles at the Kannapolis Middle School from 2007-2008 at which time she also started competing with Victory Cheer Company of Concord. Madison would begin her high school stint in 2009 where she was given the opportunity to go directly from middle school onto the Varsity cheerleading squad.

Freshman 2009

Sophomore 2010

Junior 2011

Senior 2012

Since those early days of long ago, my personal path in life has taken many turns, but one thing has remained a constant, and that has been my love of Wonder Football. I originally started Friday Nights in K-Town on Facebook in 2009, and with all the interest surrounding the Wonders I thought I would explore this vehicle as an outlet to get the word of Wonder Nation out to the people in a broader form. I developed an interest in photography around the same time I opened the site on Facebook so the vast majority of photos taken during the seasons that followed from 2009 to the present day are that of the editor. As my skills improved, and equipment became more advanced, the photos have become much better which gives Wonder fans a chance to experience the action up close and personal.

My goal for this site is to keep Wonder nation informed with the current status of Wonder football today, but more importantly bring back to light the heroics and memorable moments of our stoic past which has been lost to a certain degree. Make no mistake, the story of Wonder football does not begin and end with the state championship teams of 1960,1989 and 1997 and to fully understand the entire story board you must go back further to where it all began at Central High School in the 1930's. Our past is something to be proud of and should be celebrated. It is my belief that the bricks to the foundation of the winning tradition we enjoy today were laid by those who came before, and it is to them that we owe our greatest debt.

Many of the features on this site you will recognize from the early days of Facebook only expanded. Each bullet in the navigation menu will take you on a journey into that particular facet of Wonder Football either past or present. My constant quest for new material has taken me into the homes of some of the finest Wonder athletes and supporters of Wonder football in Kannapolis. Such great Wonder stars as Lacy Brumley, Tim Davis, Joey Roseman, Todd Williford, John Tuttle, Ruben Wells, Tony Pethel, and Nick Maddox just to name a few. In doing this I have unearthed some timeless artifacts that I know all true Wonder fans will get much enjoyment seeing. My chief goal is to give every visitor to this site the deepest, and most complete immersion into the world of Wonder football you will find anywhere. From "The Battle for the Bell" to "The Hard Road to Glory" Friday Nights in K-Town is your one stop shop for everything that is Wonder football. So take a few hours and step back in time to where the story of Wonder football began. Relive some of the program's most memorable moments and see for yourselves what really makes Friday Nights in K-Town so special. Go Wonders!!!! -The Editor

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"A.L. Brown/South Rowan Grid Rivalry to End in 2017"

06-30-16: It saddens me to report that after the 56th meeting between the Wonders of A.L. Brown and the Raiders of South Rowan this season, the 56 year old rivalry will come to an end. It has been learned that the Raiders will not schedule the Wonders to their regular season schedule beginning in 2017 as they begin to compete in the 2A ranks. The Wonders and Raiders have a very storied and colorful history dating back to the opening of the school in 1961, and have played continuously since that time. It is my hope that some day the Raiders will once again be added back to the schedule when the program begins to stabilize over the next few years.

Friday Nights in K-Town Endorsements

When it comes to High School Football in the Carolinas, Carolina Preps is the football authority. Former coach and chief football consultant Chris Hughes and staff have done an outstanding job compiling all the latest and best information on all the top programs in North and South Carolina for high school football fans statewide. Carolina Preps keeps you informed of all the latest happenings going on from the 1A to the 4AA classifications, as well as keeping you up to date with the latest going on in the NCHSAA. Visit the fan forums, where high school football loyalist from around the state engage in some spirited conversation about their favorite teams or just the landscape of high school football in general. Want to take a sneak look around some of the state's high school football facilities without leaving home? then be sure to check out the Carolina Preps stadium project, which showcases all the fine football facilities in the state, from the mountains to the coast and everything in between.

You will be hard pressed to find a better resource for high school football anywhere on the web browser, and it's a resource that Friday Nights in K-Town uses exclusively. Carolina Preps is on the cutting edge of High School football coverage in the Carolinas. Click on the button to visit today. Friday Nights in K-Town supports Carolina Preps.

Chris Hughes Owner/Chief Football Consultant

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Kannapolis History Associates

The Kannapolis History Associates have been instrumental in the collection of material and information found on the pages of Friday Nights in K-Town. The Kannapolis History Associates are located at the Hinson History Room on the campus of A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis. The Kannapolis History Associates are dedicated to the preservation of the rich history of the town of Kannapolis and take great pains in collecting and documenting that history through tons of archival materials donated to the center by many fine contributors. The Hinson History Room is the perfect place for any history buff or curious citizen who is interested in researching or reliving some of the historic moments in our town's stoic past.

The Hinson History Room has an extensive library of books, and other publications of historical relevance pertinent to the city of Kannapolis and of it's residents. They also have one of the most comprehensive collections of micro film from media sources such as The Daily Independent and Concord Tribune located in a special viewing room that is quiet and comfortable. It is a great place to come to do your research in a warm, relaxing environment. The Kannapolis History Associates knowledgeable staff including Ed Robinette, Shelley McBride, Norris Dearmon, Martha Johnson, and Hank Weaver, and are there through the week to assist you with any questions you may have navigating your way around the facility. The Kannapolis History Associates also boast two very qualified genealogy experts in Larry Hayer and Havis Mcdonald who can also assist you with their expertise. It is preferred that you call ahead of time at (704) 932-6125 ext 412 to assure that one of the genealogy experts are present if you are need of special assistance in that arena.

The Hinson History Room is located at 415 East 1st Street in Kannapolis just East of the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. There are special reserved parking spaces for the History Room in the East parking lot on East 1st Street. To access the facility, just follow the signs located at the front of the building and ring the doorbell located on the wall beside the doors. The Hinson History Room is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also visit their web page at kannapolishistory.org or by clicking on the button to the right of this paragraph. Friday Nights in K-Town supports the Kannapolis History Associates.

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Inside the Hinson History Room

Kannapolis Youth Sports
"Shaping the Future of Wonder Football"

(Picture Above) The Editor for FIK with KYS founder and Head Coach Chavis Maxwell

Accountability, Respectability, and Excellence as a Student Athlete. These are the core values of Kannapolis Youth Sports. Core values that over twenty years ago were taught to Chavis Maxwell by then Kannapolis head football coaches Robert "Bob" Boswell and Bruce Hardin. Now Maxwell is instilling these same values to kids who are participating in football sponsored by Kannapolis Youth Sports. "Building this program was a vision given to me by God as a way to give back to the community what has been lost or taken away over the years. Our mission is to effectively instill discipline, teamwork, integrity and a hard work ethic in tomorrows leaders today" He's starting off on course. It didn't take but just a few minutes listening to him address the group of fifty or more kids present this past Saturday during a special football camp sponsored by KYS at Kannapolis Middle School. Maxwell told the kids that football was a team sport and that there were no individuals who were successful at anything who tried to do it by themselves on the football field. Maxwell should know and he has a state title ring to prove it.

Head Coach Chavis Maxwell

In 1988 Chavis Maxwell was a young defensive back/running back playing for the Wonders of A.L. Brown High School under head coach Bob Boswell. The Wonders finished the season going 8-2 missing the playoffs due to a loss to Winston Salem Parkland back in the old Central Piedmont AAAA Conference. That was a hard pill to swallow for Maxwell stating that all the pieces of a AAA state championship team were present with that group in 1988. All that changed however in 1989 when Boswell stepped down as head football coach and the reigns were turned over to former West Charlotte head coach Bruce Hardin. The Wonders blasted through the 1989 season losing only once early in the year to a powerful Statesville team on their way to the schools first ever AAA state championship. Maxwell felt all the pieces just fell together that year under coach Hardin and in 1990 Maxwell graduated from Brown with a sense of accomplishment that many only dream of. After graduation Maxwell's love for the game of football pushed him to play semi pro ball with the Carolina Eagles as a defensive back/strong safety from 1998-2000. Married and a father of four Maxwell's continuing love for the game and for the Green and White that flows through his veins has him back where he belongs. Coaching football is a passion for coach Maxwell and his love for the game and the kids is what pushes him to give his all to this effort.

Head Coach Chavis Maxwell

Kannapolis Youth Sports is Maxwell's vehicle to give his knowledge to kids with a desire to one day feel the same thrill of walking off the field with a state title he felt twenty three years ago, but more importantly to try to teach kids the values that kids need in such a turbulent age. "I believe this is my ministry to teach and develop young men and give them the tools to become great football players and great citizens. Together with all my assistants we want to restore the pride back in Kannapolis youth football and to teach these kids, because many of them will end up playing football at A.L. Brown that it is a privilege to wear the Green and White not a right. We want them to understand and appreciate the tradition and the pride that comes from playing football at Kannapolis.

There is also no shortage of student assistants and mentors from some of the neighboring high schools more than willing to help bring these kids along. "I can't thank coach Newsome and coach Hagler enough for opening their arms and embracing what we are trying to do here. We are currently learning coach Newsome's system and starting these kids off early knowing what to expect later and knowing that when the time comes to put Green and White on they will be proficient in every aspect of the game. I love being the bridge for the future, and being the true feeder program for our Wonders. I love coach Newsome. He has coach Boswell's charm and discipline with coach Hardin's attitude and attention to detail which is everything you want in a head football coach" As far as coach Maxwell's plan for the future it's quite simple and that is to pump out quality athletes and quality young men into our football program and into the community. "I would love to one day coach at the middle school, but for now just being a part of young kids lives is enough for me. I've been offered positions at other schools, but my loyalty to Kannapolis and to the team I grew up watching and ultimately playing for won't allow me to pursue them.

(Picture Above) Coach Chavis Maxwell Explains a Drill

So what does a young person wanting to learn football from some of the very best have to do to participate? Anyone wanting to register can do so every Saturday at KMS at 6pm. Every other Saturday we have Workouts or Mini-Camps where we also register. Cost is $100 and it covers the Season and everything we do during the summer. Special thanks to Double Diamond Sporting Goods for helping us make our dream a reality said Maxwell. Kannapolis Youth Sports is definitely the real deal and coach Maxwell is the type of person with a young person's best interest in mind, but why should I tell you. Go to one of the camps and see for your self.

(Click Button Text to Access Kannapolis Youth Sports Web Page)
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Friday Nights in K-Town Supports Kannapolis Youth Sports

"What Fans are Saying About Friday Nights in K-Town"

"Just checked out your site for the first time, I'm absolutely blown away at how well put together it is and how it tells the story of Wonder Football. My first visit lasted nearly two hours, I'm sure I'll spend more time in future visits going down memory lane. Well done!"   -Chris Hughes Owner/Editor CarolinaPreps.com

I will be serving as the Principal of A.L. Brown High School. I reviewed your website in great detail when researching the possibilities of coming to Kannapolis. My undergraduate major was history; therefore, I have a great appreciation for the time and effort that you have devoted to developing the website. -Kenneth Bowen Principle A.L Brown HS

I just checked out your main web page, Amazing!!!! -Former Wonder Mike Morton

SPEECHLESS!!!! THANKS SCOTT. NO ONE DOES KANNAPOLIS SPORTS LIKE YOU.. THIS COMMUNITY, A.L. BROWN WONDERS, AND KANNAPOLIS YOUTH SPORTS ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU SUPPORTING US.
                                                                  -Former Wonder Chavis Maxwell Head Coach at Kannapolis Youth Sports

You are truly a Wonder at heart!!! This kinda Support is why K-Town Will always be a powerhouse!!!
                                                    -Former Wonder Standout Tramaine Robinson Asst coach at Kannapolis Youth Sports

"I actually had plans for this evening, till I happened upon this site & got caught up for several hours getting a better education on Wonder Football. Great work! Thanks" -Steve Eudy

"Thank you for giving us fans this web site."   -Phil Honeycutt

"What an awesome job you have done. I am definitely a fan of Wonder Football and look forward to reading about the history of the Wonders.   -Crystal Pearson

"No doubt everything you have done to bring the past to meet the future is by far EXCELLENT. I have to say my eyes did tear up on so much that you have written about Kannapolis itself. Whatever you do , PLEASE continue
this site ! Much support and love from a WONDER mom."   -Julie Odell Leslie

"This is awesome. You have done and are doing a GREAT job. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication."                                                                                                                                                                        -Robin Taylor

"Great site that I have added to my favorites list and will be checking out on a daily bases."   -Darell Canup

"I can't believe how well put together this site is, It tells the story of Wonder football."   -Dane Laney

"I bleed Black and Gold, but this is by far one of the best team web sites I have ever seen. I really enjoy looking through the history of the Battle for the Bell. Very well put together. Wonder Nation should be thankful for such a dedicated fan as yourself. Keep up the great work" -CHS Spider Fan

This is a Wonderful website and you K-Towner's should be very proud of the work accomplished here. All Spider fans should visit the sight and go under the "Battle for the Bell" section. Without a doubt the best history of the rivalry game I have ever found!!! -SpidFan

The Wonder Wall of Championships
"Roots Run Deep in Fertile Soil"

The Story of the 1989 State Champion Wonders

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The Story of the 1997 State Champion Wonders

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"State Titles"

NCHSAA AAA State Champions
1989, 1997

NCHSAA AAA State Runner Up
1984, 1991, 2008

WNCHSAA Co Champions
1960

"Conference and Playoff Championships"

South Piedmont AAA Conference 1952,1982,1984,1989,1990,1992,
1993,1995,1997,1998,1999,2005, 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011

North Piedmont AAA Conference 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

CPC AAAA Conference
1979,1980,1987,1988

AAA Western Regional Champions 1984,1989,1991,1997,2008

AAA Western Sectional Champions
1984,1989,1991,1997,2005,2008

AAA Western District Champions
1984,1989,1991,1992,1997 1998,2001,2005,2006,2008 2009,2010,2011,2012

"How the Wonders Have Fared
Against Their Big 3 Crosstown Rivals"
"Through the Years"

"Concord Spiders"

There is not a whole lot that can be said for this rivalry game that has not already been said. For a detailed account of this stoic eighty seven year old rivalry, I encourage you to visit the Battle for the Bell "A Retrospective" to get the full story, but to provide a short synopsis for this short score summary I will say this. It's the hottest most bitterly contested high school football game in the state of North Carolina bar none. It's just that simple, and the history is there to back it up. The Wonders and Spiders have hooked up a grand total of eighty six times since the rivalry began in earnest in 1931, and though a recent discovery of a Kannapolis/Concord game being played in 1924 in which the Spiders won 20-0, increases that to eighty seven meetings, the game didn't become an annual event until 1931, and in that there would be some debate.

Since 1931 the Concord Spiders hold a 42-40-4 advantage over the Wonders in the series, 43-40-4 since 1924. Since 1931 however, the Wonders have outscored the Spiders 1199-1143 giving the Wonders a positive point differential of 56 points. Of those eighty six consecutive meetings, eleven of the Wonder's forty victories have come by way of shutout, and out of the Wonders forty two losses, twelve of those losses have come by way of shutout. The 1924 contest was also a shutout on the part of the Spiders.

  1924-1939
1924, Concord 20-0
1931, Concord 13-0
1932, K-Town 12-0
1933, Concord 20-6
1934, Concord 20-7
1935, Concord 13-8
1936, Tie            0-0
1937, Tie            0-0
1938, K-Town 18-12
1939, Concord 13-6

 1940-1949
1940, Concord 7-0
1941, K-Town 19-13
1942, Tie            7-7
1943, Concord 26-7
1944, Concord 25-0
1945, Concord 27-0
1946, Concord 13-0
1947, Concord 35-0
1948, Concord 23-0
1949, Concord 12-7

   1950-1959
1950, Tie             0-0
1951, Concord 7-6
1952, K-town     27-13
1953, K-town     32-0
1954, K-town     7-6
1955, K-town     41-0
1956, K-town     20-14
1957, Concord 7-0
1958, K-town    13-0
1959, K-town    7-0

1960-1969
1960, K-town 14-8
1961, Concord 14-6
1962, Concord 6-0
1963, Concord 20-19
1964, Concord 13-12
1965, Concord 12-0
1966, Concord 13-6
1967, Concord 21-11
1968, Concord 21-8
1969, Concord 33-6

1970-1979
1970, Concord 13-11
1971, K-town     10-7
1972, K-town     30-13
1973, K-town     7-3
1974, Concord 14-6
1975, Concord 21-0
1976, Concord 7-3
1977, Concord 18-6
1978, K-town    33-0
1979, K-town    31-6

1980-1989
1980, K-town    41-0
1981, Concord 7-6
1982, K-town    14-10
1983, Concord 27-7
1984, K-town    26-8
1985, Concord 7-6
1986, Concord 14-0
1987, K-town     19-0
1988, K-town     9-7
1989, K-town     16-14

1990-1999
1990, K-town     20-19
1991, Concord 30-20
1992, K-town    27-19
1993, K-town    28-6
1994, Concord 35-14
1995, K-town    5-0
1996, Concord 27-0
1997, K-town    33-14
1998, K-town    28-10
1999, K-town    10-7

Playoff Meetings
  1991, K-Town 21-7
1997, K-Town 9-0
  1999, Concord 20-7

2000-2009
2000, K-town    28-0
2001, K-town    1-0 (F)
2002, K-town    42-6
2003, K-town    13-12(OT)
2004, Concord 20-9
2005, K-town    19-14
2006, Concord 42-20
2007, K-town 45-25
2008, K-town    56-6
2009, Concord 13-10

Total P/F: 1,236
Total P/A: 1,190

2010-2019
2010, K-town 28-21
2011, K-Town 31-26
2012, Concord 21-14
2013, Concord 33-20
2014, Concord 20-14
2015, K-Town 26-15
2016, K-Town 31-19
2017
2018
2019

91 Total Meetings/W Playoff Meetings Included
87 Total Meetings Since 1924 - Playoffs
86 Consecutive Meetings Since 1931 - Playoffs

40-43-4 Overall Record Since 1924
40-42-4 Continuous Rivalry Record Since 1931
42-44-4 Overall Record/W Playoffs Since 1924
43-44-4 Overall Record/W Playoffs Since 1931

Click on button to go to Battle for the Bell "Retrospective"

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"South Rowan Raiders"

In 1961 the two high schools of Landis and China Grove in Southern Rowan County merged into one central high school known as South Rowan High School. Historically speaking 1961 would be the inaugural year that this rivalry would officially begin pitting the Wonders of the proud textile heritage of Kannapolis against the Rebels of the proud agricultural lineage of the residents in Southern Rowan County. The first two meetings between these two institutions would result in a stalemate with the Wonders recording the very first victory in the rivalry 22-0 in 1963. Since 1961 the Wonders have held a commanding advantage over the Raiders who would change their name from Rebels to Raiders in 1968 to quell racial tensions during the years of segregation. Since 1961, the Wonders and Raiders have dueled 54 times with the Wonders earning a 46-8-2 record over the Raiders. The Wonders have outscored the Raiders a grand total of 1563-509 with sixteen of those victories coming by way of shutout.

Though the win/loss record leans heavily in favor of the Green and White, there have been some very memorable games played between the two schools during the Raiders heydays in the early eighties. The two teams have fought their way into overtime four times since the rivalry began with three of those overtime meetings coming in three consecutive games from 1983-1985. The most memorable of these overtime games would be a three overtime thriller in 1985 which saw the Wonders and Raiders deadlocked at 7 at the end of regulation. In the third overtime the Wonders would score and the defense would be called upon to win the game. On fourth and goal during the third overtime Raider QB Tim Jones would fumble the ball after he was blitzed by several Wonder defenders. Jones would fall on his own fumble just one yard short of the goal line dooming the Raiders to a 27-20 defeat. The final overtime game would come in 2003 when an underdog group of Raiders shocked the heavily favored Wonders 37-36. The final rivalry game took place in 2016 with the Wonders defeating the Raiders 65-7. The two schools would cease play in 2017 due to conference realignment.

1961-1969
1961, 6-6
        1962, 7-7
        1963, K-Town 22-0
        1964, K-Town 14-7
        1965, K-Town 14-13
        1966, K-Town 13-0
        1967, K-Town 34-0
        1968, SR 16-7
        1969, K-Town 32-14

2000-2009
2000, K-Town 28-7
2001, K-Town 27-14
2002, K-Town 31-3
2003, SR 37-36 *
2004, K-Town 13-3
2005, K-Town 21-14
2006, K-Town 55-0
2007, K-Town 29-17
2008, K-Town 28-7
2009, SR 21-19

   1970-1979
1970, K-Town 26-12 1971, K-Town 37-0
        1972, K-Town 28-0
        1973, K-Town 33-0
        1974, K-Town 20-0
        1975, SR 19-18
        1976, SR 5-0
        1977, K-Town 19-14
        1978, K-Town 7-0
        1979, K-Town 21-0

2010-2016
2010, K-Town 45-7
2011, K-Town 63-12
2012 K-Town 62-6
2013, K-Town 41-6
2014, K-Town 51-7 2015, K-Town 67-0
2016, K-town 65-7

  1980-1989
1980, K-Town 35-0
1981, SR- 20-8
       1982, K-Town 19-6
       1983, SR 33-32 *
1984, K-Town 24-17*
1985, K-Town 27-20*
       1986, K-Town 18-8
1987, K-Town 9-0
       1988, K-Town 12-0
       1989, K-Town 20-0

Total P/F: 1,563
Total P/A: 509

1990-1999
1990, K-Town 42-0
1991, K-Town 19-17
        1992, K-Town 35-6
        1993, K-Town 14-7
        1994, SR 14-6
        1995, K-Town 31-23
        1996, K-Town 31-23
        1997, K-Town 41-3
        1998, K-Town 48-0
        1999, K-Town 53-31

56 Total Meetings Since 1961 46-8-2 Overall Record Since 1961

"Northwest Cabarrus Trojans"

The A.L. Brown Wonders and Northwest Cabarrus Trojans began their crosstown rivalry in 1968 with the Little Wonders recording their first victory in this inaugural year 39-0. Since that time the Wonders and Trojans have mixed it up forty two times with the Wonders holding a commanding 39-3-1 advantage in the series. Though considered to be a fairly heated rivalry for it's time, the stakes got much higher in 1998 when the Wonders handed the Trojans their most humiliating loss in the rivalry's forty one year history. Affectionately known in Wonder football lore as "The Beatdown in K-Town" The Wonders and Trojans hooked up for this 31st meeting at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium in front of a sell out crowd who were there to watch the defending state AAA champions inch one game closer to a perfect season before their annual Battle for the Bell season finale against the Concord Spiders the following week. The Trojans were out muscled, out manned and out scored 97-0 at the end of regulation with three Wonder touchdowns having been nullified due to penalties. The Wonders and then Head Coach Bruce G Hardin were immediately accused of intentionally running the score up on the visiting Trojans who refused to come across the field at the end of the contest to shake hands with the Wonder team or any of it's coaches. Hardin who had taken the bulk of his starters out of the game in the second half was quoted as saying "I can't apologize for my team playing hard"

The lopsided margin left a bad taste in the mouths of Trojan supporters countywide, and in the following year in 1999 fans would see a much closer and harder fought game played at Northwest Cabarrus High School with the Wonders having to claw tooth and nail for a hard fought 21-7 victory. Though not an intentional running up of the score on the part of Hardin and his charges, Hardin caught much heat for the beating, and the rivalry grew in intensity for several years after this defeat. The only lull in the action between the two rival institutions came in the years of 2005-2008 when the Wonders dropped out of the South Piedmont Conference to enter the North Piedmont Conference for four years until re entering the SPC in 2008. The Trojans would move into the North Piedmont in 2008, but would reschedule the Wonders as a non conference opponent.

The Trojans would fall out of the Wonders schedule once again when the Wonders entered the MECKA 8 AAAA Conference in 2013. Since 1968 of the forty one meetings between the two schools the Wonders have outscored the Trojans a grand total of 1345-290 with seventeen of those victories coming by way of shutout. The series would reflect one tie in 1971 when the two schools battled to a 0-0 deadlock. On the upside for the Trojans, it can be boasted that all three of the Trojan victories over the Wonders in 1970, 1975, and 1976 were all shutouts on the part of the Black and Orange.

1968-1977
1968, K-Town 39-0
        1969, K-Town 46-12
        1970, NWC      8-0
        1971, Tie 0-0
        1972, K-Town 16-0
        1973, K-Town 42-13
        1974, K-Town 29-13
        1975, NWC      27-0
        1976, NWC      18-0
        1977, K-Town 7-0

2012-2020
2012, K-Town 49-20
2015, K-Town 56-7
2016, K-Town 48-0

  1978-1987
1978, K-Town 34-0
        1979, K-Town 21-7
        1980, K-Town 39-0
        1981, K-Town 26-0
        1982, K-Town 18-0
        1983, K-Town 28-0
        1984, K-Town 18-0
        1985, K-Town 27-0
        1986, K-Town 5-0
        1987, K-Town 14-0

Total P/F: 1,297
Total P/A: 290

1988-1997
1988, K-Town 47-0
        1989, K-Town 35-12
        1990, K-Town 21-3
        1991, K-Town 48-3
        1992, K-Town 41-0
        1993, K-Town 55-12
        1994, K-Town 28-13
        1995, K-Town 29-13
        1996, K-Town 46-7
        1997, K-Town 70-0

1998-2011
1998, K-Town 97-0
        1999, K-Town 21-7
        2000, K-Town 21-7
        2001, K-Town 35-7
        2002, K-Town 29-20
        2003, K-Town 48-14
        2004, K-Town 13-6
        2009, K-Town 35-21
        2010, K-Town 20-13
        2011, K-Town 44-7

43 Total Meetings Since 1968 39-3-1 Overall Game Record Since 1968

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence”
The 41st Battle for the Bell
"45th Anniversary A Look Back"

Clipping from The Daily Independent November 7, 1971

“November 5, 1971, A Date which will live in infamy” I thought it fitting to quote the late former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous opening words to congress describing the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 as the segway into this reflective look back at one of the most contested and controversial Battle for the Bell games ever played. Looking back, it couldn’t be more fitting to describe the 41st meeting between the A.L. Brown Wonders and Concord Spiders on a bitterly cold night at Concord’s Spider Stadium some forty four years ago this Friday night. Now I’m not going to get into a long drawn out soliloquy about the history of this contest, for it really needs no reiterating on my part, but this particular contest and what came out of it does. This contest did more to solidify the old adage that heart can sometimes overcome size and hype, when size and hype falls short of its predicted expectations. Nothing could hold more true than the 41st Annual Battle for the Bell contest in 1971.

When discussing the history of Wonder football in Kannapolis, this lone football contest between the Wonders and Spiders comes up in more conversations than just about any other event that has ever taken place in Cabarrus County for Kannapolis residents. If I had to take a poll, the closure of the Cannon Mills Company in 2003 would probably take a close second place to this historic contest, and that is no exaggeration. So what made this simple high school football game so worthy of such critical acclaim. Well, if you are a lifelong resident of Kannapolis or Concord, and follow high school football with any zest or fervor, you would understand why this contest was such a memorable event for Kannapolis fans and why it would just as soon be forgotten by that of Spider loyalist. For Wonder fans it settled some long overdue scores, and exorcised a demon that had possessed them for ten straight years. For Concord fans it brought just the opposite. For Concord fans It brought tears, pain, disbelief, and one impromtu photo that would go on to cast a shadow over a team, a student body, a school, and a community to the likes of which they have never recovered. That same impromptu photo would go on to serve as a lasting reminder to all that in war there is no love.

Clipping from The Concord Tribune November 7, 1971

In 1971, The A.L. Brown Little Wonders under first year head coach Will Campagna were looking down the wrong end of the barrel of a ten year losing streak to their heated rival the Concord Spiders, in a rivalry that began as a consistently played contest between the two neighboring communities back in 1931. In a span of ten years from 1961-1970 the Little Wonders had been bested by the Spiders for ten straight contests. Out of those ten contests, none of them, except a 33-6 Spider victory in 1969, and a 21-8 victory in 1968 could be considered convincing wins by that of the Black and Gold. In fact, four of the contests were decided by no more than a touchdown and a two point conversion while three were decided by less than a point or two. In reality, those contests could have gone either way, but in the end favored the Spiders setting up the long streak of which has yet to be broken to this date.

Score History 1961-1970
1961 Kannapolis-6 Concord-14
1962 Kannapolis-0 Concord-6
1963 Kannapolis-19 Concord-20
1964 Kannapolis-12 Concord-13
1965 Kannapolis-0 Concord-12
1966 Kannapolis-6 Concord-13
1967 Kannapolis-11 Concord-21
1968 Kannapolis-8 Concord-21
1969 Kannapolis-6 Concord-33
1970 Kannapolis-11 Concord-13

According to personal accounts solicited by FIK from members of the A.L. Brown student body of 1971, and by players from that 1971 Little Wonder squad, the entire week at A.L. Brown High School was nothing but a continuous barrage of propaganda from the Concord High contingency as to the galactic butt whipping the Little Wonders were about to take, and how the 1971 Spiders were going to take great pleasure in handing the Little Wonders one of it’s most epic defeats, increasing their dominance in the rivalry series to 11 straight wins in 11 years. Little Wonder players and fans were taking some particular exception in being continuously classified as the quintessential underdogs to a Spider team who shared the same 5-2 league record and 6-2-1 overall record as the Wonders did, but none of that mattered as the streak told the tale. There was just no way that a Little Wonder team of no names were going to upset a Spider team that was big and strong and boasted several stars who would go on to play major Division One college football at season's end.

The 1971 Spiders were talent ladeded with senior veteran athletes the likes of E.Z. Smith III, Andy Troxler, Punchy Whitaker, Mike Cannady, Jerry House, Jimmy Steere and Terry Tobin, all who were poised to bring the pain to the Little Wonders on this soon to be night of epic humiliation for the Green and White. The Little Wonders instead opted to remain silent, taking the stance that it would better serve them to walk softly and carry a big stick, instead of being vocal and alerting the Spiders that they meant business. The 1971 Little Wonders were not hurting for talent by any stretch of the imagination in their own right with players the caliber of, Butch Anthony, Lacy Brumley, Bobby Query, Bobby Trott, Lonnie Isom, Donnie Hamrick, Keith Garver and Richard Combs. Talent alone was not going to be the deciding factor in this contest, for in the end, Blue chip talent would end up falling short to heart and desire.

As the game began, a very conservative estimated nine thousand spectators had filled the stands at Concord’s Spider Stadium. (The Stadium had yet to be named Robert C Bailey Stadium until November of 1976) The initial first quarter of play was dominated by the Spider running attack, as Spider backs Mike Cannady, Frank Braswell, Terry Tobin and Jerry House methodically drove the ball into Little Wonder territory consuming almost seven minutes of the initial twelve minute period with the drive stalling at the Kannapolis thirty three yard line. The Little Wonders would take over after an E.Z. Smith field goal attempt fell just short. The Little Wonders and Spiders exchanged possessions for the remaining 4:45 of the first quarter with very little offensive production from either team. As the second quarter began, Little Wonder lineman Lacy Brumley booted a thirty six yard punt that pinned the Spiders deep in their own territory at the Spider eleven. Once again the Little Wonder defense rose to the challenge forcing the Spiders to yet another three and out. Spider linebacker Andy Troxler then booted a thirty one yard punt that gave the Little Wonders excellent field position on the Spider forty five.

A five play drive including an 18 yard burst by Little Wonder runningback Butch Anthony, put the Little Wonders in scoring position at the Spider eleven, but the Spider defense stiffened. Gaining eight yards on two running attempts, and one failed passing attempt, coach Campagna opted to go for it on a fourth and two, but Spider lineman Fred Perry stuffed Little Wonder Richard Combs for a two yard loss at the Spider eleven With a little under four minutes left in the first half. The Spiders began marching, and after a fifty nine yard up the gut blast by Spider runningback Mike Cannady, which put the ball of the Little Wonder seventeen, the Spiders were in position to claim the first points of the evening. After a crisp five play drive from the Little Wonder seventeen, Spider Fullback Terry Tobin scored on a one yard plunge into the middle of the Little Wonder defensive line, and after a successful E.Z. Smith PAT, the Spiders led the Little Wonders 7-0 with 3:44 left in the first half. The Little Wonders were unable to move the ball, and after a fine forty six yard punt by Little Wonder punter Lacy Brumley, the Spiders would reclaim the ball at the Spider thirty four. As time expired in the first half, the Spiders were feeling pretty good about their efforts thus far, and were sensing an eleventh victory was now in sight.

The Little Wonders took refuge inside the confines of a frigid activity bus to regroup, as halftime activities commenced on the field. A surprisingly stoic head coach Will Campagna climbed aboard the bus filled with cold, but confident Little Wonders, and without going into a fiery Italian tirade as he had been known for doing, he calmly challenged the players to go back out in the second half and continue the same level of intensity they had played with in the first half. This group of underdogs had come into Spider stadium and stood toe to toe with a Spider team that boasted several division one blue chip recruits and kept the game within reach for it’s entirety. The Little Wonder defense had allowed the vaunted Concord Spider offense just seven points in the first half, which every player on the Little Wonder bus had confidence they could overcome with just a little better production on the offensive side of the ball. The galactic butt whipping the Spiders had promised the Little Wonders all through the week was failing to materialize miserably. The underdog Little Wonders were proving themselves to be a far more formidable opponent than what the Spiders had first thought, and this lapse in judgement was about to have devastating consequences to the Spider team that would cause them to lose far more than just a Victory Bell on this night. A playoff spot also hung in the balance.

As the second half began, Concord got the ball to start things off, but were unable to move the ball going three and out in their first possession. The Little Wonders would return the favor in their first possession going three and out as well. This trend continued throughout most of the third quarter, but again the big difference maker was Little Wonder Lacy Brumley’s punting which was consistently putting the Spiders in terrible field position deep inside their own territory. It wasn’t until the Little Wonders fourth and final possession of the third quarter that things began taking a turn in the right direction offensively for the Little Wonders. On the Little Wonders final offensive possession of the 3rd period, they drove the ball all the way down into scoring range to the Spider five yard line, where they had first and goal, but again the huge Spider defensive line stiffened. The Little Wonders couldn’t penetrated the Spider goal line, and again on fourth and goal, coach Will Campagna opted to go for the touchdown. Little Wonder Quarterback Randy Raper was denied the pylon on 4th and goal from the one, as Spider defenders brought him down on an end sweep just a foot from the promised land. So close yet so far.

The upshot to this, was that the Spiders were in their worst field position of the contest. As the Little Wonder defense would be called upon again to deliver a stand. The Spiders, unable to move the ball yet again were forced to punt from deep in the shadow of their own end zone. Spider Punter Andy Troxler booted a punt that sailed high and down to the Spider thirty eight yard line where the Little Wonders took over yet again in great field position. The stars were beginning to align for the Little Wonder eleven at this point. After almost scoring in their earlier possession, the Little Wonders collected their composure and vowed that this offensive series would result in some points as the fourth period began. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Little Wonder Robert Combs found daylight and romped for thirty two yards down the Spider six yard line, and again the Little Wonders were in their deepest striking distance of the evening. This time points were a must as time was beginning to be a factor for the Little Wonder offense. There were no guarantees the Little Wonder offense would have too many more opportunities to get points, and the Spiders were always just one big play away from making it a two score affair.

Two plays later, Little Wonder Bobby Trott took the pitch from Randy Raper and romped around the end four yards untouched into paydirt. After a successful PAT attempt, The Little Wonders and Spiders were now knotted at seven with 10:50 remaining in the contest. The Little Wonder contingency across the field were now sensing bigger and better things, and really began pushing their Little Wonders from the stands. The atmosphere on the Little Wonder sideline was a calm state of focus knowing that the Spiders were perfectly capable of breaking the tie on just one big play from scrimmage. On the Spiders first possession of the fourth quarter, Spider Quarterback Jimmy Steere connected on an eighteen yard pass to Frank Braswell which put the Spiders at the Spider thirty eight, but a fifteen yard personal foul penalty pushed the Spiders back deep into their own territory once again at the Spider thirteen. The biggest and most game changing play of the contest would come courtesy of Little Wonder lineman Lacy Brumley, who was already gaining game MVP honors with his play up to that point. On first and a mile from the Concord thirteen, Spider Quarterback Jimmy Steere dropped back to pass and immediately got pressure from the end from Little Wonder defensive end Bobby Query and Lonnie Isom. Steere tried desperately to dump the ball off before getting sacked deep in Spider territory. As the ball left Steere's hands, it was tipped in flight by Little Wonder defensive lineman Lonnie Isom, which fell unexpectedly into the outstretched hands of Lacy Brumley. Brumley who later stated that he was shocked when the ball fell into his hands that he didn't even think to try and run with the ball, but instead just fell down securing it in his grasp. The Little Wonders were now in position to take the lead, with a first and ten from the Spider eleven yard line. As fate would have it, the Spider defense lived up to their billing, and forced the Little Wonders to negative yards on three attempts.

On fourth down deep in Spider territory, head coach Will Campagna who had opted to go for it on two previous occasions, decided it was better to take the points while he had the opportunity as time was becoming more of the essence. This decision set the stage for one Little Wonder to become the undisputed hero of the contest for the next forty four years. Billy (The Toe) Krimminger came on the field to attempt a twenty eight yard field goal with 6:10 left in the contest. As Little Wonder and Spider fans all stood on their feet, taking a collective gasp, Robert Combs took the snap setting the ball for Krimminger's attempt, and Krimminger delivered. A successful twenty eight yard field goal now had the Little Wonders in a position they had not been in ten previous outings against the Black and Gold. They now led the contest 10-7 with 6:28 left to play. Lady luck would be gracious to the Little Wonders on the ensuing kickoff as Spider return man Jerry House mishandled the kickoff which was covered by the Little Wonder kick cover man Randy Young in Little Wonder territory at the Spider thirty nine.

The Spider's backs were now against the wall, however they rose to the challenge and shut the Little Wonders attempts at securing more points down, forcing another Brumley punt. Brumley booted a pin point punt that was downed at the Spider three by Randy Young, and once again the Spiders had a long field to navigate with minimal time to do it. The Spiders were again forced to three and out unable to move the ball against the determined Little Wonder front line. Troxler punted the ball again to Little Wonder return man Butch Anthony, who secured the ball at the Spider thirty six, and rushed down to the Spider twenty, before being forced out of bounds. With just a little under three minutes left in the contest, the Little Wonders tried desperately to convert on yet another fourth and two play inside the Spider fifteen yard line, but were denied, giving the Spiders one more shot at redemption at the Spider eleven. On a second down desperation heave by Spider Quarterback Jimmy Steere, the pass, which was intended for Spider wideout Calvin Mathis was intercepted by Little Wonder defensive back Lynn Correll who had given himself plenty of cushion from Mathis on the line. All that was left to do for Little Wonder QB Randy Raper, was to take two final snaps and call it a day. The Kannapolis side erupted as time ran out on the Black and Gold. Players cried and hugged on the sidelines as the magnitude of what they had just accomplished began to set in.

Ten years of humiliation and disappointment faded away with each passing second on the game clock for the Little Wonders, and as the seconds ticked away, on the far sideline of the Concord Spiders, an unfamiliar feeling was beginning to overcome all those who wore Black and Gold. What had once been a sideline of confidence and swagger, now gave way to pain and utter disbelief. The giants had fallen, and the worst part of the nightmarish ending was about to take place at midfield.

41st Annual Battle for the Bell
45th Anniversary Commemorative Video

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence”
Then End of a Shocking Night in the Land of the Giants
Or Was It?

(Photo Above) Bell Exchange Photo Taken by Daily Independent Freelance Photographer Charles Foster in 1971

As the final seconds ticked off the clock at a stunned Spider Stadium, Wonder fans though highly tempted, resisted the uncontrollable urge to rush the field and stayed back to allow the customary exchange of the Victory Bell to take place at midfield. This was something that many in the Spider contingency had little or no prior experience in performing for ten years prior. Several graduating classes from A.L. Brown had never seen the Bell except from a distance, while many graduating classes from CHS never knew what it was like not to have the Bell in their possession. Being that as it may, the protocol for the exchange had to be carried out much to the displeasure of the Concord Spider representatives left with the dubious distinction of performing the task. As customary protocol goes, the Victory Bell was to be exchanged by the chosen captains of the football team for that game, the Student Body President, and the cheerleaders who were tasked to drag the heavy Victory Bell on its rolling frame to midfield, where it would be turned over to A.L. Brown High School for the following year.

Now we all know the legacy, the Victory Bell was donated to the two communities of Kannapolis and Concord, to be awarded to the winner of the contest as a totemistic symbol to promote goodwill and sportsmanship between the two rival schools, but on this night at CHS, goodwill and sportsmanship was about to take a backseat to emotion and the utter disdain for the task at hand. What’s more, it was all about to be caught on film to be preserved for infinity. In attendance that evening were freelance photographers Charles Foster from the Kannapolis based Daily Independent, and Gene Furr from the Concord based Concord Tribune. Both men were there to photograph the game, and to take photos of the Victory Bell’s exchange at midfield if that took place.

As the designated Bell exchangers from CHS were approaching midfield with the Victory Bell in tow which included (The Following Names Have Been Changed to Protect the Guilty lol) CHS Cheerleading Co Captains: Sunny Goodspeed, and Samantha Einstein, along with Concord Spider Senior linebacker Ansley Truman. As the Victory Bell exchangers got closer to midfield, and the weight of the heartbreaking moment reached it's climax, Goodspeed’s emotions got the best of her. In a spontaneous outburst of anger and sheer emotion, Goodspeed extended her right hand prominently, with a clearly upraised middle finger giving the approaching contingency from K-Town the Universal Sign of Peace which was captured in a full head on shot by Daily Independent Freelance Photographer Charles Foster. Simultaneously, as Foster was capturing his image, Concord Tribune staff photographer Gene Furr snapped the same photo from an angle that was to the far right of Foster. (See Photos Right of Column)

Concord Tribune Version of Photo

As the Victory Bell exchange was completed, and the parties from CHS had turned and walked away disgusted by the proceedings, the celebration ensued at midfield by Kannapolis fans who had now begun pouring onto the frozen field at CHS. Freelance Photographer Charles Foster captured a few more shots of the celebration, then left the field for that long walk to his vehicle which was parked in the parking lot at CHS. As both men drove away from the stadium, little did they know that they had in their possession a photo that would become the most iconic photo this rivalry game has ever produced.

On Sunday November 7, 1971 both photos from the two photographer’s cameras were published in each town’s respective news publications with the photo appearing in the Sunday issue of the Kannapolis Daily Independent being the most damning. Foster’s photo in the Daily Independent caught Goodspeed’s gesture in plain view, while Furr’s photo in the Concord Tribune showed only Goodspeed’s extended arm without the hand and finger which were cropped out. Coincidence? Maybe, Maybe not. That's something that will most likely forever go unanswered.

In speaking with Charles Foster many years ago, I asked him if he thought Goodspeed’s gesture was intentional or not. Foster responded that he knew the gesture was intentional, but that he couldn’t be sure if Goodspeed’s gesture was meant for him because he was taking the photo at that particular moment, or that it was meant for the Kannapolis representatives present at midfield to accept the exchange of the Victory Bell. That piece of information is something that may forever go unanswered as well, because nobody from the CHS side is talking about it.

The article to the far right of this column and below were just obtained by Friday Nights in K-Town. The articles were written by Concord Tribune Sports Editor Bill Ross after the playing of the contest. From Ross's words it is obvious that though the Victory Bell switched sides without an all out brawl, it is also clear that very little in the way of pleasantries were exchanged between the parties at midfield and no shaking of hands. Players I've spoken to remember it being absolute chaos on the field after the Victory Bell exchanged hands and none of them shook hands with anyone from the other side. Accounts of the event indicate that most Spider players who were not involved in the transferring of the title simply walked off the field and headed towards the CHS sideline dejected and rightfully so. It was a loss they never saw coming, and on this night was a hard pill to swallow if you were a Spider supporter.

These articles make no reference to Gene Furr's photo of the exchange published in the Concord Tribune. That photo does not depict the entire shot Charles Foster took, because the upraised middle finger of Goodspeed was cropped out. Was this a purposeful omission on the part of the Concord Tribune or was Bill Ross making an all out attempt at damage control? That we will never know. The article at the bottom of this column indicates that Ross went out of his way to applaud the conduct of both student bodies and makes particular mention of how the fans, and supporters from Kannapolis waited until the proper time to flood the field in celebration. The entire article resonates with the undertone of "Oh boy, what have we wrought"

Cutting to the chase, the question is why does this photo stand out head and shoulders among other Victory Bell exchange photos to fans and supporters in K-Town? It's quite simple. The photo conveys the darker truth of the rivalry that many want to hide or pretend does not exist. FIK believes in setting the record straight without a jumble of loose ends to tie together. Is it making more out of the photo than what it actually deserves? Possibly, but not probably. Goodspeed made a judgement call in the heat of the moment like we all do and got more than her promised fifteen minutes of fame for it. Had it not been for a photo in that moment of truth, we wouldn't sitting here today discussing it and writing stories about it forty four years after the fact. Good or bad the photo is an iconic piece of this rivalry's history, and to be perfectly honest, it's a part of the history I can't imagine not having. Kudos Miss Goodspeed, you stood for what you felt, I'd like to shake your hand sometime.

Daily Independent Version of Photo

"Closing Thoughts"

Over the years I have been researching the stigma left in the wake of the taking of this infamous photo, and possibly debunk some of the myths surrounding it. Let's face facts, the photo makes for good journalism. lol During this time I have been in contact with several persons with deep connections inside the Concord Spider support infrastructure from that night. None of which are willing to go into any great conversation or detail about the events surrounding the taking of that photo or that of it's residual after effect. It’s almost like a collective and unified silence among those who were involved or close to the event. Even my very good friend and former Concord Spider head coach Mr E.Z. Smith III, who was a Senior member of that 1971 Spider team would not comment or speculate on the intent or lack thereof on the part of Sunny Goodspeed or any other Concord Spider present during the Victory Bell exchange. Only that it was a very bad night to be a senior Concord Spider, and that it was never even considered that the Spiders would lose the game on that fateful night.

Most noteworthy of all these communication attempts on my part, has been contact with both of the two CHS Cheerleading Co Captains who were part of the Victory Bell exchange delegation that night, with one of them being the actual doer of the deed Sunny Goodspeed. Goodspeed who is no longer a resident of Concord has yet to respond to any of my attempts at email contact as of this writing. This would lead a reasonable and prudent person who is trying to extend the olive branch to believe that there is still a boatload of pain and animosity still burning some forty four years after the fact about that night's events, or on the upshot, a boatload of regret. Basing my theory off school loyalty alone, regret is not something I put too much weight on as being a reason for this lack of communication on the issue, and why do I say that? From all accounts I've solicited from other CHS loyalists who were present that night, and who shall remain nameless, they will tell you uncategorically that out of the dynamic that took place that night, and out of the fierce loyalty they have for their alma mater, they supported Goodspeed’s actions no matter how untimely or unfortunate the actions were. It's kind of like "I'm not sorry it happened, I'm just sorry I got caught" lol It's all part of the loyalty one feels toward school and colors. Whether it crosses the line is an opinion purely up to the individual and what they deem by their own moral compass is going too far.

In any event, the lack of dialogue on this topic from those in the know from CHS that night speaks volumes in and of itself, and with that knowledge, we can all draw our own conclusions from it here in K-Town. In their collective silence, they say a lot, and don't even realize it, and it doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to figure it out. Though it is widely accepted and agreed upon that there is a great mutual respect between the two rival communities of Kannapolis and Concord on the surface, in the deep dark underbelly there is very little love when it comes to the Battle for the Bell. My friends, that’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God!! And it’s a loud truth, A Loud Truth Spoken in Dead Silence!! –The editor

Dedicated to the 1971 Little Wonders AKA
"The Giant Killers"

Something Wicked this Way Comes
"The Playoff Stigma of Charlotte Catholic"

(Picture Above) Cougar Mascot at Entrance to Keffer Stadium at Jim Oddo Field on the Campus of Charlotte Catholic High School

Do you believe in curses or hexes? Do you get a little antsy at the sight of the number 13? Do you step out of the front door of your house with your right foot first? If the answer is yes to one or more of these common superstitions, then you could be inclined to believe that a football team can exude the same negative energy whereby causing another team to be in distress before they ever step on the field of play. A jinx if you will. So it goes with the playoff history between the Wonders of A.L. Brown and the Cougars of Charlotte Catholic. What began as a chance meeting between the two schools in the 2005 3AA Western Regional Championship game, soon evolved into a modest playoff rivalry with a history of it's own, and history hasn't been kind.

Since the 2005 meeting, the Wonders and Cougars have faced off in the playoffs eight times with the Cougars holding a commanding 7-1 advantage in the series. Call it a twist of fate or the luck of the draw, but seven out of eight times in the last nine years, the Cougars have sent the Wonders packing in the playoffs. Twice those meetings have come in a stretch of four consecutive years from 2005-2008 and then again from 2010-2013. The Wonders and Cougars have faced off once in the first round, twice in the second round, four times in the third round, and once in the fourth round. In those eight meetings, the Cougars have outscored the Wonders a total of 295 to 114 and go down in Wonder football history as the most successful playoff team to compete against the Wonders ever. On face value, there couldn't be more disparity between the two programs. The Wonders historically are a traditional 3A power from the public school sector with their lineage bred deep in the Blue collar puritan work ethic of the former textile mill town of Kannapolis. The Charlotte Catholic Cougars however are a private school founded in 1955 who come from the more affluent White collar area of South Charlotte. The Cougars began playing competitive football in the early sixties, then in 1973 one of high school football's winningest coaches Jim Oddo took over the program and the Cougars soon became a perennial power in the Rocky River 2A conference where they have competed for most of their history. By the time coach Oddo retired in 2013 after his last season in 2012, he had coached more than 500 games with a career record of 358-145-2. He finished the 2012 season as the state's active wins leader. Under Oddo, the Cougars won three state championships in 1977, 2004 and 2005. So where does the controversy begin?

With Charlotte Catholic being a private school, they are not bound by the same strict geographical stipulations as that of the private sector. This has caused some heated debate amongst fans in the message boards and on social media over the last several years since the Wonders and Cougars first met in 2005. Bottom line, if you are a student in search of a Catholic education and can afford the fees associated, you can attend Charlotte Catholic High School. This simple truth conveys the dubious impression that the program can recruit talent, thus giving them an unfair advantage the public school sector does not have. Call it a case of sour grapes or just that of disgruntled Wonder fans who have grown weary of the annual trip to Keffer Stadium for what has become an assured playoff loss, but the facts don't lie, and to be the man, you have to beat the man. In the case of the Wonders and Cougars, the Wonders have failed to step up in all but one of their eight outings against the man. It's a touchy topic to put it lightly amongst Wonder loyalist, and it's one that probably will never be settled to the liking of many, but be that as it may, the issue of whether or not the two teams are playing on a level playing field is not where the story ends, and it surely doesn't begin there.

Wonders and Cougars in Their First Meeting at Keffer Stadium in 2005

Wonders and Cougars Final Score in Western Regional Final in 2005

The story begins in 2005 after the Wonders handed the #1 ranked West Rowan Falcons a shocking 34-10 defeat in the District Championship in front of a sell out crowd in Mt Ulla. The victory set up the inaugural first ever meeting between the two schools that following Friday night in the 2005 class 3AA Western Regional Final at Charlotte Catholic's Keffer Stadium. The Cougars were the defending state 2A champions. Before that night, the two schools had never met before on the gridiron. The Wonders came into the contest feeling very confident after knocking off the #1 ranked team in the state. Truth be known, the Wonders came into the contest knowing very little about this school in which there was no prior history between them.

Call it overconfidence or just a plain lack of respect for a new foe they knew nothing about, the Cougars proceeded to stymie the once explosive Wonder offense and ran at will on them with their big fullback Ben Hurlocker. The final result was a 28-3 dismantling that sent the Wonders back to K-Town shocked and very disappointed. The Cougars would go on to win the 2005 3AA State title a week later by defeating Burlington Williams 21-13. The following year in 2006 the two school's paths crossed yet again in the second round at Catholic's Keffer Stadium.

That night, the Wonders were making their tenth straight appearance in the second round of the playoffs since joining the NCHSAA in 1976. On a brisk night at Keffer Stadium, a more cautious and respectful group of Wonders jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over the Cougars. It was a record breaking night passing for Wonder Junior QB Jonathan Efird who passed for 325 yards, completing 22 of 35 attempts for two touchdowns. The Wonders seemed poised for victory, but as fate would have it, a series of turnovers and bad breaks coupled with the hard running of veteran Cougar senior fullback Ben Hurlocker, the Cougars buried the Wonders in a flurry of second half points which ended the Wonders playoff run once again with a 36-21 defeat. Once was bad, but two years of defeat was a hard pill to swallow for the Wonder faithful, especially to the same team.

Fast forward to 2007. The Wonders were sitting at 11-1 after defeating the Warriors of St Stephens 31-7 in the first round of the 3A playoffs, their only loss of the season coming in week five at the hands of Anson County 24-21. The Wonders Once again found themselves paired with the Cougars, only this time the meeting would be in friendlier confines. The Wonders and Cougars hooked up yet again in the second round of the state 3AA playoffs, but this time it was the Cougars turn to step out of their comfort zone and travel to Memorial Stadium for what was now becoming a traditional yearly playoff contest between the two teams.

In what can only be described as one of the more heartbreaking Wonder losses to the Cougars in playoff history, the Wonders battled back from an early 13-0 Cougar deficit to take a 14-13 halftime lead. What turned out to be a defensive struggle throughout the remainder of the second half, the Cougars jumped on top the Wonders 19-14 late in the fourth quarter leaving the Wonders one last shot at victory with the ball on the Wonder 36 yard line with 2:03 left in the contest and one timeout. The Wonders hastily, and methodically drove the ball down the field on the passing of senior QB Jonathan Efird. Then on the games final play with eleven seconds left, Efird was flushed out of the pocket and forced to scramble from the Wonder twenty nine, getting the ball down to the Catholic six yard line, but time was not an allie for the Green and White. QB Jonathan Efird tried his best to get the last time out called to no avail.

With Wonder coaches on the sideline desperately trying to get the attention of the officials for a last time out, time expired. Dejected players, coaches and fans watched a Golden opportunity pass away into the cold November night. There was nothing left to say. Charlotte Catholic had just completed the perfect playoff trifecta over the Wonders for three consecutive seasons. It had become painfully obvious that there was something about the Charlotte Catholic Cougars the Wonders were having a hard time trying to overcome, and Wonder fans had seen enough.

It wasn't like the Cougars were superhuman or high on kryptonite. They were a traditional Wing T offensive team who had been running the same offensive scheme since head coach Jim Oddo took over the program in 1973. The Cougars had proven themselves to be a hard playing, well disciplined team that made few mistakes and who executed their Wing T offense to perfection. They were a private school from South Charlotte blessed with talent who seemed to have the Wonders number in the playoffs. A full on rivalry had been established between the two schools and the best and worst was still to come. The Cougars had most assuredly become the playoff nemesis of the A.L. Brown Wonders.

Wonders and Cougars Battle in the Second Round at Memorial Stadium in 2007

Wonders Prepare for the Fourth Straight Playoff Meeting with Charlotte Catholic in the 3rd Round District Championship in 2008

Wonders and Cougars in District Championship in 2008 at Keffer Stadium

By 2008, Wonder fans had just come to expect that all roads led to Charlotte Catholic on the road to the state championship, but what would be the odds of four consecutive playoff meetings between the two schools in a span of four years in 2008? If you go with the theme of the story and that of the the playoff jinx then the odds were pretty favorable of that taking place. By the time the resilient Wonders had advanced to the second round of the state 3AA playoffs against Marvin Ridge, in the wings all eyes were scanning the headlines as the inevitable playoff showdown between the Wonders and the Cougars was brewing in the distance. The Wonders would defeat the Mavericks 21-13 while the Cougars handed the Warriors of Asheville Erwin a convincing 34-13 defeat at Keffer.

The Stage was set, and it was the same song different verse for most Wonder fans. A trip to Keffer Stadium and third round playoff loss, but head coach Ron Massey's Wonders had other thoughts in mind. Massey's Wonders had proven early in the regular season that they were eager to wear the look of a state champion, and that just maybe in 2008 all the pieces were in place to make the unthinkable a reality. In a game that went back and forth for most of the contest, the Wonder offense was doing something they had not done in their last three meetings. They were running the ball with great success on the traditionally stingy Cougar defense, but again, the Wonders were being too kind to their nemesis by giving up costly turnovers at the most inopportune times.

Two of those untimely turnovers translated into two Cougar touchdowns. Then with 11:15 left in the contest Cougar QB Danny Reyes hooked up with Joe Felts on a routine screen pass that resulted in a 21 yard touchdown putting the Cougars up 27-21. It was looking again as if the playoff jinx was about to rear it's ugly head once again and the sounds of "Sweet Caroline" would be pounding in the heads of Wonder fans on their dejected way back to K-Town yet again.

As the waning minutes of the fourth quarter ticked off, both teams traded possessions with either team being able to sustain a drive. The Wonder defense stood tall forcing the vaunted Cougar offense into two three and outs in their final two possessions of the contest. It was now left in the hands of the Wonder offense to make something out of nothing. With 1:09 left and only one timeout for the Wonders, QB Jamil Lott orchestrated a now historical 79 yard drive in 59 seconds completing 3 of 4 passing for 66 yards with the final 37 resulting in a 37 yard touchdown strike to Wonder wideout Colby Reid with 10.5 seconds remaining in the contest. With a successful PAT by kicker Morgan Mcdaniel, the Wonders who had been denied on three previous attempts at victory, had exorcised the Catholic jinx for the first time to advance to the Western Regional Final the following week against Kings Mountain. The victory served a dual purpose for the Wonders and for the Wonder nation. It proved that no team is infallible, and even the best can be beaten if they don't play to the whistle. It also proved that the Wonders could compete with the Cougars if they could put four quarters of football together and play disciplined. The 2008 victory over the Cougars goes down in Wonder football history as one of it's most landmark victories, especially taking into account the history that was to follow over the next five years.

The Shot Heard Round the World
"Exorcising the Demon of Catholic"

Colby Reid's 37 Yard TD Pass at Catholic in 2008

Colby Reid Reaches the Promised Land in 2008

Colby Reid High Steps after 37 Yard TD in 2008

Colby Reid Savors the Moment at Catholic in 2008

Colby Reid after 37 Yard TD at Catholic in 2008

Colby Reid with Media at Catholic in 2008

Colby Reid Touchdown Seals Catholic's Fate in 2008

Wonder Players Celebrate 3rd Round Playoff Victory Over Catholic in 2008

Wonders and Cougars Hook up in 3rd Round at Memorial Stadium in 2010

Not Even Close in 2009

Wonder and Cougars in 3rd Round District Championship in 2011

New Scoreboard Same Result in the 2011 District Championship

As the headline reads "Revenge is Sweet" but in the case of the Kannapolis/Charlotte Catholic Playoff rivalry the feel good factor would be short lived. The year following the exorcism in 2009, the Wonders and Cougars missed their yearly duel for the first time since 2005. The Wonders would meet the South Point Red Raiders who took a 24-7 victory over the Wonders in the third round that year. In 2010 the Wonders and Cougars picked right back up where they left off, and thus began a second four year stretch where they would meet in the playoffs, with three of those meetings coming in the third round District Championship game. To prove to the Wonders that the 2008 exorcism was just a fluke, In the 2010 meeting the Cougars spotted the Wonders an early 7-0 first quarter lead, only to hang forty five unanswered points on the Wonders for the remainder of the contest in coach Ron Massey's final season in K-Town.

What goes down as one the Wonders most humiliating defeats at the hands of the Cougars, the 45-7 thrashing at Memorial Stadium proved to the entire Wonder nation that there was much more work to be done on the part of the Green and White before they could ever hope to compete successfully again against the Cougars either at Memorial or Keffer Stadiums in the years ahead. The lopsided 45-7 District Championship loss to the Cougars in 2010 sits as the second largest margin of defeat by a Wonder team at Memorial Stadium since the South Mecklenburg Sabres 55-21 win over the Wonders in 1981.

In 2011 head coach Ron Massey stepped down and new head coach Mike Newsome took over the reigns. Hopes were high that with new blood from Butler High School, the Wonders could possibly overcome the jinx that had long plagued them throughout the years, but as the Newsome era began, the fat lady continued warming her throat. The Wonders faced the Cougars in coach Newsome's first year in the third round in 2011 at Keffer Stadium. What started out as a defensive slugfest in the first half, the Wonders jumped out to a 9-7 halftime lead courtesy of three Eric Amaya field goals, but everyone knew as coach Newsome did too that field goals were not going to be near enough to derail the Cougars on this night, and as fate would have it, it didn't. The Cougars put up twenty six unanswered second half points on the visiting Wonders courtesy of a dominant performance by Cougar halfback Elijah Hood. The result was a 35-9 Catholic victory in Newsome's first year in Kannapolis. With that loss it was evident that the Catholic jinx was alive and well, and ready to dish out more misery in the Newsome era. If there was ever any doubt of that, the 2011 defeat put that doubt to bed once and for all. Coaches and schemes were not the problem. It all boiled down to execution or the lack thereof when the Cougars came calling in the playoffs.

If the 2011 District Championship was a horror story featuring sophomore halfback Elijah Hood, It's sequel in 2012 featuring junior halfback Elijah Hood was not much better. Hood rushed for 299 yards on the Wonder defense and scored six of it's seven touchdowns. The Cougars once again derailed the Wonders 3AA playoff run in the District Championship which made it three consecutive losses to the Cougars in the third round in three years. The 2012 loss did nothing to dispel the validity of the Catholic playoff jinx, in fact, it only added weight to it's existence.

The Wonders just couldn't seem to put a complete four quarters of football together against the Cougars, and the losing was getting old quick. How can you possibly begin to explain one football team losing to the same team in the playoffs, in the same round, three years running? It simply defies any and all logic, and there were no logical explanations other than just a total breakdown in all facets of the game against a very well disciplined football team. The A.L. Brown Wonders and Charlotte Catholic Cougars playoff paths seemed to be inexplicably linked. It was just a given that sooner or later their paths would cross in the playoffs, but all of that was about to change with realignment in 2013, or so the Wonders thought.

Wonders and Cougars in 3rd Round District Championship in 2012

Painfully Obvious and Painfully Clear The Wonders Go Down Again in 2012

Wonders and Cougars in First Round at Keffer Stadium in 2013

Catholic RB Elijah Hood Sprints for a Touchdown at Keffer Stadium in 2013

A Familiar Site at Keffer Stadium in 2013

The following year in 2013, realignment once again sent the Wonders to compete in the 4A classification in the Charlotte based MECKA 8 conference. Everyone within the Wonder nation breathed a collective sigh of relief as most thought that would be the obligatory end to the unholy war that had been waged between the Wonders and Cougars since 2005. (Hold the Phone) Once again, as fate would have it, The Cougars jumped into the 4A classification as well, and the imminent possibility of a Wonder/Cougar playoff scenario was just as real as it had been the last eight years prior.

The Wonders had played a brutal schedule their first year in the MECKA 8, and came into the first round with a combined record of 7-4. The Catholic juggernaut was rolling as usual, so when the playoff seedings were announced, nobody was shocked that the Wonders had yet again punched their ticket to a first round showdown with their old nemesis. What made this meeting a much more daunting task was that for two seasons prior, the Wonder defense was assigned the task of slowing down a very dangerous Elijah Hood with very limited results. Hood was now a senior, and had blazed a destructive path throughout the South Meck 8 conference during the 2013 season.

Wonder fans filed into Keffer Stadium hoping for a better showing than the last three previous attempts. There was hope, but going on past history there was very little expectation. Six losses to Catholic had pretty much left the Wonder fanbase numb without much in the way of hopes for a better outcome. In keeping with the status quo, The Cougars hit the field with senior runningback Elijah Hood and proceeded to humiliate the Wonders at every juncture. To add salt to the wound, The Cougars eclipsed their largest margin of victory from 2012 hanging fifty six points on the Wonders sending them packing for the first time since 1993 in the first round. The dagger was in, and twisting it a few times did nothing for morale in the Wonder camp. It was just another year for the Wonders at Keffer Stadium and the ride back to K-Town this time wasn't as difficult for many as it had been in years prior. It had become old hat and it seemed nothing was going to change.

In November of 2014, in what would have been the Wonders fifth straight playoff meeting with the Charlotte Catholic Cougars in a five year period, They were spared a first round playoff meeting after Greensboro Dudley was eliminated from participating in the 2014 playoffs for rules violations. The Wonders instead would face the Reagan Raiders who would defeat the Wonders in the first round 50-42. Ironically, it would be the Cougars who would demoralize Regan 49-0 in Pfafftown two weeks later in the third round.

Wonder/Cougar Playoff Score History
2005   Kannapolis-3 Charlotte Catholic-28  P4
2006   Kannapolis-21   Charlotte Catholic-36  P2
2007   Kannapolis-14   Charlotte Catholic-19  P2
2008   Kannapolis-28   Charlotte Catholic-27 P3
2010   Kannapolis-7    Charlotte Catholic-45  P3
2011   Kannapolis-9 Charlotte Catholic-35  P3
2012   Kannapolis-18 Charlotte Catholic-49 P3
2013   Kannapolis-14 Charlotte Catholic-56  P1

So there you have it. The less than glamorous and highly controversial playoff history between the A. L. Brown Wonders and Charlotte Catholic Cougars. In telling the complete story of Wonder football and all it's successes, there are moments when you have to tell everything. The good, the bad and sometimes even the ugly, and it doesn't get any uglier than the playoff history between A.L. Brown and Charlotte Catholic. Is it possible to say that given the lack of success the Wonders have experienced against the Cougars that there is an outside force or a mental block that hinders the Wonders every time these two teams meet? It's possible, but not probable. Good football teams find a way to win, and great football teams are consistent in beating good teams. That is the litmus test for the Wonders today. The Cougars are that team you must beat today to be considered great and the proof is in the pudding. As Dennis Green would say "The Cougars are who we thought they were, and several times we let em off the hook." lol

When I say that the Cougars have become a rival over the years, does that mean they command the same level of importance as say the Concord Spiders? Absolutely not!! there is no comparison between the two, but the one similarity that has been cultivated over the last nine years is that the Charlotte Catholic Cougars, like the Concord Spiders have become a fixture on the Wonders schedule. A fixture that has humiliated a proud tradition more times than we care to mention. They have become that nemesis that stands in the way of the ultimate goal year after year, and what's bad is that they keep reloading year after year. As long as they continue to reload, they will continue to be that one thorn in the flesh of the Wonders that doesn't go away. The possibility of the A.L. Brown/Charlotte Catholic playoff history continuing it's downward spiral in the next five to ten years remains a very real threat, unless the Wonders can find a way to exorcise the demon for good. -The editor

"Keeping the Memories Alive"
That's Friday Nights in K-Town!!!!

"Inside the Office of Friday Nights in K-Town"
"Feel the Nostalgia"

The Big Four of Wonder Football
"Excellence at Every Position"

(Picture Above) No more feared individuals to ever wear the Green and White like the Big Four from 1978-1980

Ethan Horton Lance Smith Terry Baxter Brent Holbrook

When you talk about "The Big Four" of Kannapolis football, anyone who knows anything about the history of Wonder football will know exactly who you are referring to. "The Big Four" from 1978 to 1980 were four of the best skill men at their position Wonder football has ever seen on one team as a collective unit. "The Big Four" consisted of QB #14 Ethan Horton, OT-DT #75 Lance Smith, RB #22 Terry Baxter, and HB-SS #42 Brent Holbrook. These four highly skilled athletes exemplified excellence at the position for three straight seasons in K-Town from 1978-1980. These athletes were a part of what is commonly accepted as three of the most talent laden Wonder football teams not to win a state title that A.L. Brown has ever produced. All four of these young men would go on to play major division one college football with two of them going on to have exemplary careers in the National Football League.

Ethan Horton would play his college ball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and would go on to play for the Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL. Lance Smith would play his college ball at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and play for eleven seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. Terry Baxter would play his college ball with fellow teammate Lance Smith at Louisiana State University. Brent Holbrook would play his college ball at East Carolina University. It is understood that these four Wonder legends brought everything they had to the table every Friday night and made Wonder football history each season until graduation at the conclusion of the 1980 season. "The Big Four" are legends in Wonder football lore and will always be considered the best of the best in any conversation.

"Wonders of the NFL"

Haskell Stanback Atlanta Falcons

Ethan Horton Los Angeles Raiders

Lance Smith Phoenix Cardinals

Mike Morton Los Angeles Raiders

"The Quintessential Wonder"
Nick Maddox

"The Nick Maddox Files"

Arguably the most recognized athlete in all Wonder football history, Nick Maddox tore up the field at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, and stadiums throughout the state of North Carolina beginning his freshman year in 1995 until his record breaking senior season in 1998. Maddox was a quick, elusive back with more moves than a roach in a cereal bowl. A Maddox run was never the same run twice. There was always a slight variable in each jaw dropping jaunt which left fans sitting in their seat awe struck. Maddox was a triple threat as a player. He could play the tailback position as well as lining up as a receiver. Maddox was also a very dangerous defensive back with great hands and instincts.

The Nick Maddox dossier is an impressive collection of athletic achievements and prestigious awards, but to those who knew him personally, this list of accolades do nothing to accurately portray Nick Maddox the teammate, the friend, and most importantly the man. I met Nick in the winter of 1999 shortly before he was to leave to begin his college experience at Florida State University in Tallahassee. That day I spoke to a very humble young man who was a little aprehensive about leaving home for the first time, but excited nonetheless. Nick signed a football helmet for me as well as a football that I still have proudly displayed beside my computer desk in the office of Friday Nights in K-Town. Below is a partial list of what Nick accomplished in high school prior to committing to Florida State. Like I said, the accolades do very little to describe Nick Maddox as anything other than just a superb athlete.

One of the most sought after running backs in the country, Maddox totaled 2,536 yards and 33 touchdowns on 267 carries as a senior (9.5 yards per carry) Had 20 catches for 268 yards and eight scores. Added four punt returns for touchdowns of 50 yards or more. finished his career with 6,624 rushing yards and 114 touchdowns (a state record at the time)

A Parade All-American and first-team USA Today All-USA selection...the USA Today Player of the Year for the state of North Carolina. Tom Lemming's No. 1 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic and No. 2 prospect nationally. SuperPrep's No. 4 running back (No. 14 player overall) nationally. No.1 running back in the country by PrepStar and offensive MVP of the ACC region.

Regarded as the No. 8 prospect in the country by The Sporting News. listed at No. 22 overall by the NRA. Named the 1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions high school player of the year for the Southern region and state of North Carolina (athletic/academic achievement). the No. 1 player in the state according to Bill Buchalter...also ran track and played basketball at Brown. led football team to 13-1 season as a senior. Carried 10 times for 102 yards and two scores (12 and 60-yard runs) in the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl. reported 40-yard dash of 4.5. chose FSU over Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Notre Dame.

After graduation in 1999, Nick Maddox pursued his college career at Florida State University in Tallahassee Florida, where he played on the 1999 National Championship team. After a successful college career Nick played at the next level as a runningback in the National Football League. Nick played for such organizations as the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, ultimately finishing his football career with the Carolina Panthers. After football, Nick returned home to Leon County where he obtained dual degrees in Business and Real Estate from Florida State.

After obtaining his degrees, Nick took a position as Director of Planned Giving with the Seminole Boosters at FSU. Maddox moved from the Boosters to once again join a team with his former head coach as the vice president of Development for the Bowden Foundation. In 2010 Nick Maddox threw his hat into the political ring seeking to run for County Commissioner At Large for Leon County winning a seat in the 2010 election. Commissioner Nick Maddox was re elected in 2014 to serve another term as Commissioner for Leon County by winning 70% of the popular vote.

Nick currently serves as the 2014-2015 Board Vice-Chairman, and has served the citizens of greater Leon County since 2010. Commissioner Nicholas J. Maddox is one of only two At-Large Commissioners for Leon County. Nick is married with two daughters, Nyla 8yrs old and Mylee 3yrs old. Nick continues to make personal appearances around the greater Tallahassee community today, and has represented his hometown of Kannapolis very respectably. Without a doubt, Nick Maddox represents everything the Wonder Nation stands for, and has done it admirably since his graduation from A.L. Brown in 1999. Nick Maddox by it's truest definition is unquestionably "The Quintessential Wonder"

Wonder Radio WRKB 1460 AM
"The Voice of Wonder Football in Kannapolis"

(Click Button Text to Go to Ford Broadcasting.com)

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www.fordbroadcasting.com
"Friday Nights in K-Town Supports Ford Broadcasting, and Wonder Radio 1460 AM "

Wonder fans be sure if you can't make it out to Memorial Stadium for the game to tune into Wonder Radio on 1460 AM on your radio dial, or visit Ford Broadcasting online to get the live streaming. Randy Whitley, Dane Laney, Doug Wilson, and Buddy Amerson are live every Friday night to bring you all the Wonder football action in a way only they can do it. Friday Nights in K-Town is proud to promote these great friends of Wonder football.

"A.L.Brown High School Athletic Boosters"

Wonder Fans, Show your support for Wonder athletics by becoming a member of the Kannapolis Athletic Boosters. The Boosters are responsible for many projects at A.L. Brown High School, and need your support. For Booster information, Membership, and Corporate Sponsorship contact the following good people that spearhead the effort.

"Booster Board of Directors"

(Picture Above) 2016-2017 Booster Board of Directors.

"Booster Officers"

(Picture Above) 2016-2017 Booster Board Officers

Doug Wilson (800) 230-8819 or email gwilsonjr1@carolina.rr.com
Dane Laney (704) 933-7502 or email ddlaney04@yahoo.com

"Proud Corporate Sponsors of Wonder Football"
Support These Great Sponsors Who Support the Wonders

"Recommended Links for High School Football"

Richmond County Raiders

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South Point Red Raiders

Asheville Cougars

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AC Reynolds Rockets

Concord Spiders

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Union County Football

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Shelby Golden Lions

NCHSAA

WBTV Football Friday Night

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"Recommended Links for Digital Photography"

Folks, here are some highly recommended sites for some great Wonder Football photos taken by friends of mine you probably see sharing the sidelines with me on Friday Nights in K-Town. Photographers David Livengood, Tyler Buckwell, and Mike Grier all take top quality photos at most of the Wonder games. Just click on the button text below their name to go directly to their personal web sites for some great Wonder photos. Many of the photos they take can be purchased on their sites, so don't waste time if you are a serious Wonder Football fan looking for some classic shots to frame in your man cave or wherever your Wonder Football Shrine may be located. -The editor

David Livengood
www.flickr.com/photos/elmstreetphotography/

David Livengood has been involved in professional photography for a little over seven years, and is quite skilled at what he does. David is a 1988 graduate of A.L.Brown High School and has a special passion for shooting Wonder Football. If you subscribe to the Salisbury Post then you have probably seen a good bit of David's work on Saturday mornings covering Wonder Football. David is a very accomplished photographer,and his skills go way beyond the gridiron. David's handy work can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/elmstreetphotography/ or simply click on the button text below to go directly to his site.

elmstreetphotography

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Tyler Buckwell
www.kannonshots.com

Tyler Buckwell is a 2016 graduate of Appalachian State University with a genuine gift for photography and cinematography. Tyler is a 2012 graduate of A.L. Brown High School and is also a passionate Wonder fan. Many of Tyler's photo's have also been seen in the Salisbury Post and Independent Tribune. Tyler also makes some state of the art Wonder video that he is creating while attending App State. You can check out all of Tyler's work at www.kannonshots.com or simply click on the button text below to go directly to his page.

Kannonshots.com

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"Special Thanks to the Many Contributors to FIK"

Friday Nights in K-Town would like to thank the following contributors for donating materials found within the pages of this web site. A.L. Brown High School, Mike London at The Salisbury Post, Jemal Horton and David Exum at The Independent/Tribune, Langston Wertz at The Charlotte Observer, Chris Hughes at CarolinaPreps.com, NSC Helmets, Patricia Curl at the Concord Library, The Cannon Library, The Kannapolis History Associates, Time Warner Cable, Coach Mike Newsome, Deanna Baker, Mike Morton Sr, Chip Buckwell, Tim Davis, Lacy Brumley, Joey Roseman, Greg Wagoner, Tony Pethel, Coach Bob Boswell, Todd Williford, Keith and Fran Garver, John Tuttle, William Craft, Ryan Craft, Harry Greene Jr, Ruben Wells, Nick Maddox, Pat Maddox, Matt Mcfaddin, Kendall Turner, Tramaine Robinson, Mike Grier, Ken Haney, Coach E.Z. Smith III, Mary and Haskell Stanback, Roger Bigham, Wayne Anderson, Becky Brawley Thompson, Delaney Greene, Leigh Ann Allen, Bobby Query, Kevin Wike, and Johnny Webb. Thanks for all your contributions and for making this site something Wonder fans can reflect on in years to come. I couldn't have accomplished this without your assistance.

Special thanks to Tyler Buckwell for planting the seed for this project. To every Wonder athlete that has ever put on the Green and White and left your blood, sweat, and tears on the field at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium this site is for you Go Wonders!! To the players, coaches, cheerleaders, and members of the Big Green Machine of 1974, thanks for making such a lasting impression on a young Wonder fan. That season will always be special to me. Lastly, A very special thanks to my dear friend and inspiration the late Terry Lynn Fortson. It is because of your support and belief in my abilities that I continue to experiment in creative writing. You are greatly missed. -The editor

"In Memory of Blue Collar Kannapolis"
My Hometown and the Home of The Wonders
1887-2003

(Picture Above) The Town Lake View from North Main Street at Cannon Mills in 1977

(PictureAbove) Downtown Kannapolis On West Avenue

(Picture Above) The Heart of Old Kannapolis. Cannon Lake and Cannon Mills Company

"The Day the Town Died"

"Requiem for Old Kannapolis"

(Pictures Above) The Final Remains of Old Kannapolis. The Water Tower Stands Alone Against a Summer Sunset

(Click to Visit Cannon Mills on Facebook)

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Friday Nights in K-Town Special Dedication
"Dedicated to the Memory of Mr Lane Stribling"

Friday Nights in K-Town officially dedicates this web page to the memory of the Late Mr Lane Stribling. Mr Stribling was the owner and editor of the very first Wonder Football web page Kannapolisfootball.com. His site served the fans and supporters of Wonder football for thirteen years from 2000 to 2013, and was the benchmark for style and content that Friday Nights in K-Town strived to achieve. You will always be remembered as the quintessential Wonder fan and supporter. Thank you for your dedication in giving Wonder football fans such an inspirational vehicle to celebrate Wonder football for so many years, and may you rest in eternal peace until the day we all claim the ultimate victory in Jesus Christ. Forever Wonders!!!! -The editor

**Disclaimer**

This site endorses and supports high school football played by the Wonders of A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis North Carolina. This site is privately owned and operated, and is in no way directly or indirectly affiliated with A.L Brown High School or the City of Kannapolis. This is not the official site for Wonder football, and is intended to be a celebratory vehicle for the A.L. Brown Wonders, and Supporters of Wonder football. The Friday Nights in K-Town logo and all photos with the Friday Nights in K-Town watermark is considered the intellectual property of the editor for Friday Nights in K-Town and is subject to protection under federal copyright © law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Title 17.

All materials contained within the pages of this site have been credited to the appropriate contributors. Records, Stats and other statistical information that are deemed "Public Record" have been compiled by the editor through hours of personal painstaking research. Views, opinions, and accounts of the games expressed in this site are not that of the Faculty, Administration, or Coaching Staff of A.L. Brown High School, and are strictly that of the editor, and are protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. In God We Still Trust!!!
-The Editor

"The Tradition Continues"
GO WONDERS!!!!

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The Wonder Football Web Page "For the Discerning Wonder Football Fan" Scott Boggs Editor/Historian

The A.L. Brown Fight Song "Performed by the 1986 Big Green Machine"

"Current Updates"

From the Desk of Friday Nights in K-Town "Message from the Editor"

A.L. Brown Wonders Football "The Pride of the Working Class"

"What's Causin All of This?" Woooooooo

"About the Editor"

"So, Who Loves Friday Nights in K-Town?"

Friday Nights in K-Town "Loves WBTV Football Friday Nights"

WBTV Football Friday Nights Loves "Friday Nights in K-Town"

"FIK Bulletin Board"Points of Interest from Friday Nights in K-Town****************************************************************************************

"A.L. Brown/South Rowan Grid Rivalry to End in 2017"

Friday Nights in K-Town Endorsements

Kannapolis History Associates

Inside the Hinson History Room

Kannapolis Youth Sports "Shaping the Future of Wonder Football"

Head Coach Chavis Maxwell

Head Coach Chavis Maxwell

Friday Nights in K-Town Supports Kannapolis Youth Sports

"What Fans are Saying About Friday Nights in K-Town"

The Wonder Wall of Championships "Roots Run Deep in Fertile Soil"

"﻿State Titles﻿"

"Conference and Playoff Championships"

"How the Wonders Have Fared Against Their Big 3 Crosstown Rivals" "Through the Years"

"Concord Spiders"

"South Rowan Raiders"

56 Total Meetings Since 1961 46-8-2 Overall Record Since 1961

"Northwest Cabarrus Trojans"

43 Total Meetings Since 1968 39-﻿﻿﻿3﻿﻿﻿-﻿1﻿ Overall Game Record Since 1968

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence” The 41st Battle for the Bell "45th Anniversary A Look Back"

41st Annual Battle for the Bell 45th Anniversary Commemorative Video

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence” Then End of a Shocking Night in the Land of the Giants​ Or Was It?

"Closing Thoughts"

Dedicated to the 1971 Little Wonders AKA "The Giant Killers"

Something Wicked this Way Comes "The Playoff Stigma of Charlotte Catholic"

The Shot Heard Round the World "Exorcising the Demon of Catholic"

"Keeping the Memories Alive" That's Friday Nights in K-Town!!!!

"Inside the Office of Friday Nights in K-Town" "Feel the Nostalgia"

The Big Four of Wonder Football "Excellence at Every Position"

"Wonders of the NFL"

"The Quintessential Wonder" Nick Maddox

"The Nick Maddox Files"

Wonder Radio WRKB 1460 AM "The Voice of Wonder Football in Kannapolis"

www.fordbroadcasting.com "Friday Nights in K-Town Supports Ford Broadcasting, and Wonder Radio 1460 AM "

"A.L.Brown High School Athletic Boosters"

"Booster Board of Directors"

"Booster Officers"

Doug Wilson (800) 230-8819 or email gwilsonjr1@carolina.rr.com Dane Laney (704) 933-7502 or email ddlaney04@yahoo.com

"Proud Corporate Sponsors of Wonder Football" Support These Great Sponsors Who Support the Wonders

"Recommended Links for High School Football"

"Recommended Links for Digital Photography"

David Livengood www.flickr.com/photos/elmstreetphotography/

Tyler Buckwell www.kannonshots.com

"Special Thanks to the Many Contributors to FIK"

"In Memory of Blue Collar Kannapolis" My Hometown and the Home of The Wonders 1887-2003

"The Day the Town Died"

"Requiem for Old Kannapolis"

Friday Nights in K-Town Special Dedication﻿ "Dedicated to the Memory of Mr Lane Stribling"﻿

"The Tradition Continues" GO WONDERS!!!!

Home

Hard Road to Glory

Battle for the Bell

The Wonder Football Web Page
"For the Discerning Wonder Football Fan"
Scott Boggs Editor/Historian

The A.L. Brown Fight Song
"Performed by the 1986 Big Green Machine"

From the Desk of Friday Nights in K-Town
"Message from the Editor"

A.L. Brown Wonders Football
"The Pride of the Working Class"

Friday Nights in K-Town
"Loves WBTV Football Friday Nights"

WBTV Football Friday Nights Loves
"Friday Nights in K-Town"

"FIK Bulletin Board"
Points of Interest from Friday Nights in K-Town

Kannapolis Youth Sports
"Shaping the Future of Wonder Football"

The Wonder Wall of Championships
"Roots Run Deep in Fertile Soil"

"State Titles"

"How the Wonders Have Fared
Against Their Big 3 Crosstown Rivals"
"Through the Years"

43 Total Meetings Since 1968 39-3-1 Overall Game Record Since 1968

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence”
The 41st Battle for the Bell
"45th Anniversary A Look Back"

41st Annual Battle for the Bell
45th Anniversary Commemorative Video

“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence”
Then End of a Shocking Night in the Land of the Giants
Or Was It?

Dedicated to the 1971 Little Wonders AKA
"The Giant Killers"

Something Wicked this Way Comes
"The Playoff Stigma of Charlotte Catholic"

The Shot Heard Round the World
"Exorcising the Demon of Catholic"

"Keeping the Memories Alive"
That's Friday Nights in K-Town!!!!

"Inside the Office of Friday Nights in K-Town"
"Feel the Nostalgia"

The Big Four of Wonder Football
"Excellence at Every Position"

"The Quintessential Wonder"
Nick Maddox

Wonder Radio WRKB 1460 AM
"The Voice of Wonder Football in Kannapolis"

www.fordbroadcasting.com
"Friday Nights in K-Town Supports Ford Broadcasting, and Wonder Radio 1460 AM "

Doug Wilson (800) 230-8819 or email gwilsonjr1@carolina.rr.com
Dane Laney (704) 933-7502 or email ddlaney04@yahoo.com

"Proud Corporate Sponsors of Wonder Football"
Support These Great Sponsors Who Support the Wonders

David Livengood
www.flickr.com/photos/elmstreetphotography/

Tyler Buckwell
www.kannonshots.com

"In Memory of Blue Collar Kannapolis"
My Hometown and the Home of The Wonders
1887-2003

Friday Nights in K-Town Special Dedication
"Dedicated to the Memory of Mr Lane Stribling"

"The Tradition Continues"
GO WONDERS!!!!