Welcome to Friday Nights in K-Town
"Home to Classic Kannapolis Wonders Football"
A Standing Tradition Since 1924
The Latest from Friday Nights in K-Town
Mike Morton Makes NFL History
as
First Superbowl Player Winner/Referee
Storyboard Charlotte Observer:
09-14-22: Mike Morton can sometimes be the bearer of bad news. As a dentist during the week, when a patient has a cavity, it’s Morton job to inform them they need to get a needle in their mouth. As a football umpire on the weekends, it’s Morton job to throw a flag. “Maybe not bad news, but news they don’t want to hear,” Morton says with a chuckle.
The former NFL linebacker who lives in Kannapolis has been doing both for the past 15 years — dentistry as a profession and officiating as a hobby. But soon, his hobby will reach new heights. On May 2, the NFL called to tell give him the good news: He’ll be one of the newest officials for the 2022 season.
“It was not quite the same, but just as good as when I got the call from the Raiders saying, ‘Al Davis is on the line for you. They are going to draft you,’ ” Morton said. “It was pretty awesome.” To get to this point, Morton participated in one of the NFL’s officiating programs and went through 15 years of training and officiating games at various levels to get noticed. There were times when he thought that he’d never get the opportunity. But it has finally come.
When Morton steps on the field next season, he will be the first Super Bowl-winning player to officiate a game in the NFL. “The process of becoming an official in the National Football League is a difficult one, requiring perseverance at all levels,” Walt Anderson, the NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating, said. “Mike displayed that kind of commitment to reach the NFL as a player, and now he has done it again as an official. “His playing experience at the highest level of our sport gives him a unique perspective that will help him become a great game official.”
'NEVER FAILED AT ANYTHING’
To understand Morton’s drive, it’s important to understand his upbringing. His father, Mike Morton Sr., was a state trooper, and his mother, Phyllis Morton, worked in a doctor’s office for decades. They both live in Kannapolis, and not far from where their son’s dental practice now sits. Growing up they taught Mike Jr. the importance of putting in the hard work early for a better life later. Their motto was “four years of hard work for four years of a better life,” Morton Sr. said.
Those teachings rubbed off on their son. The most common traits used by friends and family to describe Mike Morton are “passionate” and “dedicated.” And Morton Sr. learned early on never to doubt him. Whatever Morton did, whether that was learning to be a fighter pilot, playing baseball or football, or schoolwork, he did it to the best of his ability. He told his father around his junior year in high school at A.L. Brown about his desire to play Division I football someday. At the time, Morton wasn’t a big recruit. But after his senior season, he made sure everyone knew his name. He finished that season with 224 tackles, his father said, and helped lead the school to its first state championship in 1989.
Coaches from across the country were soon calling. But Morton didn’t go to school on an athletic scholarship. He was a 4.0 student, tops in his class, and earned a full ride on a Morehead Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships at the university, with a list of past recipients that includes Governor Roy Cooper, former ACC commissioner John Swofford and businesswoman Sallie Krawcheck, who was named by Forbes to its list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. “He’s never failed at anything,” Morton Sr. told The Charlotte Observer. “He just gets a hold of a bone and he just doesn’t turn it loose.” The same thing goes for being an official. Morton’s aspiration was to play in the NFL for 20 years and retire a rich man after playing linebacker for the Tar Heels under coach Mack Brown. But during his freshman season, after seeing Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in a Chapel Hill mall one day, he said called his dad that night.
“I said, ‘Well, I’ve got to make sure to get a good degree, because if NFL linebackers are what Lawrence Taylor looks like walking by me, I’ll never play in the NFL,” he joked. His backup plan was medical school, but football worked out in the temporary when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 1995 and played seven years in the league. In 1999, he won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. A back injury cut his career short.
HOW HE GOT INTO OFFICIATING
Morton first became interested in becoming an official 15 years ago when a former teammate and his best friend, Rob Holmberg, told him about an opportunity for former NFL players to get involved in officiating. Morton, a volunteer assistant coach at A.L. Brown, and Holmberg had been looking for an opportunity to get back into football. His father briefly did some high school football officiating when the younger Mike Morton was a child and encouraged him to try it. He said he was initially unsure about the idea; it’s not the most glamorous job, and fans can be harsh.
“I was like, ‘man all those guys did was call flags on me,’ ” he joked. But in 2007, the NFL paid for Morton and Holmberg’s trip to Florida, where they attended the Tom Beard Clinic to learn about the process of becoming an NFL official. “When we went on the field and they had us doing stuff, it clicked,” Morton said. “I’m like, ‘I like this.’ ” He started working junior varsity high school football games in 2008 and worked his way up to college football from the MEAC to the ACC. He also spent time in the NFL’s Officials Developmental Program for a number of years, refereeing the USFL, one preseason NFL game and training camps, including in Spartanburg with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, around the time he was getting started in officiating, he was also starting dental school, as he searched for his second career. A former team doctor recommended it to him, and he enjoyed it. So on weekdays, he’d be in school, and on weekends, he’d officiate games. His wife, Alaina Morton, said her husband took the final dental exam the day after she had quadruplets, who are now 15. He’s since opened his own practice in his hometown of Kannapolis, a place he loves to give back to. On a recent Friday after drilling and filling, he left the office to coaching baseball at Kannapolis Middle School. “I am trying to live my life to the fullest,” Morton said when asked about his many activities. “I’m trying to be a positive role model.” He’s doing that. And soon, his kids will have something else to look up to when they see him as an umpire at an NFL game.
Story by: Jonathan Alexander Charlotte Observer
09-14-22: Mike Morton can sometimes be the bearer of bad news. As a dentist during the week, when a patient has a cavity, it’s Morton job to inform them they need to get a needle in their mouth. As a football umpire on the weekends, it’s Morton job to throw a flag. “Maybe not bad news, but news they don’t want to hear,” Morton says with a chuckle.
The former NFL linebacker who lives in Kannapolis has been doing both for the past 15 years — dentistry as a profession and officiating as a hobby. But soon, his hobby will reach new heights. On May 2, the NFL called to tell give him the good news: He’ll be one of the newest officials for the 2022 season.
“It was not quite the same, but just as good as when I got the call from the Raiders saying, ‘Al Davis is on the line for you. They are going to draft you,’ ” Morton said. “It was pretty awesome.” To get to this point, Morton participated in one of the NFL’s officiating programs and went through 15 years of training and officiating games at various levels to get noticed. There were times when he thought that he’d never get the opportunity. But it has finally come.
When Morton steps on the field next season, he will be the first Super Bowl-winning player to officiate a game in the NFL. “The process of becoming an official in the National Football League is a difficult one, requiring perseverance at all levels,” Walt Anderson, the NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating, said. “Mike displayed that kind of commitment to reach the NFL as a player, and now he has done it again as an official. “His playing experience at the highest level of our sport gives him a unique perspective that will help him become a great game official.”
'NEVER FAILED AT ANYTHING’
To understand Morton’s drive, it’s important to understand his upbringing. His father, Mike Morton Sr., was a state trooper, and his mother, Phyllis Morton, worked in a doctor’s office for decades. They both live in Kannapolis, and not far from where their son’s dental practice now sits. Growing up they taught Mike Jr. the importance of putting in the hard work early for a better life later. Their motto was “four years of hard work for four years of a better life,” Morton Sr. said.
Those teachings rubbed off on their son. The most common traits used by friends and family to describe Mike Morton are “passionate” and “dedicated.” And Morton Sr. learned early on never to doubt him. Whatever Morton did, whether that was learning to be a fighter pilot, playing baseball or football, or schoolwork, he did it to the best of his ability. He told his father around his junior year in high school at A.L. Brown about his desire to play Division I football someday. At the time, Morton wasn’t a big recruit. But after his senior season, he made sure everyone knew his name. He finished that season with 224 tackles, his father said, and helped lead the school to its first state championship in 1989.
Coaches from across the country were soon calling. But Morton didn’t go to school on an athletic scholarship. He was a 4.0 student, tops in his class, and earned a full ride on a Morehead Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships at the university, with a list of past recipients that includes Governor Roy Cooper, former ACC commissioner John Swofford and businesswoman Sallie Krawcheck, who was named by Forbes to its list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. “He’s never failed at anything,” Morton Sr. told The Charlotte Observer. “He just gets a hold of a bone and he just doesn’t turn it loose.” The same thing goes for being an official. Morton’s aspiration was to play in the NFL for 20 years and retire a rich man after playing linebacker for the Tar Heels under coach Mack Brown. But during his freshman season, after seeing Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in a Chapel Hill mall one day, he said called his dad that night.
“I said, ‘Well, I’ve got to make sure to get a good degree, because if NFL linebackers are what Lawrence Taylor looks like walking by me, I’ll never play in the NFL,” he joked. His backup plan was medical school, but football worked out in the temporary when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 1995 and played seven years in the league. In 1999, he won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. A back injury cut his career short.
HOW HE GOT INTO OFFICIATING
Morton first became interested in becoming an official 15 years ago when a former teammate and his best friend, Rob Holmberg, told him about an opportunity for former NFL players to get involved in officiating. Morton, a volunteer assistant coach at A.L. Brown, and Holmberg had been looking for an opportunity to get back into football. His father briefly did some high school football officiating when the younger Mike Morton was a child and encouraged him to try it. He said he was initially unsure about the idea; it’s not the most glamorous job, and fans can be harsh.
“I was like, ‘man all those guys did was call flags on me,’ ” he joked. But in 2007, the NFL paid for Morton and Holmberg’s trip to Florida, where they attended the Tom Beard Clinic to learn about the process of becoming an NFL official. “When we went on the field and they had us doing stuff, it clicked,” Morton said. “I’m like, ‘I like this.’ ” He started working junior varsity high school football games in 2008 and worked his way up to college football from the MEAC to the ACC. He also spent time in the NFL’s Officials Developmental Program for a number of years, refereeing the USFL, one preseason NFL game and training camps, including in Spartanburg with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, around the time he was getting started in officiating, he was also starting dental school, as he searched for his second career. A former team doctor recommended it to him, and he enjoyed it. So on weekdays, he’d be in school, and on weekends, he’d officiate games. His wife, Alaina Morton, said her husband took the final dental exam the day after she had quadruplets, who are now 15. He’s since opened his own practice in his hometown of Kannapolis, a place he loves to give back to. On a recent Friday after drilling and filling, he left the office to coaching baseball at Kannapolis Middle School. “I am trying to live my life to the fullest,” Morton said when asked about his many activities. “I’m trying to be a positive role model.” He’s doing that. And soon, his kids will have something else to look up to when they see him as an umpire at an NFL game.
Story by: Jonathan Alexander Charlotte Observer
Time Passages
Wonder Football
Through the Lense of The Salisbury Post
Recently Friday Nights in K-Town ran across a collection of classic high school football photos taken by the staff photographers of the Salisbury Post. These photos were in the personal archives of Salisbury Post Chief Sports Writer Mr Mike London. FNIK reached out to London and asked if he would be willing to share these awesome photos with FNIK for the FNIK classic Wonder Football photo archives. Mr London graciously agreed, and below are some of over a hundred beautiful photos within the archives of the Salisbury Post. These photos were taken by various Staff photographers for the Post from 1995-2010.
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to personally thank Mike London for this awesome contribution to the FNIK photo library. These are photos that are too good to have remained unseen, and I know all Wonder fans will enjoy seeing them. Thanks again to Mike London and the Salisbury Post for the treasures located in the slideshows below!! -The editor
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to personally thank Mike London for this awesome contribution to the FNIK photo library. These are photos that are too good to have remained unseen, and I know all Wonder fans will enjoy seeing them. Thanks again to Mike London and the Salisbury Post for the treasures located in the slideshows below!! -The editor
Photos courtesy of Mike London and the Staff Photographers of the Salisbury Post
"Kannapolis Football, A Tradition of Excellence"
"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, who was a member of the A.L. Brown class of 1957. The lyrics were written by Robbie Hobbs, and Miss Oveda Poag, and 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: |
Visit Friday Nights in K-Town on Facebook
Wonder fans, don't forget to visit the Official Friday Nights in K-Town social medial link on Facebook. You get the latest information and FNIK Flashback posts into historic Wonder football for your viewing pleasure. With over 7000 likes, the Friday Nights in K-Town Facebook page is all Wonder football, all the time. Stop by and give us a like. You won't regret it. Go Wonders!! -The editor
|
(Click Button to Go to FNIK on Facebook, or click on the Facebook logo at the top right of this page)
|
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 "
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, Buddy Amerson, and Dane Laney 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.
(Click Button to Go to Wonder Radio on Ford Broadcasting)
From the Desk of Friday Nights in K-Town
"Message from the Editor"
01-19-24: Hello Wonder Nation, and Welcome Back to Friday Nights in K-Town: I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that your New Year 2024 has started off just as great. As most of you know, I underwent surgery the week before Christmas to repair a bad case of Tennis Elbow that I acquired in the spring of 2023. This unfortunately took me off the sidelines early in the 2023 season because I could no longer hold the weight of my Camera without being in pain doing so. My surgery was initially scheduled for the middle of October 2023, but had to be pushed out on the recommendation of my Cardiologist because of underlying issues that made the delay necessary.
The surgery was successful and now four weeks later I am in my third week of physical therapy to regain the full extension of my right arm. This has been uncomfortable to say the least, but all is going to schedule. I was warned however that I should not over exert this arm until at least the spring so that the reconstructed Tendon can regain it's full strength. So another two to three months and I should be back to normal again. I want to thank each and everyone of you who have sent messages and prayers for healing my way. You don't know how much that has meant, and I'm sure that all will be fine as the the days go by.
I also want to apologize again for the lack of inactivity here, and on the Facebook page, but even the simple task of typing up stories taxes my arm to the point that it aches way too much to endure writing long pieces. Please understand and work with me on this. As time goes by I will be able to do this in greater comfort, but being just four weeks out of surgery, this is going to take just a little longer than I expected.
With that said, I've had a lot of time over the last several months to sit back and contemplate where FNIK has been and is going in the future. I turn 59 this year and as everybody knows, the older you get the more your body parts begin to break down, it's just the nature of the beast I'm afraid and nobody is exempt from it. With the repair of my Elbow, I still have two feet that are completely eaten up with Plantar Fasciitis, and it's been that way since about 2016. I have been in constant pain with this while on the sidelines taking photos, and the days after are just excruciating. After Elbow surgery, I honestly don't have the will to go through anymore surgeries in the future that isn't absolutely necessary to survive.
As much as I have enjoyed being on the sidelines taking photos at the games, I have come to a hard but necessary decision to halt my taking sideline photos beginning the 2024 season. As much as I have enjoyed being there and doing this, it's just not worth the physical pain I have to endure to provide this service anymore. I hope you will all understand and support me in this and know that I would not make a decision like this that directly affects the content of FNIK without careful thought and circumspection.
With this decision I am currently challenged with how I will now construct the Team Pages in the future. Content has always been important to me, and without the addition of photos, I will be lacking in that regard. I am currently in the planning and brainstorming mode of just how to pull this off in a way that will still be informative and interesting to everyone who visits the main web page.
That's about all I have for now. I now must focus on the next several months getting my arm back to normal so I can do my everyday rituals as a retired grounds keeper at the Boggs estate, lol. Folks, I want to thank you again for all your support, and just know that FNIK will continue to operate, and bring historical content as long as I have breath inside of me. Wonder born, Wonder bred, and when I die, I will be Wonder dead!! As always God bless, and Go Wonders!! -The editor
A.L. Brown Wonders Football
"The Pride of the Working Class"
The backdrop of 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. 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 a glorious 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 for so many years. 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
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 for so many years. 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
"The Official Playbook of the 1966 A.L. Brown Little Wonders"
"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, the former superintendent of the Kannapolis City School system, the honorable 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. Grier A Bradshaw in early 1976, the Kannapolis City School Board chose to hire 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 statewide football superpower began. Coach Boswell, who already had achieved statewide 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 for Wonder football. 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.
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 program's first state AAA championship in his first season in 1989, and again in 1997. Hardin would also claim 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 Wonders would play for four seasons in the new MECKA 4A conference playing some of the toughest opponents in the state, but still the winning tradition was maintained. A new realignment by the NCHSAA in 2016 would find the Wonders coming back home to the South Piedmont Conference for the 2017.
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 of the old Western North Carolina High School Activities Association (WNCHSAA) in 1960 along with counterpart Hickory, which goes down as one of the Kannapolis football program's very first football state titles. The Wonders have been crowned conference 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 accounted for championships in 82, 84, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 05, 07 ,08, 09, 10,11, and 20. The Wonders were also members of the North Piedmont 3A Conference for six years during the Ron Massey era, and were crowned conference champions in the varsity seasons of 01, 02, 03, and 04. Since 1960 the Wonders have made six state title appearances in the varsity seasons of 60, 84, 89, 91, 97, and 08 capturing titles in 89, and 97.
|
Beginning the 2013 season, the Wonders made the jump back into the 4A classification, landing a spot for the first time in the all new brutal Charlotte based MECKA 4A conference. Since the 1930 season, Kannapolis Football has recorded seven undefeated regular seasons coming in the seasons of 52, 82, 84, 87, 92, 98, and 99. Since 1930, the Wonders have made the post regular season playoffs 42 times, playing a total of 97 playoff games. Of those 97 post season playoff games, Kannapolis Football is a combined 57-39-1 overall, giving the program a total winning percentage of 59.4% in post regular season play. Kannapolis Football qualified for the post regular season playoffs 24 consecutive years from 1997 to the spring season of 2021. That string was broken in the fall season of 2021 when the program ended their season at 500% for the year, failing to qualify under new qualifying criteria.
|
The big block Kentucky "K" has become an iconic symbol of excellence in high school football in the State of North Carolina. The Kannapolis football program offers a state of the art Strength and Conditioning complex, knowledgeable coaching staff, and medical trainers with the finest equipment available for it's athletes. Put all of these perks together, and you can see more clearly why the Kannapolis Football program ranks as one of the more elite programs in the region as well as the state. There have been several football programs over the last few years who have won consecutive football titles, but very few can boast the consistent winning tradition the Kannapolis football program has experienced over it's 92 year history.
|
Many coaches in the state of North Carolina will tell you, that the Kannapolis football program has long been a measuring stick for success in high school football, 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. The landscape of high school football has changed dramatically since the program's dominating seasons from 1978 to the new millennial age. New schools, ideologies, and transfer culture has taken it's toll on many of the traditional powers of that glorious day. Kannapolis Football is no exception. This site is a homage to that day when Kannapolis Football was as good as it got. As the times continue to change, it is hoped that the new Wonder age will embrace what has transpired before them, and carry on to further continued success in the uncertain years that await us. -The editor
|
"About the Editor"
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 mill town that has since shifted gears into the age of biotechnology.
High School 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 at Concord High School in 1973. It was that night I watched the Little Wonders defeat the Concord Spiders 7-3 on those old 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 as I "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.
|
I would go on to have a daughter (Tara Madison Boggs) in 1994 which changed my life completely. I started her 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 Saturday afternoons. 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 where she lettered for four years.
My personal path in life has taken many turns since those formative years of long ago, but one thing has remained a constant, and that has been my love of Wonder Football. I retired in July of 2019 after serving twenty seven years in the field of Law Enforcement both with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Kannapolis Police Department from which I retired. Now with nothing but free time on my hands, I've been able to devote more time to family and my passions of Music and Kannapolis Football. I originally started FNIK on Facebook in 2009, and that grew into a dedicated web page not too long thereafter. |
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 over the years. Make no mistake, the story of Wonder football does not begin and end with the WNCHSAA Co Champion Team of 1960, or the State Champion teams of 1989 and 1997, or any of our state runner up teams of 1984, 1991, or 2008, and to fully understand the entire story board you must go back further to where it all began at Central High School in 1924. Our past is something to be proud of, and should be celebrated. It is my belief that the bricks in 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" and all points in between, Friday Nights in K-Town is your destination 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
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" and all points in between, Friday Nights in K-Town is your destination 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
"So, Who Loves Friday Nights in K-Town?"
|
|
Friday Nights in K-Town Endorses the Following
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, 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.
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, 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.
Inside the Hinson History Room
"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 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
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
|
The Story of the 1997 State Champion Wonders
|
"State Titles"
WNCHSAA Co Champions
1960 |
NCHSAA AAA State Champions
1989, 1997 |
NCHSAA AAA State Runner Up
1984, 1991, 2008 |
"Conference Championships"
South Piedmont AAA Conference 1952,1960,1971,1982,1984,1989,
1990,1992,1993,1995,1997,1998, 1999, 2005,2007,2008,2009,2010, 2011,2020 |
North Piedmont AAA Conference 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
|
CPC AAAA Conference
1979,1980,1987,1988 |
"Playoff Championships"
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 |
"Association and State Playoff Appearances"
WNCHSAA Playoffs
1932,1956,1960,1971
NCHSAA AAA & AAAA State Playoffs
1979,1980,1982,1984,1985,1986,1987,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1997,1998,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
(45 Total Playoff Appearances Since 1932, 24 Consecutive Years in NCHSAA State Playoffs Since 1997)
1932,1956,1960,1971
NCHSAA AAA & AAAA State Playoffs
1979,1980,1982,1984,1985,1986,1987,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1997,1998,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
(45 Total Playoff Appearances Since 1932, 24 Consecutive Years in NCHSAA State Playoffs Since 1997)
"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 ninety four times since 1924.
Since 1924 the regular season series record stands at 47-43-4 in favor of the Wonders. Since 1924, the Wonders have outscored the Spiders 1483-1279 giving the Wonders a positive point differential of 100 points. With the addition of three playoff meetings between the two schools it brings the total number of contests to 97, and of those ninety seven meetings, eleven of the Wonder's forty seven victories have come by way of shutout, and out of the Wonders forty seven losses, thirteen have come by way of shutout.
Since 1924 the regular season series record stands at 47-43-4 in favor of the Wonders. Since 1924, the Wonders have outscored the Spiders 1483-1279 giving the Wonders a positive point differential of 100 points. With the addition of three playoff meetings between the two schools it brings the total number of contests to 97, and of those ninety seven meetings, eleven of the Wonder's forty seven victories have come by way of shutout, and out of the Wonders forty seven losses, thirteen have come by way of shutout.
1924-1939
1924 Kannapolis-0 Concord-26 1931 Kannapolis-0 Concord-13 1932 Kannapolis-12 Concord-0 1933 Kannapolis-0 Concord-20 1934 Kannapolis-7 Concord-20 1935 Kannapolis-8 Concord-13 1936 Kannapolis-0 Concord-0 1937 Kannapolis-0 Concord-0 1938 Kannapolis-18 Concord-12 1939 Kannapolis-6 Concord-13 2-6-2 Total PF- 51 Total PA- 117 |
1940-1949
1940 Kannapolis-0 Concord-7 1941 Kannapolis-19 Concord-13 1942 Kannapolis-7 Concord-7 1943 Kannapolis-7 Concord-26 1944 Kannapolis-0 Concord-25 1945 Kannapolis-0 Concord-27 1946 Kannapolis-0 Concord-13 1947 Kannapolis-0 Concord-35 1948 Kannapolis-0 Concord-23 1949 Kannapolis-7 Concord-12 1-8-1 Total PF- 40 Total PA- 188 |
1950-1959
1950 Kannapolis-0 Concord-0 1951 Kannapolis-6 Concord-7 1952 Kannapolis-27 Concord-13 1953 Kannapolis-32 Concord-0 1954 Kannapolis-7 Concord-6 1955 Kannapolis-41 Concord-0 1956 Kannapolis-20 Concord-14 1957 Kannapolis-0 Concord-7 1958 Kannapolis-13 Concord-0 1959 Kannapolis-7 Concord-0 7-2-1 Total PF- 153 Total PA- 47 |
1960-1969
1960 Kannapolis-14 Concord-8 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 1-9 Total PF- 82 Total PA- 161 |
1970-1979
1970 Kannapolis-11 Concord-13 1971 Kannapolis-10 Concord-7 1972 Kannapolis-30 Concord-13 1973 Kannapolis-7 Concord-3 1974 Kannapolis-6 Concord-14 1975 Kannapolis-0 Concord-21 1976 Kannapolis-3 Concord-7 1977 Kannapolis-7 Concord-18 1978 Kannapolis-33 Concord-0 1979 Kannapolis-31 Concord-6 5-5 Total PF- 138 Total PA- 102 |
1980-1989
1980 Kannapolis-41 Concord-0 1981 Kannapolis-6 Concord-7 1982 Kannapolis-14 Concord-10 1983 Kannapolis-7 Concord-27 1984 Kannapolis-26 Concord-8 1985 Kannapolis-6 Concord-7 1986 Kannapolis-0 Concord-14 1987 Kannapolis-19 Concord-0 1988 Kannapolis-9 Concord-7 1989 Kannapolis-16 Concord-14 6-4 Total PF- 144 Total PA- 94 |
1990-1999
1990 Kannapolis-20 Concord-19 1991 Kannapolis-20 Concord-30 1992 Kannapolis-27 Concord-19 1993 Kannapolis-28 Concord-6 1994 Kannapolis-14 Concord-35 1995 Kannapolis-5 Concord-0 1996 Kannapolis-0 Concord-27 1997 Kannapolis-33 Concord-14 1998 Kannapolis-28 Concord-10 1999 Kannapolis-10 Concord-7 7-3 Total PF- 185 Total PA- 167 2020-2029
2020 **Covid Year DNP** 2021 Kannapolis-28 Concord-0 2021 Kannapolis-47 Concord-0 2022 Kannapolis-17 Concord-8 2023 Kannapolis-27 Concord-7 2024 4-0 Total PF- 119 Total PA- 15 |
2000-2009
2000 Kannapolis-28 Concord-0 2001 Kannapolis-1 Concord-0 F 2002 Kannapolis-42 Concord-6 2003 Kannapolis-13 Concord-12 * * 2004 Kannapolis-9 Concord-20 2005 Kannapolis-19 Concord-14 2006 Kannapolis-20 Concord-42 2007 Kannapolis-45 Concord-25 2008 Kannapolis-56 Concord-6 2009 Kannapolis-10 Concord-13 7-3 Total PF- 243 Total PA- 138 Playoff Meetings 1991 Kannapolis-21 Concord-7 1997 Kannapolis-9 Concord-0 1999 Kannapolis-7 Concord-20 2-1 Total PF- 37 Total PA- 27 Total Points After 97 Meetings Total P/F: 1,483 Total P/A: 1,279 |
2010-2019
2010 Kannapolis-28 Concord-21 2011 Kannapolis-31 Concord-26 2012 Kannapolis-14 Concord-21 2013 Kannapolis-20 Concord-33 2014 Kannapolis-14 Concord-20 2015 Kannapolis-26 Concord-15 2016 Kannapolis-31 Concord-19 2017 Kannapolis-14 Concord-12 2018 Kannapolis-54 Concord-35 2019 Kannapolis-59 Concord-21 7-3 Total PF- 291 Total PA- 223 |
97 Total Meetings/W Playoff Meetings Included
94 Total Meetings Since 1924 - Playoffs
93 Consecutive Meetings Since 1931 - Playoffs
47-43-4 Overall Record Since 1924
47-42-4 Continuous Rivalry Record Since 1931
49-44-4 Overall Record/W Playoffs Since 1924
49-43-4 Overall Record/W Playoffs Since 1931
Click on button to go to Battle for the Bell "Retrospective"
"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 47-8-2 record over the Raiders. The Wonders have outscored the Raiders a grand total of 1605-515 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. After a six year lull in rivalry action between the two schools from 2016-20, the Wonders and Raiders would continue their feud in the fall of 2023.
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. After a six year lull in rivalry action between the two schools from 2016-20, the Wonders and Raiders would continue their feud in the fall of 2023.
1961-1969
1961 Kannapolis-6 S Rowan-6 1962 Kannapolis-7 S Rowan-7 1963 Kannapolis-22 S Rowan-0 1964 Kannapolis-14 S Rowan-7 1965 Kannapolis-14 S Rowan-13 1966 Kannapolis-13 S Rowan-0 1967 Kannapolis-34 S Rowan-0 1968 Kannapolis-7 S Rowan-16 1969 Kannapolis-32 S Rowan-14 6-1-2 Total PF- 149 Total PA- 63 1990-1999
1990 Kannapolis-42 S Rowan-0 1991 Kannapolis-19 S Rowan-17 1992 Kannapolis-35 S Rowan-6 1993 Kannapolis-17 S Rowan-7 1994 Kannapolis-6 S Rowan-14 1995 Kannapolis-31 S Rowan-23 1996 Kannapolis-31 S Rowan-23 1997 Kannapolis-41 S Rowan-3 1998 Kannapolis-48 S Rowan-0 1999 Kannapolis-53 S Rowan-31 9-1 Total PF- 323 Total PA- 124 |
1970-1979
1970 Kannapolis-26 S Rowan-12 1971 Kannapolis-37 S Rowan-0 1972 Kannapolis-28 S Rowan-0 1973 Kannapolis-33 S Rowan-0 1974 Kannapolis-20 S Rowan-0 1975 Kannapolis-18 S Rowan-19 1976 Kannapolis-0 S Rowan-5 1977 Kannapolis-19 S Rowan-14 1978 Kannapolis-7 S Rowan-0 1979 Kannapolis-21 S Rowan-0 8-2 Total PF- 209 Total PA- 50 2000-2009
2000 Kannapolis-28 S Rowan-7 2001 Kannapolis-27 S Rowan-14 2002 Kannapolis-31 S Rowan-3 2003 Kannapolis-36 S Rowan-37 2004 Kannapolis-13 S Rowan-3 2005 Kannapolis-21 S Rowan-14 2006 Kannapolis-55 S Rowan-0 2007 Kannapolis-29 S Rowan-17 2008 Kannapolis-28 S Rowan-7 2009 Kannapolis-19 S Rowan-21 8-2 Total PA- 287 Total PF- 123 |
1980-1989
1980 Kannapolis-35 S Rowan-0 1981 Kannapolis-8 S Rowan-20 1982 Kannapolis-19 S Rowan-6 1983 Kannapolis-32 S Rowan-33* 1984 Kannapolis-24 S Rowan-17* 1985 Kannapolis-27 S Rowan-20* 1986 Kannapolis-18 S Rowan-8 1987 Kannapolis-9 S Rowan-0 1988 Kannapolis-12 S Rowan-0 1989 Kannapolis-20 S Rowan-0 8-2 Total PF- 204 Total PA- 104 2010-2023
2010 Kannapolis-45 S Rowan-7 2011 Kannapolis-63 S Rowan-12 2012 Kannapolis-62 S Rowan-6 2013 Kannapolis-41 S Rowan-6 2014 Kannapolis-51 S Rowan-7 2015 Kannapolis-67 S Rowan-0 2016 Kannapolis-65 S Rowan-7 2023 Kannapolis-49 S Rowan-6 7-0 Total PA- 443 Total PA- 51 Total Points Over 57 Meetings Total P/F: 1,605 Total P/A: 515 |
57 Total Meetings Since 1961 47-8-2 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 seven times with the Wonders holding a commanding 41-6-1 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 1500-437 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. Three of the Trojan victories over the Wonders in 1970, 1975, and 1976 were all shutouts. In 2018, the Trojans defeated the Wonders 58-27 at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, the first time since 1976 that the Trojans would defeat A.L. Brown, and the first time since 1975 that they would do it at Memorial Stadium.
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 1500-437 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. Three of the Trojan victories over the Wonders in 1970, 1975, and 1976 were all shutouts. In 2018, the Trojans defeated the Wonders 58-27 at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, the first time since 1976 that the Trojans would defeat A.L. Brown, and the first time since 1975 that they would do it at Memorial Stadium.
1968-1979
1968 Kannapolis-39 NW Cabarrus-0 1969 Kannapolis-46 NW Cabarrus-12 1970 Kannapolis-0 NW Cabarrus-8 1971 Kannapolis-0 NW Cabarrus-0 1972 Kannapolis-16 NW Cabarrus-0 1973 Kannapolis-42 NW Cabarrus-13 1974 Kannapolis-29 NW Cabarrus-13 1975 Kannapolis-0 NW Cabarrus-27 1976 Kannapolis-0 NW Cabarrus-18 1977 Kannapolis-7 NW Cabarrus-0 1978 Kannapolis-34 NW Cabarrus-0 1979 Kannapolis-21 NW Cabarrus-7 8-3-1 Total PF- 234 Total PA- 98 |
0 1980-1989
1980 Kannapolis-39 NW Cabarrus-0 1981 Kannapolis-26 NW Cabarrus-0 1982 Kannapolis-41 NW Cabarrus-0 1983 Kannapolis-28 NW Cabarrus-0 1984 Kannapolis-18 NW Cabarrus-0 1985 Kannapolis-27 NW Cabarrus-0 1986 Kannapolis-5 NW Cabarrus-0 1987 Kannapolis-14 NW Cabarrus-0 1988 Kannapolis-47 NW Cabarrus-0 1989 Kannapolis-35 NW Cabarrus-12 10-0 Total PF- 280 Total PA- 12 |
1990-1999
1990 Kannapolis-21 NW Cabarrus-3 1991 Kannapolis-48 NW Cabarrus-3 1992 Kannapolis-41 NW Cabarrus-0 1993 Kannapolis-55 NW Cabarrus-12 1994 Kannapolis-28 NW Cabarrus-13 1995 Kannapolis-29 NW Cabarrus-13 1996 Kannapolis-46 NW Cabarrus-7 1997 Kannapolis-70 NW Cabarrus-0 1998 Kannapolis-97 NW Cabarrus-0 1999 Kannapolis-21 NW Cabarrus-7 10-0 Total PF- 456 Total PA- 45 |
2000-2009
2000 Kannapolis-21 NW Cabarrus-7 2001 Kannapolis-35 NW Cabarrus-7 2002 Kannapolis-29 NW Cabarrus-20 2003 Kannapolis-48 NW Cabarrus-14 2004 Kannapolis-13 NW Cabarrus-6 2009 Kannapolis-35 NW Cabarrus-21 6-0 Total PA- 181 Total PF- 75 |
2010-2019
2010 Kannapolis-20 NW Cabarrus-13 2011 Kannapolis-44 NW Cabarrus-7 2012 Kannapolis-49 NW Cabarrus-20 2015 Kannapolis-56 NW Cabarrus-7 2016 Kannapolis-48 NW Cabarrus-0 2017 Kannapolis-28 NW Cabarrus-15 2018 Kannapolis-27 NW Cabarrus-58 2019 Kannapolis-7 NW Cabarrus-38 6-2 Total PA- 279 Total PF- 158 |
2020-Present
2021 Kannapolis-51 NW Cabarrus-19 2023 Kannapolis-19 NW Cabarrus-30 1-1 Total PF- 70 Total PA- 49 Total Points Over 48 Meetings Total P/F-1,500 Total P/A-437 |
48 Total Meetings Since 1968
41-6-1 Overall Game Record Since 1968
"The 1952 A.L. Brown Little Wonders"
A.L. Brown High School's First Varsity Football Team
"They Were Plenty Good"
For twenty one years, J.W. Cannon High School was the primary High School in the town of Kannapolis. It served in that capacity from 1930-through the early spring of 1951. On November 11,1949, plans for a new high school in Kannapolis were officially announced to the public. The new school would take in Sophomore-Senior Classes, relegating J.W. Cannon to the Junior High classification housing grades 8-9. Work on the new school began in earnest on February 12,1950 and was completed in early May of 1951.
On March 14, 1951 the Building was Officially named in a special ceremony in honor of the Vice President and General Manager of The Cannon Mills Company, Mr Alfred Luther Brown. The Cornerstone of the school was laid by Mr Brown personally at the corner of the Main Building's Auditorium. On May 12,1952 the first Senior Class of A.L. Brown High School moved into the new million dollar facility to spend it's final weeks of high school life together as a full class. With mixed emotions, the J.W. Cannon Class of 1952 became A.L. Brown's first graduating Class of 1952. That graduating Class of 242 Seniors would officially walk the stage to receive their diplomas on June 4,1952.
As school at A.L. Brown reconvened in late August of 1952 for the rising senior class of 1953 and it's rising Juniors and Sophomores, concentration began for the preparation and development of A.L. Brown's first High School Football Team. Practice began on August 15, 1952 as an incoming group of (2) Freshmen, (14) Sophomores, (15) Juniors, and (14) Seniors made up the 45 man Little Wonder Roster for 1952. The Roster included (10) returning Lettermen in Seniors Gremsley Seamon, Jerry Daye, Jimmy Campbell, Bobby Keller, Clark Drake, Max Chandler, Don Ritchie, and Gary Sherrill with Juniors Bill Jenkins and Don Argo. Quarterbacking the Little Wonder eleven would be Junior Howard Hall.
On March 14, 1951 the Building was Officially named in a special ceremony in honor of the Vice President and General Manager of The Cannon Mills Company, Mr Alfred Luther Brown. The Cornerstone of the school was laid by Mr Brown personally at the corner of the Main Building's Auditorium. On May 12,1952 the first Senior Class of A.L. Brown High School moved into the new million dollar facility to spend it's final weeks of high school life together as a full class. With mixed emotions, the J.W. Cannon Class of 1952 became A.L. Brown's first graduating Class of 1952. That graduating Class of 242 Seniors would officially walk the stage to receive their diplomas on June 4,1952.
As school at A.L. Brown reconvened in late August of 1952 for the rising senior class of 1953 and it's rising Juniors and Sophomores, concentration began for the preparation and development of A.L. Brown's first High School Football Team. Practice began on August 15, 1952 as an incoming group of (2) Freshmen, (14) Sophomores, (15) Juniors, and (14) Seniors made up the 45 man Little Wonder Roster for 1952. The Roster included (10) returning Lettermen in Seniors Gremsley Seamon, Jerry Daye, Jimmy Campbell, Bobby Keller, Clark Drake, Max Chandler, Don Ritchie, and Gary Sherrill with Juniors Bill Jenkins and Don Argo. Quarterbacking the Little Wonder eleven would be Junior Howard Hall.
Returning Lettermen
Coming off a 5-5 season from J.W. Cannon in 1951, the Little Wonders under third year Head Coach Harland "Tuck" Gudger and first year Assistant Coach Ed Edmiston were a veteran team with plenty of potential if properly groomed.
Scrimmaging in the 3A Classification of the now defunct Western North Carolina High School Activities Association, the perennial powers of the day were the Children's Home teams of Thomasville Mills Home, Winston Salem Children's Home, and the public High School Programs of Asheboro, Thomasville, Hickory, Albemarle, Lexington and Lenoir, all having qualified for multiple appearances in WNCHSAA Championship games choosing to forego those games. The 1952 Little Wonders road to perfection would begin with a home game on September 5th at Kannapolis Ball Park with the Railroaders of Spencer. The Green and White would take a hard fought 12-0 victory coming by way of two Don Ritchie Touchdown runs. Next up on schedule would be another home game against the ever powerful Bulldogs of Albemarle High. The Little Wonders would have a tougher go of it as they battled the dogs to an eventual 19-14 victory to improve to 2-0 on the season. Scoring would come on the legs of Buck Little and Don Ritchie who accounted for all the scoring for the Little Wonders. The following week would bring yet another home game as the Little Wonders hosted the Greyhounds from Statesville. The Little Wonders found the going even tougher against the Hounds as the Green and White scored early in the final stanza on a Halfback pass from Don Ritchie to Pete Athenaleous for a 6-0 Little Wonder Shutout of the Hounds. Week four would see the Little Wonders on the road for the first time of the season as they traveled to Asheboro to take on the powerhouse Blue Comets. In yet another nail biter performance by the Green and White, the Little Wonders turned in a spine tingling 19-12 upset of the previously unbeaten Blue Comets to improve to 4-0 on the season, as well as 4-0 in South Piedmont League play. |
As week five rolled around, the Little Wonders would venture out of conference for the first time of the season, as they traveled to Charlotte to take on Charlotte Tech. The Little Wonders would have very little problem with the outmanned Tech crew as they rolled to a 32-6 decision to improve to 5-0 at the mid point of the 1952 season. The Little Wonders rushed for over 248 yards of offense behind the running attack of Buck Little, and Don Ritchie, while the stifling Wonder defense held Tech to just thirty nine yards of total offense for the game.
With no time off, the Little Wonders now looked to an October 9th meeting with rival Mooresville in a Battle for The Victory Towel at Kannapolis Park. A big game of the year for the Wonders and even bigger for South Piedmont Conference Standings. On a forty seven yard touchdown strike from Howard Hall to Don Ritchie, the Wonders took a 7-0 lead into the break as time expired, and would go on to shutdown the Blue Devil running game for their sixth straight win of the season.
With no time off, the Little Wonders now looked to an October 9th meeting with rival Mooresville in a Battle for The Victory Towel at Kannapolis Park. A big game of the year for the Wonders and even bigger for South Piedmont Conference Standings. On a forty seven yard touchdown strike from Howard Hall to Don Ritchie, the Wonders took a 7-0 lead into the break as time expired, and would go on to shutdown the Blue Devil running game for their sixth straight win of the season.
Week seven would see the Wonders and crosstown rival Concord hook up for 23rd time since 1924, and the third "Battle For the Bell" since the Victory Bell's introduction in 1950 at Midway Ball Field in Kannapolis. Concord had taken sole possession of the coveted trophy in their 7-6 victory the previous year in 1951. The Wonders had not defeated the Spiders since 1941, and had tied twice.
A highly inspired group of Wonders scored three times in the first fourteen minutes of the contest to stun the favored Concord Spiders and gain sole possession of the Victory Bell for the first time in it's history. The win gave the Wonders a 7-0 record and the outright lead in the South Piedmont Conference, something the Wonders had not done since a 7-0 start way back in 1938. With just three games left in the regular season, Coach Gudger's Wonders were feeling invincible, but to carry an invincible attitude into the remaining three contests could derail the team's hopes of a possible clean sweep of the regular season. Week eight saw the Wonders hit the road again for what would be a string of back to back weeks on the road. The first of the two stops would be at Monroe against the Rebels. The Wonders would enter the contest as heavy favorites to defeat the Rebel eleven who were coming off back to back defeats. The Wonders wouldn't disappoint as they rolled to their biggest win of the season in a 40-0 route. The Wonders amassed over three hundred yards of offense in a balanced attack that saw QB Howard Hall have one of his best games of the season throwing the rock for 148 yards, while the running tandem of Buck Little and Don Ritchie accounted for 245 yards on the ground. On October 31st the 8-0 Wonders would host their final home game of the season as they hosted neighboring Winecoff High in a homecoming contest at Midway Ball Field. The Blue Devils were coming into the contest winless with the Wonders heavy favorites to take the contest in commanding fashion. Again they wouldn't disappoint the home crowd in attendance. The Wonders would pounce on the hapless Blue Devils cruising to a 34-0 shutout win, they're 5th shutout of the season. The Wonders rushed for 147 yards and 47 through the air with touchdown scores by Buck Little, Don Ritchie and Howard Hall. The Wonders at 9-0 were living out the best recorded season in Kannapolis Football history and only one more opponent stood in their way of perfection. |
On Friday November 7th, the Little Wonders traveled to Wilkesboro to face a very dangerous team from Wilkes Central. The game would decide the South Piedmont Conference Championship and earn the winner the right to appear in the WNCHSAA Championship contest against the Western Division winner. Wilkes Central and Lexington shared the WNCHSAA Crown when both schools opted not to play in the championship contest at the end of the season in 1951.
The Wonders struck quickly in the first half, scoring all three of their touchdowns in a 21-7 victory over Wilkes Central to take the South Piedmont Conference Championship for 1952. The win secured Kannapolis Football, and A.L. Brown High School's first ever unbeaten, untied season in their history. The win also secured the Wonders a shot at their first ever WNCHSAA Championship against defending WNCHSAA Champions Lenoir the following Friday night.
The Wonders struck quickly in the first half, scoring all three of their touchdowns in a 21-7 victory over Wilkes Central to take the South Piedmont Conference Championship for 1952. The win secured Kannapolis Football, and A.L. Brown High School's first ever unbeaten, untied season in their history. The win also secured the Wonders a shot at their first ever WNCHSAA Championship against defending WNCHSAA Champions Lenoir the following Friday night.
Conclusion:
Season Results
Kannapolis-12 Spencer-0 Kannapolis-19 Albemarle-14 Kannapolis-6 Statesville-0 Kannapolis-19 Asheboro-12 Kannapolis-32 Charlotte Tech-6 Kannapolis-7 Mooresville-0 Kannapolis-27 Concord-13 Kannapolis-40 Monroe-0 Kannapolis-34 Winecoff-0 Kannapolis-21 Wilkes Central-7 **************************************************** A.L. Brown High School's First Football Team A.L. Brown High School's First Undefeated Team |
The 1952 A.L. Brown Little Wonders had successfully completed the inaugural first year of A.L. Brown High School with it's best ever recorded performance in the history of Kannapolis Football. Over the Little Wonders ten game regular season, the Little Wonders had put up a total of 217 points allowing only 52 points. The Little Wonders had amassed over 1,500 yards of total offense and produced four All Conference Stars by The Greensboro Daily News All Conference Team for 1952. Buck Little would be the season's biggest offensive producer with 967 yards of rushing and nine Touchdowns with Half back Don Ritchie getting 448 yards of rushing and seven touchdowns.
Senior Defensive Standout Gary Sherrill would be selected All Conference, and All State and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas along with Landis Standout Billy Ray Barnes. Historically, the 1952 Little Wonders of A.L. Brown would go down as one it's most accomplished teams of the decade. In 1960, the Undefeated, but once tied Little Wonders would play in the WNCHSAA Championship game where they tied Hickory to be Co Champions for 1960. It would be twenty seven years later in 1979, before A.L. Brown and Kannapolis Football as a whole would claim another perfect undefeated, untied regular season in program history. -The editor |
“A Loud Truth, Spoken in Dead Silence”
The 41st Battle for the Bell
"53rd Anniversary Look Back"
“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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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)
|
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. |
|
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
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"
The Big Four of Wonder Football
"Excellence at Every Position"
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.
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"
"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.
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"
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"
"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"
"Booster Officers"
Doug Wilson (800) 230-8819 or email [email protected]
Dane Laney (704) 933-7502 or email [email protected]
"Proud Corporate Sponsors of Wonder Football"
Support These Great Sponsors Who Support the Wonders
"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, Rob and Lynn 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 the late 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
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
"Requiem for Old Kannapolis"
(Click to Visit Cannon Mills on Facebook)
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"
"The Future Belongs to Us"
GO WONDERS!!!!
******************************************************************************************************
******************************************************************************************************
******************************************************************************************************
******************************************************************************************************
******************************************************************************************************