"2011 Wonder Football Scrapbook"
2011 South Piedmont Conference Champions
"Wonder Football 2011"
A New Era Begins
2011 A.L. Brown High School Varsity Wonders Football Team
2011 Wonders Varsity Cheerleaders
2011 A.L Brown High School Junior Varsity Wonders Football Team
"2011 South Piedmont Conference Champions 10-0"
Congratulations from Friday Nights in K-Town
The 2011 Wonders Junior Varsity Cheerleaders
"Times Change, Tradition Remains"
"The Mike Newsome Dossier"
** Classified **
“It was an extremely tough decision. My wife and I sat down and we discussed the pros and cons. In the end I think this is the best decision for me. The opportunity to move to a school with such a huge football tradition doesn’t come around very often." (Mike Newsome: on accepting head coaches position.)
"Times Change, Tradition Remains" Those are very appropriate words as the fans of Wonder Nation anticipate the start of the 2011 season. We've been here before. The changing of the guard or the New Sheriff in town. Its old hat to Wonder fans only every change has been a whirlwind experience. Fans in Kannapolis were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new commander and chief as early 2011 began when the announcement was made that coach Massey would not be returning for the 2011 season. Rumors began to fly debris from a cyclone as decision time approached. Everyone from Blair Hardin to Joe Pinyan, to Urban Meyer began to surface as possible replacements for coach Massey, but nobody considered who was living just down the road in Charlotte.
Mike Newsome had just won back to back 4AA state championships at powerhouse Butler, and a betting man would have put up the farm that this man wasn't going anywhere. "Why would he?" Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. On May 9, 2011 the announcement was made, and it was official. Mike Newsome was the new head coach in Kannapolis. This came totally from left field, and nobody was more shocked than yours truly the editor. On the announcement of coach Mike Newsome into the Wonder family my first thoughts were as everybody's "Wow" My second thought was Why? Why would a man as successful as coach Newsome want to leave a program that just won back to back state titles for Kannapolis? For days I contemplated why such a successful coach would want to leave such a successful program like Butler. Then on May 31, 2011 at coach Newsome's first meet and greet with parents of the football players at the Bullock Gym that question was answered. Funny thing is the answer to that question was right under my nose all along, and I didnt realize it. "Why wouldn't he?" and so begins the new era of Wonder Football 2011. Lets take a look at this new Sheriff. -The Editor
During Newsome’s eight-year stint at Butler, he shifted the balance of football power in Mecklenburg County to the Bulldogs, as Butler captured the last two 4AA state titles after Independence won seven consecutive titles from 2000-2006. Newsome, 40, leaves Butler on a 31-game wining streak and was 93-17
overall. Newsome brings with him a resume filled with success and accolades. At Butler he’s compiled a 93-17 record in just eight years as head coach and his teams have won back-to-back 4-AA championships.
He’s currently the reigning MaxPreps National High School Football Coach of the Year and has already served as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Prior to being the head coach at Butler, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from the schools’ opening in 1997 through the 2002 season. His first teaching and coaching position was at Anson County High School in 1995. Newsome, a native of Panama City, Fla, attended Mars Hill College where he was an all-conference linebacker. He majored in biology and graduated in 1994. He was preparing for medical school when he began his coaching career. Coach Newsome is married to his lovely wife Laura Ritchie Newsome and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first born to the Newsome family.
"Times Change, Tradition Remains" Those are very appropriate words as the fans of Wonder Nation anticipate the start of the 2011 season. We've been here before. The changing of the guard or the New Sheriff in town. Its old hat to Wonder fans only every change has been a whirlwind experience. Fans in Kannapolis were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new commander and chief as early 2011 began when the announcement was made that coach Massey would not be returning for the 2011 season. Rumors began to fly debris from a cyclone as decision time approached. Everyone from Blair Hardin to Joe Pinyan, to Urban Meyer began to surface as possible replacements for coach Massey, but nobody considered who was living just down the road in Charlotte.
Mike Newsome had just won back to back 4AA state championships at powerhouse Butler, and a betting man would have put up the farm that this man wasn't going anywhere. "Why would he?" Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. On May 9, 2011 the announcement was made, and it was official. Mike Newsome was the new head coach in Kannapolis. This came totally from left field, and nobody was more shocked than yours truly the editor. On the announcement of coach Mike Newsome into the Wonder family my first thoughts were as everybody's "Wow" My second thought was Why? Why would a man as successful as coach Newsome want to leave a program that just won back to back state titles for Kannapolis? For days I contemplated why such a successful coach would want to leave such a successful program like Butler. Then on May 31, 2011 at coach Newsome's first meet and greet with parents of the football players at the Bullock Gym that question was answered. Funny thing is the answer to that question was right under my nose all along, and I didnt realize it. "Why wouldn't he?" and so begins the new era of Wonder Football 2011. Lets take a look at this new Sheriff. -The Editor
During Newsome’s eight-year stint at Butler, he shifted the balance of football power in Mecklenburg County to the Bulldogs, as Butler captured the last two 4AA state titles after Independence won seven consecutive titles from 2000-2006. Newsome, 40, leaves Butler on a 31-game wining streak and was 93-17
overall. Newsome brings with him a resume filled with success and accolades. At Butler he’s compiled a 93-17 record in just eight years as head coach and his teams have won back-to-back 4-AA championships.
He’s currently the reigning MaxPreps National High School Football Coach of the Year and has already served as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Prior to being the head coach at Butler, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from the schools’ opening in 1997 through the 2002 season. His first teaching and coaching position was at Anson County High School in 1995. Newsome, a native of Panama City, Fla, attended Mars Hill College where he was an all-conference linebacker. He majored in biology and graduated in 1994. He was preparing for medical school when he began his coaching career. Coach Newsome is married to his lovely wife Laura Ritchie Newsome and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first born to the Newsome family.
"The Supporting Cast"
Some Old Familiar Faces
Todd Hagler. (Offensive Line, Strength Coach)
Coach Hagler came to Kannapolis in 2000 under head coach Ron Massey as an offensive line and tight ends coach. Coach Hagler also took over the strength and conditioning program. Coach Hagler was an All Conference DE at Lenoir Rhyne College, and member of the 1988 SAC-8 Championship Team. Coach Hagler was the offensive line and Strength coach for the 1997 State Champion Richmond County Raiders, and coached four SEC championship teams while at Richmond County. Coach Hagler was also a strength and conditioning assistant at UNC Chapel Hill. Coach Hagler is in his 11th year at A.L Brown High School.
Coach Hagler came to Kannapolis in 2000 under head coach Ron Massey as an offensive line and tight ends coach. Coach Hagler also took over the strength and conditioning program. Coach Hagler was an All Conference DE at Lenoir Rhyne College, and member of the 1988 SAC-8 Championship Team. Coach Hagler was the offensive line and Strength coach for the 1997 State Champion Richmond County Raiders, and coached four SEC championship teams while at Richmond County. Coach Hagler was also a strength and conditioning assistant at UNC Chapel Hill. Coach Hagler is in his 11th year at A.L Brown High School.
Jeremy Ryan (Tight Ends)
Coach Ryan came to Kannapolis in 1997 as a varsity linebackers coach under Bruce Hardin. Coach Ryan Won a State Championship in his first year under coach Hardin. Coach Ryan is a 1990 graduate of Marlington High School in Alliance Ohio, and was an all county QB. Ryan is a 1994 graduate of Mount Union College, and played QB from 1991-1993. Coach Ryan is in his 14th year at A.L Brown High School.
Coach Ryan came to Kannapolis in 1997 as a varsity linebackers coach under Bruce Hardin. Coach Ryan Won a State Championship in his first year under coach Hardin. Coach Ryan is a 1990 graduate of Marlington High School in Alliance Ohio, and was an all county QB. Ryan is a 1994 graduate of Mount Union College, and played QB from 1991-1993. Coach Ryan is in his 14th year at A.L Brown High School.
Josh Reeves (Line Backers)
Coach Reeves is a 2002 graduate of A.L Brown High School
Coach Reeves is a 2002 graduate of A.L Brown High School
James Lott (Defensive Backs)
Coach Lott is a 1985 graduate of A.L Brown High School where he was a standout DB and punt returner. Coach Lott played free safety for four years at Clemson University where he graduated in 1989 after which he played one season with the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Lott began coaching in Kannapolis in 2004 as a DB coach and is currently in his 7th year at A.L Brown High School.
Coach Lott is a 1985 graduate of A.L Brown High School where he was a standout DB and punt returner. Coach Lott played free safety for four years at Clemson University where he graduated in 1989 after which he played one season with the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Lott began coaching in Kannapolis in 2004 as a DB coach and is currently in his 7th year at A.L Brown High School.
2011 Wonder Coaching Staff
"The Cleveland County Jamboree"
2011 Wonders Look Promising in Their Victory over Crest Chargers 14-7
The 2011 Wonders showed fans a good many positives tonight as they traveled to Lawndale to participate in the Cleveland County Jamboree. The Wonders defeated their adversary the Crest Chargers last years 3AA State Runner Up 14-7. The Jamboree gave fans and coaches alike the opportunity to see their teams in combat for the first time in 2011, as well as provide an opportunity to see what areas of the game may need tweaking before the season opener against Shelby. The matchups this year included our first oponent of the year Shelby taking on the Red Tornados of Hickory, Mooresville vs Kings Mountain, Kannapolis vs Crest, and finishing out the evening would be Burns vs East Lincoln. It was a great evening of football in Lawndale, and the hospitality was great. The Wonders will open play next Friday night in Memorial Stadium against the Golden Lions of Shelby.
Friday Night in Cleveland County
Damien Washington #12
(Picture Left) Wonder Athlete Damien Washington. Washington would account for two rushing touchdowns against the Chargers that put the Wonders up 14-0 early in the contest earning him the FIK Player of the Game for the Preseason Scrimmage.
FIK Player of the Game
(Pre Season)
"Damien Washington"
5 Carries, 56 Rushing Yards
2 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
(Pre Season)
"Damien Washington"
5 Carries, 56 Rushing Yards
2 Touchdowns
2011 Athletic Program
The 2011 Season begins for the A.L. Brown Wonders of Kannapolis
(Picture Above) The 2011 Kannapolis Wonders take the field on opening night in Kannapolis Memorial Stadium.
Friday, August 19, 2011. It was such an anticipated opening night that most of the Wonder nation would say "You could almost cut the tension in the air with a knife" As the Wonders began a new season under a new head coach. All eyes were focused on the events that would unfold on the green field of Memorial Stadium this night as Wonder nation would get its first look at their 2011 Wonders against a proven winner in the Shelby Golden Lions. It had been almost a year since the Wonders were humiliated in the third round of the state AAA playoffs in a 45-7 route at the hands of the Cougars of Charlotte Catholic, and all of the Wonder faithful were eager to take back our house against a quality program.
The Shelby Golden lions had never in their history played a game in Kannapolis against the Wonders, and the last time the two teams met had been over 22 years ago in 1989 at Shelby when the Wonders defeated the Golden Lions 21-14 enroute to the schools first state AAA football title. Though this would only be an endowment game it had that big game feel atmosphere as two of North Carolinas top high school football programs squared off on the gridiron for what was sure to be a contest that would not disappoint. This night would be only the beginning of an exciting year of Wonder football in Kannapolis. Lets follow the progression of this group of Wonders in their quest for the South Piedmont Conference Championship. A quest that is sure to be one heck of a ride.
The Shelby Golden lions had never in their history played a game in Kannapolis against the Wonders, and the last time the two teams met had been over 22 years ago in 1989 at Shelby when the Wonders defeated the Golden Lions 21-14 enroute to the schools first state AAA football title. Though this would only be an endowment game it had that big game feel atmosphere as two of North Carolinas top high school football programs squared off on the gridiron for what was sure to be a contest that would not disappoint. This night would be only the beginning of an exciting year of Wonder football in Kannapolis. Lets follow the progression of this group of Wonders in their quest for the South Piedmont Conference Championship. A quest that is sure to be one heck of a ride.
"Down Go the Golden Lions of Shelby"
Newsome's Shock and Awe Approach Works in 43-24 Victory in Kannapolis
The Wonders of Kannapolis used a blistering first half offensive onslaught to bury the Shelby Golden Lions early in Memorial Stadium this past Friday night before a capacity crowd in Kannapolis. Damien Washington set the tone early by taking the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to take the early lead 7-0 over the visiting Golden Lions. Washington then took the melon into the promised land 17 yards in just five plays to jump out to a quick 14-0 lead. Wonders junior runningback #17 Kalif Phillips broke a 67 yard run up the gut and to the left sideline to put the Wonders up 21-0. Washington and junior runningback Kalif Phillips accounted for four touchdowns in the first half along with a field goal by kicker Erik Amaya to take a 30-0 shutout of the Golden Lions into the locker room at halftime. Like the bombs falling on Bagdhad the Wonders had made a statement early.
A meeting of the minds by coach Lance Ware and his staff at intermission produced a very motivated Shelby team in the second half who were tired of being bullied around by the Wonders. The Golden Lions did an about face, and bared their teeth accounting for 24 unanswered points in the second half to pull the Golden Lions within six of a tie. Shelby Quarterback Daylan Fuller and Runningback Kipton Key accounted for the Golden Lions scoring spree that nearly broke the Wonders back. The Wonders knockout blows would come with just under four minutes left in the game as FB #9 Gabe Lucero broke a 26 yard fullback plunge up the middle to the right sideline for six giving the Wonders a 36-24 cushion. After a Golden Lions fumble at the Kannapolis 30 yard line Damien Washington would cash in the final score on a physical 23 yard tackle breaking masterpiece putting the game out of reach at 43-24. All in all the Wonders came out and played to win, and did not disappoint. Congratulations to the Wonders and Coach Mike Newsome on his inaugural win going into next Friday nights battle with rival South Rowan.
(The Editor)
KANNAPOLIS — The Mike Newsome era started with a bang. It could have just as easily finished with a thud, but Newsome’s A.L. Brown Wonders showed the same mix of flash, grit and resolve that was synonymous with his teams at Butler. The Wonders held off a furious comeback attempt from Shelby Friday, emerging with a 43-24 win at Memorial Stadium. UNC commitment Damien Washington returned the opening kickoff 87 yards and added a 17-yard run, putting Brown up two scores after running just five offensive plays. The Wonders led 30-0 at halftime, but the status quo quickly flipped after the
break, when Shelby scored 24 unanswered points. Had a few plays gone differently, Newsome’s debut could have become notorious in these parts.
“We didn’t see those first-game mistakes until we got the second half,” Newsome said. “That kind of hurt us and gave them an opportunity to get back in it. It made it real interesting. But as Wonders do, they came back and made great plays at the end to seal the win.”
The victory wasn’t secure until fullback Gabe Luccero turned a simple dive play into a 26-yard touchdown
with 4:12 left, putting the Wonders up 36-24. Washington’s 23-yard scamper less than a minute later sealed the result. The Wonders started and finished like world beaters. However, they looked pedestrian for much of the third and fourth quarters, when Shelby, a prideful program embarrassed by its first-half
performance, put the brakes on a Brown offense that was nearly unstoppable in the first half.
“I told them I didn’t do a very good job of getting them ready,” first-year Shelby coach Lance Ware said of his halftime speech. “I left it in their hands. I told them they weren’t playing like Golden Lions. That was
my fault. They did in the second half.”
Tailback Kipton Key, who rushed 23 times for 122 yards, scored Shelby’s first points with a 36-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the second half. Five minutes later, Shelby capitalized on a Brown fumble, with quarterback Daylan Fuller taking a keeper into the end zone from 11 yards out. Suddenly the Golden Lions couldn’t be stopped and a Brown offense that had 219 first-half yards couldn’t gain a first down.
“We thought the game was over at halftime,” Washington said. “That’s why we came out all sluggish in the second half. … We let down our guard. They just started scoring, and we offensively weren’t scoring and laid down.”
Still, the result didn’t look in doubt until Fuller hit Wesley Hillman on a 35-yard touchdown pass early in the second half. Key’s two-point conversion reception cut the led to eight, and then it shrunk to six after
Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger was called for intentional grounding in his own end zone. Shelby nearly took the led on the ensuing drive, but Brown corner Jamar Clemons broke up a sure touchdown pass. Brown didn’t regain the momentum until Washington’s 10-yard, drive-extending run with just over
five minutes left. Luccero scored three plays later.
“It would have been a bad way to start,” Newsome said of blowing a 30-point lead in a loss. “I’m glad it finished up the way it did. I’ve got to get back in the groove. I’ve had an offensive coordinator, and I’ve got to get back in the groove of calling plays. A lot of [our second-half struggles] were on me as a head coach. You get rusty doing that. It happens, but we’ll be better next week.”
Washington was elusive from the opening play, taking Manning Burton’s kickoff near the left sideline and outrunning Shelby’s cover team to the right pylon. Shelby’s special teams, which struggled all night, handed the Wonders excellent field position on their second drive, and Washington waltzed into the end zone from 17 yards out. Two touchdown runs from Kalif Phillips, including a 66 yarder, and a field goal seemed to have put the game out of reach by halftime. However, Shelby didn’t go away.
(The Salisbury Post)
A meeting of the minds by coach Lance Ware and his staff at intermission produced a very motivated Shelby team in the second half who were tired of being bullied around by the Wonders. The Golden Lions did an about face, and bared their teeth accounting for 24 unanswered points in the second half to pull the Golden Lions within six of a tie. Shelby Quarterback Daylan Fuller and Runningback Kipton Key accounted for the Golden Lions scoring spree that nearly broke the Wonders back. The Wonders knockout blows would come with just under four minutes left in the game as FB #9 Gabe Lucero broke a 26 yard fullback plunge up the middle to the right sideline for six giving the Wonders a 36-24 cushion. After a Golden Lions fumble at the Kannapolis 30 yard line Damien Washington would cash in the final score on a physical 23 yard tackle breaking masterpiece putting the game out of reach at 43-24. All in all the Wonders came out and played to win, and did not disappoint. Congratulations to the Wonders and Coach Mike Newsome on his inaugural win going into next Friday nights battle with rival South Rowan.
(The Editor)
KANNAPOLIS — The Mike Newsome era started with a bang. It could have just as easily finished with a thud, but Newsome’s A.L. Brown Wonders showed the same mix of flash, grit and resolve that was synonymous with his teams at Butler. The Wonders held off a furious comeback attempt from Shelby Friday, emerging with a 43-24 win at Memorial Stadium. UNC commitment Damien Washington returned the opening kickoff 87 yards and added a 17-yard run, putting Brown up two scores after running just five offensive plays. The Wonders led 30-0 at halftime, but the status quo quickly flipped after the
break, when Shelby scored 24 unanswered points. Had a few plays gone differently, Newsome’s debut could have become notorious in these parts.
“We didn’t see those first-game mistakes until we got the second half,” Newsome said. “That kind of hurt us and gave them an opportunity to get back in it. It made it real interesting. But as Wonders do, they came back and made great plays at the end to seal the win.”
The victory wasn’t secure until fullback Gabe Luccero turned a simple dive play into a 26-yard touchdown
with 4:12 left, putting the Wonders up 36-24. Washington’s 23-yard scamper less than a minute later sealed the result. The Wonders started and finished like world beaters. However, they looked pedestrian for much of the third and fourth quarters, when Shelby, a prideful program embarrassed by its first-half
performance, put the brakes on a Brown offense that was nearly unstoppable in the first half.
“I told them I didn’t do a very good job of getting them ready,” first-year Shelby coach Lance Ware said of his halftime speech. “I left it in their hands. I told them they weren’t playing like Golden Lions. That was
my fault. They did in the second half.”
Tailback Kipton Key, who rushed 23 times for 122 yards, scored Shelby’s first points with a 36-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the second half. Five minutes later, Shelby capitalized on a Brown fumble, with quarterback Daylan Fuller taking a keeper into the end zone from 11 yards out. Suddenly the Golden Lions couldn’t be stopped and a Brown offense that had 219 first-half yards couldn’t gain a first down.
“We thought the game was over at halftime,” Washington said. “That’s why we came out all sluggish in the second half. … We let down our guard. They just started scoring, and we offensively weren’t scoring and laid down.”
Still, the result didn’t look in doubt until Fuller hit Wesley Hillman on a 35-yard touchdown pass early in the second half. Key’s two-point conversion reception cut the led to eight, and then it shrunk to six after
Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger was called for intentional grounding in his own end zone. Shelby nearly took the led on the ensuing drive, but Brown corner Jamar Clemons broke up a sure touchdown pass. Brown didn’t regain the momentum until Washington’s 10-yard, drive-extending run with just over
five minutes left. Luccero scored three plays later.
“It would have been a bad way to start,” Newsome said of blowing a 30-point lead in a loss. “I’m glad it finished up the way it did. I’ve got to get back in the groove. I’ve had an offensive coordinator, and I’ve got to get back in the groove of calling plays. A lot of [our second-half struggles] were on me as a head coach. You get rusty doing that. It happens, but we’ll be better next week.”
Washington was elusive from the opening play, taking Manning Burton’s kickoff near the left sideline and outrunning Shelby’s cover team to the right pylon. Shelby’s special teams, which struggled all night, handed the Wonders excellent field position on their second drive, and Washington waltzed into the end zone from 17 yards out. Two touchdown runs from Kalif Phillips, including a 66 yarder, and a field goal seemed to have put the game out of reach by halftime. However, Shelby didn’t go away.
(The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with Shelby"
Damien Washington #12
(Picture Left) Wonder All Purpose Back #12 Damien Washington took the opening kickoff back 87 yards for a Wonder touchdown to set the tone for the game. Washington would also score two rushing touchdowns on runs of 17, and 23 yards to earn him FIK Player of the Game in week #1. Congratulations Damien on becoming FIK's inaugural Player of the Game for 2011.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #1
"Damien Washington"
15 Carries, 119 Yards Rushing
3 Touchdowns
87 Yard KO Return for TD
FIK Player of the Game
Week #1
"Damien Washington"
15 Carries, 119 Yards Rushing
3 Touchdowns
87 Yard KO Return for TD
"Raiders Left Wondering in China Grove"
Offensive Ambush Led by Damien Washington Buries Raiders 63-12 at Donnell
The Wonders of Kannapolis throttled the South Rowan Raiders tonight at Donnell Stadium in China Grove 63-12 largely in part to an offensive ambush in the first quarter that left the Raiders looking at a 21-0 deficit in the first eight minutes of the first quarter. Damien Washington scored four times in the first half including marathon TD runs of 57, 61, and 64 yards. Washington also proved himself a very explosive receiver as he hauled in an 80 yard TD strike from Brandon Eppinger. Robert Pinkston and Kalif Phillips would also share in the scoring wealth with a touchdown run between the two. Pinkston scored on a 50 yard jaunt and then broke a 60 yard run to put the Wonders in scoring position again. Kalif Phillips would take the ball into the endzone from 13 yards out to finish the drive. The Wonders would take a 48-6 lead into the half. Defensively Darius Rice would notch the Wonders first defensive points of the 2011 campaign as he intercepted a Nathan Lambert pass at the South Rowan 30 and found clear sailing all the way to paydirt. The Wonders gave a total offensive and defensive show tonight, and did it for four quarters as the victory puts the Wonders at 2 and 0 going into next Fridays matchup with Rocky River.
(The Editor)
LANDIS — When A.L. Brown’s Damien Washington was tackled after a 15-yard run early in the second quarter, South Rowan fans cheered wildly. Cheering for a 15-yard gain by the opposition is unorthodox behavior, but there was a reason. That was the first — and only — time the Raiders managed to tackle the elusive Wonder on Friday night. Washington, 190 pounds of swivel-hipped uncooperativeness, demolished the Raiders in an overwhelming 63-12 A.L. Brown romp.
“Our kids found out they can play fourth quarters tonight,,” upbeat Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “This team’s got a lot of upside to keep getting better, and now we’ve got some momentum.”
While the result didn’t top Brown’s 55-0 win in 2006 for one-sidedness, the 63 points were the most either school has scored in the long series. The Wonders (2-0) had three TDs on their first five snaps. Washington’s oh-my-God first quarter resurrected memories of Nick Maddox. He had scoring runs of 57, 64 and 61 yards and streaked past South’s defense to reel in an 80-yard scoring strike from QB Brandon Eppinger. He may have gotten 1,000 yards had he not sat down early.
“Just good, key blocks on all those long runs,” Washington said modestly. “Pancake blocks from Keeon Johnson and Kenon Jones, and then I ran to daylight. I was just trying to get to the end zone.”
He kept getting there. His best effort was the 64-yard dash that made it 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Washington slithered out of the grasp of a tackler, then knifed between converging defenders in the secondary.
“They’re just one hell of a team,” South linebacker Bubba McLaughlin said. “They’re great fundamentally, and whenever there’s a hole, their back hits it hard. We’ve got some fast guys, but no one like Washington. Once he got to the outside, he was gone.”
Washington’s breakaway speed was exactly what South coach Jason Rollins had feared most coming in.
“We talked all week that if No. 12 (Washington) got the ball, we had to turn him back inside — turn him back until the cavalry could get there,” Rollins said. “He’s a great ballplayer, but we didn’t wrap up and we didn’t pursue well. We didn’t do much of anything we wanted to do defensively.”
Offensively, South (0-2) offered some resistance. Ricky Sherrill was able to bang out short but steady gains until he exited with cramps. Sherrill had a 10-yard scoring run that was set up by an Eric Tyler recovery of a muffed punt. That TD cut the Wonders’ lead to 21-6. But, Washington quickly responded with his fourth electrifying big-play score. South got its other six late in the third quarter when Nathan Lambert found Josh Medlin behind the defense for a 73-yard hookup.
“They got a TD late, but defensively we did the things we had to do,” Brown lineman Gerald Holt said. “I was proud we got our first defensive TD. That’s an accomplishment.”
That TD came from studly defensive end Darius Rice (6-foot-4, 230) in the second quarter. He stepped in front of a Lambert pass at the South 30 and romped in for a 42-6 lead.
“I jumped up and almost missed it, but then it hit on my shoulder pads, and I was able to hang onto it,” Rice said. “That felt good, really good.” (The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Night Action with South Rowan"
Damien Washington #12
(Picture Left) Wonder All Purpose Back #12 Damien Washington had a breakout performance tonight at South Rowan Scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter on runs of 57, 61, and 74 yards including an 80 yard touchdown reception from Brandon Eppinger. Washington finished the night with 197 yards rushing on 4 carries, and an 80 yard touchdown reception earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #2. Congratulations Damien on becoming FIK's first back to back Player of the Game for 2011.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #2
"Damien Washington"
4 Carries, 197 Yards Rushing
80 Yard TD Reception
4 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #2
"Damien Washington"
4 Carries, 197 Yards Rushing
80 Yard TD Reception
4 Touchdowns
"Wonders Storm Rocky River Ravens"
Two Hour Rain Delay Doesn't Delay the Inevitable 35-14 loss to Wonders in K-Town
A two hour rain and lightning delay at the beginning of warmups in this first ever meeting between these two schools only delayed the outcome a little longer for the Ravens as the Wonders would notch their third non conference victory over Rocky River. Rain didnt keep the fans from K-Town away, but a rushed pre game warmup and decreased halftime led to some sluggish play by the Wonders who did manage to put up thirty five points on the Ravens. "I haven’t seen a situation like this arise very often, but it’s not easy for kids to keep their focus,” A.L. Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “Especially, when you’re at home. They’re sitting around the locker room texting and cell-phoning and it’s hard to think about football.” Junior runningback Kaliff Phillips took over in this game where senior Damien Washington left off at South Rowan putting on a nice display of running the Ravens had no answer for, Phillips would rush for 96 yards on 20 carries, and two touchdowns on runs of ten, and sixteen yards on the night.
But the story of this game for the Wonders were penalties, and many penalties at that. Flags were flying most of the game, and most of them were not going the wonders way. The Wonders racked up eleven penalties for a whopping 105 yards. The Ravens looked poised to give the Wonders a game after the Wonders went up quickly 14-0 on two scores from Wonder WR Keeon Johnson. Johnson scored on passing TDs from Brandon Eppinger of 37, and 42 yards. Eppinger would finish the night with 221 yards passing and two touchdowns throws. The Ravens would score their two touchdowns on a 4 yard touchdown run from QB Andre Rice and on a 34 yard pass play from Rice to WR Nunn Holding penalties negated several wonder drives that put the Wonders deep into Raven territory. Flag Day is listed on the calendar as June 14, but it looked like the officials were celebrating early. There were 190 yards in accepted penalties, and that’s not counting declined penalties and offsetting ones. At one point in the first half the Wonders were actually trying to convert on a 1st and forty eight which they did in two plays only to have that nullified again in penalties. The Wonders in the end improve to 3 and 0 and will go into a very tough non conference battle next Friday night at Porter Ridge with the 3 and 0 Pirates. This game has epic battle written all over it.
(The Editor)
KANNAPOLIS — When A.L. Brown Brandon Eppinger took a knee on the final snap of Friday’s marathon, the scoreboard said the Wonders were still unbeaten and watches all over Memorial Stadium declared that the time was 11:23 p.m. Brown’s 35-14 win over Rocky River (1-2) will be remembered more for lateness than greatness. Due to lightning strikes, the opening kickoff didn’t occur until 9 p.m. Once the main event finally got under way, it was marred by penalties. Flag Day is listed on the calendar as June 14, but officials celebrated early. There were 190 yards in accepted penalties, and that’s not counting declined penalties and offsetting ones. Flags offered Brown one unique opportunity to try to convert first-and-48. Did the long delay have something to do with all that? In a word, yes.
“I haven’t seen a situation like this arise very often, but it’s not easy for kids to keep their focus,” A.L. Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “Especially, when you’re at home. They’re sitting around the locker room texting and cell-phoning and it’s hard to think about football.”
Newsome was very familiar with Rocky River’s coaches. They coached against him when he guided Butler.
Conversely, RR’s staff knew Newsome’s playbook by heart.
“We knew as much success as Damien (Washington) has been having that they’d key on him,” Newsome said. “There were plays they took away, plays that we thought they probably would take away.”
Quarterback Brandon Eppinger (14-for-19 for 221 passing yards), receiver Keeon Johnson (five catches, 113 yards, two TDs) and running back Kalif Phillips (96 rushing yards, two TDs) shouldered the offensive load. While the UNC-bound Washington wasn’t a factor in the running game — mobs of Ravens waited to smother him every time he touched it — he still produced a pair of lightning bolts, tossing a surprise touchdown pass on Brown’s first offensive snap and catching a third-quarter TD thrown by Eppinger. Rocky River’s offense basically was a 31-yard completion by Andre Rice to Johnny Nunn that set up a second-quarter TD and a 34-yard Rice-to-Nunn connection for a score in the third quarter. Rocky River’s
first play from scrimmage was disastrous, as Brown corner Jamar Clemons picked off Rice. Brown then struck with Washington, a former QB, pulling up on what looked like a run, and zinging a TD pass to the 6-foot-3 Johnson.
“We thought that Damien throwing the ball would surprise them,” Johnson said. “We really thought I’d be more open than I was, but I was able to come back to the ball and make a play.”
Johnson watched the Wonders (3-0) run the ball the first two weeks, but he and Eppinger and Phillips showed fans in Week 3 that the Wonders can strike in many ways.
“When we weren’t throwing much, I just had to keep my head up and make good blocks,” Johnson said with a grin. “But running and passing — this is the way I like it.”
Brown led comfortably 28-7 at halftime. Newsome liked his offense and defense, everything but the flags.
“If we don’t have those penalties, it’s a different game,” he said. “I hate to think how many yards we lost, not just yards we were penalized, but big plays that came back.”
(The Salisbury Post)
But the story of this game for the Wonders were penalties, and many penalties at that. Flags were flying most of the game, and most of them were not going the wonders way. The Wonders racked up eleven penalties for a whopping 105 yards. The Ravens looked poised to give the Wonders a game after the Wonders went up quickly 14-0 on two scores from Wonder WR Keeon Johnson. Johnson scored on passing TDs from Brandon Eppinger of 37, and 42 yards. Eppinger would finish the night with 221 yards passing and two touchdowns throws. The Ravens would score their two touchdowns on a 4 yard touchdown run from QB Andre Rice and on a 34 yard pass play from Rice to WR Nunn Holding penalties negated several wonder drives that put the Wonders deep into Raven territory. Flag Day is listed on the calendar as June 14, but it looked like the officials were celebrating early. There were 190 yards in accepted penalties, and that’s not counting declined penalties and offsetting ones. At one point in the first half the Wonders were actually trying to convert on a 1st and forty eight which they did in two plays only to have that nullified again in penalties. The Wonders in the end improve to 3 and 0 and will go into a very tough non conference battle next Friday night at Porter Ridge with the 3 and 0 Pirates. This game has epic battle written all over it.
(The Editor)
KANNAPOLIS — When A.L. Brown Brandon Eppinger took a knee on the final snap of Friday’s marathon, the scoreboard said the Wonders were still unbeaten and watches all over Memorial Stadium declared that the time was 11:23 p.m. Brown’s 35-14 win over Rocky River (1-2) will be remembered more for lateness than greatness. Due to lightning strikes, the opening kickoff didn’t occur until 9 p.m. Once the main event finally got under way, it was marred by penalties. Flag Day is listed on the calendar as June 14, but officials celebrated early. There were 190 yards in accepted penalties, and that’s not counting declined penalties and offsetting ones. Flags offered Brown one unique opportunity to try to convert first-and-48. Did the long delay have something to do with all that? In a word, yes.
“I haven’t seen a situation like this arise very often, but it’s not easy for kids to keep their focus,” A.L. Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “Especially, when you’re at home. They’re sitting around the locker room texting and cell-phoning and it’s hard to think about football.”
Newsome was very familiar with Rocky River’s coaches. They coached against him when he guided Butler.
Conversely, RR’s staff knew Newsome’s playbook by heart.
“We knew as much success as Damien (Washington) has been having that they’d key on him,” Newsome said. “There were plays they took away, plays that we thought they probably would take away.”
Quarterback Brandon Eppinger (14-for-19 for 221 passing yards), receiver Keeon Johnson (five catches, 113 yards, two TDs) and running back Kalif Phillips (96 rushing yards, two TDs) shouldered the offensive load. While the UNC-bound Washington wasn’t a factor in the running game — mobs of Ravens waited to smother him every time he touched it — he still produced a pair of lightning bolts, tossing a surprise touchdown pass on Brown’s first offensive snap and catching a third-quarter TD thrown by Eppinger. Rocky River’s offense basically was a 31-yard completion by Andre Rice to Johnny Nunn that set up a second-quarter TD and a 34-yard Rice-to-Nunn connection for a score in the third quarter. Rocky River’s
first play from scrimmage was disastrous, as Brown corner Jamar Clemons picked off Rice. Brown then struck with Washington, a former QB, pulling up on what looked like a run, and zinging a TD pass to the 6-foot-3 Johnson.
“We thought that Damien throwing the ball would surprise them,” Johnson said. “We really thought I’d be more open than I was, but I was able to come back to the ball and make a play.”
Johnson watched the Wonders (3-0) run the ball the first two weeks, but he and Eppinger and Phillips showed fans in Week 3 that the Wonders can strike in many ways.
“When we weren’t throwing much, I just had to keep my head up and make good blocks,” Johnson said with a grin. “But running and passing — this is the way I like it.”
Brown led comfortably 28-7 at halftime. Newsome liked his offense and defense, everything but the flags.
“If we don’t have those penalties, it’s a different game,” he said. “I hate to think how many yards we lost, not just yards we were penalized, but big plays that came back.”
(The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with Rocky River"
Brandon Eppinger #10
(Picture Left) Wonders quarterback #10 Brandon Eppinger passed for 221 yards and threw two touchdowns in the Wonders 35-14 victory over Rocky River Friday night in Memorial Stadium earning him the FIK Player of the game for week #3
FIK Player of the Game
Week #3
"Brandon Eppinger"
14-19 Passing for 221 Yards
2 Touchdown Passes
FIK Player of the Game
Week #3
"Brandon Eppinger"
14-19 Passing for 221 Yards
2 Touchdown Passes
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Right) Wonders Junior Runningback #17 Kalif Phillips scored twice in the Wonders 35-14 victory over Rocky River Friday night in Memorial Stadium. Phillips rushed for 96 yards on 20 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of ten and sixteen yards earning him the FIK Co Player of the Game in week #3.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #3
"Kalif Phillips"
20 Carries, 96 yards rushing
2 Touchdowns
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #3
"Kalif Phillips"
20 Carries, 96 yards rushing
2 Touchdowns
Porter Ridge Pirates Humble Wonders 41-13"
Porter Ridge offense dooms Wonders to their first loss of 2011 in the boneyard
The Wonders from Kannapolis walked into the Boneyard Friday night ranked #4 in the Sweet 16 to take on the #11 ranked Pirates, but from the beginning the Pirates looked to be a team that should have been ranked much higher. The story from Indian Trail tonight was Pirate QB Lee Mcneil who executed the Pirate spread option attack to perfection. Mcneil passed for 212 yards on the night while rushing for 145 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 74, and 54 yards. The Wonders were unable to find an answer for the Porter Ridge passing game largely due to the athleticism of Mcneil. The Pirates would jump out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter on the running, and passing of Mcneil. The Pirates were able to sustain long methodical drives keeping the Wonder defense out on the field, and the Wonder offense sitting on the sidelines.
A.L Brown would finally close the margin to 14-13 with just two minutes left in the half on touchdown runs by Damien Washington who ended the night with 215 rushing yards. The Wonder passing game was virtually non existent as quarterback Brandon Eppinger spent most of the night looking down the snout of the Pirate defense. Eppinger would finish 4 of 8 in the passing department while throwing two key interceptions by the Pirates. Over all it just was not a good outing for the Wonders who couldn't get anything to go their way. The Wonders offense collected 336 total yards while the defense gave up a whopping 562 yards to the Pirates.
"We didn't play as well as we hoped to play" Defensively we had trouble getting them stopped, and offensively we ran our gameplan. We just shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times." coach Newsome told the Salisbury Post. coach Newsome's loss to Porter Ridge was his first loss since 2008 with the Butler Bulldogs.
Coach Newsome expressed concern for the Wonders in his post game comments, but stated "Its not time to panic." On the bright side of things penalties were reduced significantly from last week, and this being a non conference game the Wonders will be able to drop this loss at the end of the year with the aid of their endowment game victory over Shelby. The Wonders will be away from Memorial Stadium again next week as they travel to Concord to begin their SPC campaign against the Bulldogs of J.M Robinson. The Wonders have been in this position before after last years 2010 loss to the Thomasville Bulldogs. As coach Newsome said in his post game address to the team. "The loss doesnt change anything. The goal is still the same." The Wonders will begin SPC action next week as they visit J.M Robinson in Concord for a meeting with the Bulldogs.
(The Salisbury Post)
(footnotes to this game:) Coach Newsome takes his first loss with the Wonders and his first loss since 2008: Wonder kicker Erick Amaya missed his first PAT of the year after failing to convert on the second touchdown of the evening:
A.L Brown would finally close the margin to 14-13 with just two minutes left in the half on touchdown runs by Damien Washington who ended the night with 215 rushing yards. The Wonder passing game was virtually non existent as quarterback Brandon Eppinger spent most of the night looking down the snout of the Pirate defense. Eppinger would finish 4 of 8 in the passing department while throwing two key interceptions by the Pirates. Over all it just was not a good outing for the Wonders who couldn't get anything to go their way. The Wonders offense collected 336 total yards while the defense gave up a whopping 562 yards to the Pirates.
"We didn't play as well as we hoped to play" Defensively we had trouble getting them stopped, and offensively we ran our gameplan. We just shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times." coach Newsome told the Salisbury Post. coach Newsome's loss to Porter Ridge was his first loss since 2008 with the Butler Bulldogs.
Coach Newsome expressed concern for the Wonders in his post game comments, but stated "Its not time to panic." On the bright side of things penalties were reduced significantly from last week, and this being a non conference game the Wonders will be able to drop this loss at the end of the year with the aid of their endowment game victory over Shelby. The Wonders will be away from Memorial Stadium again next week as they travel to Concord to begin their SPC campaign against the Bulldogs of J.M Robinson. The Wonders have been in this position before after last years 2010 loss to the Thomasville Bulldogs. As coach Newsome said in his post game address to the team. "The loss doesnt change anything. The goal is still the same." The Wonders will begin SPC action next week as they visit J.M Robinson in Concord for a meeting with the Bulldogs.
(The Salisbury Post)
(footnotes to this game:) Coach Newsome takes his first loss with the Wonders and his first loss since 2008: Wonder kicker Erick Amaya missed his first PAT of the year after failing to convert on the second touchdown of the evening:
Friday Night's Action with Porter Ridge
Damien Washington #12
(Picture Left) Wonder all purpose back Damien Washington rushed for 215 yards on 16 carries scoring one touchdown on an 80 yard burst to earn him FIK Player of the Game for Week #4
FIK Player of the Game
Week #4
"Damien Washington"
16 Carries, 215 yards
1 Touchdown
FIK Player of the Game
Week #4
"Damien Washington"
16 Carries, 215 yards
1 Touchdown
"2011 SPC Title Chase Begins"
After a very disappointing loss to former Wonder Blair Hardin's Porter Ridge Pirates in week four of the 2011 season the Wonders were eager to get things back on the winning track, and put the loss behind them. The loss succeeded in marring a perfect record, but not the Wonders goals of a conference title. "The goal is still the same" as coach Newsome stated after the loss, and the Wonders will need to remain focused on the road that lay ahead. How will the Wonders respond to their first taste of adveristy? Only time will tell.
"Wonders Burn Bulldogs 48-0 in SPC Action"
Wonders Open SPC Play in Style With Victory Over J.M. Robinson
Damien Washington may be A.L. Brown's most prolific playmaker, but he's certainly not the only one on the roster.The future North Carolina Tar Heel gets most of the publicity, but he missed Friday's cross-county meeting with J.M. Robinson due to a knee injury, allowing tailback Kalif Phillips to steal the limelight. The junior rushed 13 times for 181 first-half yards and scored four times in a 48-0 road rout of the Bulldogs. His production was a welcome sight for first-year Brown coach Mike Newsome, who learned this week he could be without Washington, his team's most dynamic offensive threat, for a few games due to an injury suffered in last week's blowout loss to Porter Ridge. Last year, the Wonders played the majority of the season without UNC-bound tailback Travis Riley, forcing other players like Washington to make a bigger impact in his absence. Now Brown will turn to players like Phillips to carry the load.
“When you lose your leading rusher, basically your leading receiver you have to challenge people to step up,” Newsome said. “I think they did it tonight. Damien has gotten a lot of attention, but Kalif is a great, great football player, one of the best I've coached." Phillips was electric in the first half. His first carry went for a 70-yard touchdown, his sixth went for a 48-yard score and perhaps his most impressive, a weaving, tackle-breaking 23-yard scamper on 3-and-16, set up his third score of the half, a 14-yard touchdown reception just before halftime.
Phillips played just one snap after halftime, turning the game into a laugher in the process. After nearly returning the second-half kickoff for a score – the Bulldogs brought him down with a shoestring tackle – he took a screen pass from Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger and ran untouched for a 63-yard touchdown, putting the Wonders up 35-0.“He challenged me a lot,” Phillips said of his pregame conversation with Newsome. “He told me I was going to get the ball a lot. I had to step up and take over for my team. I had to do it for everybody.”It's not that Phillips hadn't played a significant role in Brown's spread offense through the first four games. He had rushed for 242 yards, caught three passes for 46 yards and scored five touchdowns, but Washington was still the center of attention, mainly because he's headed to Chapel Hill and makes a ton of big plays.
But now Phillips is the man at the heart of Brown's championship dreams. He finished with 277 all-purpose yards, averaging 17.3 yards per touch. Despite his production, Phillips wasn't the only Wonder to step up in Washington's absence.Eppinger struggled early in the season to grasp Newsome's spread scheme, but he's made steady progress in the weeks since. He narrowly missed his first two attempts Friday – receiver Keeon Johnson had a chance to make both catches – but then hit his final eight attempts of the game.
He finished 8-of-10 for 177 yards and four touchdowns.Two of the scores went to receiver Terrance Highsmith, who twice made leaping, acrobatic catches in the end zone to cap drives. Johnson added two catches for 47 yards, and coupled with Phillips 77 receiving yards, the Wonders have a lethal triumvirate.“We know Damien is a great player, but we know we can get the job done with the players we have,” Eppinger said. “Kalif Phillips is a great player with a lot of explosiveness. We know every game he's going to give us all he's got.“It's just getting our timing down with the receivers and the offensive line getting their blocks,” he added of the team's offensive maturation. “We're working on the passing game a lot every day in practice. It's gotten a lot better.”As Phillips put it, “We're dangerous, but we're not as dangerous as we can be.”
The Wonders might have one of the state's most dynamic offenses if Washington returns. He practiced Thursday but was suffering some knee pain. He underwent an MRI Friday and the team's doctors decided to hold him out of Friday's game, Newsome said. It's possible that he could return to the lineup next week, though it seems more likely that he'll miss more than a game on the road to recovery. The Wonders will play host to the Central Cabarrus Vikings next Friday night for Homecoming in K-Town. Wonders 1 and 0 in SPC play.
(The Salisbury Post)
“When you lose your leading rusher, basically your leading receiver you have to challenge people to step up,” Newsome said. “I think they did it tonight. Damien has gotten a lot of attention, but Kalif is a great, great football player, one of the best I've coached." Phillips was electric in the first half. His first carry went for a 70-yard touchdown, his sixth went for a 48-yard score and perhaps his most impressive, a weaving, tackle-breaking 23-yard scamper on 3-and-16, set up his third score of the half, a 14-yard touchdown reception just before halftime.
Phillips played just one snap after halftime, turning the game into a laugher in the process. After nearly returning the second-half kickoff for a score – the Bulldogs brought him down with a shoestring tackle – he took a screen pass from Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger and ran untouched for a 63-yard touchdown, putting the Wonders up 35-0.“He challenged me a lot,” Phillips said of his pregame conversation with Newsome. “He told me I was going to get the ball a lot. I had to step up and take over for my team. I had to do it for everybody.”It's not that Phillips hadn't played a significant role in Brown's spread offense through the first four games. He had rushed for 242 yards, caught three passes for 46 yards and scored five touchdowns, but Washington was still the center of attention, mainly because he's headed to Chapel Hill and makes a ton of big plays.
But now Phillips is the man at the heart of Brown's championship dreams. He finished with 277 all-purpose yards, averaging 17.3 yards per touch. Despite his production, Phillips wasn't the only Wonder to step up in Washington's absence.Eppinger struggled early in the season to grasp Newsome's spread scheme, but he's made steady progress in the weeks since. He narrowly missed his first two attempts Friday – receiver Keeon Johnson had a chance to make both catches – but then hit his final eight attempts of the game.
He finished 8-of-10 for 177 yards and four touchdowns.Two of the scores went to receiver Terrance Highsmith, who twice made leaping, acrobatic catches in the end zone to cap drives. Johnson added two catches for 47 yards, and coupled with Phillips 77 receiving yards, the Wonders have a lethal triumvirate.“We know Damien is a great player, but we know we can get the job done with the players we have,” Eppinger said. “Kalif Phillips is a great player with a lot of explosiveness. We know every game he's going to give us all he's got.“It's just getting our timing down with the receivers and the offensive line getting their blocks,” he added of the team's offensive maturation. “We're working on the passing game a lot every day in practice. It's gotten a lot better.”As Phillips put it, “We're dangerous, but we're not as dangerous as we can be.”
The Wonders might have one of the state's most dynamic offenses if Washington returns. He practiced Thursday but was suffering some knee pain. He underwent an MRI Friday and the team's doctors decided to hold him out of Friday's game, Newsome said. It's possible that he could return to the lineup next week, though it seems more likely that he'll miss more than a game on the road to recovery. The Wonders will play host to the Central Cabarrus Vikings next Friday night for Homecoming in K-Town. Wonders 1 and 0 in SPC play.
(The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with J.M. Robinson"
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Left)Wonder runningback Kalif Phillips carried the load tonight for injured Wonder Damien Washington. Phillips ran for 187 yards on 13 carries and scored four touchdowns including two touchdown receptions earning him FIK Player of the Game for Week #5.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #5
"Kalif Phillips"
13 Carries, 187 Yards Rushing
4 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #5
"Kalif Phillips"
13 Carries, 187 Yards Rushing
4 Touchdowns
#11 Terrance Highsmith
(Picture Right) Wonder Wide reciever Terrance Highsmith caught touchdown passes tonight of 27 and 24 yards. Both catches were very athletic big league receptions earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for Week #5.
FIK CO Player of the Game
Week #5
"Terrance Highsmith"
2 Touchdown Receptions
FIK CO Player of the Game
Week #5
"Terrance Highsmith"
2 Touchdown Receptions
"Wonders Blitz CC Vikings in The Swamp 65-0"
Wonders Display Too Much Firepower for Vikes
Two Days of torrential downpours that postponed Friday nights action until Saturday night turned Kannapolis Memorial Stadium into the Wonders version of "The Swamp" That did little to slow down the potent Kannapolis offense which put up sixty five points on the Central Cabarrus Vikings tonight improving the Wonders to 2 and 0 in SPC play going into this Fridays matchup with the Chargers.
A.L. Brown came up short in at least one department at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Any Wonder who records five sacks in a game — a tall order — is rewarded with a steak dinner. Shakil Gore, a 200-pound junior defensive end with tailback wheels, could almost taste a medium ribeye, but he sat down early and settled for four sacks in a 65-0 pummeling of overmatched SPC foe Central Cabarrus.
“They kept trying to roll the quarterback to his side, and Gore would shed his block and run him down every time,” 6-foot-4 defensive end Darius Rice explained.
At one point, the Vikings grew sick and tired of being sacked by Gore and attempted a field goal. Naturally, he blocked it. That’s got to be worth a baked potato.
“Rice got a big ol’ push upfront on that field goal,” Gore said with a gleam in his eyes. “I saw the gap and shot right in there.”
Brown’s offense did whatever it wanted, while the Wonders’ defense registered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since South Rowan and Mount Pleasant were blanked by the guys in green very early in the 2006 season.
“I paid extra close attention to film study this week, and that helped me,” Gore said. “It helped us get a shutout. A shutout is the goal every week.”
Central (2-3, 0-2) barely managed positive rushing yards and had only one meaningful pass completion. Jamar Clemons broke up everything thrown in his direction, and the Vikings’ first five rushing plays went backwards, courtesy of Wonders such as Rice, Gore, Gerald Holt and John Bass.
“Gore played about as good a game tonight as I’ve ever seen any defensive lineman play,” praised Holt, one of the team captains.
The Wonders had only 15 offensive snaps in the first half but six went for touchdowns. There was an 80-yard dash by Kalif Phillips; a 68-yard bomb from Brandon Eppinger to wide-open Keeon Johnson; and a 65-yard TD on a screen on which Phillips sprinted past dazed Vikings in the closing seconds of the half.Phillips, who had all of his 111 rushing yards in the first half, and Keenan Medley finished with three TDs apiece. Xavier Stanback caught the first of Eppinger’s three scoring passes. Eppinger, who wasn’t sacked, had an off-the-charts QB rating. His six throws resulted in five completions, 215 yards and three TDs. His lone incompletion was a drop on a short flip to a back.
“Brandon’s getting better and better,” head coach Mike Newsome praised. “We really wanted to do a lot more in the passing game tonight, work on some different things. But the score being what it was, we really couldn’t do that.”
The field was beyond soggy. Additional rain fell Saturday in Kannapolis, making conditions even worse than they would have been had the teams played as scheduled on Friday.
“I want to be a weatherman,” Newsome quipped. “They’re the only ones I know who can keep being wrong and still keep their jobs.”
Newsome was pleased with the job the Wonders (5-1, 2-0) did as they continue to regroup from a lopsided loss at Porter Ridge in which they didn’t play well and were facing an excellent 4A team clicking on all cylinders.
“You’re always concerned when you play a game on a day when the kids didn’t go to school, but I thought we probably had the best focus for this game that we’ve had all year,” Newsome said.
The Wonders are now 23-0 lifetime against Central, but they prepared for the Vikings as diligently as if they hadn’t beaten them in 10 years.
“This is not usually one of our tough games, but our mental preparedness was very good,” Holt said. “We played the way we needed to play and the way we wanted to play.”
Holt had a fumble return TD after halftime. Medley broke loose twice, and R.J. Gill made it 65-0 when he scooted for a score with 5:54 left.It would’ve been much worse than 65-0 had a running clock not been used in the second half and if Newsome didn’t have a merciful heart.Brown’s jayvee QB Andrew Ramirez took a knee four consecutive times late in the game after the Wonders had first-and-goal at the 4. (The Salisbury Post)
A.L. Brown came up short in at least one department at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Any Wonder who records five sacks in a game — a tall order — is rewarded with a steak dinner. Shakil Gore, a 200-pound junior defensive end with tailback wheels, could almost taste a medium ribeye, but he sat down early and settled for four sacks in a 65-0 pummeling of overmatched SPC foe Central Cabarrus.
“They kept trying to roll the quarterback to his side, and Gore would shed his block and run him down every time,” 6-foot-4 defensive end Darius Rice explained.
At one point, the Vikings grew sick and tired of being sacked by Gore and attempted a field goal. Naturally, he blocked it. That’s got to be worth a baked potato.
“Rice got a big ol’ push upfront on that field goal,” Gore said with a gleam in his eyes. “I saw the gap and shot right in there.”
Brown’s offense did whatever it wanted, while the Wonders’ defense registered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since South Rowan and Mount Pleasant were blanked by the guys in green very early in the 2006 season.
“I paid extra close attention to film study this week, and that helped me,” Gore said. “It helped us get a shutout. A shutout is the goal every week.”
Central (2-3, 0-2) barely managed positive rushing yards and had only one meaningful pass completion. Jamar Clemons broke up everything thrown in his direction, and the Vikings’ first five rushing plays went backwards, courtesy of Wonders such as Rice, Gore, Gerald Holt and John Bass.
“Gore played about as good a game tonight as I’ve ever seen any defensive lineman play,” praised Holt, one of the team captains.
The Wonders had only 15 offensive snaps in the first half but six went for touchdowns. There was an 80-yard dash by Kalif Phillips; a 68-yard bomb from Brandon Eppinger to wide-open Keeon Johnson; and a 65-yard TD on a screen on which Phillips sprinted past dazed Vikings in the closing seconds of the half.Phillips, who had all of his 111 rushing yards in the first half, and Keenan Medley finished with three TDs apiece. Xavier Stanback caught the first of Eppinger’s three scoring passes. Eppinger, who wasn’t sacked, had an off-the-charts QB rating. His six throws resulted in five completions, 215 yards and three TDs. His lone incompletion was a drop on a short flip to a back.
“Brandon’s getting better and better,” head coach Mike Newsome praised. “We really wanted to do a lot more in the passing game tonight, work on some different things. But the score being what it was, we really couldn’t do that.”
The field was beyond soggy. Additional rain fell Saturday in Kannapolis, making conditions even worse than they would have been had the teams played as scheduled on Friday.
“I want to be a weatherman,” Newsome quipped. “They’re the only ones I know who can keep being wrong and still keep their jobs.”
Newsome was pleased with the job the Wonders (5-1, 2-0) did as they continue to regroup from a lopsided loss at Porter Ridge in which they didn’t play well and were facing an excellent 4A team clicking on all cylinders.
“You’re always concerned when you play a game on a day when the kids didn’t go to school, but I thought we probably had the best focus for this game that we’ve had all year,” Newsome said.
The Wonders are now 23-0 lifetime against Central, but they prepared for the Vikings as diligently as if they hadn’t beaten them in 10 years.
“This is not usually one of our tough games, but our mental preparedness was very good,” Holt said. “We played the way we needed to play and the way we wanted to play.”
Holt had a fumble return TD after halftime. Medley broke loose twice, and R.J. Gill made it 65-0 when he scooted for a score with 5:54 left.It would’ve been much worse than 65-0 had a running clock not been used in the second half and if Newsome didn’t have a merciful heart.Brown’s jayvee QB Andrew Ramirez took a knee four consecutive times late in the game after the Wonders had first-and-goal at the 4. (The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with Central Cabarrus"
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Left) Wonder Runningback Kalif Phillips rushed seven times for 111 yards and three touchdowns earning him FIKPlayer of the Gamefor Week #6
FIK Player of the Game
Week #6
"Kalif Phillips"
7 Carries, 111 Yards Rushing
3 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #6
"Kalif Phillips"
7 Carries, 111 Yards Rushing
3 Touchdowns
Gerald Holt #93
(Picture Right) Wonder Lineman Gerald Holt recovered a fumble and took it back eighteen yards for a touchdown tonight earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #6.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #6
"Gerald Holt"
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #6
"Gerald Holt"
"Wonders Tame Cox Mill Chargers 56-0 in K-Town"
Determined Defense Preserves Yet Another Shutout for Hometown Boys
Nothing was going to keep the tenacious Wonder defense from pitching its third straight shutout last night in Memorial Stadium, not even a Charger decision to go on 4th and long from inside the Wonder fifteen that failed to produce anything for the outmanned group in purple and black. A total performance by the offense, and defense took the Wonders to an impressive 6-1 overall, and 3-0 record in SPC play going into next weeks showdown at Mt Pleasant with the Tigers. Since the week four loss to Porter Ridge the Wonders have gone on a one hundred and seventy eight point thrashing of its first three SPC oponents for 2011, and have been playing like men possessed in an effort to atone for their lack luster outing in Indian Trail. The Wonder offense minus the services of Damien Washington havent been missing a beat with players who have stepped up their play to adjust for Washington's abscence. The Wonders are improving week to week which is what you want going into the stretch, and things wont get any easier down the road. The Wonders next challenge will come next week in the likes of Mt Pleasant as they travel to Tiger town to take on the team who took the Wonder Varsity to the wall last year, and scored the SPC championship as JVs. There will be no sleeping in this game rest assured.
(The Editor)
It’s becoming an all-too familiar sight after each A.L. Brown win: Coach Mike Newsome, showing the brashness that helped him build a dynasty at Butler, struts into the post-game huddle and whips his Wonders into a frenzy. For the next few minutes, the confidence and the bravado are thick enough to cut with a knife.The Wonders are among the hottest teams in the state and Friday’s 56-0 win over Cox Mill did little to derail their current trend and the attitude it has fostered. Brown has won three straight games by a combined score of 169-0. This win meant a little more for Newsome, who won his 100th career game as a head coach. The first-year Brown coach is in his ninth season overall.
“One hundred isn’t what I came here for,” Newsome told his Wonders in their victory huddle. “I came here for championships.”That message elicited a loud cheer from his players before he added, “Tonight, you sent a message.” In reality, they've been sending a message to each and every one of their future opponents since suffering their only loss on Sept. 9 against Porter Ridge.“We played awesome,” Newsome said. “I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys. We talked about focus. We talked about them not having any letdowns from the two shutouts.”
It was obvious from the opening kickoff that the Wonders (6-1, 3-0 SPC) wouldn’t give the Chargers a chance to hang around. Brown tailback Kalif Phillips ran 12 times for 183 yards and touchdowns of 43, 80 and six yards, backup tailback Keenan Medley rushed four times for 119 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Brandon Eppinger tossed two first-half scores, putting Brown up 42-0 at the break. Phillips finished with 202 rushing yards, helping Brown gain 408 yards on the ground. Eppinger was 6-of-9 passing for 74 yards and two scores, showing once again that the Wonders have a multifaceted offense capable of putting up points on the ground and through the air.
“It feels great,” Eppinger said. “That’s three shutouts in a row. Right now we’re clicking on all cylinders. It’s great. … We’re not getting big-headed. We’re just focused every Friday night. Getting our work done. We practice hard because we know we’ve got to play Kannapolis football.”
The Wonders scored touchdowns on all six first-half possessions. Cox Mill finished the half with 98 yards and had some success moving the ball against the Wonders’ defense, but a turnover on downs, a fumble and a missed field goal doomed the Chargers’ scoring chances. Cox Mill’s first-half highlight was a 70-yard punt from quarterback/punter Arrick Hincher, a sign that this one was never really that close. With backups playing throughout the second half, the Wonders added two scores. All the blowouts have presented some positives and negatives for Newsome, who wants to ensure that his starters get enough work and that his reserves also get some.
“The bad thing is that tonight they wanted to run the clock a little faster in the second half, so we didn’t get as many backups in as we wanted to,” Newsome said of the officials. “We need to get those guys some on-field experience. “The other thing is we don’t get to open up our whole offense. You kind of have to close down your offense in the second half and run your base plays. There are a lot of things we want to work on that we haven’t had the opportunity to work on the last three weeks.”
It’s hard to imagine that the Wonders can get much better. However, they all seem to understand that they haven't peaked. “We’re playing better and better every week,” Phillips said. “It feels great, but it’s going to be something new every week.”
(The Salisbury Post)
(The Editor)
It’s becoming an all-too familiar sight after each A.L. Brown win: Coach Mike Newsome, showing the brashness that helped him build a dynasty at Butler, struts into the post-game huddle and whips his Wonders into a frenzy. For the next few minutes, the confidence and the bravado are thick enough to cut with a knife.The Wonders are among the hottest teams in the state and Friday’s 56-0 win over Cox Mill did little to derail their current trend and the attitude it has fostered. Brown has won three straight games by a combined score of 169-0. This win meant a little more for Newsome, who won his 100th career game as a head coach. The first-year Brown coach is in his ninth season overall.
“One hundred isn’t what I came here for,” Newsome told his Wonders in their victory huddle. “I came here for championships.”That message elicited a loud cheer from his players before he added, “Tonight, you sent a message.” In reality, they've been sending a message to each and every one of their future opponents since suffering their only loss on Sept. 9 against Porter Ridge.“We played awesome,” Newsome said. “I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys. We talked about focus. We talked about them not having any letdowns from the two shutouts.”
It was obvious from the opening kickoff that the Wonders (6-1, 3-0 SPC) wouldn’t give the Chargers a chance to hang around. Brown tailback Kalif Phillips ran 12 times for 183 yards and touchdowns of 43, 80 and six yards, backup tailback Keenan Medley rushed four times for 119 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Brandon Eppinger tossed two first-half scores, putting Brown up 42-0 at the break. Phillips finished with 202 rushing yards, helping Brown gain 408 yards on the ground. Eppinger was 6-of-9 passing for 74 yards and two scores, showing once again that the Wonders have a multifaceted offense capable of putting up points on the ground and through the air.
“It feels great,” Eppinger said. “That’s three shutouts in a row. Right now we’re clicking on all cylinders. It’s great. … We’re not getting big-headed. We’re just focused every Friday night. Getting our work done. We practice hard because we know we’ve got to play Kannapolis football.”
The Wonders scored touchdowns on all six first-half possessions. Cox Mill finished the half with 98 yards and had some success moving the ball against the Wonders’ defense, but a turnover on downs, a fumble and a missed field goal doomed the Chargers’ scoring chances. Cox Mill’s first-half highlight was a 70-yard punt from quarterback/punter Arrick Hincher, a sign that this one was never really that close. With backups playing throughout the second half, the Wonders added two scores. All the blowouts have presented some positives and negatives for Newsome, who wants to ensure that his starters get enough work and that his reserves also get some.
“The bad thing is that tonight they wanted to run the clock a little faster in the second half, so we didn’t get as many backups in as we wanted to,” Newsome said of the officials. “We need to get those guys some on-field experience. “The other thing is we don’t get to open up our whole offense. You kind of have to close down your offense in the second half and run your base plays. There are a lot of things we want to work on that we haven’t had the opportunity to work on the last three weeks.”
It’s hard to imagine that the Wonders can get much better. However, they all seem to understand that they haven't peaked. “We’re playing better and better every week,” Phillips said. “It feels great, but it’s going to be something new every week.”
(The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with Cox Mill"
#17 Kalif Phillips
(Picture Left) Wonder runningback Kalif Phillips ran twelve times for 183 yards and three touchdowns, and caught a nineteen yard pass from Brandon Eppinger earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #7.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #7
"Kalif Phillips"
12 carries for 183 yards
3 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #7
"Kalif Phillips"
12 carries for 183 yards
3 Touchdowns
#10 Brandon Eppinger
(Picture Right) Wonder QB Brandon Eppinger went 6of 9 for 74 yards in the passing department throwing for two touchdowns earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #7
FIK Player of the Game
Week #7
"Brandon Eppinger"
6 of 9 Passing for 74 Yards
2 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #7
"Brandon Eppinger"
6 of 9 Passing for 74 Yards
2 Touchdowns
"Wonders Snare Mt Pleasant Tigers 33-17 in Tiger Town"
Wonders improve to 4 and 0 In SPC Title Chase
As quick as the A.L. Brown Wonders have been to celebrate their victories, they seem equally as willing to recognize their failures.Sure, the Wonders polished off another SPC opponent Friday, but they seemed to understand that the final product on display in a 33-17 win over Mount Pleasant won't be good enough to win a state championship. If that ultimately happens, this may have been the game that put the wheels in motion.
“We played a sloppy football game,” Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “When you play a sloppy game against a tough, scrappy Mount Pleasant team, it's going to be a tough ballgame.“We faced a little adversity, and they hadn't faced any the last three weeks. Facing some adversity will tend to make you better down the stretch, and we needed a game like this to pull our heads out of the clouds. When you're in a community like ours and everybody is telling them how great they are, it can easily go to your head.”
It would be hard to fault the Wonders (7-1, 4-0 SPC) for losing focus. After drubbing their last three opponents 169-0, they may have simply been bored.However, Moun Pleasant made it apparent early that Brown wouldn't sleep walk to another blowout victory.In fact, the Tigers probably should have been leading at halftime and were still in the game until Kalif Phillips' 55-yard touchdown jaunt put the Wonders up 26-9 early in the fourth quarter. Phillips, who finished with 200 yards on 17 carries, opened the scoring with a 61-yard score on the game's second play froscrimmage.Ultimately, it was the big plays like those from Phillips that doomed the homestanding Tigers (3-5, 1-3 SPC). Brown also scored on a 48-yard run and touchdown passes of 27 and 41 yards. The Wonders ran just 10 total plays on their five scoring drives.
“We let down for about three minutes at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter,” Tigers coach Michael Johns said of the span that saw the Wonders score three touchdowns.
“When you have a letdown against a team like that, [they make you pay]. But I love what we did up to that point and what we did after that point. Take away those three minutes, and I'm so glad with the way they played for 45 minutes.”
For much of the first 24 minutes, the Tigers looked like one of the state's best teams. They held the ball for nearly 19 minutes in the first half, running 26 more plays than Brown's ballyhooed offense. Still, the big-play Wonders led 13-9 at halftime after averaging 11.1
yards per snap.
“The big plays rescued us tonight,” said Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger, who was 8-for-12 passing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wonders punted twice and muffed a punt in the first half. Unable to keep Mount Pleasant's spread option offense, which had 10 first-half first downs, off the field, the Wonders were unable to find a groove offensively and unable to make adjustments because they had only run a handful of plays midway through the second quarter.However, reality eventually set in for the home team and quarterback Alan McDonald, who passed for 135 yards and ran for a first half score. He was just 4-of-11 for 27 yards after the break before being pulled.
“Defensively we played unbelievably in the second half,” said Newsome, whose unit surrendered just 92 second-half yards. “I'm really proud of our defense and our defensive coaches, because they gave us the football.”
Eppinger and Co. did their part. His 27-yard strike to Keenan Medley, who scored on a 48-yard jet sweep in the second quarter, put the Wonders up 19-9. His 14th touchdown pass of the season covered 41 yards to Keeon Johnson early in the fourth quarter.In the end, the Wonders didn't have to sweat, but they seemed to understand that their performance, which included three lost fumbles and 11 penalties, won't be enough to help them realize their dreams.
“Really this whole week we didn't practice hard enough,” Eppinger said. “Coach was talking about it. It shows on game days if you don't practice hard during the week.”
(The Salisbury Post)
“We played a sloppy football game,” Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “When you play a sloppy game against a tough, scrappy Mount Pleasant team, it's going to be a tough ballgame.“We faced a little adversity, and they hadn't faced any the last three weeks. Facing some adversity will tend to make you better down the stretch, and we needed a game like this to pull our heads out of the clouds. When you're in a community like ours and everybody is telling them how great they are, it can easily go to your head.”
It would be hard to fault the Wonders (7-1, 4-0 SPC) for losing focus. After drubbing their last three opponents 169-0, they may have simply been bored.However, Moun Pleasant made it apparent early that Brown wouldn't sleep walk to another blowout victory.In fact, the Tigers probably should have been leading at halftime and were still in the game until Kalif Phillips' 55-yard touchdown jaunt put the Wonders up 26-9 early in the fourth quarter. Phillips, who finished with 200 yards on 17 carries, opened the scoring with a 61-yard score on the game's second play froscrimmage.Ultimately, it was the big plays like those from Phillips that doomed the homestanding Tigers (3-5, 1-3 SPC). Brown also scored on a 48-yard run and touchdown passes of 27 and 41 yards. The Wonders ran just 10 total plays on their five scoring drives.
“We let down for about three minutes at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter,” Tigers coach Michael Johns said of the span that saw the Wonders score three touchdowns.
“When you have a letdown against a team like that, [they make you pay]. But I love what we did up to that point and what we did after that point. Take away those three minutes, and I'm so glad with the way they played for 45 minutes.”
For much of the first 24 minutes, the Tigers looked like one of the state's best teams. They held the ball for nearly 19 minutes in the first half, running 26 more plays than Brown's ballyhooed offense. Still, the big-play Wonders led 13-9 at halftime after averaging 11.1
yards per snap.
“The big plays rescued us tonight,” said Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger, who was 8-for-12 passing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wonders punted twice and muffed a punt in the first half. Unable to keep Mount Pleasant's spread option offense, which had 10 first-half first downs, off the field, the Wonders were unable to find a groove offensively and unable to make adjustments because they had only run a handful of plays midway through the second quarter.However, reality eventually set in for the home team and quarterback Alan McDonald, who passed for 135 yards and ran for a first half score. He was just 4-of-11 for 27 yards after the break before being pulled.
“Defensively we played unbelievably in the second half,” said Newsome, whose unit surrendered just 92 second-half yards. “I'm really proud of our defense and our defensive coaches, because they gave us the football.”
Eppinger and Co. did their part. His 27-yard strike to Keenan Medley, who scored on a 48-yard jet sweep in the second quarter, put the Wonders up 19-9. His 14th touchdown pass of the season covered 41 yards to Keeon Johnson early in the fourth quarter.In the end, the Wonders didn't have to sweat, but they seemed to understand that their performance, which included three lost fumbles and 11 penalties, won't be enough to help them realize their dreams.
“Really this whole week we didn't practice hard enough,” Eppinger said. “Coach was talking about it. It shows on game days if you don't practice hard during the week.”
(The Salisbury Post)
Friday Nights Action With Mt Pleasant
#17 Kalif Phillips
(Picture Left) Wonder runningback Kalif Phillips ran for 200 yards on 17 carries and 2 touchdowns earning him FIK Player of the Game for Week #8.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #8
"Kalif Phillips"
200 yards rushing, 17 carries
2 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #8
"Kalif Phillips"
200 yards rushing, 17 carries
2 Touchdowns
#10 Brandon Eppinger
(Picture Right) Wonder quarterback Brandon Eppinger went 8 for 12, for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in the passing department earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for Week #8.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #8
"Brandon Eppinger"
8 for 12 for 112 yards
2 Touchdowns
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #8
"Brandon Eppinger"
8 for 12 for 112 yards
2 Touchdowns
"Wonders Ravage Raging Bulls 47-0 in SPC Route"
Wonder Offense Puts Up 47 While Defense Records 4th SPC No Hitter
It’s become apparent that some members of A.L. Brown’s offense have a certain inferiority complex when it comes to the team’s chief mode of attack. When it materializes, the results aren’t pretty for the Wonders’ opposition. It didn’t take long for Hickory Ridge to reach that conclusion in Friday’s 47-0 loss at Memorial Stadium. Brown coach Mike Newsome, ever the master motivator, used a rather innocuous interview from Radio Free Cabarrus with Hickory Ridge coach Marty Paxton as motivation for his team's passing-game weapons. Paxton praised Brown’s running game and said the Ragin’ Bulls hoped to force the Wonders to throw. It wasn’t a slight toward Brown’s passing game, but it sounds as if Newsome might have twisted Paxton’s words in his pregame pep talk. Either way, his tactics evoked dominant results.
Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger finished 10-of-10 passing for 201 yards and a school-record tying five touchdowns as Brown’s dangerous running backs took a backseat to its senior gunslinger and perimeter weapons. He did not attempt a pass after halftime.“They talked about how we are a good running team, and if they stopped the run, they could beat us because we couldn’t throw,” said Brown (8-1, 5-0 SPC) receiver Keeon Johnson, who caught six passes for 132 yards and three TDs. “That hyped us up right there. I had to prove something right there on the field.”Johnson proved that he is among the most dangerous receivers in the state. After Hickory Ridge (3-5, 1-4 SPC) went three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, Eppinger connected with Johnson for a 49-yard touchdown on the Wonders’ first play from scrimmage. His second touchdown catch, a 12- yarder, came on a jump fade in the back corner of the end zone and his third on a 33-yard deep post.
Newsome came out of the gates with his guns blazing, and his players proved that they don’t necessarily need a big effort from tailback Kalif Phillips to put large numbers on the scoreboard. Phillips had just five carries for 19 yards, though he did catch two passes for 57 yards, scoring from 27 and 30 yards out.
“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle when we got here competing with them,” Paxton said. “Yeah, their stud — if they have just one — didn’t even play much. They have more speed than anybody we’ve played thus far. It’s extremely hard to prepare for their explosiveness.”The “stud” Paxton referenced was Damien Washington, who returned from a knee injury. He debuted midway through the first quarter and rushed untouched for a 32-yard touchdown. His second touchdown, a 10-yard run, put the Wonders up 41-0.“Two touches and two touchdowns,” Newsome said. “He'll make any coach a happy guy. He's an unbelievable player and just brings another dimension to the football game when he's got his hands on the ball. It opens up so much other stuff. We scored another touchdown because we faked it to him.”
Washington admittedly isn't 100 percent, but even at a fraction of his best, he's still good enough to beat most high school defenses.“It felt great,” Washington said. “I was just glad to get back on the field. Thankfully he called the plays to get me the ball. Before I went out on the field [for the first touchdown], they had already called the play. Coach had come up to me [earlier] and said, 'Just like old times.'“I'll add more depth, and I can serve as a decoy and add more speed to the team. But they've done great since I've been out.
(The Salisbury Post)
With just two games left in the regular season the Wonders of A.L. Brown High School are on the down hill run towards their goal of a 2011 SPC Championship. Only the Trojans of Northwest and the Spiders of Concord stand in their path as potential obstacles. As most Wonder fans know all too well this is the scariest time of the year as letdowns can happen at the most inopportune times. As it stands now the Wonders are in a first place tie with the Spiders for the SPC crown, and looking ahead past the Trojans could be disastrous. If the Wonders win next Friday night in Trojan country, and the Spiders defeat the Ragin Bulls you can punch the ticket for the SPC Championship running again through Memorial Stadium, and as usual against our long time nemesis Concord. An all too familiar scenario that has gone both ways so many times in the past.
A let down Friday night at Northwest, and a Concord victory at Hickory Ridge would guarantee at least a share of the SPC title with a Kannapolis victory over Concord in the Battle for the Bell. A Wonder victory at Northwest, and a victory over the Spiders would make the Wonders undisputed SPC Champs sharing nothing with the Spiders. That is the best case scenario. Needless to say this Friday night in Big Orange country is huge with no room for error. How will it play out? Only the next two weeks will tell. Will Coach Newsome get his first undisputed SPC Title with the Wonders in his inaugural year? Stay tuned, The ride is about to get intense.
Wonders quarterback Brandon Eppinger finished 10-of-10 passing for 201 yards and a school-record tying five touchdowns as Brown’s dangerous running backs took a backseat to its senior gunslinger and perimeter weapons. He did not attempt a pass after halftime.“They talked about how we are a good running team, and if they stopped the run, they could beat us because we couldn’t throw,” said Brown (8-1, 5-0 SPC) receiver Keeon Johnson, who caught six passes for 132 yards and three TDs. “That hyped us up right there. I had to prove something right there on the field.”Johnson proved that he is among the most dangerous receivers in the state. After Hickory Ridge (3-5, 1-4 SPC) went three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, Eppinger connected with Johnson for a 49-yard touchdown on the Wonders’ first play from scrimmage. His second touchdown catch, a 12- yarder, came on a jump fade in the back corner of the end zone and his third on a 33-yard deep post.
Newsome came out of the gates with his guns blazing, and his players proved that they don’t necessarily need a big effort from tailback Kalif Phillips to put large numbers on the scoreboard. Phillips had just five carries for 19 yards, though he did catch two passes for 57 yards, scoring from 27 and 30 yards out.
“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle when we got here competing with them,” Paxton said. “Yeah, their stud — if they have just one — didn’t even play much. They have more speed than anybody we’ve played thus far. It’s extremely hard to prepare for their explosiveness.”The “stud” Paxton referenced was Damien Washington, who returned from a knee injury. He debuted midway through the first quarter and rushed untouched for a 32-yard touchdown. His second touchdown, a 10-yard run, put the Wonders up 41-0.“Two touches and two touchdowns,” Newsome said. “He'll make any coach a happy guy. He's an unbelievable player and just brings another dimension to the football game when he's got his hands on the ball. It opens up so much other stuff. We scored another touchdown because we faked it to him.”
Washington admittedly isn't 100 percent, but even at a fraction of his best, he's still good enough to beat most high school defenses.“It felt great,” Washington said. “I was just glad to get back on the field. Thankfully he called the plays to get me the ball. Before I went out on the field [for the first touchdown], they had already called the play. Coach had come up to me [earlier] and said, 'Just like old times.'“I'll add more depth, and I can serve as a decoy and add more speed to the team. But they've done great since I've been out.
(The Salisbury Post)
With just two games left in the regular season the Wonders of A.L. Brown High School are on the down hill run towards their goal of a 2011 SPC Championship. Only the Trojans of Northwest and the Spiders of Concord stand in their path as potential obstacles. As most Wonder fans know all too well this is the scariest time of the year as letdowns can happen at the most inopportune times. As it stands now the Wonders are in a first place tie with the Spiders for the SPC crown, and looking ahead past the Trojans could be disastrous. If the Wonders win next Friday night in Trojan country, and the Spiders defeat the Ragin Bulls you can punch the ticket for the SPC Championship running again through Memorial Stadium, and as usual against our long time nemesis Concord. An all too familiar scenario that has gone both ways so many times in the past.
A let down Friday night at Northwest, and a Concord victory at Hickory Ridge would guarantee at least a share of the SPC title with a Kannapolis victory over Concord in the Battle for the Bell. A Wonder victory at Northwest, and a victory over the Spiders would make the Wonders undisputed SPC Champs sharing nothing with the Spiders. That is the best case scenario. Needless to say this Friday night in Big Orange country is huge with no room for error. How will it play out? Only the next two weeks will tell. Will Coach Newsome get his first undisputed SPC Title with the Wonders in his inaugural year? Stay tuned, The ride is about to get intense.
Friday Nights Action With Hickory Ridge
#10 Brandon Eppinger
(Picture Left) Wonder QB Brandon had one of his finest performances of the year tonight completing 10 of 10 passing for 201 yards, and 5 Tds earning him FIK player of the Game for Week #9.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #9
"Brandon Eppinger"
10 of 10 Passing, 201 Yards
5 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #9
"Brandon Eppinger"
10 of 10 Passing, 201 Yards
5 Touchdowns
#19 Keeon Johnson
(Picture Right) Wonder WR Keeon Johnson caught pass receptions for 132 yards scoring three touchdowns earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for Week #9.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #9
"Keeon Johnson"
6 Pass Recpetions
132 Yards, 3 Touchdowns
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #9
"Keeon Johnson"
6 Pass Recpetions
132 Yards, 3 Touchdowns
"Head Coach Mike Newsome"
An End Of Semester Progress Report
With the regular season more than half over, and just two games left before the 2011 conference championship will be decided Wonder fans begin to assess what our new head coach has accomplished thus far, and what the general consensus is amongst the masses. I can tell you personally there is a new spirit of optimism and excitement in the direction the program is heading. Coach Newsome has established a new precedent for winning in K-Town that goes back to the Bob Boswell, and Bruce Hardin eras. The Wonders have now adopted a long since missing "Leave No Doubt" personna to Wonder football. I remember vividly when Coach Newsome addressed the parents during the first meet and greet at the Bullock Gymnasium some two months ago he made reference to how close some of our games were in the past, and how he like to "Put them away early" That message was heard loud and clear by the Wonder football team, and barring one bad outing at Porter Ridge have done just that so far this season.
I look at the sport of drag racing as an example for this comparison to coach Newsome's philosophy to football. In drag racing from Pro Stock to Modified, and Top Fuel, to Alcohol they run a mile long track in one fashion. At the drop of the christmas tree its pedal to the floor, and no let up till the shoot is pulled. I look at the first two quarters of any football game as that mile long track. The objective if you are looking to assure victory is pour as much on as needed to get the fastest time which usually means victory. Put half a hundred on a team in the first half, and it is highly unlikely a team is going to recover no matter how badly your defensive effort may become later in the game. By the quick jump off the line not only do you put up points, but you can successfully destroy another teams morale, and will to win which makes it much harder to mount a comeback. This is smart football folks, and the kind of football that leads to championships. This philosophy has paid off for the Wonders so far this season. Lets take a look at some comparisons in some of our past coaches first year outings.
I look at the sport of drag racing as an example for this comparison to coach Newsome's philosophy to football. In drag racing from Pro Stock to Modified, and Top Fuel, to Alcohol they run a mile long track in one fashion. At the drop of the christmas tree its pedal to the floor, and no let up till the shoot is pulled. I look at the first two quarters of any football game as that mile long track. The objective if you are looking to assure victory is pour as much on as needed to get the fastest time which usually means victory. Put half a hundred on a team in the first half, and it is highly unlikely a team is going to recover no matter how badly your defensive effort may become later in the game. By the quick jump off the line not only do you put up points, but you can successfully destroy another teams morale, and will to win which makes it much harder to mount a comeback. This is smart football folks, and the kind of football that leads to championships. This philosophy has paid off for the Wonders so far this season. Lets take a look at some comparisons in some of our past coaches first year outings.
Bob Boswell 1976Points Scored: 39
Points Allowed: 140 Conf Champ: No Stats After 10 Games Ron Massey 2000Points Scored: 456
Points Allowed: 165 Conf Champ: Yes Stats After 13 Games |
Bruce Hardin 1989Points Scored: 423
Points Allowed: 163 Conf Champ: Yes Stats After 15 Games Mike NewsomePoints Scored: 403
Points Allowed: 115 Conf Champ: ?? Stats after 9 Games |
As you can see by comparison coach Mike Newsome in just nine games has put up 363 points more than coach Boswell did in his first year combined, 44 points fewer than coach Hardin did in his first year with the benefit of five additional playoff games, and 53 points fewer than Ron Massey in his first year with the benefit of two additional playoff games. If the trend continues coach Mike Newsome in his first year with the Wonders stands to eclipse Bruce Hardin, and Ron Massey for most points scored in a single season by any first year coach. Coach Newsome has already allowed fewer points to be scored against his Wonders than any first year coach. All of this adds up to stellar play on both sides of the football. In my estimation coach Newsome earns a grade of A+ offensively and A+ defensively giving him an over all raw score of A+ nearing the end of the 1st semester. Congratulations coach Newsome on an excellent job.
(The Editor)
(The Editor)
"Wonders Trounce Trojans 44-7"
Wonders Make Another Loud Statement in Quest for 2011 SPC Title
The value of A.L. Brown's offseason discovery is growing with each passing Friday.Wonders tailback Kalif Phillips has been the team's principal offensive threat thus far, yet he continues to show that his worth is far greater than what he does as a ball carrier. The dynamic junior rushed for nearly 200 yards and two scores, caught two touchdowns and blocked a punt in a 44-7 win over Northwest Cabarrus Friday.
It was the second straight week that Phillips, who has now surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, caught two touchdowns from Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger. He now has 15 catches for 336 yards this season, with more than one-third of those yards coming in the last two games.“I'm just glad they trust me the catch the ball,” said Phillips, who likely would have played safety this season had the depth chart not warranted giving him a shot at tailback. “I'm a back, but I can also catch. I'm like a triple threat running back. I've got a lot.”He certainly piled up a lot of yards against the Trojans, rushing 15 times for 191 yards and touchdowns of three and 81 yards. He hooked up with Eppinger on scores of 13 and 28 yards, showing that he brings another legitimate option to an offense that is already rife with them.
“He can do it all,” Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “That kid's a special, special player. He's a guy that's as good as any running back that I've had or coached. And I've coached some good ones. It didn't take long for some college coaches to see him on film and be impressed with him.”They would have been impressed with his second touchdown reception Friday. Late in the second quarter, Eppinger rolled right and lobbed a tight spiral back to the left side of the field. Phillips had slipped unguarded out of the backfield, but it looked initially as if Eppinger overthrew him. However, Phillips turned on the speed, made a fingertip catch and put the Wonders (9-1, 6-0 SPC) up 28-0.This game – very much like the ones Brown has played for much of the fall – was decided well before halftime. Brown outgained the Trojans 311-35 before the break, running more plays than Northwest Cabarrus had yards. The Wonders have shut out five of their last six opponents.
“We had some good schemes, but they had the answer for it obviously,” Northwest Cabarrus coach Rich Williams said. “We just couldn't get any consistency going on offense, and that really hurt our defense because it was on the field so much. We got beat by a better team tonight.“They got a lot of weapons. They've got 17, 12, 19, 6, 3 and 9. They've got a lot of weapons they can go to, and it's hard as a defense to cover all their weapons that they do have. We did good in some spots, but we didn't do good in most spots.”Brown rushed for 363 yards, while Eppinger was 10-of-14 passing for 128 yards. Damien Washington also had a big night for the Wonders, showing that he may be fully healthy after returning from injury last week.The North Carolina-bound dynamo scored on a 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and threw a third-quarter touchdown to receiver Keeon Johnson on an end around. Yet, he was more impressed with Phillips' exploits.
“He's makes [the offense] more balanced by using me as a decoy and bringing him out of the backfield,” Washington said of his teammate's contributions in the passing game. “It's a quick check down for the quarterback. He's so quick that he's able to catch the ball and get up the field. He's able to make plays and score.”Phillips now has 23 touchdowns this year, but he and his teammates are planning to save their best effort for next week's rivalry game with Concord. After allowing his players to enjoy Friday's win for a few minutes, he told them that the celebration was on hold until the Wonders take care of business against the Spiders.“It'll be huge,” Newsome said of his first meeting with Concord. “I've coached in some big rivalries like Butler-Independence, but I don't think anything compares to this. We've got coaches that have been in the Anson-Richmond games and Richmond-Scotland games. All of those are big games, but this game takes it to another level.”
(The Salisbury Post)
It was the second straight week that Phillips, who has now surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, caught two touchdowns from Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger. He now has 15 catches for 336 yards this season, with more than one-third of those yards coming in the last two games.“I'm just glad they trust me the catch the ball,” said Phillips, who likely would have played safety this season had the depth chart not warranted giving him a shot at tailback. “I'm a back, but I can also catch. I'm like a triple threat running back. I've got a lot.”He certainly piled up a lot of yards against the Trojans, rushing 15 times for 191 yards and touchdowns of three and 81 yards. He hooked up with Eppinger on scores of 13 and 28 yards, showing that he brings another legitimate option to an offense that is already rife with them.
“He can do it all,” Brown coach Mike Newsome said. “That kid's a special, special player. He's a guy that's as good as any running back that I've had or coached. And I've coached some good ones. It didn't take long for some college coaches to see him on film and be impressed with him.”They would have been impressed with his second touchdown reception Friday. Late in the second quarter, Eppinger rolled right and lobbed a tight spiral back to the left side of the field. Phillips had slipped unguarded out of the backfield, but it looked initially as if Eppinger overthrew him. However, Phillips turned on the speed, made a fingertip catch and put the Wonders (9-1, 6-0 SPC) up 28-0.This game – very much like the ones Brown has played for much of the fall – was decided well before halftime. Brown outgained the Trojans 311-35 before the break, running more plays than Northwest Cabarrus had yards. The Wonders have shut out five of their last six opponents.
“We had some good schemes, but they had the answer for it obviously,” Northwest Cabarrus coach Rich Williams said. “We just couldn't get any consistency going on offense, and that really hurt our defense because it was on the field so much. We got beat by a better team tonight.“They got a lot of weapons. They've got 17, 12, 19, 6, 3 and 9. They've got a lot of weapons they can go to, and it's hard as a defense to cover all their weapons that they do have. We did good in some spots, but we didn't do good in most spots.”Brown rushed for 363 yards, while Eppinger was 10-of-14 passing for 128 yards. Damien Washington also had a big night for the Wonders, showing that he may be fully healthy after returning from injury last week.The North Carolina-bound dynamo scored on a 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and threw a third-quarter touchdown to receiver Keeon Johnson on an end around. Yet, he was more impressed with Phillips' exploits.
“He's makes [the offense] more balanced by using me as a decoy and bringing him out of the backfield,” Washington said of his teammate's contributions in the passing game. “It's a quick check down for the quarterback. He's so quick that he's able to catch the ball and get up the field. He's able to make plays and score.”Phillips now has 23 touchdowns this year, but he and his teammates are planning to save their best effort for next week's rivalry game with Concord. After allowing his players to enjoy Friday's win for a few minutes, he told them that the celebration was on hold until the Wonders take care of business against the Spiders.“It'll be huge,” Newsome said of his first meeting with Concord. “I've coached in some big rivalries like Butler-Independence, but I don't think anything compares to this. We've got coaches that have been in the Anson-Richmond games and Richmond-Scotland games. All of those are big games, but this game takes it to another level.”
(The Salisbury Post)
"Friday Nights Action with Northwest Cabarrus"
#17 Kalif Phillips
(Picture Left) Wonder RB Kalif Phillips rushed for 191 yards on fifteen carries with two rushing touchdowns. Phillips also made two receptions resulting in touchdowns, and blocking one punt earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #10.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #10
"Kalif Phillips"
191 Yards Rushing, 15 Carries
Two Touchdown Receptions,
Two Rushing Touchdowns
Four Combined Touchdowns
"Come On Maaaan"
FIK Player of the Game
Week #10
"Kalif Phillips"
191 Yards Rushing, 15 Carries
Two Touchdown Receptions,
Two Rushing Touchdowns
Four Combined Touchdowns
"Come On Maaaan"
#12 Damien Washington
(Picture Right)Wonder Athlete Damien Washington scored one rushing touchdown and threw for another touchdown to WR Keeon Johnson earning him FIK Co Player of the game for Week #10.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #10
"Damien Washington"
One Rushing Touchdown
Threw for One TD
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #10
"Damien Washington"
One Rushing Touchdown
Threw for One TD
"Battle for the Bell Week 2011 Begins in K-Town"
"Wonder Pride" VS "Spider Spirit"
No Comparison!!
"Kannapolis Spirit Day Sposored by Cannon Pharmacy"
It's that time of year again in Kannapolis. A time to celebrate "Hate" The one week of the year which everyone anticipates has arrived. It's Kannapolis/Concord week, or if you're from Concord it's Concord/Kannapolis week. Which ever you choose it's rivalry time, and Kannapolis kicked it off Saturday October 22, 2011 in the parking lot of Cannon Pharmacy on South Cannon Blvd in Kannapolis. Student athletes, Coaches, Principles, and members of the community came out to celebrate the Kickoff weekend of the Battle for the Bell Week. The most prized possession was also in attendance as folks got their opportunity to ring the bell proudly and partake of some great hotdogs courtesy of Cannon Pharmacy. The boys from Wonder Radio were in the house doing interviews, and it was a great time had by all in attendance. This is only one of the special events that will take place this week in preparation of that long awaited rivalry game Friday night. If you didn't get the chance to make it out it's ok, because it's never too late to celebrate hate. lol Go Wonders "Beat Concord"
1460 AM Wonder Radio Talks with Special Guests
"Wonder Spirit Night at Chick Fil-A"
On October 25, 2011 the Wonder Cheerleaders participated in Spirit Night at Chic Filet in Concord to promote this Friday Night's Rivalry game between The Wonders of Kannapolis and the Spiders of Concord. The event is a yearly event sponsored by Chic Filet designed to add a little extra rivalry between the two schools. Cheerleaders from both schools decorate one side of the drive through in their respective school colors, and patrons are requested to drive through the side they represent, and tell whether they are for Kannapolis or Concord. The side with the most sales in reciepts are crowned the winner at the end of the week on Friday night. Last years winners were the Concord Spiders. Hopefully this year we will get some more representatives from K-Town to come through.
"Intelligent People Say This Always"
"Even the Cows Know what Time it Is"
"A Tragic Announcement"
"Dearly Beloved We are Gathered Here Today"
"The Legend of the Wooly Spider"
The Spider lived in Concord way down below Booger Woods, He never did do any harm in the world, but he never did do no good. Sometimes he'd crawl around Kannapolis looking for the wishing well, he'd inch ever closer to A.L Brown High School searching for our victory bell. He was a cowardly little creature with eight long legs that never could run very fast, he'd hide in the shadows till no one was around until he saw the last Wonder pass. Then one night when the coast was clear the Spider made his move, he sneaked inside our hallowed grounds, a point he had to prove. He grabbed our bell, and started to run into the deep dark night, but all of the sudden he was froze in his tracks by a Wonder in Green and White. The Spider screamed a blood curdling cry as his death he could not fight, and as he died he heard the Wonder whisper "No Spider, Not Tonight"
It's been a long time gone since that awful night the Spider met his fate, there's a crimson mass in Memorial Stadium on the field near the entry gate. If you listen real close when all are gone and the lights no longer beam, You can hear one Wonder whisper, You can hear one Spider scream.
R.I.P Spiders: (The Editor)
It's been a long time gone since that awful night the Spider met his fate, there's a crimson mass in Memorial Stadium on the field near the entry gate. If you listen real close when all are gone and the lights no longer beam, You can hear one Wonder whisper, You can hear one Spider scream.
R.I.P Spiders: (The Editor)
R I P Spiders
"Reflections"
"What the Kannapolis/Concord Rivalry Means"
For those of us who have never have suited up to take the field for a battle like the one that will take place this Friday night between Kannapolis, and Concord the experience is something you can't describe. There is an aura that surrounds this game like no other in the state of North Carolina. Since 1931 the Wonders and Spiders have hooked up to fight a battle between two football teams representing two schools that have never liked the other for many reasons. That still holds true today. For the most part students, and fans get along fine with each other 360 days out of the year, but for five days in early October, and November the line is drawn, and there is no crossing it. So what does the game mean for those who play it? William Craft the QB for the 1997 state champions said and I quote "It's Concord. We played each other all through middle school and Jvs. We know each other well, and if there is one game you have to win it's Concord. Losing to Concord is not an option" Wow, Losing to Concord is not an option. That's pretty point specific don't you think?
"Danny Jenkins from the same state championship team said "There is no love between us this time of year. We go out on that field, and put everything on the line. We know what the community is expecting, and we know the expectations we have personally. There is nothing bigger for a kid playing football in Kannapolis than the Kannapolis/Concord rivalry period." I could talk to a thousand players from many different Wonder teams, and I would bet money each of them would echo the same sentiments that Craft and Jenkins conveyed to me. I got a surprise call Wednesday from one of the Wonders favorite sons who played in this game for three years. Travis Riley who is in his first year of college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had a few minutes to spare, and decided to call his old friend in Kannapolis the editor for Friday Nights in K-Town. The conversation was very casual between two friends, but quickly turned to the Kannapolis/Concord game coming up. I knew then I needed to get my voice recorder and record this conversation. So what does this game mean to somebody who played in it? I'll let Travis tell you.
"Danny Jenkins from the same state championship team said "There is no love between us this time of year. We go out on that field, and put everything on the line. We know what the community is expecting, and we know the expectations we have personally. There is nothing bigger for a kid playing football in Kannapolis than the Kannapolis/Concord rivalry period." I could talk to a thousand players from many different Wonder teams, and I would bet money each of them would echo the same sentiments that Craft and Jenkins conveyed to me. I got a surprise call Wednesday from one of the Wonders favorite sons who played in this game for three years. Travis Riley who is in his first year of college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had a few minutes to spare, and decided to call his old friend in Kannapolis the editor for Friday Nights in K-Town. The conversation was very casual between two friends, but quickly turned to the Kannapolis/Concord game coming up. I knew then I needed to get my voice recorder and record this conversation. So what does this game mean to somebody who played in it? I'll let Travis tell you.
(Picture Above) Former Wonder and UNC Tarheel Travis Riley poses with a young Tarheel Fan
(FIK) What are some of your fondest memories of the bell game as a kid?
(TR) As a kid, I can remember playing on the hill on Friday nights, and catching field goals that went over the fence. I can also remember when we lost the bell my 8th grade year. I hated the feeling, and promised myself I would never allow it to happen as long as I was a wonder.
(FIK) Did you ever envision yourself playing in that game as a kid?
(TR) For as long as I can remember I have envisioned myself playing football for Kannapolis. Being born, and raised in Kannapolis, the tradition of Kannapolis football is constantly around you. I can remember former
A.L. Brown Running Back Jonathan Peoples coming to speak to my 5th grade class and wanting to be just like him. Another quality that was instilled in me at a young age was hatred for Concord.Yes, Hatred. As a young kid, I
couldn’t wait to strap up the Green and White and play Concord. I spent countless hours as an elementary school kid throwing the ball to myself in the backyard and pretending I was catching the game winning pass against Concord.
(FIK) What are some of the emotions you experience preparing for this game?
(TR) During the week of the bell game, you are reminded of the games significance everywhere you go. The students are going crazy because it’s spirit week. As a player, it was very difficult for me to get any school work done because I was constantly preparing myself mentally for the game. The bell game is different than any other game in the way that you must be extremely focused mentally to handle the pressures of the tradition, the fans, and the community. On the practice field, you must prepare for this game just like any other, although it is hard due to the magnitude of this game. Coach Massey would wear Concord gear to practice and some of the coaches who had played in the bell game would speak. This brought attention to the tradition of this great game and forced players to remember that this game is much more than a normal
game.
(FIK) What did it feel like as a player walking down the hill to play in your first battle?
(TR) My first bell game was very memorable. It was my sophomore year at we were playing at Bailey Stadium. I heard all week how it felt to play in this game, but I had never experienced it before so it was difficult for me to comprehend the emotions that one experiences in this game. Walking down the hill at Bailey Stadium, I felt feelings come over me that I have never felt before. It was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and most of all anticipation.
(FIK) How difficult was the 2009 loss to Concord for you personally?
(TR) I have played football since I was six years old, and the game that sticks out the most in my mind is the loss to Concord in 2009. I think the loss was difficult for me because I felt that as a team, we didn’t play well. When you get beat by a team that is better than you, you learn to accept that, but when you beat yourself, it is extremely difficult to overcome. The responsibility I felt to the seniors on the team and to all the former Wonders also made the loss extremely difficult. I considered myself a leader on the team, and as such, I constantly asked myself what I could have done differently throughout the week to prepare myself, and the team for a game of such magnitude. After evaluating the situation, I concluded that I could have been a better leader, and that above all else, made the loss difficult to move past, even to this day.
(FIK) What do you think went wrong in that game?
(TR) In the 2009 game, I think we succumbed to lack of preparation in practice, and also a bit of overconfidence. There is no doubt in my mind that we had a better team, but I give credit to Concord for coming out and playing a great game.
(FIK) How gratifying was it for you to be able to return for the bell game your senior year, and get revenge for the 2009 loss?
(TR) Winning the bell game my senior year was by far my greatest memory from high school. After my injury during the first game of my senior year, I was told I would be out for the entire season. Once I heard that, I thought about the loss to Concord in 2009 and how all I wanted to do was get another chance to play them. I rehabbed with Coach Hardeman, and nothing else was on my mind but making it back for the bell game. After countless hours of prayer, and rehab, I felt as though I was ready to play. I didn’t practice the week of the bell game because I had not been cleared to play. The morning of the game, I was evaluated and cleared to play. I went to Coach Reeves (the RB coach) and ask him if I could start despite not having practiced at all. To my surprise he said yes without hesitation. This gave me confidence because it showed that the coaches had trust in me, and weren’t concerned about my lack of practice. We won the game 28-21. The win meant so much to the team and I. Personally; I was able to see all my hard work pay off. Adding to my elation was the fact that I was selected MVP of the game. It was crazy for me to think that just 24 hours prior, I wasn’t sure if I was even going to play. The main reason the team wanted to win was not for the bell, conference championship, or better play-off seeding, but for our brother, Dajon Torrence.
(FIK) How do you feel today knowing you wont be suiting up for the game this Friday night in Memorial Stadium?
(TR) I would give anything to suite up with the team Friday night, and take the field against the Spiders. My entire life I have either looked forward to playing in the bell game, or participated in it. Now that I’ve graduated, I can neither look forward to nor participate in the game. I have trouble focusing in classes all week, not due to our upcoming game against Wake Forest, but because I know Kannapolis will take the field this Friday to defend the town of Kannapolis and protect our house and the victory bell against the Concord Spiders. It saddens me to think I will never play in this game again, but I get solice when I think about the tradition I was a part of, and the history I help to write.
(FIK) Do you have any regrets the three years you played in this game?
(TR) The only regret I have pertaining to the bell games I participated in was the loss in 2009. Other than the 2009 game, I was fortunate to be part of the largest margin of victory in bell game history (56-6: 2008) and a bell game won for our fallen brother.
(FIK) If you were asked to address the 2011 Wonders before they take the field Friday night what would you tell them?
(TR) “Remember this feeling. This feeling of anticipation. This feeling of pressure. This feeling of uncertainty. This feeling of excitement. The accumulation of these feelings breeds an emotion you will never experience again, and one which is impossible to describe. The only people who know this feeling are your brothers beside you, and your brothers whose blood, sweat, and tears continued the tradition of excellence that is Kannapolis Football, and paved the way for you. I urge you to remember the feeling you have walking down the hill and first seeing the massive crowd that has gathered to see you play. I urge you to remember pre game. I urge you to remember the insults from their fans. I urge you to remember how it feels to line up across from a Spider and beat them every single play. Not only that, but I urge you to remember spirit week. I urge you to remember the importance of this game to the community. I urge you to remember the children that look up to each, and every one of you. I urge you to remember these things because when its gone, you will never experience anything like it again. I have been blessed enough to go to Clemson’s “Death Valley” and be surrounded by 85,000 screaming fans. I have been blessed enough to experience games at Georgia Tech and East Carolina, in front of crowds of 50,000 plus. None of these games did I have the feelings I felt during the game you are about to play tonight. Play your hearts out tonight, and at the end of the game I want all of you to be able to remember the feeling I was fortunate enough to experience, the feeling of winning the Bell.”
Travis will be unable to attend the game Friday night as the Tarheels are preparing to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this Saturday in Chapel Hill. I could sense from our conversation how empty Travis felt not being a part of this game. One truly gets the understanding of just how much Green and White stays in a Wonders blood even when he moves on in life. Travis exemplifies this hypothesis. Funny, I remember the night of the 2009 loss to Concord, and a traditional gathering of the Rileys at our favorite post game eating hub. That night I remember Travis who is a man of few words anyway walking in, and taking a seat with his head lowered into his hands for most of the night. He said nothing, and you could tell how much the loss affected him. Fast forward to 2010 at the same eating hub a totally different Travis Riley showed up at the IHOP carrying his rivalry game MVP trophy in his right hand. The man of few words was ecstatic. A justified Travis Riley had made good on a season that went so terribly wrong for him at the start, but gave him the opportunity to exact revenge on his most hated adversary. That meant all the world to him. So what does the Kannapolis/Concord rivalry mean. To some it's just a high school football game that a whole bunch of people go to on a Friday night to cheer for either the team wearing green and white or Black and Gold, but to some it's a fact of life for which it's outcome they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
(TR) As a kid, I can remember playing on the hill on Friday nights, and catching field goals that went over the fence. I can also remember when we lost the bell my 8th grade year. I hated the feeling, and promised myself I would never allow it to happen as long as I was a wonder.
(FIK) Did you ever envision yourself playing in that game as a kid?
(TR) For as long as I can remember I have envisioned myself playing football for Kannapolis. Being born, and raised in Kannapolis, the tradition of Kannapolis football is constantly around you. I can remember former
A.L. Brown Running Back Jonathan Peoples coming to speak to my 5th grade class and wanting to be just like him. Another quality that was instilled in me at a young age was hatred for Concord.Yes, Hatred. As a young kid, I
couldn’t wait to strap up the Green and White and play Concord. I spent countless hours as an elementary school kid throwing the ball to myself in the backyard and pretending I was catching the game winning pass against Concord.
(FIK) What are some of the emotions you experience preparing for this game?
(TR) During the week of the bell game, you are reminded of the games significance everywhere you go. The students are going crazy because it’s spirit week. As a player, it was very difficult for me to get any school work done because I was constantly preparing myself mentally for the game. The bell game is different than any other game in the way that you must be extremely focused mentally to handle the pressures of the tradition, the fans, and the community. On the practice field, you must prepare for this game just like any other, although it is hard due to the magnitude of this game. Coach Massey would wear Concord gear to practice and some of the coaches who had played in the bell game would speak. This brought attention to the tradition of this great game and forced players to remember that this game is much more than a normal
game.
(FIK) What did it feel like as a player walking down the hill to play in your first battle?
(TR) My first bell game was very memorable. It was my sophomore year at we were playing at Bailey Stadium. I heard all week how it felt to play in this game, but I had never experienced it before so it was difficult for me to comprehend the emotions that one experiences in this game. Walking down the hill at Bailey Stadium, I felt feelings come over me that I have never felt before. It was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and most of all anticipation.
(FIK) How difficult was the 2009 loss to Concord for you personally?
(TR) I have played football since I was six years old, and the game that sticks out the most in my mind is the loss to Concord in 2009. I think the loss was difficult for me because I felt that as a team, we didn’t play well. When you get beat by a team that is better than you, you learn to accept that, but when you beat yourself, it is extremely difficult to overcome. The responsibility I felt to the seniors on the team and to all the former Wonders also made the loss extremely difficult. I considered myself a leader on the team, and as such, I constantly asked myself what I could have done differently throughout the week to prepare myself, and the team for a game of such magnitude. After evaluating the situation, I concluded that I could have been a better leader, and that above all else, made the loss difficult to move past, even to this day.
(FIK) What do you think went wrong in that game?
(TR) In the 2009 game, I think we succumbed to lack of preparation in practice, and also a bit of overconfidence. There is no doubt in my mind that we had a better team, but I give credit to Concord for coming out and playing a great game.
(FIK) How gratifying was it for you to be able to return for the bell game your senior year, and get revenge for the 2009 loss?
(TR) Winning the bell game my senior year was by far my greatest memory from high school. After my injury during the first game of my senior year, I was told I would be out for the entire season. Once I heard that, I thought about the loss to Concord in 2009 and how all I wanted to do was get another chance to play them. I rehabbed with Coach Hardeman, and nothing else was on my mind but making it back for the bell game. After countless hours of prayer, and rehab, I felt as though I was ready to play. I didn’t practice the week of the bell game because I had not been cleared to play. The morning of the game, I was evaluated and cleared to play. I went to Coach Reeves (the RB coach) and ask him if I could start despite not having practiced at all. To my surprise he said yes without hesitation. This gave me confidence because it showed that the coaches had trust in me, and weren’t concerned about my lack of practice. We won the game 28-21. The win meant so much to the team and I. Personally; I was able to see all my hard work pay off. Adding to my elation was the fact that I was selected MVP of the game. It was crazy for me to think that just 24 hours prior, I wasn’t sure if I was even going to play. The main reason the team wanted to win was not for the bell, conference championship, or better play-off seeding, but for our brother, Dajon Torrence.
(FIK) How do you feel today knowing you wont be suiting up for the game this Friday night in Memorial Stadium?
(TR) I would give anything to suite up with the team Friday night, and take the field against the Spiders. My entire life I have either looked forward to playing in the bell game, or participated in it. Now that I’ve graduated, I can neither look forward to nor participate in the game. I have trouble focusing in classes all week, not due to our upcoming game against Wake Forest, but because I know Kannapolis will take the field this Friday to defend the town of Kannapolis and protect our house and the victory bell against the Concord Spiders. It saddens me to think I will never play in this game again, but I get solice when I think about the tradition I was a part of, and the history I help to write.
(FIK) Do you have any regrets the three years you played in this game?
(TR) The only regret I have pertaining to the bell games I participated in was the loss in 2009. Other than the 2009 game, I was fortunate to be part of the largest margin of victory in bell game history (56-6: 2008) and a bell game won for our fallen brother.
(FIK) If you were asked to address the 2011 Wonders before they take the field Friday night what would you tell them?
(TR) “Remember this feeling. This feeling of anticipation. This feeling of pressure. This feeling of uncertainty. This feeling of excitement. The accumulation of these feelings breeds an emotion you will never experience again, and one which is impossible to describe. The only people who know this feeling are your brothers beside you, and your brothers whose blood, sweat, and tears continued the tradition of excellence that is Kannapolis Football, and paved the way for you. I urge you to remember the feeling you have walking down the hill and first seeing the massive crowd that has gathered to see you play. I urge you to remember pre game. I urge you to remember the insults from their fans. I urge you to remember how it feels to line up across from a Spider and beat them every single play. Not only that, but I urge you to remember spirit week. I urge you to remember the importance of this game to the community. I urge you to remember the children that look up to each, and every one of you. I urge you to remember these things because when its gone, you will never experience anything like it again. I have been blessed enough to go to Clemson’s “Death Valley” and be surrounded by 85,000 screaming fans. I have been blessed enough to experience games at Georgia Tech and East Carolina, in front of crowds of 50,000 plus. None of these games did I have the feelings I felt during the game you are about to play tonight. Play your hearts out tonight, and at the end of the game I want all of you to be able to remember the feeling I was fortunate enough to experience, the feeling of winning the Bell.”
Travis will be unable to attend the game Friday night as the Tarheels are preparing to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this Saturday in Chapel Hill. I could sense from our conversation how empty Travis felt not being a part of this game. One truly gets the understanding of just how much Green and White stays in a Wonders blood even when he moves on in life. Travis exemplifies this hypothesis. Funny, I remember the night of the 2009 loss to Concord, and a traditional gathering of the Rileys at our favorite post game eating hub. That night I remember Travis who is a man of few words anyway walking in, and taking a seat with his head lowered into his hands for most of the night. He said nothing, and you could tell how much the loss affected him. Fast forward to 2010 at the same eating hub a totally different Travis Riley showed up at the IHOP carrying his rivalry game MVP trophy in his right hand. The man of few words was ecstatic. A justified Travis Riley had made good on a season that went so terribly wrong for him at the start, but gave him the opportunity to exact revenge on his most hated adversary. That meant all the world to him. So what does the Kannapolis/Concord rivalry mean. To some it's just a high school football game that a whole bunch of people go to on a Friday night to cheer for either the team wearing green and white or Black and Gold, but to some it's a fact of life for which it's outcome they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
"Bell Game Pep Rally 2011"
The Time is Now
"We are the Champions My Friends"
"Wonders Bash Spiders 31-26 to Take 2011 SPC Title"
Down Came the Rain and It Washed the Spider Out
The Wonders like to start fast.The Spiders like to come on strong. The weather, for the first time all season, was a combination of cold and wet.It all made for a full-fledged test Friday night at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, one of the most exciting games in a storied rivalry.The Kannapolis team led 24-0 before the first quarter was over, another sizzling beginning.Concord closed within five points in the fourth quarter and had the ball at the Wonders’ 30-yard line, attempting to complete an improbable comeback.If the Wonders were going to be outright South Piedmont Conference champions again, they would have to hold.They did. The 31-26 victory in the 81st annual Concord-Kannapolis football game leaves the Spiders with a 39-38-4 series edge.
“It’s a privilege honestly (to be part of the Wonders’ team),” said co-captain and defensive back Kaleel Hollis as the Bell pealed. “We win the most in our conference, but it’s because of hard work, the players we have and the coaches we have. It’s no wonder why we have our success. Our community plays, too. We have a lot of support.”
A big defensive stand and a huge gamble paid off for the Wonders. With Concord facing fourth-and-2 at the Kannapolis 30 late in the game, John Bass and Kenon Jones stopped Spider workhorse Denzel Phillips for a yard loss.That was the defensive key for the Wonders, who took possession with 4:30 to play and Concord out of timeouts.Three rushing plays later, it was fouth-and-1 at the Kannapolis 40. A lot of teams would have punted. But coaching in his first Battle of the Bell game, Mike Newsome went for the first down.
“We hadn’t been real successful stopping them on defense,” he said. “We just knew we needed to keep the ball. We felt real confident in that package. We’d only been stopped the one time. Today was the only time we’d been stopped in it. I think we were 14 out of 15 getting good yardage out of that play.”
With second effort, Kalif Phillips made it two yards for the first down, and the clock kept ticking.Then came a Kannapolis mistake. A 12-yard pass play on third down carried out of bounds, short of a first down. More importantly, it stopped the clock.The Wonders turned to Phillips again on fourth-and-1, but this time the Concord defense stacked him up, and the Spiders had the ball, 51 yards from the endzone with 42 seconds left, But the Concord offense that had racked up 24 first downs and 355 yards stumbled with a fumbled snap and dropped pass (on the same play), a slip for a nine-yard loss (keeping the clock running) and two incomplete passes. So close for Concord, but the Spiders have been there before. Their three losses this season are by a total of nine points. Three of their eight wins are by a combined six points. For a second straight year, the Wonders (10-1, 7-0) are undefeated SPC champs.
“We set out to win championships and we won one tonight,” Newsome said.
With 1:53 left in the first quarter, they led 24-0 on a 9-yard run by Damien Washington, runs of 5 and 32 yards by Phillips and Erik Amaya’s 33-yard field goal and three extra points.
“I think it took us a little while to adjust to their speed,” said Concord coach Glen Padgett. “They’re so fast, and the first quarter they kept getting on the edge. Our defensive coaches and our defensive players did a great job of adjusting to it. We kind of found ourselves in the second quarter.”
B.J. Beecher threw touchdown passes of seven yards to Alex Asbury and 15 yards to Terrance Knox. Two Robert Salsich PAT kicks made it 24-14 with 1:10 left in the half, But the second-quarter scoring wasn’t done. Phillips’ 24-yard kickoff return put the Wonders at their 44. They scored in four plays, with Keeon Johnson battling two Spider defenders to catch a 32-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Eppinger with 21.6 seconds remaining.That would be all the scoring for Kannapolis, and it turned out to be enough. Concord’s defense limited the Wonders to 60 yards in the second half.
“It’s never easy for a team to just stop rolling,” Hollis said. “We had to adjust. We definitely came out the second half with our head on our shoulders. At first, it was just run around. We weren’t making plays; we were just there. But the second half we started resisting.”
Nevertheless the Spiders pulled closer in the third quarter by driving 77 yards with the second-half kickoff as Denzel Phillips started to find running room.
“When they were changing up from their regular front to their nickel and their dime packages, we were able to get hats on hats inside. It made a difference for us,” Padgett said.
Beecher threw his third scoring pass of the game, a 15-yarder to Bravone Howard. The PAT kick failed, leaving the score 31-20. Late in the third quarter, with the Wonders at the Concord 27, Xavier Thompson made only the third interception off Eppinget this season, returning it 12 yards to the 15. Concord then embarked on a 17-play, 85-yard scoring drive. With 5:51 left in the game, Beecher scored on a 1-yard run. When Beecher was tackled after he was several yards into the endzone, the Wonders were flagged for the hit, and the ball was moved to the 1-and-a-half yard line for the conversion try. Down by five, the Spiders (8-3, 5-2) went for two, but the snap exchange was muffed, and the score stayed 31-26. Salsich launched the ball high on the ensuing kickoff, and Kannapolis fumbled. Darius Moser recovered for Concord at the Wonders’ 38. After two incompletions, Beecher passed eight yards to Asbury, but on fourth down, Kannapolis held.
“I’m not going to lie; that was a struggle,” Hollis said. “We just buckled down our defense and moved the ball on offense, and it all played out.”
Denzel Phillips carried 29 times for 123 yards and Beecher passed for 214. Kalif Phillips gained 129 yards on 19 carries. Concord ended tied with Cox Mill for second place, two games back of the Wonders, who are league champs for a fifth season in a row.
“Two great teams,” Padgett said. “Both teams laid it on the line. I’m so proud of our players’ effort. To come into a place like this and be in a position to win, that’s testimony to how much guts our kids have.”
The Wonders had allowed only 24 points total to six league foes coming into Friday’s game.
“It’s tough to stop a team with a great quarterback,” Newsome said. “They’re difference-makers. He was able to hit some passes across the middle. I don’t know how many third-down conversions they made, but they were able to drive the ball down and get first downs.”
When the final of Concord’s 40 passes fell incomplete, the Wonders had given Newsome a win in his first Bell Game.
“It was extremely exciting,” he said. “You never know what to expect until you’re down here on the sideline. I caught myself doing this so I can’t blame the kids for doing it, relaxing a little bit when we went up. That’s easy to do. Sometimes you get overconfident. But this will teach me and the rest of these guys not to allow that to happen.
“I’m just proud of them. They bowed their neck. We had a loss (at) Porter Ridge and I think sometimes that’s good for guys to get. It’s good for them to face adversity here and get a win, because they understand that everytime you face adversity, bad things aren’t going to happen. Now they know, hey, we faced adversity earlier in the season and we didn’t win. We faced adversity here and we did win. So they’ve learned it both ways.”
Extra points: Xavier Stanback returned the opening kickoff 31 yards to the Concord 43, setting up the first Kannapolis touchdown … Fumble recoveries by J.P. Lott and Hollis in the first quarter set up Wonders’ scores … Concord had the ball for 74 plays to 43 for the Wonders… After Concord’s third touchdown, Salsich booted a hard squib kick. Shakil Gore smothered the ball at the Kannapolis 46. But the Wonders could not muster a first down.
(Independent Tribune)
“It’s a privilege honestly (to be part of the Wonders’ team),” said co-captain and defensive back Kaleel Hollis as the Bell pealed. “We win the most in our conference, but it’s because of hard work, the players we have and the coaches we have. It’s no wonder why we have our success. Our community plays, too. We have a lot of support.”
A big defensive stand and a huge gamble paid off for the Wonders. With Concord facing fourth-and-2 at the Kannapolis 30 late in the game, John Bass and Kenon Jones stopped Spider workhorse Denzel Phillips for a yard loss.That was the defensive key for the Wonders, who took possession with 4:30 to play and Concord out of timeouts.Three rushing plays later, it was fouth-and-1 at the Kannapolis 40. A lot of teams would have punted. But coaching in his first Battle of the Bell game, Mike Newsome went for the first down.
“We hadn’t been real successful stopping them on defense,” he said. “We just knew we needed to keep the ball. We felt real confident in that package. We’d only been stopped the one time. Today was the only time we’d been stopped in it. I think we were 14 out of 15 getting good yardage out of that play.”
With second effort, Kalif Phillips made it two yards for the first down, and the clock kept ticking.Then came a Kannapolis mistake. A 12-yard pass play on third down carried out of bounds, short of a first down. More importantly, it stopped the clock.The Wonders turned to Phillips again on fourth-and-1, but this time the Concord defense stacked him up, and the Spiders had the ball, 51 yards from the endzone with 42 seconds left, But the Concord offense that had racked up 24 first downs and 355 yards stumbled with a fumbled snap and dropped pass (on the same play), a slip for a nine-yard loss (keeping the clock running) and two incomplete passes. So close for Concord, but the Spiders have been there before. Their three losses this season are by a total of nine points. Three of their eight wins are by a combined six points. For a second straight year, the Wonders (10-1, 7-0) are undefeated SPC champs.
“We set out to win championships and we won one tonight,” Newsome said.
With 1:53 left in the first quarter, they led 24-0 on a 9-yard run by Damien Washington, runs of 5 and 32 yards by Phillips and Erik Amaya’s 33-yard field goal and three extra points.
“I think it took us a little while to adjust to their speed,” said Concord coach Glen Padgett. “They’re so fast, and the first quarter they kept getting on the edge. Our defensive coaches and our defensive players did a great job of adjusting to it. We kind of found ourselves in the second quarter.”
B.J. Beecher threw touchdown passes of seven yards to Alex Asbury and 15 yards to Terrance Knox. Two Robert Salsich PAT kicks made it 24-14 with 1:10 left in the half, But the second-quarter scoring wasn’t done. Phillips’ 24-yard kickoff return put the Wonders at their 44. They scored in four plays, with Keeon Johnson battling two Spider defenders to catch a 32-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Eppinger with 21.6 seconds remaining.That would be all the scoring for Kannapolis, and it turned out to be enough. Concord’s defense limited the Wonders to 60 yards in the second half.
“It’s never easy for a team to just stop rolling,” Hollis said. “We had to adjust. We definitely came out the second half with our head on our shoulders. At first, it was just run around. We weren’t making plays; we were just there. But the second half we started resisting.”
Nevertheless the Spiders pulled closer in the third quarter by driving 77 yards with the second-half kickoff as Denzel Phillips started to find running room.
“When they were changing up from their regular front to their nickel and their dime packages, we were able to get hats on hats inside. It made a difference for us,” Padgett said.
Beecher threw his third scoring pass of the game, a 15-yarder to Bravone Howard. The PAT kick failed, leaving the score 31-20. Late in the third quarter, with the Wonders at the Concord 27, Xavier Thompson made only the third interception off Eppinget this season, returning it 12 yards to the 15. Concord then embarked on a 17-play, 85-yard scoring drive. With 5:51 left in the game, Beecher scored on a 1-yard run. When Beecher was tackled after he was several yards into the endzone, the Wonders were flagged for the hit, and the ball was moved to the 1-and-a-half yard line for the conversion try. Down by five, the Spiders (8-3, 5-2) went for two, but the snap exchange was muffed, and the score stayed 31-26. Salsich launched the ball high on the ensuing kickoff, and Kannapolis fumbled. Darius Moser recovered for Concord at the Wonders’ 38. After two incompletions, Beecher passed eight yards to Asbury, but on fourth down, Kannapolis held.
“I’m not going to lie; that was a struggle,” Hollis said. “We just buckled down our defense and moved the ball on offense, and it all played out.”
Denzel Phillips carried 29 times for 123 yards and Beecher passed for 214. Kalif Phillips gained 129 yards on 19 carries. Concord ended tied with Cox Mill for second place, two games back of the Wonders, who are league champs for a fifth season in a row.
“Two great teams,” Padgett said. “Both teams laid it on the line. I’m so proud of our players’ effort. To come into a place like this and be in a position to win, that’s testimony to how much guts our kids have.”
The Wonders had allowed only 24 points total to six league foes coming into Friday’s game.
“It’s tough to stop a team with a great quarterback,” Newsome said. “They’re difference-makers. He was able to hit some passes across the middle. I don’t know how many third-down conversions they made, but they were able to drive the ball down and get first downs.”
When the final of Concord’s 40 passes fell incomplete, the Wonders had given Newsome a win in his first Bell Game.
“It was extremely exciting,” he said. “You never know what to expect until you’re down here on the sideline. I caught myself doing this so I can’t blame the kids for doing it, relaxing a little bit when we went up. That’s easy to do. Sometimes you get overconfident. But this will teach me and the rest of these guys not to allow that to happen.
“I’m just proud of them. They bowed their neck. We had a loss (at) Porter Ridge and I think sometimes that’s good for guys to get. It’s good for them to face adversity here and get a win, because they understand that everytime you face adversity, bad things aren’t going to happen. Now they know, hey, we faced adversity earlier in the season and we didn’t win. We faced adversity here and we did win. So they’ve learned it both ways.”
Extra points: Xavier Stanback returned the opening kickoff 31 yards to the Concord 43, setting up the first Kannapolis touchdown … Fumble recoveries by J.P. Lott and Hollis in the first quarter set up Wonders’ scores … Concord had the ball for 74 plays to 43 for the Wonders… After Concord’s third touchdown, Salsich booted a hard squib kick. Shakil Gore smothered the ball at the Kannapolis 46. But the Wonders could not muster a first down.
(Independent Tribune)
KANNAPOLIS — For 15 minutes it had the potential to be one of the biggest blowouts in the 80-plus years of the storied A.L. Brown-Concord series. It turned out to be among the most enthralling.The Wonders jumped out to a 24-point lead but narrowly held on Friday for a 31-26 win over the rival Spiders, clinching the South Piedmont Conference championship and ensuring that they'll be well seeded in next week's state playoffs.
The result was a fitting bookend to the regular season. Coach Mike Newsome's Wonders (10-1, 7-0 SPC) opened the regular season by building a 30-point halftime lead against Shelby but scrambled to hold off a furious rally. Had Glen Padgett's Spiders completed the comeback in the season finale, it likely would have been even more surprising.
“It's a rivalry game and it doesn't matter what the score is,” said Newsome, speaking over the sound of Brown's students ringing the Victory Bell. “Usually at the end it ends up close. I'm just glad we were able to hold them off there at the end.”Despite a loss to Hickory Ridge last week, the Spiders could have tied the Wonders atop the SPC standings with a victory and taken the league's No. 1 postseason seed via tiebreaker. However, it looked for awhile like this game was destined to become just another conference blowout on a laundry list of them for the Wonders in 2011, But Concord (8-3, 5-2 SPC) never flinched, even after going down 24-0 late in the first quarter. Behind Quarterback B.J. Beecher, who accounted for four total touchdowns, and tailback Denzel Phillips, who rushed 29 times for 119 yards and helped keep the Wonders' offense off the field, the Spiders nearly put together an improbable comeback.
“I don't think there are words to explain how proud I am [of my team],” said an emotional Padgett, who had tears in his eyes after his post-game talk with his players.“I think it took us awhile to adjust to their speed. Their so fast and in the first quarter, they kept getting on the edge. Our defensive coaches and defensive players did a great job of adjusting to it. We kind of found ourselves in the second quarter, and we had a couple of chances.”
Down 17 at halftime, Beecher engineered a scoring drive, which was aided by two pass interference penalties, on the first possession of the second half. His third touchdown pass of the game, a 15 yarder to Bravone Howard, capped the drive and started the comeback. After the teams exchanged punts and Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger threw an interception deep in Concord territory, Beecher converted three 3-and-11s and one fourth-and-9 on a 17-play scoring drive that started late in the third quarter. His one-yard touchdown run on a sneak more than halfway through the final quarter – the conversion attempt failed – pulled the Spiders within five at 31-26. Brown muffed the ensuing kickoff but Concord failed to convert a fourth-and-2 from the Wonders 30. After three straight runs, Brown was also facing fourth-and-short with just over two minutes left in the game. Newsome made perhaps the gutsiest call of his short tenure in Kannapolis, deciding against a punt from his own 40-yard line. Tailback Kalif Phillips needed a yard and gained two with a powerful second effort on the inside run. Four plays later, Phillips was stuffed on a fourth-down run, but his initial pickup burned enough clock for the Wonders to retain the Victory Bell.
“We hadn't been real successful stopping them on defense,” Newsome said. “We just knew we needed to keep the ball and felt really confident in that package that we had been in.”
For much of the first half it looked as if the Spiders – much like the other teams in the league – would be overmatched by the homestanding Wonders. Capitalizing on Concord mistakes, Brown led big and threatened to put the game away before some in the crowd had even settled into their seats.The Wonders marched 57 yards on the game's first drive, opening the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run from Damien Washington. The Wonders were as efficient as usual, but the Spiders kept hurting themselves with untimely mistakes. A fumbled exchange on their first drive set up Brown's second score, a five-yard run from Phillips. Another fumble prematurely ended their third drive and set up Phillips' second scoring run, a 32 yarder that put Brown up 24-0 late in the first quarter. Beecher tossed two second-quarter touchdown passes, putting the Spiders within striking distance. Had a key holding penalty not disrupted another promising drive midway through the second quarter, Concord could have been within three points at the break.
Instead, the Wonders' quick-strike offense stole the momentum less than a minute after Beecher's second touchdown toss. Eppinger heaved a deep post off his back foot to receiver Keeon Johnson on the fourth play of the ensuing drive. Johnson outwrestled two defenders for the ball and fell into the end zone to give the Wonders a 31-14 lead with 21 seconds left in the first half. The Wonders had to hold on, but they ultimately won the first of two championships they've been eying all season.
“Keeping the bell means something, but our main goal is to win a state championship,” Eppinger said. “That's our main focus right now, especially going into the playoffs.”
(The Salisbury Post)
And so the regular season comes to a climatic end on November 28, 2011 at Memorial Stadium with the Wonders obtaining their goal as the undisputed 2011 South Piedmont Conference Champions. It was a heck of a ride as predicted. The Wonders began the season 3-0 knocking off their first three oponents by a combined score of 141-50 before dropping their first non conference game to Porter Ridge 41-13. The Wonders would go on a seven game rampage where they ran the table in the SPC beating their oponents by a combined score of 324-50 pitching four shutouts along the way. During the 2011 regular season the Mike Newsome led Wonders put up 478 points against their eleven regular season oponents allowing coach Newsome to surpass Bruce Hardin, and Ron Massey for most points scored by a first year head coach.
The 2011 regular season saw the return of a tried and true star in Damien Washington who has comitted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the emergence of a new star in runningback Kalif Phillips. It saw a tenacious Wonder defense pull together as a unit, and hold their oponents to a combined total of 113 points on the year going into the playoffs, but thats history. A new season begins with everyone undefeated. The playoffs are something the Wonders are no stranger to, and now a new set of priorities take effect with one goal in mind a state title. What will the outcome be? Again only time will tell. Stay tuned.
(The editor)
The result was a fitting bookend to the regular season. Coach Mike Newsome's Wonders (10-1, 7-0 SPC) opened the regular season by building a 30-point halftime lead against Shelby but scrambled to hold off a furious rally. Had Glen Padgett's Spiders completed the comeback in the season finale, it likely would have been even more surprising.
“It's a rivalry game and it doesn't matter what the score is,” said Newsome, speaking over the sound of Brown's students ringing the Victory Bell. “Usually at the end it ends up close. I'm just glad we were able to hold them off there at the end.”Despite a loss to Hickory Ridge last week, the Spiders could have tied the Wonders atop the SPC standings with a victory and taken the league's No. 1 postseason seed via tiebreaker. However, it looked for awhile like this game was destined to become just another conference blowout on a laundry list of them for the Wonders in 2011, But Concord (8-3, 5-2 SPC) never flinched, even after going down 24-0 late in the first quarter. Behind Quarterback B.J. Beecher, who accounted for four total touchdowns, and tailback Denzel Phillips, who rushed 29 times for 119 yards and helped keep the Wonders' offense off the field, the Spiders nearly put together an improbable comeback.
“I don't think there are words to explain how proud I am [of my team],” said an emotional Padgett, who had tears in his eyes after his post-game talk with his players.“I think it took us awhile to adjust to their speed. Their so fast and in the first quarter, they kept getting on the edge. Our defensive coaches and defensive players did a great job of adjusting to it. We kind of found ourselves in the second quarter, and we had a couple of chances.”
Down 17 at halftime, Beecher engineered a scoring drive, which was aided by two pass interference penalties, on the first possession of the second half. His third touchdown pass of the game, a 15 yarder to Bravone Howard, capped the drive and started the comeback. After the teams exchanged punts and Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger threw an interception deep in Concord territory, Beecher converted three 3-and-11s and one fourth-and-9 on a 17-play scoring drive that started late in the third quarter. His one-yard touchdown run on a sneak more than halfway through the final quarter – the conversion attempt failed – pulled the Spiders within five at 31-26. Brown muffed the ensuing kickoff but Concord failed to convert a fourth-and-2 from the Wonders 30. After three straight runs, Brown was also facing fourth-and-short with just over two minutes left in the game. Newsome made perhaps the gutsiest call of his short tenure in Kannapolis, deciding against a punt from his own 40-yard line. Tailback Kalif Phillips needed a yard and gained two with a powerful second effort on the inside run. Four plays later, Phillips was stuffed on a fourth-down run, but his initial pickup burned enough clock for the Wonders to retain the Victory Bell.
“We hadn't been real successful stopping them on defense,” Newsome said. “We just knew we needed to keep the ball and felt really confident in that package that we had been in.”
For much of the first half it looked as if the Spiders – much like the other teams in the league – would be overmatched by the homestanding Wonders. Capitalizing on Concord mistakes, Brown led big and threatened to put the game away before some in the crowd had even settled into their seats.The Wonders marched 57 yards on the game's first drive, opening the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run from Damien Washington. The Wonders were as efficient as usual, but the Spiders kept hurting themselves with untimely mistakes. A fumbled exchange on their first drive set up Brown's second score, a five-yard run from Phillips. Another fumble prematurely ended their third drive and set up Phillips' second scoring run, a 32 yarder that put Brown up 24-0 late in the first quarter. Beecher tossed two second-quarter touchdown passes, putting the Spiders within striking distance. Had a key holding penalty not disrupted another promising drive midway through the second quarter, Concord could have been within three points at the break.
Instead, the Wonders' quick-strike offense stole the momentum less than a minute after Beecher's second touchdown toss. Eppinger heaved a deep post off his back foot to receiver Keeon Johnson on the fourth play of the ensuing drive. Johnson outwrestled two defenders for the ball and fell into the end zone to give the Wonders a 31-14 lead with 21 seconds left in the first half. The Wonders had to hold on, but they ultimately won the first of two championships they've been eying all season.
“Keeping the bell means something, but our main goal is to win a state championship,” Eppinger said. “That's our main focus right now, especially going into the playoffs.”
(The Salisbury Post)
And so the regular season comes to a climatic end on November 28, 2011 at Memorial Stadium with the Wonders obtaining their goal as the undisputed 2011 South Piedmont Conference Champions. It was a heck of a ride as predicted. The Wonders began the season 3-0 knocking off their first three oponents by a combined score of 141-50 before dropping their first non conference game to Porter Ridge 41-13. The Wonders would go on a seven game rampage where they ran the table in the SPC beating their oponents by a combined score of 324-50 pitching four shutouts along the way. During the 2011 regular season the Mike Newsome led Wonders put up 478 points against their eleven regular season oponents allowing coach Newsome to surpass Bruce Hardin, and Ron Massey for most points scored by a first year head coach.
The 2011 regular season saw the return of a tried and true star in Damien Washington who has comitted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the emergence of a new star in runningback Kalif Phillips. It saw a tenacious Wonder defense pull together as a unit, and hold their oponents to a combined total of 113 points on the year going into the playoffs, but thats history. A new season begins with everyone undefeated. The playoffs are something the Wonders are no stranger to, and now a new set of priorities take effect with one goal in mind a state title. What will the outcome be? Again only time will tell. Stay tuned.
(The editor)
"Friday Nights Action with Concord"
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Left)Wonder Runningback Kalif Phillips rushed for 139 yards on nineteen carries scoring two rushing touchdowns earning him FIK Player of the Game for Week #11. The final for the regular season.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #11
"Kalif Phillips"
19 Carries, 139 Yards Rushing
2 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #11
"Kalif Phillips"
19 Carries, 139 Yards Rushing
2 Touchdowns
Keeon Johnson #19
(Picture Above) Photo Courtesy of Tyler Buckwell by Kannonshots
Picture Right) Wonder wide receiver Keeon Johnson for all practicle purposes hauled in the winning touchdown in The 2011 Battle for the Bell Game. 32 yard touchdown strike from QB Brandon Eppinger earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for Week #11.
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #11
"Keeon Johnson"
2 Receptions for 44 Yards
1 Touchdown
(A Very Important One!!)
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #11
"Keeon Johnson"
2 Receptions for 44 Yards
1 Touchdown
(A Very Important One!!)
"State 3AA Playoffs Begin"
The Brackets are In
The Wonders found out late Saturday afternoon on October 29, 2011 where they would be seeded and which classification they would fall in. After all the ADMs had been calculated, and geographical locations determined the Wonders would find themselves landing the #3 seed out of the midwest in the 3AA bracket. This put the Wonders in the same classification with some of the heaviest hitters in the state with #4 Marvin Ridge 9-1, #2 South Point 10-0, and #1 Charlotte Catholic 10-0 The Wonders have assured themselves one home game this Friday night with the Panthers of Ledford High School out of Thomasville. If the Wonders win this Friday night they will most assuredly be heading the following Friday night to Belmont to face the Red Raiders of South Point in a second round match. The road is hard and the path is long. The Wonders must put up one of their best runs to date to have a shot at a state title in 2011.
Class 3AA
East #1 (1) Hunt 10-0 #8 (16) West Brunswick 4-6 #4 (6) Gray's Creek 9-1 #5 (7) Nash Central 8-2 #3 (5) Cardinal Gibbons 9-1 #6 (9) DH Conley 7-3 #2 (3) Triton 9-1 #7 (13) Southern Nash 7-3 Midwest #1 (2) Charlotte Catholic 10-0 #8 (13) Hickory Ridge 5-5 #4 (5) Marvin Ridge 9-1 #5 (9) Berry Academy 7-3 #3 (4) AL Brown 9-1 #6 (10) Ledford 6-4 #2 (3) South Point 10-0 #7 (12) Weddington 6-4 |
Class 3AA
Mideast #1 (2) Douglas Byrd 10-0 #8 (15) Orange 5-5 #4 (10) Chapel Hill 8-2 #5 (11) Asheboro 6-4 #3 (8) Western Alamance 7-3 #6 (12) Overhills 4-6 #2 (4) Northern Guilford 9-1 #7 (14) Eastern Guilford 6-4 West #1 (1) Asheville 10-0 #8 (16) Enka 4-6 #4 (8) Erwin 8-2 #5 (11) Ashbrook 6-4 #3 (7) Forestview 4-6 #6 (14) Kings Mountain 4-6 #2 (6) Crest 7-3 #7 (15) St. Stephens 4-6 |
"Round #1 The Panthers of Ledford"
"Wonders Blast Ledford Panthers 54-28 in First Round"
Wonders One/Two Punch explodes to advance to Second Round
KANNAPOLIS — Whether the chinks revealed Friday in A.L. Brown's armor are legitimate or not, coach Mike Newsome at least has something to harp on this week.The Wonders cruised to a relatively easy 54-28 win over Ledford in the first round of the Class 3AA playoffs and will host No. 7 Weddington, a surprise winner over second-seeded South Point, in next week's second round.Brown has rolled through much of its schedule this year, putting up prolific offensive numbers while shutting down opposing offenses. At times the Wonders have looked invincible, but Friday was not one of them.The Wonders surrendered 176 yards to Ledford scatback De Greene, committed 10 penalties, blew several pass coverages and had two turnovers. Their slow start allowed the Panthers to twice take first-quarter leads and meant the game stayed close for much longer than it probably should have.
“Every time that you can win and have some adversity, it's going to help your team in the long run,” Newsome said.
Though the Wonders (11-1) did have their struggles, any dissection of the status quo is dangerous considering the high level of confidence they are displaying and level of play they have sustained since losing their only game to Porter Ridge in September.They still rushed for more than 250 yards – Kalif Phillips and Damien Washington both broke the 100-yard plateau – and quarterback Brandon Eppinger was his usually consistent self, completing 10-of-16 passes for 172 yards and two scores. After falling behind 14-7, Brown scored the game's next 28 points to take a 35-14 halftime lead and put the game away.
“We had a mishap,” said Washington, who scored on a 45-yard touchdown run and rushed 12 times for 106 yards, of Brown's early struggles. “But we got back on track and put some points on the board. We just had to make plays like we always do. “I won't say that we took them lightly, but I don't think we put enough
effort into it in the beginning. I guess we were thinking that maybe they might be a pushover, but they were going to play hard.”
The Panthers (5-7), who scored the game's opening touchdown after capitalizing on Washington's lost fumble, were certainly playing inspired. Greene had rushed for 1,867 yards entering the game and was leading their upset charge until the Wonders slowly began to pull away.
“Offensively we've lived and died on being able to run the football,” Ledford coach Chris Adams said. “... A lot of times we run the football right at you. I don't know how much of that they see during the season. When you get the playoffs, sometimes you see things you don't see in the regular season.“Defensively they are just hard to stop. Bottom line, they made more plays than we did. But I couldn't say enough about my kids' effort.”
Adams was kicking himself after the game for his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 20-yard line midway through the second quarter. The Wonders led 20-14 at the time but stuffed Greene for a one-yard loss on the fourth down and scored two plays later on Phillips' 11-yard touchdown run. It was the beginning of the end for Ledford.
“I was never really concerned,” Newsome said of the early deficit. “I knew we had some weapons and once we got the ball in our hands, [we'd make plays]. We need to do a better job on special teams, but other than that, I felt really good about how they played.”
At least for one more week, the Wonders will have the opportunity to play in Memorial Stadium, which uncharacteristically had a multitude of empty seats for Friday's game. Newsome challenged the home fans to show up in full force for the second-round matchup with Weddington.
“It means a lot,” Washington said of playing another game at home. “When you've got home-field advantage, you've got the fans cheering you on. I know they'd travel with us, but there is nothing like playing here. And it's my senior year, so it's a big thing to me. I might not get a chance to wear this green jersey again.”
(The Salisbury Post)
The Wonders begin the 2011 Playoffs with an impressive victory over their first oponent the Ledford Panthers. The Panthers put up a great battle to make the game interesting until the second half when the Wonders pulled away. The Wonders started the game slow, but again finished strong to qualify for the second round of the state 3AA playoffs next week at home against the Warriors of Weddington. The Warriors surprised the #2 seeded South Point Red Raiders last night in Belmont setting up the unexpected home game next Friday night. Charlotte Catholic took care of business beating the Hickory Ridge Raging Bulls as did the Mavericks of Marvin Ridge who trounced Berry Academy. The Mavericks and the Cougars will meet at Jim Oddo Field this Friday night in the second round. The Weddington Warriors will be no cake walk as anybody good enough to beat South Point will be just as much a threat to beat us. The Wonders preserved their first round playoff win streak and now it's on to the second round. It feels great to get another home game and I hope the fans will come out in force to support the Wonders this Friday night.
(The Editor)
“Every time that you can win and have some adversity, it's going to help your team in the long run,” Newsome said.
Though the Wonders (11-1) did have their struggles, any dissection of the status quo is dangerous considering the high level of confidence they are displaying and level of play they have sustained since losing their only game to Porter Ridge in September.They still rushed for more than 250 yards – Kalif Phillips and Damien Washington both broke the 100-yard plateau – and quarterback Brandon Eppinger was his usually consistent self, completing 10-of-16 passes for 172 yards and two scores. After falling behind 14-7, Brown scored the game's next 28 points to take a 35-14 halftime lead and put the game away.
“We had a mishap,” said Washington, who scored on a 45-yard touchdown run and rushed 12 times for 106 yards, of Brown's early struggles. “But we got back on track and put some points on the board. We just had to make plays like we always do. “I won't say that we took them lightly, but I don't think we put enough
effort into it in the beginning. I guess we were thinking that maybe they might be a pushover, but they were going to play hard.”
The Panthers (5-7), who scored the game's opening touchdown after capitalizing on Washington's lost fumble, were certainly playing inspired. Greene had rushed for 1,867 yards entering the game and was leading their upset charge until the Wonders slowly began to pull away.
“Offensively we've lived and died on being able to run the football,” Ledford coach Chris Adams said. “... A lot of times we run the football right at you. I don't know how much of that they see during the season. When you get the playoffs, sometimes you see things you don't see in the regular season.“Defensively they are just hard to stop. Bottom line, they made more plays than we did. But I couldn't say enough about my kids' effort.”
Adams was kicking himself after the game for his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 20-yard line midway through the second quarter. The Wonders led 20-14 at the time but stuffed Greene for a one-yard loss on the fourth down and scored two plays later on Phillips' 11-yard touchdown run. It was the beginning of the end for Ledford.
“I was never really concerned,” Newsome said of the early deficit. “I knew we had some weapons and once we got the ball in our hands, [we'd make plays]. We need to do a better job on special teams, but other than that, I felt really good about how they played.”
At least for one more week, the Wonders will have the opportunity to play in Memorial Stadium, which uncharacteristically had a multitude of empty seats for Friday's game. Newsome challenged the home fans to show up in full force for the second-round matchup with Weddington.
“It means a lot,” Washington said of playing another game at home. “When you've got home-field advantage, you've got the fans cheering you on. I know they'd travel with us, but there is nothing like playing here. And it's my senior year, so it's a big thing to me. I might not get a chance to wear this green jersey again.”
(The Salisbury Post)
The Wonders begin the 2011 Playoffs with an impressive victory over their first oponent the Ledford Panthers. The Panthers put up a great battle to make the game interesting until the second half when the Wonders pulled away. The Wonders started the game slow, but again finished strong to qualify for the second round of the state 3AA playoffs next week at home against the Warriors of Weddington. The Warriors surprised the #2 seeded South Point Red Raiders last night in Belmont setting up the unexpected home game next Friday night. Charlotte Catholic took care of business beating the Hickory Ridge Raging Bulls as did the Mavericks of Marvin Ridge who trounced Berry Academy. The Mavericks and the Cougars will meet at Jim Oddo Field this Friday night in the second round. The Weddington Warriors will be no cake walk as anybody good enough to beat South Point will be just as much a threat to beat us. The Wonders preserved their first round playoff win streak and now it's on to the second round. It feels great to get another home game and I hope the fans will come out in force to support the Wonders this Friday night.
(The Editor)
"Friday Night's Action with Ledford"
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Left) Wonder runningback Kalif Phillips rushed for 136 yards on ten carries scoring four rushing touchdowns earning him FIK Player of the Game for Round #1 of the State 3AA playoffs
FIK Player of the Game
Week #12
"Kalif Phillips"
136 Yards Rushing, 10 Carries
4 Rushing Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #12
"Kalif Phillips"
136 Yards Rushing, 10 Carries
4 Rushing Touchdowns
Brandon Eppinger #10
(Picture Right) Wonder QB Brandon Eppinger was 10 of 16 passing for 172 yards, and scored a 19 yard rushing touchdown earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for Round #1 of the State 3AA Playoffs
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #12
"Brandon Eppinger"
10 of 16 Passing for 172 Yards
1 19 Yard Rushing Touchdown
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #12
"Brandon Eppinger"
10 of 16 Passing for 172 Yards
1 19 Yard Rushing Touchdown
"Round #2 The Weddington Warriors"
Weddington Warriors 2011 Results
Cuthbertson W 45-13
Forest Hills W 48-27
Kings Mt W 25-14
Ardrey Kell W 31-26
Olympic L 38-6
Parkwood W 49-0
Anson Co W 35-25
Porter Ridge L 38-7
Sun Valley L 11-9
Marvin Ridge L 35-14
State 3AA Playoffs
Round #1 South Point W 23-17
Cuthbertson W 45-13
Forest Hills W 48-27
Kings Mt W 25-14
Ardrey Kell W 31-26
Olympic L 38-6
Parkwood W 49-0
Anson Co W 35-25
Porter Ridge L 38-7
Sun Valley L 11-9
Marvin Ridge L 35-14
State 3AA Playoffs
Round #1 South Point W 23-17
The Weddington Warriors out of Matthews North Carolina come into the second round of the state 3AA playoffs with an overall 7-4 record. The Warriors who are seeded #7 out of the midwest bracket will be riding high after defeating the #2 seeded South Point Red Raiders in Belmont last Friday night. The Warriors scrimmage in the South Carolina 4A/3A Conference where they finished 2-3 in league play. The Warriors return many senior starters, however their key offensive threats are senior quaterback 6'2 190lb Drew Podrebrac, running back Connor Gorham a 5'11 215lb senior, and TE/DE Buck Jones a 6'4 220lb senior. The Warriors are very prolific passing the ball which will put the Wonders behind the eight ball from the start where they have struggled the most. Both Porter Ridge, and Concord had great success passing the ball against the Wonders which means this is an area I'm sure they will exploit. Weddington's new head coach inherited a very competent group from former head coach Justin Hardin who moved onto Rock Hill at the beginning of the 2011 season. This will be a tough game for the Wonders, and you can expect anything to happen. The Warriors have several signature victories in the 2011 campaign of which include victories over Ardrey Kell, and Kings Mountain, not to mention their current upset of the century last week at South Point. The Warriors will be riding high and sitting in one of the most dangerous spots you could have as an underdog after beating a top seeded oponent in the first round. This will be a very scary game for the Wonders so focus must be maintained. If the Wonders win they will either get another home game with a Marvin Ridge victory over Charlotte Catholic or travel to Charlotte Catholic to take on the Cougars in the 3rd round. This will be a fun week.
"Wonders Wrap Warriors 41-20 to Advance to 3rd Round"
Stellar Defensive Effort Ensures Wonders 3rd Round Rematch With Catholic
KANNAPOLIS — For much of the night it seemed as if A.L. Brown coach Mike Newsome was trying to force a round peg into a square hole.Time and again standout Damien Washington would come in motion, take a handoff and gain a handful of yards. His touches were productive, but his 4.45 yards-per-carry average wasn't that impressive on his first 22 attempts. But ultimately the UNC-bound senior proved there was a method to Newsome's madness, sealing a 41-20 win over Weddington in the second round of the 3AA playoffs with a 41-yard touchdown run on his final carry of the game.
“We felt like his speed was an advantage against them,” Newsome said. “We knew we were faster. We knew his speed would eventually prevail. It took until the fourth quarter that it did.”
Washington's heroics came with about three minutes left – the stadium's scoreboard went haywire, forcing officials to keep the game clock on the field for the final eight minutes – and the Wonders (12-1) facing a dogfight. Weddington quarterback Drew Podrebarac had just thrown his third touchdown of the game, cutting Brown's advantage to 27-20. The Wonders recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Washington gained just five yards on two carries to open the drive. However, his next attempt, which saw him outrace the defense down the right sideline, sealed Brown's victory.
“We were just going to feed me the ball and hopefully we'd make a play,” Washington said of Brown's game plan. “We thought we were faster and could beat them to the outside to make plays. We wanted to beat them down until they got tired. “I jab stepped inside and everybody came in to key on me (on the touchdown). Keeon [Johnson] sealed the edge off, and I just ran into the end zone.”
A 28-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brown safety Kaleel Hollis sealed the victory about a minute later. The Wonders advanced to a third-round meeting with top-seeded nemesis Charlotte Catholic, a winner over No. 4 Marvin Ridge. Washington finished with 139 yards and two touchdowns. Tailback Kalif Phillips rushed 19 times for 87 yards but nearly half his carries came on one drive as the 1,500-yard rusher played second fiddle to his teammate. Podrebarac kept the Warriors (7-5) within striking distance all night, completing 17-of-34 passes for 276 yards and two interceptions. After engineering a first-round upset of South Point, the 6-foot-3 senior looked poised to repeat the feat Friday, seemingly making a big play every time the Wonders threatened to blow the game open.
“Our kids work hard,” Weddington coach Tim Carson said. “They are going to give everything they've got every time they come on the field. … In that opening drive of the second half, we get a score to get it back within seven. We went into the fourth quarter with a chance to win. We had that. We just didn't get it tonight.”
Podrebarac tossed a 57-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the second half and drove the Warriors to Brown's 28 late in the third quarter before heaving a pass that was intercepted on 4-and-23. Phillip's second touchdown, a one yarder early in the fourth quarter, upped Brown's lead to 27-13.The Warriors certainly weren't overwhelmed in the first half like so many of Brown's opponents have been this season. The Wonders led by two touchdowns at halftime, outgaining the visitors 168-126 thanks to a balanced offensive effort that included 93 pass yards and 75 rushing yards.This had the making of another early blowout win for the Wonders. They gained 47 yards on the game's opening snap, when Washington took a handoff and connected with Johnson on an end-around pass. Four plays later, Washington scored on a seven-yard run to put Brown up a score less than two minutes into the game. Robert Pinkston's 48-yard punt return for a touchdown upped the margin to two touchdowns late in the first quarter. Ultimately, his score may have been the difference, a point that both coaches made after the game. Still, the Warriors countered with an 80-yard scoring drive punctuated with Podrebarac's nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jake Yurek early in the second quarter. It was a fitting end to a drive that saw Yurek make two miraculous first-down catches to convert a 3-and-13 and a 3-and-7 to extend the drive.
The Wonders seemed to forget about Phillips for much of the first half. He had just four touches – not including the Weddington punt he partially blocked in the first half — in the first 18 minutes but carried the load on Brown's third scoring drive. He had nine carries, including a four-yard touchdown, on the drive, which put the Wonders up 20-6 at halftime. Phillips figures to play a bigger role next week at Charlotte Catholic, which was had Brown's number in their recent playoff battles.
“It comes down to exactly what it should have come down to,” Newsome said. “... It comes down to us and Charlotte Catholic, which is what it should be out of this pod. “Not an uncommon opponent. It's where we wanted to be. It's what we thought it would come down to. Charlotte Catholic has been the thorn in Kannapolis' side. Hopefully we can get over the hump this year.”
(The Salisbury Post)
KANNAPOLIS -- There’s a reason why the Wonders have reached at least the state football quarterfinals four years in a row. Ask Weddington. When challenged, Kannapolis teams tend to respond. The Warriors accomplished some goals. They limited the Wonders’ big plays, and 6-3 senior quarterback Drew Podrebarac passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns. But Weddington netted only 18 rushing yards, threw two second-half interceptions and was burned by a punt return score by Dante Pinkston and an interception return TD by Kaleel Hollis. The Warriors were within 20-13 in the third quarter and 27-20 in the fourth at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, but two late touchdowns added up to a 41-20 Kannapolis 3AA win, the Wonders’ ninth victory in a row. Kannapolis advances to play at Charlotte Catholic, the sixth time in the last seven years the two schools have met in the playoffs. Catholic leads the rivalry 4-1. This will be the fourth time the game is at Catholic.
“The (Midwest) pod is extremely tough,” said Kannapolis coach Mike Newsome. “The pod system is a tough deal. But it comes down to exactly what I think it should have come down to, us and Charlotte Catholic.”
Senior Damien Washington threw a 47-yard halfback pass to Keeon Johnson on the first play and rushed for 141 yards on 23 carries, scoring two touchdowns. The number of rushes was easily the most in a game for Washington, who missed four games in the middle of the regular season because of injury and surgery.
“We just felt like he gives us an advantage,” Newsome said. “He’s so fast. We felt like we were faster than them, especially with Damien’s hands on the ball. We just gave him plenty of opportunities.”
Weddington, which upset previously undefeated South Point a week earlier, didn’t make it easy.
“They were great tacklers,” Newsome said. “They made a lot of tackles with one guy. So I commend them on their effort. Plays that we’ve broken in the past, they made plays on.”
Kalif Phillips added 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Weddington (7-5), down seven points, was at the Wonders’ 15 in the third quarter, but the threat ended when linemen Gerald Holt and Shakil Gore made tackles for losses before Tyrone Washington intercepted a pass as Podrebarac again faced heavy pressure from Kannapolis defenders.The Wonders (12-1) then went 81 yards in 14 plays, three times converting on third down. Damien Washington rushed for 52 yards on the drive en route to 103 yards in the second half. Phillips scored on a one-yard run for a 27-13 lead with 9:43 to play when Erik Amaya added the PAT kick. A 32-yard pass put Weddington at the Kannapolis 32, but Gore’s sack for a 12-yard loss forced the Warriors to punt. A 13-yard punt set Weddington up at its 46, and the Warriors scored by completing five passes to close within 27-20. There was an unknown amount of time left because the scoreboard clock stopped working. Time was kept on the field, but was not relayed to the press box. Weddington’s attempt at an onside kickoff did not go the required 10 yards before it was covered by Hollis at the 46. On third down, Washington went 41 yards around right end and down the sideline for a 34-20 lead. Hollis’ interception return provided the final touchdown. A partial punt block in the second quarter resulted in a nine-yard kick for Weddington. The Wonders moved 50 yards in 15 plays for a 20-6 lead. Phillips ran four yards for the score with 41 seconds left in the half. Neither team fumbled. The Wonders did not have a turnover period.
“Good game,” Newsome said. “Tight game. Just like it’s supposed to be in the playoffs. A good win against a quality team. We got some special teams and defensive help, which is always a plus. Another good win for the Wonders, and move on.”
Washington threw three more halfback passes after the first one, all incompletions.
“They were real aggressive to the football,” Newsome said. “We’d seen them on film beat by some plays like that. We had guys open, we just didn’t complete them when we needed to.”
Asheville will host Shelby Crest in the 3AA West pod quarterfinal. Asheville has seeding advantage through the NCHSAA semifinals. If Crest wins, it would play at either Kannapolis or Catholic in the fourth round.
(Independent/Tribune)
“We felt like his speed was an advantage against them,” Newsome said. “We knew we were faster. We knew his speed would eventually prevail. It took until the fourth quarter that it did.”
Washington's heroics came with about three minutes left – the stadium's scoreboard went haywire, forcing officials to keep the game clock on the field for the final eight minutes – and the Wonders (12-1) facing a dogfight. Weddington quarterback Drew Podrebarac had just thrown his third touchdown of the game, cutting Brown's advantage to 27-20. The Wonders recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Washington gained just five yards on two carries to open the drive. However, his next attempt, which saw him outrace the defense down the right sideline, sealed Brown's victory.
“We were just going to feed me the ball and hopefully we'd make a play,” Washington said of Brown's game plan. “We thought we were faster and could beat them to the outside to make plays. We wanted to beat them down until they got tired. “I jab stepped inside and everybody came in to key on me (on the touchdown). Keeon [Johnson] sealed the edge off, and I just ran into the end zone.”
A 28-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brown safety Kaleel Hollis sealed the victory about a minute later. The Wonders advanced to a third-round meeting with top-seeded nemesis Charlotte Catholic, a winner over No. 4 Marvin Ridge. Washington finished with 139 yards and two touchdowns. Tailback Kalif Phillips rushed 19 times for 87 yards but nearly half his carries came on one drive as the 1,500-yard rusher played second fiddle to his teammate. Podrebarac kept the Warriors (7-5) within striking distance all night, completing 17-of-34 passes for 276 yards and two interceptions. After engineering a first-round upset of South Point, the 6-foot-3 senior looked poised to repeat the feat Friday, seemingly making a big play every time the Wonders threatened to blow the game open.
“Our kids work hard,” Weddington coach Tim Carson said. “They are going to give everything they've got every time they come on the field. … In that opening drive of the second half, we get a score to get it back within seven. We went into the fourth quarter with a chance to win. We had that. We just didn't get it tonight.”
Podrebarac tossed a 57-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the second half and drove the Warriors to Brown's 28 late in the third quarter before heaving a pass that was intercepted on 4-and-23. Phillip's second touchdown, a one yarder early in the fourth quarter, upped Brown's lead to 27-13.The Warriors certainly weren't overwhelmed in the first half like so many of Brown's opponents have been this season. The Wonders led by two touchdowns at halftime, outgaining the visitors 168-126 thanks to a balanced offensive effort that included 93 pass yards and 75 rushing yards.This had the making of another early blowout win for the Wonders. They gained 47 yards on the game's opening snap, when Washington took a handoff and connected with Johnson on an end-around pass. Four plays later, Washington scored on a seven-yard run to put Brown up a score less than two minutes into the game. Robert Pinkston's 48-yard punt return for a touchdown upped the margin to two touchdowns late in the first quarter. Ultimately, his score may have been the difference, a point that both coaches made after the game. Still, the Warriors countered with an 80-yard scoring drive punctuated with Podrebarac's nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jake Yurek early in the second quarter. It was a fitting end to a drive that saw Yurek make two miraculous first-down catches to convert a 3-and-13 and a 3-and-7 to extend the drive.
The Wonders seemed to forget about Phillips for much of the first half. He had just four touches – not including the Weddington punt he partially blocked in the first half — in the first 18 minutes but carried the load on Brown's third scoring drive. He had nine carries, including a four-yard touchdown, on the drive, which put the Wonders up 20-6 at halftime. Phillips figures to play a bigger role next week at Charlotte Catholic, which was had Brown's number in their recent playoff battles.
“It comes down to exactly what it should have come down to,” Newsome said. “... It comes down to us and Charlotte Catholic, which is what it should be out of this pod. “Not an uncommon opponent. It's where we wanted to be. It's what we thought it would come down to. Charlotte Catholic has been the thorn in Kannapolis' side. Hopefully we can get over the hump this year.”
(The Salisbury Post)
KANNAPOLIS -- There’s a reason why the Wonders have reached at least the state football quarterfinals four years in a row. Ask Weddington. When challenged, Kannapolis teams tend to respond. The Warriors accomplished some goals. They limited the Wonders’ big plays, and 6-3 senior quarterback Drew Podrebarac passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns. But Weddington netted only 18 rushing yards, threw two second-half interceptions and was burned by a punt return score by Dante Pinkston and an interception return TD by Kaleel Hollis. The Warriors were within 20-13 in the third quarter and 27-20 in the fourth at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, but two late touchdowns added up to a 41-20 Kannapolis 3AA win, the Wonders’ ninth victory in a row. Kannapolis advances to play at Charlotte Catholic, the sixth time in the last seven years the two schools have met in the playoffs. Catholic leads the rivalry 4-1. This will be the fourth time the game is at Catholic.
“The (Midwest) pod is extremely tough,” said Kannapolis coach Mike Newsome. “The pod system is a tough deal. But it comes down to exactly what I think it should have come down to, us and Charlotte Catholic.”
Senior Damien Washington threw a 47-yard halfback pass to Keeon Johnson on the first play and rushed for 141 yards on 23 carries, scoring two touchdowns. The number of rushes was easily the most in a game for Washington, who missed four games in the middle of the regular season because of injury and surgery.
“We just felt like he gives us an advantage,” Newsome said. “He’s so fast. We felt like we were faster than them, especially with Damien’s hands on the ball. We just gave him plenty of opportunities.”
Weddington, which upset previously undefeated South Point a week earlier, didn’t make it easy.
“They were great tacklers,” Newsome said. “They made a lot of tackles with one guy. So I commend them on their effort. Plays that we’ve broken in the past, they made plays on.”
Kalif Phillips added 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Weddington (7-5), down seven points, was at the Wonders’ 15 in the third quarter, but the threat ended when linemen Gerald Holt and Shakil Gore made tackles for losses before Tyrone Washington intercepted a pass as Podrebarac again faced heavy pressure from Kannapolis defenders.The Wonders (12-1) then went 81 yards in 14 plays, three times converting on third down. Damien Washington rushed for 52 yards on the drive en route to 103 yards in the second half. Phillips scored on a one-yard run for a 27-13 lead with 9:43 to play when Erik Amaya added the PAT kick. A 32-yard pass put Weddington at the Kannapolis 32, but Gore’s sack for a 12-yard loss forced the Warriors to punt. A 13-yard punt set Weddington up at its 46, and the Warriors scored by completing five passes to close within 27-20. There was an unknown amount of time left because the scoreboard clock stopped working. Time was kept on the field, but was not relayed to the press box. Weddington’s attempt at an onside kickoff did not go the required 10 yards before it was covered by Hollis at the 46. On third down, Washington went 41 yards around right end and down the sideline for a 34-20 lead. Hollis’ interception return provided the final touchdown. A partial punt block in the second quarter resulted in a nine-yard kick for Weddington. The Wonders moved 50 yards in 15 plays for a 20-6 lead. Phillips ran four yards for the score with 41 seconds left in the half. Neither team fumbled. The Wonders did not have a turnover period.
“Good game,” Newsome said. “Tight game. Just like it’s supposed to be in the playoffs. A good win against a quality team. We got some special teams and defensive help, which is always a plus. Another good win for the Wonders, and move on.”
Washington threw three more halfback passes after the first one, all incompletions.
“They were real aggressive to the football,” Newsome said. “We’d seen them on film beat by some plays like that. We had guys open, we just didn’t complete them when we needed to.”
Asheville will host Shelby Crest in the 3AA West pod quarterfinal. Asheville has seeding advantage through the NCHSAA semifinals. If Crest wins, it would play at either Kannapolis or Catholic in the fourth round.
(Independent/Tribune)
"Friday Nights 2nd Round Action with Weddington"
Damien Washington #12
(Picture Left) Wonder Athlete Damien Washington rushed for 139 yards on twenty two carries scoring two touchdowns earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #13.
FIK Player of the Game
Week #13
"Damien Washington"
141 Yards Rushing, 23 Carries
2 Touchdowns
FIK Player of the Game
Week #13
"Damien Washington"
141 Yards Rushing, 23 Carries
2 Touchdowns
Kalil Hollis #21
(Picture Right) Wonder safety Kalil Hollis intercepted a Warrior pass and took it twenty eight yards for a critical game clinching touchdown earning him FIK Co Player of the Game for week #13.
FIK CO Player of the Game
Week #13
"Kalil Hollis"
"Scored game clinching touchdown on a
twenty eight yards pick six"
FIK CO Player of the Game
Week #13
"Kalil Hollis"
"Scored game clinching touchdown on a
twenty eight yards pick six"
"Round #3 Charlotte Catholic Cougars"
2011 Varsity Football Results
S. Meck W 46-28
Providence W 42-0
Char Country Day W 21-7
Char Latin W 49-14
Garinger W 50-14
W.Meck W 42-22
Harding U W 49-0
Berry Academy W 48-26
E. Gaston W 42-18
Olympic W 55-20
State 3AA Playoffs
Hickory Ridge W 42-14
Marvin Ridge W 49-28
S. Meck W 46-28
Providence W 42-0
Char Country Day W 21-7
Char Latin W 49-14
Garinger W 50-14
W.Meck W 42-22
Harding U W 49-0
Berry Academy W 48-26
E. Gaston W 42-18
Olympic W 55-20
State 3AA Playoffs
Hickory Ridge W 42-14
Marvin Ridge W 49-28
"A Familiar Face, An Unsuccessful History"
With the Wonder victory over Weddington, and a very convincing Charlotte Catholic victory over Marvin Ridge two giants in high school football will cross paths yet again in what has come to be over the last six years a very intense rivalry between one public and one private school for supremacy in 3AA football. The edge has swung heavily in favor of the Cougars of Charlotte Catholic, and to many Wonder fans the Cougars have become the one nagging thorn that simply will not go away. In six of the last five years the Wonders and Cougars have met in the playoffs with the Cougars holding a commanding four to one advantage in this history. This Friday night will mark the sixth time the two teams have squared off, and this year will be two in a row where it has come in the third round. Since 2008 the third round of the playoffs has been the Wonders albatross being knocked out in 2009 by the South Point Red Raiders 24-7, and by the Catholic Cougars 45-7 at home in Memorial Stadium.
This Friday will be the Wonders fourth trip to Keffer Stadium at Jim Oddo Field with the last trip being in 2008 when the Wonders shocked the Cougars in a last minute miracle comeback to win 28-27. That was a different bunch of Cougars entirely, and this week they will face a Cougar team who has steam rolled over every oponent they have faced in the 2011 campaign. This will be much like the very first meeting in 2005 where the Wonders came to town after defeating the #1 ranked team in the state in the West Rowan Falcons. Last year the Cougars were shocked in the Western Regional final by the Crest Chargers who advanced to the state 3AA playoffs losing to Northern Guilford. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Asheville/Crest game in the Western Regional Championship.
This Friday will be the Wonders fourth trip to Keffer Stadium at Jim Oddo Field with the last trip being in 2008 when the Wonders shocked the Cougars in a last minute miracle comeback to win 28-27. That was a different bunch of Cougars entirely, and this week they will face a Cougar team who has steam rolled over every oponent they have faced in the 2011 campaign. This will be much like the very first meeting in 2005 where the Wonders came to town after defeating the #1 ranked team in the state in the West Rowan Falcons. Last year the Cougars were shocked in the Western Regional final by the Crest Chargers who advanced to the state 3AA playoffs losing to Northern Guilford. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Asheville/Crest game in the Western Regional Championship.
Cougars End Wonders Season 35-9 in 3rd Round
3rd Round Jynx Steals Wonders Hopes to Advance to Semi Finals
CHARLOTTE — As coach Mike Newsome did his best to console his team in a post-game huddle, one A.L. Brown fan walked over to another wearing a wry smile. “We just can't get over the hump,” he told his friend.
The hump has turned into a mountain. Charlotte Catholic defeated the Wonders in the postseason for the fifth time in seven years, erasing a two-point halftime deficit in a 35-9 win in the Class 3AA playoffs Friday.
The Wonders (12-2), who hadn't lost since September, dominated the first half but settled for three field goals on three trips into the red zone. Though they led at the break, their inability to punch the ball in for touchdowns ultimately cost them in the second half, when the Cougars began to impart their will against the Wonders – again. Catholic hammered Brown 45-7 in the playoffs last season, adding to postseason victories over the Wonders in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
“Really bad, really bad. I can't even explain it,” Wonders receiver Keeon Johnson said, trying to explain the emotions of suffering another loss to the Cougars.
With Newsome leading the Wonders against the Cougars for the first time, Johnson and Co. were in position to write a new script in this rivalry. It looked for awhile like that might happen. The Wonders led 9-7 at halftime, holding Catholic to 94 first-half yards – 42 of them came on a touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Brodowicz to tight end Mark Harrell – and running 18 more plays. However, Brown never recovered after Catholic took the second-half kickoff, drove 72 yards in 13 plays and scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run from halfback Elijah Hood nearly seven minutes into the third quarter.
“I think we kind of beat on them a little bit until the third quarter,” Catholic coach Jim Oddo said. “They weren't quite as effective. But they got bad breaks and we got good breaks. I think we'd have won anyway, but it would have been a lot closer. “It's always going to be a damn war,” Oddo said of playing the Wonders. “It just is. It was tonight.”
Catholic won the battle and the war, its Wing-T offense slowly wearing down the Wonders and it opportunistic, give-but-don't-break defense making pivotal plays down the stretch. The Cougars outgained the Wonders 198 to 107 in the second half and picked off Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger, who was 16-of-28 passing, on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter. On all three interceptions, Eppinger was trying to force the ball to Johnson, who was double-, triple- and even quadruple-teamed at times. Even though he caught eight passes for 113 yards, the attention he received severely limited the Wonders' ability to make big plays in the passing game. Brown tailback Kalif Phillips finished with 89 yards on 19 carries, but his teammates combined for minus-3 rushing yards. Still, the Wonders could have been the team moving on had they managed a few first-half touchdowns. Instead,
they had to settle for field goals of 31, 31 and 20 yards from kick Erik Amaya.
“It's frustrating as many times as we were able to get it in this year,” Newsome said. “To not be able to score when we were down there was frustrating, but you can't doubt our kids. They gave us their all tonight, and I appreciate them for that.”
Johnson was equally frustrated with the Wonders' red-zone woes.
“It gets you mad,” he said. “You do all this hard work trying to get there. You're tired and stuff and you're inside the 20 and can't get a touchdown. You have to settle for a field goal. It's was aggravating.“I can't really tell you honestly [what happened in the second half]. We just fell off. Just the small things you're supposed to do didn't happen for us.”
Catholic's five-point, second-half lead grew late in the third quarter, when a scrambling Brodowicz hit David Herlocker for a 41-yard touchdown pass, pushing his team's lead to 12 points. Hood's 86-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter sealed the Wonders' fate, and Nick George's 69-yard
interception return for a touchdown rubbed salt in the wound.
“It's big motivation,” said Johnson, a junior. “We're going to work 10 times harder even though the season is over. Even during basketball season, we'll be out there getting better. We'll be ready next season. We won't lose. I promise you that much.”
(The Salisbury Post)
Charlotte -- Only two teams beat the Kannapolis Wonders this football season. Both of them, still undefeated, will play in state semifinal games on Friday. Charlotte Catholic did Porter Ridge one better, holding the Wonders’ potent offense without a touchdown in a 35-9 win at Keffer Stadium. Three field goals by Erik Amaya put the Wonders ahead 9-7 at halftime, giving the visitors hope that they could match the 2008 team’s victory at Catholic, the one time the Cougars have fallen to the Wonders in six postseason meetings over the past seven years. But the Cougars (13-0) took the second half kickoff and moved 72 yards in a 15-play drive that took nearly seven minutes to complete.
“I think they’d be tough to prepare for if you have a month to prepare, especially as good and as big and as physical as they are,” said first-year Kannapolis coach Mike Newsome. “They’re a good football team, and one thing you do is you beat yourself up trying to prepare for them, trying to run that offense. It’s basically a rugby scrum in there when you’re trying to do those things. You wind up getting people with twisted ankles and all types of things.”
On the Cougars’ go-ahead drive, the Wonders (12-2) thought they had recovered a Catholic fumble inside the 5, but the ball was ruled dead at the 4. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, added to 30 yards in personal-foul calls during the march, put the ball at the 2. Elijah Hood’s one-yard run helped the Cougars to a 14-9 lead. When Kannapolis finally got the ball, an intentional grounding penalty put the Wonders in a hole, then a busted play cost two more yards. They punted on the only possession they would get in the third quarter. Catholic, which had scored at least 42 points in every game except one, added a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. Scrambling quarterback Jack Brodowicz found David Herlocker for a 41-yard scoring pass and a 21-9 lead. Damien Washington, who is headed first to the Shrine Bowl and eventually to the University of North Carolina to play football, returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards to the Kannapolis 49. Keyed by Brandon Eppinger’s 18-yard pass to Keeon Johnson, the Wonders had the ball at Catholic’s 30, but an interception in the endzone started a run of three straight pickoffs by the Cougars, who also intercepted three passes a week earlier while beating Marvin Ridge.
The third interception was returned 69 yards for the final score.The Wonders netted 93 yards rushing. Kalif Phillips finished a stellar junior season with 91 yards on 19 carries. Johnson, also a junior, had eight receptions for 116 yards. Eppinger passedfor 156 yards. Eppinger completed 16 of 28 passes while Washington was 0-for-1 passing as the Wonders threw more than usual, first trying to thwart Catholic’s defense and then in an attempt to come from behind. In 12 wins this season, the Wonders averaged over 46 points. But Catholic again had the answer as the Wonders lost their third consecutive state quarterfinal game.
“It’s frustrating, but you can’t doubt our kids,” Newsome said. “They gave us their all tonight. And I appreciate them for that. It’s just tough luck for our great group of young men.”
Catholic will host Shelby Crest next. Crest eliminated the Cougars from theplayoffs in the semifinals last year. Porter Ridge, which beat the Wonders 41-13 in week four, entertains Mooresville in a 4A semifinal. For undefeated Porter Ridge, coached by A.L.Brown alum Blair Hardin, it marks a second straight semifinal advance. Newsome came to Kannapolis after coaching Butler to back-to-back state 4AA titles. Butler lost to Greensboro Page in their quarterfinal game Friday.
“We’ve got to win a state championship,” Newsome said. “That’s always going to be my goal. It was my goal before we won them at Butler. That will never not be my goal. We’ll work hard in the offseason. Now you get a full year with them to prepare. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got 30-something great seniors to replace. That’s going to be tough to do. Kannapolis will be back. They’re good every single year.”
After addressing the team following the game, Newsome spoke to the seniors, then shared hug after hug with the departing Kannapolis players.
“You’ve got a great group of young men,” Newsome said. “You’ve got a great group of assistant coaches and you’ve got a great group of fan support that do a fabulous job. The stands were packed tonight. What more can you ask for? Guys that play hard. Guys that it means something to. A lot of tradition. A coach couldn’t be in a better place.”
The hump has turned into a mountain. Charlotte Catholic defeated the Wonders in the postseason for the fifth time in seven years, erasing a two-point halftime deficit in a 35-9 win in the Class 3AA playoffs Friday.
The Wonders (12-2), who hadn't lost since September, dominated the first half but settled for three field goals on three trips into the red zone. Though they led at the break, their inability to punch the ball in for touchdowns ultimately cost them in the second half, when the Cougars began to impart their will against the Wonders – again. Catholic hammered Brown 45-7 in the playoffs last season, adding to postseason victories over the Wonders in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
“Really bad, really bad. I can't even explain it,” Wonders receiver Keeon Johnson said, trying to explain the emotions of suffering another loss to the Cougars.
With Newsome leading the Wonders against the Cougars for the first time, Johnson and Co. were in position to write a new script in this rivalry. It looked for awhile like that might happen. The Wonders led 9-7 at halftime, holding Catholic to 94 first-half yards – 42 of them came on a touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Brodowicz to tight end Mark Harrell – and running 18 more plays. However, Brown never recovered after Catholic took the second-half kickoff, drove 72 yards in 13 plays and scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run from halfback Elijah Hood nearly seven minutes into the third quarter.
“I think we kind of beat on them a little bit until the third quarter,” Catholic coach Jim Oddo said. “They weren't quite as effective. But they got bad breaks and we got good breaks. I think we'd have won anyway, but it would have been a lot closer. “It's always going to be a damn war,” Oddo said of playing the Wonders. “It just is. It was tonight.”
Catholic won the battle and the war, its Wing-T offense slowly wearing down the Wonders and it opportunistic, give-but-don't-break defense making pivotal plays down the stretch. The Cougars outgained the Wonders 198 to 107 in the second half and picked off Brown quarterback Brandon Eppinger, who was 16-of-28 passing, on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter. On all three interceptions, Eppinger was trying to force the ball to Johnson, who was double-, triple- and even quadruple-teamed at times. Even though he caught eight passes for 113 yards, the attention he received severely limited the Wonders' ability to make big plays in the passing game. Brown tailback Kalif Phillips finished with 89 yards on 19 carries, but his teammates combined for minus-3 rushing yards. Still, the Wonders could have been the team moving on had they managed a few first-half touchdowns. Instead,
they had to settle for field goals of 31, 31 and 20 yards from kick Erik Amaya.
“It's frustrating as many times as we were able to get it in this year,” Newsome said. “To not be able to score when we were down there was frustrating, but you can't doubt our kids. They gave us their all tonight, and I appreciate them for that.”
Johnson was equally frustrated with the Wonders' red-zone woes.
“It gets you mad,” he said. “You do all this hard work trying to get there. You're tired and stuff and you're inside the 20 and can't get a touchdown. You have to settle for a field goal. It's was aggravating.“I can't really tell you honestly [what happened in the second half]. We just fell off. Just the small things you're supposed to do didn't happen for us.”
Catholic's five-point, second-half lead grew late in the third quarter, when a scrambling Brodowicz hit David Herlocker for a 41-yard touchdown pass, pushing his team's lead to 12 points. Hood's 86-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter sealed the Wonders' fate, and Nick George's 69-yard
interception return for a touchdown rubbed salt in the wound.
“It's big motivation,” said Johnson, a junior. “We're going to work 10 times harder even though the season is over. Even during basketball season, we'll be out there getting better. We'll be ready next season. We won't lose. I promise you that much.”
(The Salisbury Post)
Charlotte -- Only two teams beat the Kannapolis Wonders this football season. Both of them, still undefeated, will play in state semifinal games on Friday. Charlotte Catholic did Porter Ridge one better, holding the Wonders’ potent offense without a touchdown in a 35-9 win at Keffer Stadium. Three field goals by Erik Amaya put the Wonders ahead 9-7 at halftime, giving the visitors hope that they could match the 2008 team’s victory at Catholic, the one time the Cougars have fallen to the Wonders in six postseason meetings over the past seven years. But the Cougars (13-0) took the second half kickoff and moved 72 yards in a 15-play drive that took nearly seven minutes to complete.
“I think they’d be tough to prepare for if you have a month to prepare, especially as good and as big and as physical as they are,” said first-year Kannapolis coach Mike Newsome. “They’re a good football team, and one thing you do is you beat yourself up trying to prepare for them, trying to run that offense. It’s basically a rugby scrum in there when you’re trying to do those things. You wind up getting people with twisted ankles and all types of things.”
On the Cougars’ go-ahead drive, the Wonders (12-2) thought they had recovered a Catholic fumble inside the 5, but the ball was ruled dead at the 4. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, added to 30 yards in personal-foul calls during the march, put the ball at the 2. Elijah Hood’s one-yard run helped the Cougars to a 14-9 lead. When Kannapolis finally got the ball, an intentional grounding penalty put the Wonders in a hole, then a busted play cost two more yards. They punted on the only possession they would get in the third quarter. Catholic, which had scored at least 42 points in every game except one, added a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. Scrambling quarterback Jack Brodowicz found David Herlocker for a 41-yard scoring pass and a 21-9 lead. Damien Washington, who is headed first to the Shrine Bowl and eventually to the University of North Carolina to play football, returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards to the Kannapolis 49. Keyed by Brandon Eppinger’s 18-yard pass to Keeon Johnson, the Wonders had the ball at Catholic’s 30, but an interception in the endzone started a run of three straight pickoffs by the Cougars, who also intercepted three passes a week earlier while beating Marvin Ridge.
The third interception was returned 69 yards for the final score.The Wonders netted 93 yards rushing. Kalif Phillips finished a stellar junior season with 91 yards on 19 carries. Johnson, also a junior, had eight receptions for 116 yards. Eppinger passedfor 156 yards. Eppinger completed 16 of 28 passes while Washington was 0-for-1 passing as the Wonders threw more than usual, first trying to thwart Catholic’s defense and then in an attempt to come from behind. In 12 wins this season, the Wonders averaged over 46 points. But Catholic again had the answer as the Wonders lost their third consecutive state quarterfinal game.
“It’s frustrating, but you can’t doubt our kids,” Newsome said. “They gave us their all tonight. And I appreciate them for that. It’s just tough luck for our great group of young men.”
Catholic will host Shelby Crest next. Crest eliminated the Cougars from theplayoffs in the semifinals last year. Porter Ridge, which beat the Wonders 41-13 in week four, entertains Mooresville in a 4A semifinal. For undefeated Porter Ridge, coached by A.L.Brown alum Blair Hardin, it marks a second straight semifinal advance. Newsome came to Kannapolis after coaching Butler to back-to-back state 4AA titles. Butler lost to Greensboro Page in their quarterfinal game Friday.
“We’ve got to win a state championship,” Newsome said. “That’s always going to be my goal. It was my goal before we won them at Butler. That will never not be my goal. We’ll work hard in the offseason. Now you get a full year with them to prepare. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got 30-something great seniors to replace. That’s going to be tough to do. Kannapolis will be back. They’re good every single year.”
After addressing the team following the game, Newsome spoke to the seniors, then shared hug after hug with the departing Kannapolis players.
“You’ve got a great group of young men,” Newsome said. “You’ve got a great group of assistant coaches and you’ve got a great group of fan support that do a fabulous job. The stands were packed tonight. What more can you ask for? Guys that play hard. Guys that it means something to. A lot of tradition. A coach couldn’t be in a better place.”
Friday Nights 3rd Round Action with Charlotte Catholic
Erik Amaya #39
(Picture Left) Wonder kicker Erik Amaya kicked three field goals of 31, 31, and 28 yards accounting for all nine of the Wonders points earning him FIK Player of the Game for week #14
FIK Player of the Game
Week #14
"Erik Amaya"
Three Field Goals
9 total points
FIK Player of the Game
Week #14
"Erik Amaya"
Three Field Goals
9 total points
Kalif Phillips #17
(Picture Right) Wonder runningback Kalif Phillips rushed for eighty nine yards on nineteen carries earning him FIK Player of the Game for week # 14
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #1
"Kalif Phillips"
89 Yards Rushing, Nineteen Carries
FIK Co Player of the Game
Week #1
"Kalif Phillips"
89 Yards Rushing, Nineteen Carries
"Time to Reflect, and Assess"
Summing up the 2011 Football Season
Our New Coach
As the 2011 season ended at Charlotte Catholic Friday night in the third round we as Wonder nation must now face the long winter months ahead in reflection on a great season, and in anticipation for the next season to begin. The 2011 season didn't end as we all may have liked, but the winning continued nonetheless. So what did the 2011 season accomplish, and what did we learn from it to apply towards 2012? This year we welcomed a new head coach in Mike Newsome, and most of us now know the caliber of coach we have, and his obvious passion for the game and his team. Coach Newsome has fire, and is not afraid to express himself openly out there on the field. Observing the atmosphere from the sidelines this year I can say with all certainty that the players respond to the new coach, and a relationship has been built with the underclassmen. Coach Newsome has brought back an air of excitement, and fun to Wonder football that has been missing for some time now. Coach Newsome in his first year succeeded in delivering the Wonders a second straight undisputed South Piedmont Conference Championship, and victories over our three biggest regular season rivals in South Rowan, Northwest Cabarrus, and Concord. Coach Newsome became the highest point scoring coach of all the first year Wonder head coaches in Wonder Football history. The 2011 Mike Newsome coached Wonders put up 582 total points in fourteen games which is now a record among first year head coaches at A.L Brown High School. Defensively the Wonders allowed 224 points in fourteen outings.
We learned a great deal about coach Newsome's coaching philosophy, and for twelve games out of a fourteen game season the philosophy worked. A new philosophy coupled with a new scheme takes time to implement, and it didn't take long for Coach Newsome, and his multiple offense to catch on in K-Town. For the first time in many years the offense was not predictable, and for the better part of the season the defense was lights out against it's oponents. All in all the 2011 season was a major success for the first year coach, and we should all be very pleased with the direction our program will be going in the years to come with him at the helm. Though we still fell in the third round to our long time nemisis Charlotte Catholic I believe we all saw a team that could compete with the giant and competed well barring a few intangibles. The coaching in the near future I believe will be as solid as we have ever seen, and there is plenty of reason to be very optomistic for the future.
We learned a great deal about coach Newsome's coaching philosophy, and for twelve games out of a fourteen game season the philosophy worked. A new philosophy coupled with a new scheme takes time to implement, and it didn't take long for Coach Newsome, and his multiple offense to catch on in K-Town. For the first time in many years the offense was not predictable, and for the better part of the season the defense was lights out against it's oponents. All in all the 2011 season was a major success for the first year coach, and we should all be very pleased with the direction our program will be going in the years to come with him at the helm. Though we still fell in the third round to our long time nemisis Charlotte Catholic I believe we all saw a team that could compete with the giant and competed well barring a few intangibles. The coaching in the near future I believe will be as solid as we have ever seen, and there is plenty of reason to be very optomistic for the future.
"The Coach"
"The Players"
Outgoing
The 2011 Wonders Varsity Football Squad fielded a 73 man roster beginning the 2011 season with thirty five seniors, thirty three juniors, and one sophmore. The biggest hit for 2012 will come on the defensive side of the ball where many of the Wonders heaviest hitters will be graduating this spring. Some of those heavy hitters include:
(DE) Darius Rice, (DE) Slomon Parks, (DE) Gerald Holt, (DE) Steven Jordan (LB) Perry Kesler, (LB) John Bass, (LB) Tyrone Washington, (DL) Jericho Rivers, (DL) Anthony Shaw, (DB) Kalil Hollis, (DB) Jamar Clemmons (DB) Darius Willis (DB) Desmond Lawson
The offensive line will be the next heaviest hit including (OL) Zeb Ritchie, (OL) Hunter Morris, (OL) Phillip Halstenburg, (OL) Rashon Preston, (OL) Darrin Torrence (OL) Deterius Moody.
Offensively in the skill positions (ATH) Damien Washington, (WR) Terrance Highsmith, (QB) Brandon Eppinger, (HB) Xavier Stanback.
None of these guys will be easy to replace, and many of the JV's coming up will have to step up and work hard in the off season to get stronger and faster. A good turnout for 2012 Summer Warriors will be a must.
(DE) Darius Rice, (DE) Slomon Parks, (DE) Gerald Holt, (DE) Steven Jordan (LB) Perry Kesler, (LB) John Bass, (LB) Tyrone Washington, (DL) Jericho Rivers, (DL) Anthony Shaw, (DB) Kalil Hollis, (DB) Jamar Clemmons (DB) Darius Willis (DB) Desmond Lawson
The offensive line will be the next heaviest hit including (OL) Zeb Ritchie, (OL) Hunter Morris, (OL) Phillip Halstenburg, (OL) Rashon Preston, (OL) Darrin Torrence (OL) Deterius Moody.
Offensively in the skill positions (ATH) Damien Washington, (WR) Terrance Highsmith, (QB) Brandon Eppinger, (HB) Xavier Stanback.
None of these guys will be easy to replace, and many of the JV's coming up will have to step up and work hard in the off season to get stronger and faster. A good turnout for 2012 Summer Warriors will be a must.
Key Wonders Making Their Exit in 2012
Impact Seniors
"Who is Coming In?"
Players Poised to Make an Impact in 2012
Joining the 33 rising seniors from the 2011 varsity squad will be members of a junior varsity squad that went undefeated for the 2011 campaign capturing the South Piedmont Conference title for 2011. The question marks will once again be on the offensive, and defensive lines. The offensive and defensive lines for the junior varsity team was averaging 220-235 pounds accross the board which is quite a bit smaller than some of the lines of the past. Though coach Hagler openly commented he would sacrifice size for speed this is an area that definitley needs to bulk up a bit before summer warriors begins. We must continue to be physical in both of these areas of the game.
In the skill positions the Wonders will need to replace Damien Washington to compliment the 1500 yard rusher for 2011 Kalif Phillips. Phillips will most definitley be the focal point of the offense going into the 2012 campaign, and I most assuredly see him being one of the "Big 22" beginning the 2012 season. Phillips finished the 2011 season with 1589 yards rushing on 174 carries scoring 31 touchdowns in the process. Sharing responsibilities at this position will most likely be E.J. Dean, Salvadore Guitierrez, and Gabe Lucero. The next skill position question will be at the quarterback slot where I foresee a competition for starting postion between Keenan Medley, and Andrew Ramirez. This will be another legitimate question mark for the Wonders going into the 2012 season. The loss of Brandon Eppinger will be big. Brandon had a great year, and was an acurate passer when given time to set up. To be more succsessful in this area it will help to have a QB who can scramble. This will be an area I'm sure coach Newsome will take special interest in. Whoever the QB becomes he will have a super target in WR Keeon Johnson. Johnson stepped up this year as a premiere receiver finishing the 2011 season with 32 receptions for 692 yards and 9 touchdowns. To be able to mix it up will be beneficial for the Wonders in the grand scheme of things.
In the skill positions the Wonders will need to replace Damien Washington to compliment the 1500 yard rusher for 2011 Kalif Phillips. Phillips will most definitley be the focal point of the offense going into the 2012 campaign, and I most assuredly see him being one of the "Big 22" beginning the 2012 season. Phillips finished the 2011 season with 1589 yards rushing on 174 carries scoring 31 touchdowns in the process. Sharing responsibilities at this position will most likely be E.J. Dean, Salvadore Guitierrez, and Gabe Lucero. The next skill position question will be at the quarterback slot where I foresee a competition for starting postion between Keenan Medley, and Andrew Ramirez. This will be another legitimate question mark for the Wonders going into the 2012 season. The loss of Brandon Eppinger will be big. Brandon had a great year, and was an acurate passer when given time to set up. To be more succsessful in this area it will help to have a QB who can scramble. This will be an area I'm sure coach Newsome will take special interest in. Whoever the QB becomes he will have a super target in WR Keeon Johnson. Johnson stepped up this year as a premiere receiver finishing the 2011 season with 32 receptions for 692 yards and 9 touchdowns. To be able to mix it up will be beneficial for the Wonders in the grand scheme of things.
"Key Personnel Returning in 2012"
"Closing Thoughts from the Editor"
2011 is history, and now we look towards 2012. The 2011 season in my perspective turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be, "One Heck of a Ride" We were all blessed to see a great group of Wonders pull together, and give another great run towards the state title as predicted falling just three games short in the end. We run roughshod through the SPC once again, and fell once in the regular season to a powerful Porter Ridge team. We saw a new head coach come in and breath new fire into a program that in my opinion has become lazy after all the winning seasons. A kick in the butt was needed, and it came in the form of one Mike Newsome. We got to see many great offensive athletes step up this year and put up five hundred and eighty two points on their oponents over the course of fourteen games. We saw the coming out party of a new Wonder running threat in Kalif Phillips, and saw the continuance of tried and true athlete in Damien Washington. We saw a pro style quarterback in Brandon Eppinger connect many times with his receivers giving us needed points in critical moments in the football game, and we saw a defense rise to the occasion time and time again pitching four shutouts in the process. The 2011 season in short was awesome, and there is no need to think that 2012 will be any different.
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to take this opportunity to thank all of the 2011 Wonders for taking us on a fantastic journey in 2011, and for your dedication and commitment to excellence. You exemplified what it truly means to be a Wonder. You faced some adversity, and didnt let it take away your spirit. You rallied around eachother, and pushed eachother to be the best you could be every Friday night. There was no finger pointing this year that I could see, and every player took responsibility for their performance. Your work ethic was second to none, and everyone bought into the new philosophy coach Newsome brought with him from Butler, and made it work. You should all be commended for your efforts.
Friday night at Charlotte Catholic was very emotional for me as I said goodbye for the last time on the gridiron to many friends I've spent time with on that sideline for the last several years, and it was not pleasant to realize it was over. Steven, Damien, Darius, Brandon, Tyrone, Solomon, Jericho, Xavier, Perry, John, RJ, G, Phillip,Terrance, Kalil, and Hunter, I've been there with you since the JVs and I can truly say it will not be the same without you. Damien, You remember I discovered you back in 2009 when you make it big LOL. Hunter, I am truly sorry your senior season ended the way it did. You deserved different, but that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger, and I know you will go far in your chosen field of endeavor. Tyrone, you are a class act, and I know you will go far in life. "My Son Steven Jordan", I will miss you most. That smile that was always on your face, and that drive you had to win was inspiring. I could get uplifted just talking to you. You possess a quality that is rare in most human beings, you are real. Kalil, I will miss you posing when you knew I was pointing that camera in your direction LOL. "G" I dont know what to say about you other than I love ya, and We will miss you at the IHOP. Enough of the emotional side. I wish all of the graduating seniors the very best in life, and my prayer is that all of you will remember who you are, and represent the green and white as proudly ten years from now as you have today. God Bless all of you.
To all of Wonder nation it has been great bringing Friday Nights in K-Town to all of you this year, and you can be assured that I will be here bringing you this site for many years to come. For 2012 I challenge you to step your support up another notch as you did this year. We need to be there for these guys and encourage them on when they need it. Thank you for your continued support. Now it's time to get ready for 2012. I see big things on the horizon so until Summer Warriors 2012 begins See Ya later, and GO Wonders.
(The Editor)
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to take this opportunity to thank all of the 2011 Wonders for taking us on a fantastic journey in 2011, and for your dedication and commitment to excellence. You exemplified what it truly means to be a Wonder. You faced some adversity, and didnt let it take away your spirit. You rallied around eachother, and pushed eachother to be the best you could be every Friday night. There was no finger pointing this year that I could see, and every player took responsibility for their performance. Your work ethic was second to none, and everyone bought into the new philosophy coach Newsome brought with him from Butler, and made it work. You should all be commended for your efforts.
Friday night at Charlotte Catholic was very emotional for me as I said goodbye for the last time on the gridiron to many friends I've spent time with on that sideline for the last several years, and it was not pleasant to realize it was over. Steven, Damien, Darius, Brandon, Tyrone, Solomon, Jericho, Xavier, Perry, John, RJ, G, Phillip,Terrance, Kalil, and Hunter, I've been there with you since the JVs and I can truly say it will not be the same without you. Damien, You remember I discovered you back in 2009 when you make it big LOL. Hunter, I am truly sorry your senior season ended the way it did. You deserved different, but that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger, and I know you will go far in your chosen field of endeavor. Tyrone, you are a class act, and I know you will go far in life. "My Son Steven Jordan", I will miss you most. That smile that was always on your face, and that drive you had to win was inspiring. I could get uplifted just talking to you. You possess a quality that is rare in most human beings, you are real. Kalil, I will miss you posing when you knew I was pointing that camera in your direction LOL. "G" I dont know what to say about you other than I love ya, and We will miss you at the IHOP. Enough of the emotional side. I wish all of the graduating seniors the very best in life, and my prayer is that all of you will remember who you are, and represent the green and white as proudly ten years from now as you have today. God Bless all of you.
To all of Wonder nation it has been great bringing Friday Nights in K-Town to all of you this year, and you can be assured that I will be here bringing you this site for many years to come. For 2012 I challenge you to step your support up another notch as you did this year. We need to be there for these guys and encourage them on when they need it. Thank you for your continued support. Now it's time to get ready for 2012. I see big things on the horizon so until Summer Warriors 2012 begins See Ya later, and GO Wonders.
(The Editor)
"Some final 2011 team stats"