Will Corinth Holders High join the Big East?

By Geoff Neville, Nashville Graphic

Judging by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s latest findings, the Class 3-A Big East Conference will be around in its current at least through 2017.

That’s what the league member schools want -- and those plans should be finalized next spring by the NCHSAA.

Last week, the NCHSAA released its first preliminary conference makeup for its next realignment, which will begin in the fall of 2013 and run for four years.

The Big East’s current roster of Northern Nash, Nash Central, Southern Nash, Rocky Mount, Wilson Fike and Wilson Hunt will remain intact.

The only change will come with the prospective addition of Corinth Holders, a second-year school in Johnston County (just monutes from the Carolina Mudcats’ Five County Stadium).

Corinth Holders is now a member of the Class 2-A Northern Carolina Conference, but the school features only freshman through junior classes.

When CH boasts a four-year class for the first time next fall, it will boost the Pirates’ enrollment into Class 3-A -- and a potential grouping with the Big East schools.

The first rough draft of the NCHSAA’s was done by computer by SAS. Georgraphy, as always, played the most important decision in the formula.

The NCHSAA has also stated a desire to move away from split-classification conferences if possible.

School athletic directors and administrators will be allowed to air their grievance with possible conference alignments during regional meetings in January.

The NCHSAA will take the questions into consideration before releasing its final update later in the spring.
 
Northern Nash Athletic Director Dan Richwalski anticipates that none of the Nash County squads will argue against the initial alliance.

“I think this is pretty much what everybody wants,’’ Richwalski said. “Except for Corinth-Holders, the conference is going to stay the same. We’re pretty happy about that -- we don’t anticipate that the travel to Corinth-Holders is going to be a big problem for anyone.’’

Said Southern Nash AD Robbie Kennedy: “We’re fine with it. It would help us out with scheduling, because we would have one less non-conference date to fill. I have no issue with seven teams.’’

However, that scenario -- because of an odd number -- would mean that one team would have a bye from conference play during the league portion of the football schedule. 

Another potential problem is that Cleveland, another Johnston County school, had its numbers incorrectly recorded during the SAS program.

Cleveland High School was projected as a Class 2-A school, but will actually compete on the 3-A level. How this affects Corinth Holders’ standing -- as another Johnston school -- isn’t known.

Cleveland could also end up in the Big East -- or Corinth Holders may be moved away from the league to be in a league with Cleveland.

Two other Johnston County schools -- Smithfield-Selma and South Johnston -- are proposed to be in another different Class 3-A league.

This is a computer draft that was done strictly by geography,’’ said Corinth Holders AD Brent Walston. “We felt like we might be placed with the Wilson and Nash schools, based on where we are located.

“It’s closer for us to go to Nash County than South Johnston or Erwin Triton. And I think we would have some good rivalries with those schools -- our district borders Wilson Hunt and Southern Nash.

“We are kind of split. Some of the Johnston County schools are in different classifications, but would it be in our best interest to have all of the county 3-A schools in there together?’’

Walston expects an updated rough draft to be released soon.

“We’ll see what the NCHSAA releases and then go from there,’’ Walston said. “It’s kind of wait and see right now.’’

Here is how the first proposal looks, along with the projected enrollment number from each school: 

NCHSAA Class 3-A Big East Conference  

Corinth Holders 1394
Wilson Hunt 1317
Southern Nash 1261                                                                                             
Nash Central 1232
Northern Nash 1214
Rocky Mount 1153                                                                                             

Wilson Fike 1140

Here are the distances to Corinth Holders from each current Big East Conference member:

• 22 miles from Southern Nash
• 25 miles from Wilson Hunt
• 33 miles from Wilson Fike
• 39 miles from Northern Nash
• 40 miles from Nash Central
• 44 miles from Rocky Mount

Barnes, Deacons get bowl bid

Whit Barnes

Former Rocky Mount football standout Whit Barnes won't be sitting around watching bowl games on TV during his Christmas break. 

He'll be playing in one!

The former All-State offensive lineman, now a redshirt sophomore on the Wake Forest football team, will join his Deacon teammates in Nashville, Tn, when Wake (6-6, 5-3) takes on Mississippi State (6-6) in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The Deacs got the invite Sunday evening.

Wake, which will be making its fifth bowl appearance in 11 years under current head coach Jim Grobe, will play on Friday, Dec; 30 at 6:40 p.m. at LP Field, the home of the Tennessee Titans. ESPN will carry the game.

The Deacons have compiled a 6-3 (.667) record in their nine previous bowl appearances and are 3-1 in bowl games under Grobe. Wake Forest and Mississippi State will be meeting for the first time in football. 

Wake is making its first bowl appearance since 2008, but enters having won five of its last six bowl appearances.

Hudgins moving close to joining 1,000-point Club

Rocky Mount senior Tia Hudgins (right) goes to the basket against Northern Nash last season. (Photo/David Hahula)

Rocky Mount High senior forward Tia Hudgins is moving ever so close to joining the school's 1,000-Point Club.

The four-year starter is coming off her best scoring season of her career last year, and she has gotten off to a solid start thus far this campaign. Hudgins, whose older brother Terrell came very close to joining the boys' version of the club when he closed out his career in 2005, needs just 61 more points this season to reach that coveted 1,000-point mark.

She would become only the fifth female to do so and the12th overall player to hit the mark. 

However, the likelihood that she will get that 1,000th point at home is somewhat doubtful. 

Rocky Mount has but eight home games on its regular season schedule this year and one of them has already been played.

With her current average of 14 points per game, she will likely hit the milestone in the first round of the Nash County Christmas Tournament which is being held at Southern Nash later this month.

RMHS' GIRLS 1,000-POINT CLUB

Kim Taylor (1981-84)..........................1,600 - played at N.C. State (deceased, 1985)

Danielle Powell (1989-1992) ..............1,472 - played at James Madison

Dyonna Battle (2006-09)......................1,290 - playing at Queens Univ.

Latoya Armstrong (1999-03)................1,127 - played at Campbell/Winston-Salem State

Tia Hudgins (2008-present)....................939

Rocky Mount's 2011-12 basketball schedules released

The road will be Rocky Mount's calling card in basketball this upcoming season. 

Of the school's 22-game regular season schedule, 14 of them will be played on the road as each of Rocky Mount's varsity teams will play in not, one, not two, but three different tournaments - all on the road.

Make that four when they play this year's Big East Conference Tournament at Northern Nash at the end of the regular season.

The Gryphons will see their home court - their last season there - just eight times!

Check out what the road warriors have before them! 

2011-12 Rocky Mount Boys/Girls Basketball Schedule (Girls 6 p.m., Boys 7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 25 - @ Triangle Tip-off Tournament - Knightdale HS - Girls vs. Millbrook, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 25 - @ Triangle Tip-off Tournament - Knightdale HS - Boys vs. Knightdale, 6 p.m. 
Nov. 26 - @ Triangle Tip-off Tournament - Knightdale HS - Girls vs. TBA, TBA 
Nov. 26 - @ Triangle Tip-off Tournament - Knightdale HS - Boys vs. TBA, TBA 

Nov. 29 - WILSON BEDDINGFIELD

Dec. 2 - @ Hertford County

Dec. 6 - @ Wilson Beddingfield

Dec. 9 - @ South Central

Dec. 16 - GREENVILLE ROSE

Dec. 20 - @ Nash County Christmas Tournament - Southern Nash HS - Girls vs. Northern Nash, 5 p.m. 
Dec. 20 - @ Nash County Christmas Tournament - Southern Nash HS - Boys vs. Northern Nash, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 21 - @ Nash County Christmas Tournament - Southern Nash HS - Girls vs. TBA, TBA 
Dec. 21 - @ Nash County Christmas Tournament - Southern Nash HS - Boys vs. TBA, TBA

Dec. 26 - @ Holiday Invitational - Cary Academy - Girls vs. Holly Springs, 12:40 p.m.

Dec. 27 - @ Holiday Invitational - Cary Academy - Girls vs TBA, TBA

Dec. 27 - @ Holiday Invitational - Broughton HS - Boys vs. Broughton, 4 p.m.

Dec. 28 - @ Holiday Invitational - Broughton HS - Boys vs. TBA, TBA

Jan. 3 - WILSON FIKE

Jan. 4 - HERTFORD COUNTY

Jan. 6 - @ Nash Central

Jan. 13 - @ Wilson Hunt

Jan. 20 - @ Southern Nash

Jan. 24 - NORTHERN NASH

Jan. 27 - NASH CENTRAL

Jan. 31 - WILSON HUNT

Feb. 3 - @ Wilson Fike

Feb. 7 - SOUTHERN NASH

Feb. 10 - @ Northern Nash

Feb. 13-17 - Big East Conference Tournament @ Northern Nash HS

Gryphon girls headed to Holiday Invitational

For the first time ever in the same season, both the Rocky Mount girls and boys basketball teams are headed to the 40th Annual Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament in Raleigh. The event has lost its longtime title sponsor, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.

The Gryphon girls will be playing in the four-team girls bracket that will begin play on Monday, Dec. 26 at Cary Academy. They will join host Cary Academy, Cary High School and Holly Springs High School in the event - four of 12 girls teams that will be participating in the overall tournament.

Rocky Mount, which went 25-4 last season, return leading scorer senior forward Tia Hudgins and all-state junior guard J'Kyra Brown, who has verbally committed to play for East Carolina.

The boys, who will start play on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Broughton High School's Holliday Gym, will hit the floor as part of the 40th Anniversary bracket. Rocky Mount, along with Sanderson, Garner and Kinston, played in the first-ever tournament - won by Phil Ford and the Gryphons in 1972. 

All members of those four original teams will be guests at this year's tournament and will be honored during the event.

Rocky Mount's teams will open the 2011-12 season Friday afternoon at the Triangle Tip-off Tournament (four girls, four boys teams) at Knightdale High School. Pam Gainey's girls will open with Millbrook at 4:30 p.m., while Mike Gainey's boys will take on host Knightdale at 6 p.m..

The Gryphon girls are the defending champions in the event - beating Knightdale in overtime. RMHS' boys placed third last season.

2011 NCHSAA Football Playoff Pairings - Regional Finals

Here are the pairings for Round 4 of the 2011 NCHSAA Football State Playoffs Friday evening.

In each classification, the East regional final game is listed first, followed by the West regional final game.

The winners from Friday will meet the following weekend in the state championship games in Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill and Raleigh.

If you can't make it to the Tarboro-South Columbus game - the only remaining playoff contest in the Twin Counties area, you can listen to the game on WDLX 99.3 FM, or online at jammin993.com 

The Wilson Hunt-Northern Guilford contest will be carried online at northcarolina.ihigh.com/absports 

NCHSAA FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE - REGIONAL FINALS
(seedings listed are for each team's pod or subregion) 

CLASS 4-AA
No. 1 Fayetteville Jack Britt (11-2) at No. 1 Garner (14-0)
No. 1 Charlotte Mallard Creek (13-0) at No. 1 Greensboro Page (13-0)

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CLASS 4-A
No. 1 New Bern (12-1) at No. 1 Scotland County (13-0)
No. 2 Mooresville (12-2) at No. 1 Indian Trail Porter Ridge (13-0)

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CLASS 3-AA
No. 2 Northern Guilford (12-1) at No. 1 Wilson Hunt (13-0)
No. 2 Boiling Springs Crest (11-3) at No. 1 Charlotte Catholic (13-0)

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CLASS 3-A
 No. 1 West Rowan (12-2) at No. 2 Lawndale Burns (13-1)
No. 2 Clayton Cleveland (11-3) at No. 1 Havelock (14-0)

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CLASS 2-AA
No. 3 Reidsville (11-3) at No. 1 Kinston (12-1)
No. 1 Shelby (9-5) at No. 1 West Stokes (14-0)

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CLASS 2-A
No. 4 South Columbus (10-3) at No. 5 Tarboro (11-2)
No. 2 Thomasville (10-4) at No. 1 Lincolnton (13-1)

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CLASS 1-AA
No. 1 Ayden-Grifton (12-1) at No. 1 Wallace-Rose Hill (13-1)
No. 3 West Montgomery (11-2) at No. 2 Swain County (13-1)

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CLASS 1-A
No. 3 Jones County (9-4) at No. 1 Manteo (13-1)
No. 1 Murphy (10-4) at No. 1 Albemarle (13-1)

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Big East All-Conference volleyball, girls tennis, girls golf teams released

Rocky Mount senior Tia Hudgins was voted volleyball Player of the Year for the Big East Conference for this past season. The entire All-Conference teams for volleyball, girls tennis and girls golf were released Wednesday. 

Here are those teams:

2011 Big East All-Conference Volleyball Team 

Camille Branch, Northern Nash
Claire Fleming, Northern Nash
Myrick Clark, Northern Nash
Deja Lewis, Northern Nash

Tia Hudgins, Rocky Mount

Evie Hunter, Rocky Mount

Precious White, Rocky Mount

Jordan Young, Wilson Hunt
Brittany Edwards, Wilson Hunt
Brittany Faulkner, Nash Central
Lesley Murray, Nash Central
Myra Mitchell, Wilson Fike
Laura Bland, Wilson Fike
Haley Wood, Southern Nash

Tia Hudgins, Rocky Mount - Player of the Year
Patricia Haggerty, Northern Nash - Conference Championship Coach

2011 Big East All-Conference Girls Tennis Team

Randi Price, Nash Central
Kaley Price, Nash Central
Lizzie Eakin, Nash Central
Dana Kelly, Nash Central
Caley Bass, Nash Central
Meredith Davis, Nash Central

Elizabeth Thompson, Rocky Mount

McKenzie Warner, Rocky Mount

Annah-Claire Summerlin, Wilson Fike
Aly Jones, Wilson Hunt
Casey Strickland, Southern Nash
Katie Beeman, Northern Nash

Randi Price, Nash Central - Co-Player of the Year
Kaley Price, Nash Central - Co-Player of the Year
Susan McCarthy, Nash Central - Conference Champion Coach


2011 Big East All-Conference Girls Golf Team

Myranda Melton, Wilson Hunt

Samantha Corn, Wilson Hunt

Casey Potter, Wilson Hunt

Rachel Boyette, Southern Nash

Allison Pitts, Southern Nash

Kadijah Barfield, Northern Nash

Abby Glover, Northern Nash

Kaitlin Beal, Nash Central

Rachel Bissette, Southern Nash - Player of the Year

Sue McGuire, Wilson Hunt - Conference Champion Coach

Eldest Hudgins lands hoop coaching job at NCWC

Tanika Hudgins, the oldest of the Hudgins siblings who have had such an impact on Rocky Mount athletics the last 10 years, has accepted a position as assistant coach with the North Carolina Wesleyan women's basketball program. 

Brother Terrell was a three-sport star for the Gryphons and went on to be named NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year in 2005. The Elon University grad set many NCAA records as a receiver for the Phoenix. Sister Tia is currently a senior at RMHS and is following in her big sister's footsteps in volleyball and basketball.

A prep standout at RMHS in the early 2000s, Tanika brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience to the Battling Bishop sideline.

Hudgins' stellar prep career saw her garner All-Big East volleyball and basketball accolades, as well as recognition as Rocky Mount's Female Athlete of the Year in 2002. Additionally, she was named an All-Conference Track and Field performer and concluded her prep career by participating in the North Carolina Coaches' Association East/West All-Star girls basketball game .

Upon graduation, she took her talents to Mount Olive College and later transferred to Elizabeth City State University where she played volleyball and basketball. During her collegiate career, Hudgins was an All-CIAA performer in volleyball, while helping lead the ECSU women's basketball team to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Most recently, Hudgins served as a physical education teacher and girls head basketball coach at Southampton High School in Courtland, Va., where she coached current Bishop standout Samantha Urquhart.

Top memories from the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex

The selections were wide and varied - from a concert with the Beach Boys to the flood waters of Hurricane Floyd.

To those of you who submitted to my Facebook page your top three memories from the last 24 years at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex, I deeply thank you.

It was a tight race, but alas, a positive Gryphon memory ended up winning out.

The day was Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 and SouthWest Edgecombe's football team came calling. Both Rocky Mount and SWE were undefeated and the RMAC was packed.

That most unforgettable moment took place with about four minutes left in the game. With SWE trailing 15-12, its QB completed a pass around mid-field to Demetrius Randolph across the middle and he headed down the field past the RM bench toward the north end zone.

Out of nowhere came defensive back Brian Goodwin who got behind Randolph, then with an upward motion, knocked the ball out from Randolph's left arm and fellow DB Jacobi Jenkins was "Johnny on the spot" to recover the ball just before it went out of bounds at the RM 7.

An unbelievable and timely defensive play for the Gryphons. RM ran out the clock and preserved the win and its winning streak. Whew!!!

Later this weekend, I will post every memory nominated. But for now, here are the Top 10!

TOP 10 MEMORIES FROM THE ROCKY MOUNT ATHLETIC COMPLEX (1988-2011)


1. 2007 - RM's Goodwin and Jenkins run down a SouthWest Edgecombe receiver to force a turnover and preserve a 15-12 victory


2. 2009 - RM's 22-19 loss to West Craven in the NCHSAA 3-A East finals


3. 2004 - RM's 15-13 loss to Greenville Rose in the NCHAA 4-A East semifinals


4. 1999 - Having three games cancelled due to the flood waters caused by Hurricane Floyd, including a much anticipated home endowment contest with powerhouse Richmond County


5. 2003 - A Superman-like effort by Greenville Rose's Andre Brown (ran for 300 yds. on 15 carries, scored five TDs on runs of 55, 15, 25, 66, 46 yds.) His performance included a Houdini-like 66 yd. KO return for another TD. He played only three quarters as Rose won 49-28 


6. 2005 - A 21-20 win over Wilson Beddingfield in the third round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs


7. 2007 - Stopping Greenville Rose's 39-game winning streak with a 17-7 Gryphon triumph


8. 2001 - The longest game ever played by Rocky Mount - a four-overtime loss to Wilson Beddingfield, 46-40


9. 2002 - The RMAC's field was condemned due to its hazardous condition. The Gryphons were forced to play their remaining home games at Nash Central


10. 1988 - Winning RM's first ever game at the RMAC - a 28-0 defeat of SW Edgecombe

Ugly entries go into the RMHS football record book

Thanks to the Gryphons' 63-14 loss at Wilson Fike last Friday night, some odious school records got set.

Here they are:

  

1. Most points allowed in a game - 63 (63-14 Wilson Fike, 2011), previous record was 56 by Southern Nash, 1990 (56-34 SN win).

2. Most PATs allowed in a game - 9, Drayton Williams, Wilson Fike (63-14 WF win), previous record, 7, Nick Williams, J.H. Rose, 2003 (49-28 Rose win), Chris Peacock, Northern Nash, 1994 (54-31 NN win). 

3.  Most touchdowns allowed in a game - 9, Wilson Fike, 2011 (63-14 WF win).

Here are two positive factoids to come from the game: 

1. Longest fumble return for a TD - 75 yds., Mike Westry vs. Wilson Fike, 2011, previous record was 73 yds - shared by Brian Washington (vs. SN, 1992) and Barry Sears (vs. Fike, 1992).

2. Junior Mason Hines ran for 217 yards on 25 carries. The last RM rusher to gain over 200 yards in a game was Marquavis Alston. Ironically, his 240-yard effort was also in a loss - a 50-36 playoff defeat to Western Alamance in 2007.

UNC throws more money Fox's way

Mike Fox

When it comes to paying college coaches, baseball coaches are down the totem poll from their football and basketball bretheren. But they still make a good living. 

Just ask UNC's Mike Fox.

Fox, who served as head baseball coach and athletic director at N.C. Wesleyan during the mid-80s through the 90s and won the Div. III national title (1989) with the Bishops, just got his contract extended. 

Fox spent 15 years in Rocky Mount prior to going to Chapel Hill. He also has a sister who lives here.

It was one of the things outgoing North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour did before handing his keys over to Bubba Cunningham. He did the same for mens basketball coach Roy Williams and women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell.

Fox, who was already the highest paid college baseball coach in the state, pushed his lead way ahead of his fellow keepers of the diamond. 

Fox, in his 14th season as a head coach at his alma mater, got a $20,000 raise to his base salary at $180,000 for 2011-12. 

It will move to $220,000 in 2012-13, $240,000 in 2013-14, $250,000 in 2014-15 and $260,000 in each of the following three seasons. He also will receive an expense allowance ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 and is eligible to receive standard bonuses for advancing in the postseason and for academic progress rates.

From data from the UNC system through contracts signed by Aug. 2009,  here are the top paid baseball coaches among the 16 UNC campuses. Ironically, the top three have ties to Nash County.

1. $180,000 - Mike Fox, UNC-Chapel Hill (lived in RM, NCWC baseball coach/AD)

2. $132,500 - Billy Godwin, East Carolina (Northern Nash graduate, NCWC asst.)

3. $112,150 - Elliott Avent, N.C. State (Northern Nash graduate, NCWC asst.)

4. $95,000 - Robert Moranda, Western Carolina

5. $89,145 - Chris Pollard, Appalachian State

Nash Baseball planning hitting clinic

Nash Baseball will hold a Hitting Clinic on Saturday,  Dec. 3. The ages for this clinic will be 8 and under to 14 and under and only open to Nash County residents. The location for this clinic will be The Warehouse at 817 S. Pearl Street in Rocky Mount.

Former Rocky Mount baseball standout and former professional pitcher Jeremy Ward heads up Nash Baseball.

There will be a morning clinic and an afternoon clinic, both will only be able to accommodate 20 participants each. Ages 8-12 will have a clinic from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and ages 9-13 will go from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost of each session is $35. Each camper will receive a free T-shirt.

Former Major Leaguer Brent Butler, who hails from Scotland County, will headline this event, along with current Nash Baseball staff: 

Jeremy Ward - Former professional pitcher, RMHS, Wake Forest and Long Beach State standout, and current private instructor of pitching
Xavier Macklin - Current professional player and former Nash County/N.C. A&T standout
Sam Toler - Nash County Little League coaching legend
Andy Jones - Former Nash County/N.C. Wesleyan baseball standout
Jeremy Stewart - Former Nash County/N.C. Wesleyan baseball standout
Travis Ward - Nash County prep coaching legend  

You can follow Nash Baseball on Facebook to see more details as they develop.

Woody's speaking in Greenville today

Woody Durham

For all you UNC football and basketball fans who even after his retirement, can't get enough of Woody Durham, here's a chance to hear him at least one more time.

Durham will be speaking in Greenville Thursday at the Greater Greenville Sports Club meeting at the Greenville Hilton.

After 40-years of bringing Tar Heel fans some of the most memorable moments in school history, Durham stepped down as the "Voice of the Tar Heels" on April 20. He called more than 1,800 football and men's basketball games, which included four NCAA men's basketball championships.

The lunch/meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m.!

Hines tops 1,000-yard rushing mark

Mason Hines

For the first time since 2009, a Rocky Mount football player has topped the1,000-yard mark in rushing.

Junior running back Mason Hines, with his 170-yard effort Friday in the Gryphons' 27-14 loss to Wilson Hunt, reached that magical mark.

He now has 149 carries for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns and leads all rushers in the Big East Conference. His 82-yard kickoff return for a score against the Warriors was his second such effort of the season. He had earlier TD return against Bunn.  

RMHS ALL-TIME 1,000-YARD RUSHERS

1. 2,140, Demetric Marshall, 2006
2. 1,576, Marquavis Alston, 2007
3. 1,408, Kelvin Farmer, 1981
4. 1,376, J.J. Jones, 1990
5. 1,372, Kelly Hudgins, 2000
6. 1,354, Mychal Bynum, 2005

7. 1,227, Calvin Hudgins, 1998

8. 1,220, Linwood Silver, 1997
9. 1,181, Victor Thorne, 1979
10. 1,137, Marquavis Alston, 2009
11. 1,110, Jordan Ford, 2008
12. 1,106, Marquavis Alston, 2008

13. 1,100, Mason Hines, present
14. 1,097, Kendrick Dean, 2005
15. 1,031, Lloyd Bynum, 1976
16. 1,001, Delasio (P.D.) Bartley, 1973 

Media coverage of Big East 3-A Conference Football Openers

If you can't attend the opening night of Big East Conference high school football action Friday evening, you will have other options to keep up with what will be going on in Red Oak, Rocky Mount and Wilson.

Wilson Hunt @ Northern Nash 

Right now, this contest can be followed via the Internet at http://www.ihigh.com/absports/ . Wilson County announcer Alton Britt will be simulcasting his WLLY 1350 AM radio signal (which Nash/Edgecombe residents generally can't pick up) on his iHigh.com website, so anyone in the world can listen in! 

F.T. Franks will handle the color duties on the broadcast.

Southern Nash @ Wilson Fike

You will have two options for this game - listen to your radio or listen on line.

Paul Andre and Bob Maloney will provide the coverage for this clash on WDLX 99.3 FM beginning at 7 p.m. For those who may live too far away to pick up this very strong FM signal, you can click on this link  WDLX 99.3 FM and you may listen to the game on your computer or cell phone.

Nash Central @ Rocky Mount

Currently, there will be no radio stations or TV broadcasts of this game. WHIG TV, which is scheduled to tape the Wilson Hunt- Northern Nash game (with Wes Bradshaw and Edward Greene) for broadcast Saturday morning and Sunday evening, may pick up this game due to its recent emotional implication into the Bulldogs' program.

The school saw one of its student-athletes, John Stanley, pass away last week. The football team and cheerleaders plan to honor Stanley in a pregame tribute. WHIG would like to be there to share those moments, along with an emotion-filled game with all area fans who cannot be there.

But prior commitments may forced the crew to go to Red Oak. We'll see what happens!

All WHIG covered games can be seen online at whigtv.com

WFU's Barnes gets on the field in win over Gardner-Webb

Whit Barnes

His time finally came.

In the late stages of Wake Forest's football game at home against Gardner-Webb last Saturday, former Rocky Mount standout offensive lineman Whit Barnes saw his his first varsity playing time in a Demon Deacon uniform.

The redshirt sophomore who has bided his time on WFU's bench, played in one complete series Saturday during Wake's 48-5 blowout of the boys from Boiling Springs. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder had been the second-string center this year for the Deacs, who have gotten out to a 2-1 start.

Barnes, an Associated Press All-Stater and Shrine Bowl participant for the Gryphons who went 38-6 on the field during his three years as a starter, has fought off shoulder and knee injuries to get to this point in his career. 

"I was in for one series, playing at center at the end of the game and I did well for the time I was in, " said Barnes, who has declared business and enterprise management as his major. 

He is enjoying a week off as his Deacs get ready for a trip to Chestnut Hill and the Boston College Eagles next Saturday. 

"I am looking forward to more playing time in the future," Barnes said. "But overall, this team has more motivation and excitement than either of the teams that I have been a part of the past two years. We had a close loss against Syracuse, and wins against N.C. State and Gardner-Webb. All of which have added up to a positive attitude going into these two weeks that we have to prepare for Boston College."

Even a bowl game is in the minds of WFU players. After a trip to the Orange Bowl during a dream 2007 season, the Deacs have had just one winning campaign since. You might say head coach Jim Grobe, one the ACC's highest paid football coaches ($2.4 million a year, second behind Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson), is on the hot seat.

"We are working hard to play in a bowl game," said Barnes. "We know that we can beat every team on our schedule, but we have to play our best every week. We have to cut down on the penalties and make more plays. But we know we have the athletes and the energy to do it. 

"This year has been exciting so far and we are all looking forward to going to BC and bringing home a win."

Health concerns forces former RM assistant to step down as Central Davidson's head coach

Former Rocky Mount assistant Mark Hoover during his days as Chatham Central's head coach. A heart ailment has forced him to step down as head coach at Central Davidson. 
  

LEXINGTON - Mark Hoover has relinquished his post as Central Davidson head football coach effective immediately due to heart-related health concerns. He will remain at the school as a physical education teacher. 

“It was a decision I had to make,” Hoover said Wednesday evening. “It’s been progressively getting worse.” 

Assistant coach Brad Morton will step in as head coach. 

Hoover took over the Spartans in 2009 after head coaching jobs at Chatham Central and West Lincoln and a defensive coordinator position at West Forsyth. The Spartans were 4-7 in 2009 and 7-5 in 2010, and they have begun 2011 0-3 while playing a more difficult non-conference schedule. 

Under Hoover, the Spartans have developed into a prolific running team with a disciplined commitment to offseason strength and conditioning programs.

“He’s been a lot to our kids, to our community,” athletic director Gene Poindexter said. “He came in and did everything that we asked him to do, and he did it with passion and with enthusiasm.”

Hoover said his doctors had suggested he step down before the season began, but he wanted to see the campaign through. When his health situation became worse, he, Poindexter and Central Davidson principal Tabitha Broadway agreed that the time had come to put down the whistle.

“It absolutely kills me to step away in the middle of the season,” Hoover said. “But my wife is the most important person in my life, and if I go out and have a heart attack over high school football, it’s just not fair to her.

“Central Davidson football is my life and a huge part of my world. It’s not life and death.”

Morton has coached the game for four decades — most of it over 29 years in Covington, Va. — including 10 seasons as a head coach.

“You don’t like to step into these situations. Mark, over the last two years, has done a real good job of building the program,” Morton said. “To not be able to finish what you started is I’m sure weighing heavily on him. But he has to think about his health before anything else.

“The kids are I’m sure a little apprehensive about what the future holds right now. … We have to be positive for them, let them understand that this is one of those changes in life that happens. You’ve got to learn to overcome those bumps in life.”

Hoover will not coach for the foreseeable future. He did not rule out becoming an assistant coach after at least one or two years away from the game.

“I’m going to get myself back in physical shape the best I can,” Hoover said. “I will not be a head coach in the near future. I promised that to my wife.

“I’ll still see the kids during the day. I’ll still have my PE class.

“My message to them and their parents is: Thank you. They’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do.”

- Lexington Dispatch

Welcome aboard Golden East Crossing Chick-Fil-A!

David Langston was once a high school football player during his days at Northern Durham. 

And as a reserve, he and his teammates hosted Rocky Mount at the Durham County Stadium his junior season and posted a 24-0 shutout over the Gryphons during the 1999 season - the infamous Hurricane Floyd campaign.

He played RMHS at the RMAC during his senior year and also shutout the Gryphons.

Now for an about face, he's now supporting the Gryphons.

As owner and operator of the Golden East Crossing Chick-Fil-A, his business is this year's scoreboard sponsor and he is providing food for the press box this season.

We'd like to thank Langston and his staff for all their support.

And he had one more thing in common with the Gryphons. His alma mater's colors were also navy blue and gold.

Take time to become a Facebook friend of the Golden East Crossing Chick-Fil-A. Click here!

Suiter at UNC Saturday

Tom Suiter receives his NCHSAA Hall of Fame plaque Saturday at halftime of the UNC-Rutgers football game. (Photo/HighSchoolOT.com)

Rocky Mount native and WRAL-TV sports personality Tom Suiter was honored Saturday during NCHSAA Day at UNC's home football game with Rutgers. He and several others received their NCHSAA Hall of Fame plaques at halftime of the game. 

All members of the 2011 class of honorees, including former Southern Nash principal and coach Rosalie Bardin, will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame during ceremonies next spring.

He joins the late Dr. Wiley (Army) Armstrong ('87) and former NCHSAA president and Rocky Mount boys basketball coach Richard Hicks ('07) as the only Rocky Mount natives in the Hall.

Hines leads the county

Gryphon junior Mason Hines

What a coming out party it has been for Rocky Mount junior running back Mason Hines.

After three games, he is the leading rusher among Nash County's high school teams. 

Hines has piled up 515 yards rushing on just 57 carries and has scored five touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for 76 yards and a score in the Gryphons' season-opening win at Bunn.

Although he didn't get into the end zone, he helped set up two touchdowns as he ran for a career-high 188 yards Saturday in Rocky Mount's 28-22 victory at Hertford County.

Now the home folks will finally get to see him play when SouthWest Edgecombe comes to the RMAC Friday night.

Here are Nash County's top rushers thus far this season: 

Mason Hines (jr.), Rocky Mount - 57 car., 514 yds., five TDs
Terron Huffman (sr.), Southern Nash - 47 car., 466 yds., six TDs
Tracey Coppedge (sr.), Southern Nash - 44 car., 319 yds., four TDs