Saturday, November 15, 2008

KM vs. Hickory, 3AA first round

It's kickoff time at KM's John Gamble Stadium.
Mountaineers win toss and defer to second half. Opening kickoff goes out of bounds so Hickory starts at its own 35.

Hickory moves for two first downs before stalling. Hickory punts it down to the KM 16 where Mountaineers take over.
On the second play, KM QB Mike Roberts breaks free on a 48-yard gainer to get the Mountaineers rolling. Mounties get to the Hickory 10
before a penalty sets them back. KM lines up for a 34-yard field goal try but the snap is high. Roberts, the holder, is dropped for a nine-yard loss and Hickory takes over at the 25 with 4:04 left in the first period.

Hickory goes three and out and punts it away. KM starts from its own 41 with 1:36 to go in first period, still no score.
Mountaineers unable to move. KM's Jake Allen punts to the Hickory 28 as the quarter ends with a 0-0 score.
The punting duel continues. This time KM takes over at its 42 with 10:29 left in the half. Mounties can't move again and Allen comes on to roll a 46-yard punt dead at the Hickory 4 with 9:19 on the clock.

Hickory starts a drive. After a pair of first downs running, Hickory hits a 33-yard pass to the KM 37.
On fourth-and-four at the 31, Hickory throws deep for an apparent TD but a holding penalty brings it back. Red Tornadoes punt it away and KM is forced to start from its own 3 with 5:03 left in the half.
After another KM punt, Hickory gets possession at the Mountie 48 with 3:08 to go in the half.
Hickory runs a trick play letting the flanker throw downfield on a reverse and it goes for a score, but a penalty for an illegal block gives Hickory first down at the 21.
Hickory moves it down and has second and goal at the one. Hickory's TJ Wimbush is stacked up at the one and the football pops out. KM's Anthony Dalton picks up the fumble and carries it out to the 30 with 1:08 to go in the half.
KM goes to the air and gets to the Hickory 42 with 34 seconds left in half. KM though draws a five-yard penalty and then a 10-yard holding call and is unable to generate a threat. Clock runs out.
No score at the half.

Hickory kicks off to start third quarter and KM begins from its 35. Mounties forced to punt and Hickory takes over at its 24.
Hickory stays on the ground and moves across midfield, facing third-and-three at the KM 45. Rush of LB Zach Hopper disrupts a pass and causes Hickory to punt.
KM takes over at its 12 with 7:43 left in third period.
Mounties' running game gets untracked. Carlos Bell, Mike Roberts and Joe Chambers share the load for a first down at the 40.
Roberts breaks free for a first down to the 13 with 4:16 left in the third period.
Mountaineers stall at the 12. Edward Blackburn comes on to try a 29-yard field goal and puts it through. With 3:02 left in the third quarter, it's now ... KM 3, Hickory 0.

The teams exchange punts. Hickory takes over at its own 29 as the third quarter ends with the score still ... KM 3, Hickory 0.
Again KM defense holds and Hickory kicks it away. This time Terrance Young collects it at his own 34 and sets sail up the middle. He breaks to the right sideline and goes all the way to the Hickory 10.
QB Roberts keeps it twice in a row, going in from the one with 9:53 left in the game. Blackburn's kick is good, making it ... KM 10, Hickory 0.

Hickory comes right back with a 64-yard, 6-play scoring drive. T.J. Wimbush goes 13 yards off the right side for the score. Patrick Smith's kick is good. With exactly eight minutes to go it's ... KM 10, Hickory 7.

Mountaineers get moving again. Young returns the kickoff to midfield, then Carlos Bell break free for 28 yards to the Hickory 18.
KM though is stymied by a pair of illegal block penalties that wipe out gains, putting the Mounties in second-and-14 situation at the 22 with 5:08 to go. After a nine-yard gain by Robers, then an incompletion, KM goes for it. Throw for Chambers in the end zone draws a flag.
Mounties get first down and goal on the interference call at the seven with 4:09 to go.
Chambers punches it in from the three with 3:25 to go. Blackburn's kick is good. The score is now ... KM 17, Hickory 7.

KM strikes again. This time Zach Hopper picks off a Hickory pass and returns it 40 yards for a score to give Mountaineers a commanding lead. Blackburn's kick was good with 2:33 left to go making it ... KM 24, Hickory 7.

Hickory moves across midfield but comes up inches short on first down at the 35. KM takes over, takes two snaps to kill the clock.
Final score: KM 24, Hickory 7.
KM will host Mooresville next Friday in the 3AA second round.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Shelby vs. Owen in playoffs

Shelby High (8-3) will be taking on the Owen Warhorses (4-6) in the State 2A football playoffs tonight at Pearley Allen Field. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

This may go down as the "Fog Bowl." There's quite a mist below the level of the lights at Blanton Memorial Stadium around 7:15 p.m.

Game gets under way with the Owen Warhorses starting at their own 24.
Owen rolls up four first downs in succession to the Shelby 16.
Warhorses stay on a roll behind the running of fullback Brennan Kirby and Andy Coleman. Coleman carries it in from one yard out with 6:49 left in the first period. Robert Barker's kick makes it ... Owen 7, Shelby 0

Shelby starts near midfield and quickly rushes for two first downs. Owen stops Shelby fullback Michael Copeland at the 32 on fourth-and-one with 4:11 left in the quarter. Owen though goes 3-and-out and punts to the Shelby 26 with 2:29 left in the quarter.

A 45-yard carry by Golden Lions' QB Quinton Hopper gets Shelby rolling.
Raper carries twice to put Shelby second-and-goal at the two. Owen stops Copeland cold on second down. Copeland plows ahead on third down to reach the end zone with 14 seconds left in the opening quarter.Shelby misses the point after, making the score ... Owen 7, Shelby 6.

Shelby forces Owen to punt early in the second quarter and Lions start from their 42. After a four-yard run by Copeland, Raper takes a pitch (backward pass) in the right flat. Raper turns it upfield and zooms 54 yards untouched for the score. Turner Almond's kick is good. Wih 10:08 left in the half the score ... Shelby 13, Owen 7.

Owen forced to punt again and Shelby resumes the attack. Lions have found something that works as Raper takes another throw out in the flats and speeds 24 yards to the Warhorses' 23. Two plays later, Shelby runs the same quick flip to the other side and Gerald Jennings takes it and goes 18 yards for the score. Shelby mishandles the snap on the kick but with 7:10 left in the half, it's ... Shelby 19, Owen 7.

Instant replay: Owen goes 3-and-out again.
Shelby takes over at its own 44. Lions line up in punt formation on fourth-and-two at Owen 48. Short snap goes to Raper who sails around the right side on the fake. Raper speeds all the way for the score. Almond's kick is good. with 3:47 left in half it's ... Shelby 26, Owen 7.

After the kickoff, Shelby linebacker Miles Lawrence breaks through to hit Owen QB Cody Craig as he tries to deliver a pass. Ball pops in air and is picked off by senior defensive end Quevalas Murray.
Shelby takes over at Owen 22. A holding penalty sets Shelby back but a 21-yard run by Raper and a 15-yard pass from Hopper to Reid Houser sets up a one-yard scoring plunge by Copeland on the last play of the half. Daniel Pennington kicks the extra point through making it ...Shelby 33, Owen 7.
At the half: Raper has rushed for 182 yards but limps off on his last carry and leaves the field.

Shelby gets the ball to start the second half but after one first down, has to punt it away. Owen takes over a its 18 and picks up a pair of first downs to the Shelby 38. After a one-yard gain on first down, three straight incompletions give the Lions possession at their own 37 with 6:35 left in the third period.

Shelby kicks it away moments later. Owen begins a drive from its 19. Warhorses get moving behind running of Coleman and Kirby. Owen gets all the way to the Shelby eight. Facing second-and-seven, refs stop the game because of lightning. Starting at 9:03, we have a 30-minute delay before play can be started again. Both teams leave the field for the locker rooms.

After a 30-minute wait ... and with lightning continuing in the area, the head official walks to the middle of the field and holds up the football and points to the Shelby bench, indicating the game was officially over and Shelby would advance to next week to play either Bandys or Ashe County.
Word from Crest is that the second half had not begun due to the weather conditions. Chargers were leading 21-7 at the break before the delay.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Crest vs. South Point

It's a lot warmer than most of us expected but that only makes it a good night for football here at Sid Bryson Stadium. Stay tuned for Crest vs. South Point with the Big South Conference crown at stake.

Crest gets the football first. Reggie Wilkins passes 49 yards to Charger receiver Kendall Kee to get Crest moving. Chargers drive inside the 10 but have to settle for a field goal. Trever Austin's kick is good, but a roughing the kicker penalty gives Chargers first-and-goal at the three.

Chargers stymied by Red Raider defense and have to go for a field goal again. This time Austin's kick is wide and Red Raiders get the ball at the 20 with 6:26 on the clock.

South Point picks up a first down to the 34. On first down, Lowery coughs up a fumble, Crest's Martavis Burris picks up the fumble and rambles 30 yards to the end zone with 5:32 left in the quarter. Austin's kick is good, making it ... Crest 7, South Point 0.

Red Raiders start their drive from their own 35. South Point puts on an option football clinic in a 65-yard, 11-play drive, all on the ground. Fullback Aaron Crumbly and QB Desmond Lowery share most of the ball-carrying duties. Crumbley punches in from the 2 with :52 left in the quarter. James Justice's kick is good, tying the game at ... 7-7.

Crest goes 3 and out and punts it away. SP starts from its 36 and gets a 35-yard pass from Lowery to Josh Justice. Red Raider drive stalls though. James Justice attempts 48 yard field goal but it falls short.

On Crest's first play from the 20, Neil Chambers breaks free down the right sideline for a 50-yard gain to the South Point 30. Chargers' threat is nullified however due to a penalty for an illegal block. Crest has to punt and it goes into end zone with 6:32 left in the half.
South Point takes over at its 20.
Raiders forced to punt and Crest gets the football at its 39. Chargers' Wilkins back to pass by South Point's Tyler Coolidge intercepts and returns to Crest 33. On first down, Lowery keeps straight ahead and gains
10 yards but fumbles the football. It rolls forward but Crest's Aldrich Watson falls on it at the 16 with 2:23 left in the half.
On third and 11 at the 15, Chambers zooms through a hole on the right side and sails 85 yards to the end zone. Austin's kick is good with 1:20 left in the half, making it ... Crest 14, SP 7.

South Point goes to the air and gets two first downs to reach the Crest 44. Four straight passes fall incomplete and Chargers take over there with 22.1 seconds left in half. Chargers take a knee and go to the half ahead ... 14-7.

Other scores from Cleveland County: Shelby leads East Rutherford 20-14 at halftime; Burns and Kings Mountain were tied 14-all late in the first half.
Update from Lawndale: Burns 21, KM 20 (don't know the time). Shelby now leads 27-14.

South Point gets the ball first in second half. On the second play, Josh Justice has the football stripped by Crest's Austin Hunt and Rhaheim Ledbetter recovers for Chargers at the 41. Crest moves in for an insurance score. Reggie Wikins his Aldrich Watson on a 23-yard pass for the big play in the march.
Freshman Cortez Wright goes 10 yards off the right side to score with 8:39 left in the third period. Austin's kick is good, making it ... Crest 21, SP 7.

Red Raiders start moving from their own 20. Lowery carries on five of six plays as South Point moves to Crest 35. JesseMcGaha is thrown for a six-yard loss, bringing up third and 11 at the 41. Lowery passes to Josh Justice for eight yards, then on fourth-and-three, Crumbley barrels for 16 yards to the Crest 17.
On first dow

n, it's a repeat as Crumbley breaks free to go to the end zone.
Aldrich Watson for Crest breaks through to block James Justice's conversion kick. With 4:11 left in the third quarter it's now ... Crest 21, SP 13.

Crest gets football and runs out the quarter. On 2nd play of fourth quarter, Chargers punt the football dead at the Red Raider 25.
It takes South Point 7 plays, all on the ground, to go the distance.
Crumbley and Lowery -- both of whom are now over 100 yards rushing on the night for South Point -- get most of the work but McGaha takes an option pitch to go the final 16 yards with 8:13 to play.
South Point goes for two points -- Lowery keeps over the left side and goes in. Score now tied .... 21-21.

Crest unable to move and punts. South Point takes over at its own 49 with 6:40 left in game.
Red Raiders continue their momentum. Lowery and Crumbley do most of the damage as South Point moves in to take the lead. Crumbley punches in for South Point -- which now has 24 first downs in the game -- from the three with 3:53 to go. Justice's kick puts South Point ahead ... 28-21.
Justice's kickoff sails into end zone. Crest has to start from the 20.
Crest now facing fourth and six from its own 24 with 2:54 to go. Chargers take a timeout.

Crest pass falls incomplete. South Point takes over at 24 with 2:49 to go.
Raiders take it in again against the tired Crest defenders. Lowery punches in from the three with 1:21 to go. Justice's kick makes it ... SP 35, Crest 21.

Chargers aren't done yet. Kendall Kee gets behind the secondary and hauls in a 70-yard TD pass from Reggie Wilkins. Austin kicks the point after. With 1:03 to go, it's ... South Point 35, Crest 28.
Crest tries an onside kick but Red Raiders' James Justice covers it at Charger 46 to keep the football for South Point.
Lowery takes a knee of first down and Crest calls timeout with 57 seconds to go.
South Point and Crest do the final minute timeout/take-a-knee opera and Raiders punt it away. Crest gets ball on nine with less than 10 seconds to go. Two incompletions end it.
Final.... South Point 35, Crest 28.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Crest-South Point series

The Crest-South Point football series pits two traditional high school powerhouses. They’ll meet for the 26th time this Friday night at Sid Bryson Stadium with the winner claiming the Big South 3A/4A Conference championship.

South Point owns a 15-10 edge in the series with the Red Raiders winning the first eight (1967-74). The teams were members of the old Southwestern 3A Conference until Crest moved up to 4A status for the first time in 1984. The two teams did not meet from 1985 through 2000.
The series was revived in 2001 and the Chargers have a 4-3 edge since that point, though one of South Point's victories was a forfeit in 2005.

The year-by-year series:
1967 — South Point 41, Crest 0
1968 — South Point 19, Crest 0
1969 — South Point 34, Crest 2
1970 — South Point 13, Crest 8
1971 — South Point 29, Crest 22
1972 — South Point 15, Crest 13
1973 — South Point 33, Crest 13
1974 — South Point 48, Crest 7
1975 — Crest 13, South Point 8
1976 — South Point 23, Crest 7
1977 — South Point 35, Crest 0
1978 — Crest 12, South Point 0
1979 — South Point 18, Crest 0
1980 — Crest 14, South Point 0
1981 — Crest 17, South Point 14 (OT)
1982 — Crest 41, South Point 14
1983 — Crest 21, South Point 6
1984 — South Point 33, Crest 0
2001 — Crest 42, South Point 12
2002 — Crest 28, South Point 7
2003 — South Point 35, Crest 7
2004 — Crest 35, South Point 21
2005 — South Point wins by forfeit
2006 — Crest 54, South Point 20
2007 — South Point 21, Crest 14

Friday, October 31, 2008

Burns vs. East Rutherford

We're at Harrill Stadium on the campus of East Rutherford High. There's a nip in the air so we'll be seeing jackets, blankets and toboggans in the stands.
Let's stop a moment and send out best wishes to some longtime friends on the Cleveland County sports scene who've been ailing. Bill Ellis, former Crest boys basketball coach, and Barry Hambright, a familiar figure over at Gardner-Webb, have both been dealing with medical problems and we hope you'll remember them in your prayers.

On the second play from scrimmage, Burns' QB Spencer Martin completes a short throw to Brandon Whitworth in the right flats. Whitworth spins out of a tackle and zooms 77 yards down the sideline for a score to put Burns ahead. The Bulldogs miss the point after, but with 11:08 on the clock the score is ... Burns 6, East Rutherford 0

East doesn't take long striking back. Cavaliers march 67 yards in nine plays. Tyler Hamilton sweeps right end for eight yards to the end zone. Ryan Bailey's kick is good, putting East ahead 7-6 with 7:19 left in the opening quarter.
The teams exchange punts before Burns takes over at the East 42. On first down, Jonah Brooks pops off the left side, breaks a couple tackles and sails to the end zone. Bulldogs go for two but pass is incomplete. With
4:34 left in the quarter it's ... Burns 12, East 7.

Burns' Brandon Wright intercepts with 3:37 to go in first period giving Burns possession at its own 37. Bulldogs though can't move and kick it away.
East starts from its 35. Cavs complete a pass to midfield as quarter ends, still Burns 12, ER 7.
After a Burns fumble at its own 30, East moves in to take the lead. Fullback Tajdre Wilkerson bulls in from the one. Cavs fake the kick and Mikhail Baxter passes to Lydell Watkins for two points. With 7:54 left in the half, it's East 15, Burns 12.

Other scores: Mid second quarter, it's Crest 21, East Gaston 0; also, in the second quarter it's R-S Central 7, K.Mountain 6.

East goes on an 81-yard, 8-play drive staying strictly on the ground. Tyler Hamilton breaks free for a score on a 35-yard play. The kick is wide but with 2:45 left in the half, it's East 21, Burns 12.

Burns punts to East. Cavs take over at own 29 and move across midfield before time runs out. At halftime, it's East 21, Burns 12.

Other halftime scores: Shelby 14, Chase 14; KM 12, R-S Central 7.

Burns kicks off and quickly forces East to punt. Bulldogs take over at own 14. Burns needs to keep the football a little longer this half. East had a 37-15 edge in offensive plays in the first two quarters.

Well, maybe there's something to be said for using the big play instead of grinding it out. Burns' Monterrio Merriweather goes untouched up the middle on second down for a 61-yard touchdown. Daniel Fogleman's kick brings Burns within 21-19.

Other scores: Shelby 24, Chase 14 late in third period; KM 20, R-S 14 late in third; Latest from Crest-East Gaston: Chargers led 28-0 at the half.

East drives to the Burns 28. On fourth-and-two, Burns' David Grimes breaks through to nail the runner for a loss allowing the Bulldogs to take over.
Merriweather carries five times in six plays to get the Bulldogs down to the East 32.
Bulldogs stall and Andrew Toney comes on to try a 46-yard field goal. It's blocked by Cavaliers who take over at their own 46 with 2:09 left in the quarter.
Cavaliers forced to punt. Jonah Brooks breaks free down right sideline and goes all the way to the East 32 where he's knocked out of bounds. Burns takes over there with two seconds left in the quarter.
Quarter ends with score: East 21, Burns 19.
Merriweather carries for a first down at the East 20. Jonah Brooks then zooms all the way to the one for first and goal. Merriweather goes off the left side for the score with 10:29 left to play. Bulldogs go for two - Merriweather carries again on the same play and punches it in. That makes the score ... Burns 27, East 21.

East starts its possession from its 47. Cavs quickly pick up a pair of first downs to the Burns 24. East though faces third-and-8 at the 22.
An incompletion makes it fourth-and-eight and Cavs go for it. Bulldogs guilty of pass interference to give East new life at the 11.
East's Adrian Wilkins carries in from the five for the go-ahead score with 7:07 to play. Cavs fake the kick and Corey Jimerson carries across for the two-point conversion making the score ... East 29, Burns 27.

Burns goes three and out and have to punt with 6:08 to play. East takes over at its 34 and rushes for a pair of first downs. Burns starts using its timeouts. East faces fourth-and-two at the Burns 28 with 3:02 remaining. Bulldogs jump offsides, giving Cavaliers first down at the 23.

On the next play, Tyler Hamilton goes 23 yards off the right side for a score. Ryan Bailey's kick, with 2:53 on the clock, makes it ... East 36, Burns 27.

Burns picks up a pair of first downs before East's Zach Price intercepts and returns it 45 yards to the Bulldogs' 15.
East begins taking a knee to keep clock running.
Final score: East Rutherford 36, Burns 27.

Friday, October 24, 2008

It's Shelby vs. R-S Central tonight

The weather cut into tonight's Cleveland County football schedule. The Crest-Hunter Huss game at Sid Bryson Stadium -- the Chargers' homecoming contest -- has been moved to Monday night.

Parents are on the field for Senior Night before the Shelby vs. R-S Central contest at Pearley Allen Field. Parents of players, cheerleaders and trainers were recognized.
The teams will be out on the field shortly.

Here we go ... Shelby kicking off north to south. R-S runs it out to the 25 to start their first possession.
On the second play of the game, Shelby's Quevalas Murray tips a pass by R-S Central's Deshawn Littlejohn. It's intercepted by Carlos Wray who returns it deep in Hilltopper territory.
Shelby starts from the six. Michael Copeland runs off right tackle on first down to score. Conversion fails. With 11:02 on the clock, Shelby leads 6-0.

R-S goes three and out. Shelby's Tre Wilson returns the punt 35 yards to the R-S 20. It takes the Golden Lions three plays to score from there. Michael Copeland goes off left tackle 12 yards to the end zone. Turner Almond's kick is good. With 7:29 on the clock, it's ... Shelby 13, R-S 0.

R-S offense goes 3-and-out again. Shelby takes over at its own 27 and starts on another march. Big play in the 73-yard scoring drive is a 25-yard run by Larry Raper with 15 yards tacked on for good measure.
Fullback Michael Copeland punches in from the one for his third score of the night. Almond's kick is good. With 2:50 left in the first period, it's now ... Shelby 20, R-S 0.

R-S holds Shelby at the Hilltopper 29 on fourth down early in the 2nd quarter when Raper slips after taking a pitchout.
Hilltoppers begin their first march of the night, crossing midfield. A personal foul puts R-S all the way to the Shelby 18.
Oddie Murray punches in from the one-yard line for a Hilltopper score with 4:12 left in the half. Cody Owens kicks the extra point. The score ... Shelby 20, R-S 7.

Raper returns the kickoff to the 50-yard line. Lions get a 22-yard pass from Quinton Hopper to Gerald Jennings, then Michael Copeland carries to the 12. Lions then lose yardage and Turner Almond's 34-yard field goal sails wide right with 29 seconds left in the half.
At halftime it remains ... Shelby 20, R-S 7.
Other scores at the half: KM 14, East Rutherford 6; Chase 10, Burns 0; East Gaston 14, North Gaston 7.

Shelby gets the football first in the second half. After picking up two first downs, Trent Vanderhoof punts to the R-S 21 where the Hilltoppers take over with 6:21 to go in the third period.
R-S picks up a first down but has to punt it away. Shelby takes over at its own 36 but also goes three and out.
RS begins from its 34 but fullback Oddie Murray breaks free on a 36-yard gain up the middle. Murray carries for 15 more yards on the next play. Hilltoppers have first and 10 at Shelby 15 as third quarter ends with score ... Shelby 20, R-S 7.

Murray barrels 15 yards ahead for the score on the first play of the fourth period. Owens kicks the point after. With 11:51 to go, it's Shelby 20, R-S 14.

Shelby is unable to move. R-S takes over at its own 25 after the punt.
QB Deshawn Littlejohn gains 17 yards on first down and a facemask penalty takes R-S across midfield to the Shelby 43.
On third and four at the Shelby 37, linebacker Miles Lawrence makes a stop for no gain. R-S goes for it on fourth down but Littlejohn's deep throw is incomplete. Shelby takes over at its 37 with 8:15 left in the game.

R-S holds but a facemask penalty allows Shelby to cross midfield. Moments later on third and four at the 41, Larry Raper carries for 10 yards and a first down but is injured on the play and has to leave the field.
Shelby's drive runs out of steam at the Hilltopper 19. Turner Almond comes on to kick a 36-yard field goal. With 2:19 left, it's ... Shelby 23, R-S 14.
R-S goes to the air. After two incompletions, Shelby's Tre Wilson returns an interception 45 yards for a score with 1:53 to play. Almond's kick makes it ... Shelby 30, R-S 14.

R-S isn't dead yet. After Leon Brown runs the kickoff back across midfield, Littlejohn fires deep to Jonathan Fuller for a 40-yard touchdown pass. A pass for the two-point try fails With 1:04 left, it's Shelby 30, R-S 20.

Hilltoppers recover the onside football and take over at the 50.
After an incompletion, Littlejohn drops back to throw. Quevalas Murray for Shelby rushes and swats the football out of the QB's hand and then recovers for the Golden Lions with 50 seconds to go.
Shelby takes a knee to let the clock run out.
Final score: Shelby 30, R-S 20.

Friday, October 17, 2008

It's the "Battle of Buffalo Creek" 2008

Rain, rain, rain ... it's going to end up pretty crowded in the press box before its over at Kings Mountain's John Gamble Stadium. The teams are on the field for pre-game drills. Opinion is divided as to which side benefits most from having wet turf tonight.

Kings Mountain takes the opening drive and rolls 73 yards in nine plays to go in front. On fourth and 15 at the Shelby 28, QB Mike Roberts avoids the rush and finds Devon Thompson open in the middle of the field at the 15. He turns and runs into the end zone. Edward Blackburn kicks the point after and with 8:32 left in the first quarter ... KM 7, Shelby 0

Shelby lines up with Larry Raper taking the snap two straight plays in shotgun formation but is unable to move it. Quinton Hopper is sacked on third down and Shelby has to punt it away

On the second play after the punt, KM's Roberts fires deep to Terrance Young for 35 yards to the Golden Lions' 18. On first down, Joe Chambers pops off the left side and goes 18 yards for the score. Blackburn's kick is good. With 5:02 left in the first quarter ... KM 14, Shelby 0.

After a KM onside kick attempt fails, Shelby fumbles the ball away on second down. Mountaineers start at the Shelby 46. On the first play, Roberts keeps and goes 21 yards to the Lions' 25. Two straight illegal blocks pushes KM back across midfield. KM has to punt it away with 1:22 left in the first quarter.
Shelby gets a first down on a run by Michael Copeland as first quarter ends ... KM 14-0.

Lions have to punt and mishandle the snap. KM's Tori Belcher throws Trent Vanderhoof for a loss back to the 24 yardline. It takes the Mountaineers six plays to score from there. Roberts keeps it up the middle for the final two yards with 9:16 left in the half. Blackburn's kick is good ... KM 21, Shelby 0

The teams exchange punts with Shelby taking over at the KM 48. Copeland runs for a first down for the Lions but a holding penalty pushes Shelby back. Lions cough up a fumble and KM's Anthony Dalton picks it up and runs it to the Shelby 46 with 3:54 left in the half.

KM forced to settle for a field goal try in the final 26 seconds but Blackburn's kick is low. Clock runs out. At the half ... KM 21, Shelby 0.
Observation: KM totally dominated the first half with a 12-2 edge in first downs and a 212-20 edge in yardage.
Other scores we've heard: R-S Central leading Burns, 14-0; Crest ahead of North Gaston 31-0; South Point ahead of Forestview 14-0; Chase in front of East Rutherford 13-0.

Second Half: Shelby goes 3-and-out on its first series. KM gets it and picks up two first downs before Quevalas Murray recovers a fumble to give the Lions the football at their own 46 with 8:07 left in the third quarter. Shelby can't move though and punts it away again with 6:56 left in the third period.
The teams exchanged punts over the next two series with KM taking over at its own 45 with 4:12 left in the quarter. Mountaineers have to kick it away.
On final play of third quarter, Shelby's R.J. Ussery carries for 17 yards out to the 37 to give the Lions their initial first down of the second half. after three quarters of play ... KM 21, Shelby 0.
The punting contest continues. Shelby takes over at its own 26 with 7:08 left.
Lions pick up consecutive first downs for the first time in the contest, then call a timeout at the KM 45 with 3:16 left in the game.
Shelby reaches the Mountaineer 26 but fumbles the ball away with 1:54 to play.
Mountaineers take a knee on three straight plays to end it.
Final score: KM 21, Shelby 0

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Shelby-KM series

The Shelby vs. Kings Mountain football rivalry is one of the oldest in North Carolina sports history. Known as the "Battle of Buffalo Creek," here are the scores in the series since 1960:

2007 — Shelby 41, KM 14
2006 — Shelby 49, KM 14
2005 — Shelby 55, KM 35
2004 — Shelby 52, KM 20
2003 — Shelby 38, KM 24
2002 — Shelby 35, KM 34 OT
2001 — Shelby 19, KM 10
2000 — Shelby 43, KM 13
1999 — KM 21, Shelby 21 (tie)
1998 — KM 7, Shelby 6
1997 — Shelby 20, KM 18
1996 — KM 42, Shelby 0
1995 — Shelby 19, KM 0
1994 — Shelby 35, KM 6
1993 — Shelby 48, KM 21
1992 — Shelby 7, KM 0
1991 — Shelby 19, KM 14
1990 — KM 17, Shelby 7
1989 — Shelby 20, KM 14*
1989 — Shelby 14, KM 6
1988 — Shelby 25, KM 13
1987 — Shelby 28, KM 0
1986 — KM 14, Shelby 7
1985 — KM 7, Shelby 0*
1985 — Shelby 10, KM 0
1984 — Shelby 35, KM 6
1983 — Shelby 26, KM 0
1982 — KM 8, Shelby 0
1981 — Shelby 13, KM 7
1980 — Shelby 28, KM 0
1979 — KM 27, Shelby 0
1978 — Shelby 20, KM 0
1977 — Shelby 20, KM 14
1976 — Shelby 20, KM 0
1975 — Shelby 42, KM 7
1974 — KM 14, Shelby 7
1973 — Shelby 26, KM 6
1972 — Shelby 31, KM 12
1971 — KM 8, Shelby 8 (tie)
1970 — Shelby 41, KM 14
1969 — Shelby 48, KM 13
1968 — Shelby 32, KM 0
1967 — KM 19, Shelby 7
1966 — Shelby 19, KM 0
1965 — Shelby 19, KM 0
1964 — KM 19, Shelby 7
1963 — KM 7, Shelby 7 (tie)
1962 — Shelby 7, KM 6
1961 — Shelby 20, KM 7
1960 — KM 12, Shelby 7
* — State playoff matchups

Friday, October 10, 2008

Burns vs. Shelby action

We're at Shelby High's Blanton Memorial Stadium Pearley Allen Field for a Southwestern 2A/3A Conference encounter between county rivals Shelby and Burns. The host Golden Lions enter with a 4-2 record and Burns stands at 1-5.

Foremost on the minds of the Shelby High fans is how junior Quinton Hopper performs in his first start at quarterback. He takes over the spot with senior Anthony Franklin sidelined for disciplinary reasons.

Note: We've heard that this season because of the cost of gas, booking agents aren't sending officials as far on road trips this season. That's probably why Dusty Haynes ... who played at Shelby back in the mid-1970s, is wearing the white hat for the officiating crew calling this game.

The teams exchange punts in the first quarter. On Burns' second series, the Bulldogs have to punt again and Jonathan Hopper returns for Shelby out to the 45 but fumbles and Burns takes over there with 2:16 left in the first period.
Bulldogs pick up a first down on a run by Terry Maddox. They have it second and six at the Shelby 30 as the first quarter ends. Score: 0-0.

Burns has second and five at the Shelby 13 when a high snap from center in shotgun formation costs the Bulldogs a big loss back to the 26. Bulldogs go to the air but Julian Jackson picks it off and returns 85 yards for a Shelby touchdown with 10:13 left in the half. Turner Almond's kick makes it ... Shelby 7, Burns 0.

Burns punts it away and Shelby starts from its own 28. QB Quinton Hopper hits Terron Mack on a third-and-nine play for a first down out to the 44. Moments later on fourth-and-two at the Burns 48, Shelby goes for it and Hopper passes 16 yards to Larry Raper to keep the drive going.
On the next play, Raper carries off the right side and zooms 36 yards the end zone. Almond's kick makes it Shelby 14, Burns 0 with 4:06 left in the half.

Burns goes three-and-out and Shelby takes over at its 45. On the first play, R.J. Ussery sails 35 yards for a first down at the Burns 20. Michael Copeland carries for a first down inside the 10. Moments later, Shelby faces third-and-goal at the eight and takes a timeout with 44 seconds to go in the half. Larry Raper carries for three yards to the five and Shelby lets clock roll down and calls timeout with :02 on the clock, setting up a field-goal attempt. Burns follows that with two timeouts to ice the kicker.
Almond sends the 23-yarder through the uprights as time expires. At the half ... Shelby 17, Burns 0.

Burns starts out the third quarter with a bang. After a punt rolls dead at the Bulldog eight, on third down Spencer Martin hits Preston Smith with a short pass. Smith shakes off the tackle and speeds 91 yards for the score with 8:55 on the clock. A bobbled snap foiled the extra point but the score stands ... Shelby 17, Burns 6.
Shelby coughs up the football at its 41 after the kickoff. Burns gives the football three straight times to Maddox for a first down and a personal foul penalty on Shelby gives the Bulldogs a first down at the 14.
After penalties on both teams, Burns calls a timeout facing third down and three at the Shelby 7 with 4:09 left in the half.
Shelby jumps offside, giving Burns first and goal at the three. After three runs up the middle, Bulldogs face fourth and goal at the one.
Burns called for delay of game while lining up, moving it back to the six.
Andrew Toney comes on to try a 21-yard field goal. R.J. Ussery for Shelby breaks through to block it with 1:16 on the clock in the period.
End of the quarter ... Shelby 17, Burns 6.
Other scores we have at the same point in the game: Crest 14, Country Day 7; Kings Mountain 43, Chase 7; South Point 17, Ashbrook 7.

Burns reaches the Shelby 30 ... on fourth-and-one, Quevalas Murray drops Bulldogs QB Spencer Martin for no gain. Golden Lions take over with 8:49 on the clock.
Shelby moves to the Burns 14 but a field-goal attempt is blocked.
Burns takes over at 14. On fourth-and-eight, Martin's pass is picked off by Shelby's Terran Mack and returned 20 yards for a score with 3:28 left in the game. The extra point is wide leaving the score ... Shelby 23, Burns 6

Burns passes for a first down after the kickoff, then Tre Wilson intercepts a pass for Shelby with 2:17 left in the game.
Shelby runs out the clock.
Final score: Shelby 23, Burns 6

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Burns-Shelby football series

The Burns-Shelby high school football rivalry heats up Friday night at Pearley Allen Field.
The Golden Lions have a 30-8 edge in the series.
The year-by-year scores:

2007 — Shelby 30, Burns 13
2006 — Shelby 33, Burns 7
2005 — Shelby 13, Burns 7
2004 — Shelby 37, Burns 7
2003 — Burns 20, Shelby 14
2002 — Burns 26, Shelby 21
2001 — Burns 28, Shelby 19
2000 — Shelby 48, Burns 3
1999 — Shelby 27, Burns 10
1998 — Shelby 18, Burns 12
1997 — Shelby 35, Burns 7
1996 — Shelby 34, Burns 0
1995 — Shelby 16, Burns 13
1994 — Burns 14, Shelby 7
1993 — Burns 41, Shelby 21
1992 — Shelby 40, Burns 7
1991 — Burns 25, Shelby 13
1990 — Burns 27, Shelby 10
1989 — Burns 12, Shelby 7
1988 — Shelby 28, Burns 0*
1988 — Shelby 16, Burns 3
1987 — Shelby 22, Burns 13
1986 — Shelby 3, Burns 0
1985 — Shelby 6, Burns 0
1984 — Shelby 12, Burns 7
1983 — Shelby 37, Burns 8
1982 — Shelby 24, Burns 14
1981 — Shelby 20, Burns 14
1980 — Burns 28, Shelby 27 OT
1979 — Shelby 21, Burns 0
1978 — Shelby 28, Burns 6
1977 — Shelby 25, Burns 0
1976 — Shelby 26, Burns 14
1975 — Burns 23, Shelby 18
1974 — Shelby 20, Burns 12
1973 — Shelby 21, Burns 6
1972 — Shelby 42, Burns 7
1971 — Shelby 45, Burns 8
1970 — Shelby 40, Burns 13
1969 — Shelby 35, Burns 6
1968 — Shelby 47, Burns 0
* - Playoff matchup

Friday, September 26, 2008

Football Tonight: Shelby vs. Brevard

Even with the misting rain still coming down in Shelby around 4:20 p.m., we still plan to kick off the Shelby-Brevard matchup at 7:30 p.m. at Blanton Memorial Stadium's Pearley Allen Field.
The Crest-Ashbrook game has already been postponed to Monday night due to the weather. The other two county games -- Burns at Forestview and Parkwood at Kings Mountain -- are still on tap.

7 p.m. -- it's coming down even harder now. Both teams are on the field going through their warmups. Only a handful of folks on both sides have left their cars to sit in the stands at this point.

7:25 -- almost gametime. Kudos to the Shelby cheerleaders and the
band ... all decked out in their rain gear ready to do their thing!

7:30 -- Brevard wins the toss, defers to the second half. Shelby will receive and be headed toward the north end zone.

Jonathan Hopper returns the kick for Shelby to the Brevard 34. It takes the Golden Lions eight carries to score from there. Michael Copeland goes in from the one with 7:49 on the clock. Turner Almond's kick makes it ... Shelby 7, Brevard 0.

Shelby forces a punt and takes over on its 23. On the first play, Hopper breaks free for 35 yards to the outside, putting the Golden Lions at the Brevard 42. That's followed by gains of 16 yards by Larry Raper and 18 by Copeland before the Shelby fullback (Copeland) bulls in from the 8. Almond's kick with 3:19 on the clock makes it ... Shelby 14, Brevard 0.

On the first play after the kickoff, Hopper (at cornerback) strips the Brevard ballcarrier of the football and recovers it for the Lions at the 46. Shelby moves for one first down but is held short on fourth-and-one at the 26 on the final play of the quarter. Score stays 14-0.

Brevard punts again and Raper returns it to the Blue Devil 45. Shelby moves into position for a 34-yard field goal by Turner Almond. With 4:30 left in the half, Shelby leads ... 17-0.

On second down after the kickoff, Lions' defensive end Quevalas Murray intercepts a screen pass giving Shelby the football at the Brevard six. On first down Raper goes over the right side for the score. Almond's kick with 3:30 on the clock makes the score ... Shelby 24, Brevard 0.

That's the way the half ends, 24-0.

Shelby keeps the football most of the quarter, ending up at the Brevard 4 facing third and goal with the horn sounded.
Copeland scores from the four on the first play of the final quarter. Daniel Pennington kicks the extra point. With 11:56 left in the game, it's ... Shelby 31, Brevard 0.

Latest scores from elsewhere: Forestview 20, Burns 0 late in third period; KM leads Parkwood at halftime, 9-0.

Shelby reserves drive to the Brevard 9 but fumble it away with 5:41 left in game.
Game ends: Shelby 31, Brevard 0.
Shelby (3-2) will host Watauga next Friday.
Golden Lions ended up with 312 yards on the ground, 14 in the air.
Brevard gained eight yards rushing and threw for 72 yards.
Shelby had a 16-5 edge in first downs.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

10 biggest coaching mistakes I've seen in high school football

First off, this column will likely get me in trouble with some coaching friends. Still, here goes.
Those that follow high school football are quick to point fingers at coaches when things don't go right for their favorite team. That goes with the territory.
Sometimes it's the standard: "Why don't we throw the ball more?" or "Why don't we try a blitz more frequently?"... those kinds of comments.
Coaches though are human and, like their players, do make mistakes from time to time.
In my 30 years of covering high school football fulltime, I've seen some doozies.

Here are the biggest coaching gaffes that I've witnessed in person:
No. 10: The punt -- some of my friends from high school still shake their heads thinking about this one.
My school, Northwest Cabarrus, had fourth-and-four to go at the Ragsdale 24 in a close 3A State quarterfinal game in 1972. Did we throw it, run the option, or try a field goal?
Nope. The punting team went in and the booming kick hit the high bank of the horseshoe and gave Ragsdale the ball at the 20 ... a change of only four yards.

No. 9: Shotgun spread -- I covered a Kings Mountain-North Gaston game in 1986 at Gamble Stadium. On the first series, the Mountaineers punted and the kick rolled down at the North two.
The Wildcats lined up in a shotgun spread formation ... with the offensive line far off at the right hashmark while the center, one blocking back and the quarterback, wer aligned far to the left.
Kings Mountain was prepared for this and had several of its fastest defenders raring to go. Two of them dashed in after the snap and nailed the unprotected quarterback for a safety that ignited a rout.

No. 8: Going for it -- I hate to pick on North Gaston but when Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, the Wildcats went to Burns for a Saturday afternoon contest played in a monsoon.
For some reason, North Gaston elected not to punt ... no matter where they were on the field. On fourth down, they went for it several times in the first half and each time the Bulldogs stopped them, taking over deep in North territory to set up quick scores that blew the contest open.

No. 7: Fourth and forever -- East Rutherford and Burns were battling it out for a playoff spot in 1997 on the final night of the regular season. East had a first-and-goal inside the Bulldog 5 late in the game for a possible go-ahead score.
However, after a run ahead into the line, a Cavalier player was called for a deadball personal foul that moved his team back. The East coaching staff protested so vehemently they drew a pair of unsportsmanlike calls and before you knew it, it was second-and-goal near midfield, dramatically altering how the game would unfold.

No. 6: Beware the pile -- Maiden has won a lot of football games through the years but never against Shelby. To show how fired up they were, the Blue Devils ran onto the center of the field at Blanton Memorial Stadium before the 2000 matchup and did a copycat version of Shelby’s pre-game pile.
The Shelby coaches had worried beforehand about the Golden Lions being “up” for this game but upon witnessing the Maiden gesture, Shelby players were instantly in a frenzy. Sixty-three points later Shelby had scored about many points as any Maiden team had allowed in a game in the past 40 years.

No. 5 and No. 4 (simultaneously): Strange ending -- Shelby vs. Crest in 1985. Shelby was trying to run the clock out with a one-point lead but was backed up deep in its end of the field.
Shelby elected to run a play on fourth down rather than risk a kick, yet when the official blew the whistle at the end of the play, time had not elapsed and Crest took over inside the 10 yardline with enough time to try a field goal. Yet the Chargers, as was their habit at that time, lined up in an offset formation. Crest was shifting into field-goal alignment when the referee started the clock and it ran out before the Chargers got the ball snapped.

No. 3: Stealing the ball -- This was another of those dramatic finishes to a Crest-Shelby game, this one in 1993. The game seemed to be ending as a tie when Crest tried an option play deep in its own territory in the final minute. Defensive back Robert Williams timed it perfectly and stole the pitch and dashed into the end zone to give Shelby the surprising victory.

No. 2: Goal-line pass -- The 1979 South Point-King Mountain game was one of the best I’ve ever seen. The Mountaineers had future NFL running back Kevin Mack along with another huge back named Avery Smith.
Kings Mountain, which rarely threw the ball because of its potent ground game, was inside the South Point 5 with a chance to go ahead late in the game. Instead of giving the ball again to Mack or Smith, the Mountaineers attempted a quick pass over the middle that was intercepted, preserving the win for the Red Raiders (eventual 3A stat champs).

No. 1: The quick kick -- It was Cherryville vs. Burns in 1989. The Bulldogs were dominating the season opener at Rudisill Stadium. The host Ironmen didn't get a first down in the opening half.
Late in the third quarter though, Cherryville completed a pass across midfield for its initial first down that got the home crowd cheering. Yet trailing by three touchdowns, moments later on third and about seven in Burns’ territory, the Ironmen launched a quick kick that gave possession right back to the Bulldogs.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Crest vs. Shelby action

The sun popped out here in Shelby about 4 p.m. and it looks like we're going to have a clear evening for football at Pearley Allen Field.

Be sure to check out longtime Star photographer Jeff Melton's blog here at http://www.shelbystar.com/ for a photo blog of tonight's contest.
Kickers from both teams are out on the field getting in their workouts two hours before the contest is scheduled to begin.
Crest co-captains: Justin Price, Reggie Wilkins, Taylor Crosby and Martavis Burris ... Shelby co-captains: Larry Raper and Chavalo Wright.

Crest will kick off to Shelby with the Golden Lions heading for the south end zone.
Shelby's Larry Raper runs the kickoff back 85 yards for a score but it's wiped out by illegal block penalty. Golden Lions start from their own 17.

The running of Michael Copeland and Jonathan Hopper move Shelby down inside the Crest 10 where the defense stiffens. Turner Almond comes on to kick a 22-yard field goal. Shelby leads, 3-0, with 7:15 to go in the first quarter.
The teams exchange punts with Crest getting the better end of the deal, taking over at the Shelby 44 with 0:59 left in the first quarter.
Quarter ends with Shelby in front, 3-0.
Teams continue to trade kicks. Short punt puts Shelby in possession at Crest 38. Drive ends with errant field goal. Still 3-0 with 5 minutes left in half.
After 2 more punts, Crest starts moving. Reggie Wilkins gains 33 yards on a QB draw, then passes eight yards to Aldrich Watson to put Chargers at the Shelby 26 with 43 seconds left in half.
At the 22, Wilkins scrambles away from the rush and finds Kendall Kee all alone in the right side of the end zone for TD. Trever Austin's kick puts Crest in front, 7-3, with 0:23 left in the half.
Score stands at half -- 7-3 Chargers.

Comment: Defenses seem to have the edge so far in this game but Crest's Wilkins began to break Shelby's containment on the last drive. Golden Lions, after the initial drive, have struggled offensively with only the running of fullback Michael Copeland the only consistent yard producer.

2nd Half: Crest takes second half kickoff and marches in for a score.
Freshman Qourtez Wright breaks free on a 30-yard run off the left side to reach the end zone. Austin's kick is good. Crest leads, 14-3, 9:09 left in third period.
Shelby gains a pair of first downs after the kickoff but then fumbles it back to the Chargers. Crest takes over at Shelby 40 with 6:17 on the clock. Crest fumbles it right back to the Lions on the next play.

Shelby mounts a drive late in third period. Larry Raper carries five times in a six-play, 61-yard drive. Raper breaks free up the middle on a 26-yard touchdown run with :04 left in third period. Almond's kick cuts Crest's lead to 14-10.

After a Crest punt, Shelby goes on the march again. Raper and Copeland share the ball-carrying load. Copeland punches it in from the one with 3:00 on the clock. Extra point is no good. Shelby leads 16-14.

A sack and a holding penalty push Crest back to the 16. Chargers punt it away, giving Shelby the football at the 47 with 1:26 to go.
Shelby runs out the clock, taking a knee on two straight snaps to end it.
Final score: Shelby 16, Crest 14.

Comment: Shelby's offensive line found its rhythm midway in the second half and wore down the Charger defensive front. Raper came up big for the Lions, running out of a deep single back formation and rushing for 97 yards in the final two quarters.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

It's Crest vs. Shelby time

It's that time of year again.
Below is the list of scores in the Crest-Shelby high school football series that annually pits two of the better programs in the western half of the state. Shelby leads the matchup 24-15-1.
Here are some of my memories/thoughts about specific games in the series. I've had the good fortune to cover most of the action when the two hook up since 1980.

Breakthrough (1980): Crest's 21-0 triumph was their first official win over the Golden Lions, though the 1973 tie had gone to the Chargers (the former Western North Carolina High School Activities Association didn't recognize results from overtimes unless the two teams were tied in the standings at the end of the season).
Other than Kibby Daves' 55-yard run early in the third quarter that broke the scoreless deadlock, what stays in my head most about this encounter is how the Charger fans stayed on the field so long afterwards, not wanting to leave Blanton Memorial Stadium.

Crazy ending (1985): This ranks as one of the strangest endings I've ever seen. Shelby was trying to run the clock out with a one-point lead but was backed up deep in its end of the field. Shelby elected to run a play on fourth down rather than risk a kick, yet when the official blew the whistle at the end of the play, time had not elapsed and Crest took over around the 10 yardline with enough time to try a field goal. Yet the Chargers, as was their habit at that point in time, lined up in an offset formation and was shifting into its field-goal alignment when the referee started the clock and it ran out before Crest got the play off.
And yes, that explanation of what happened is just as complicated as it sounds.

Overtime duel (1987): This marked the first time that Jim Taylor and Mike Stewart coached against one another. The Lions were in the second year of a back-to-back state championship run but three costly mistakes in the kicking game helped put the game into overtime, where James Harbison's TD run lifted Crest to victory.

Stealing the ball (1993): This was another of those dramatic finishes. The game seemed to be finishing as a tie when Crest tried an option pitch deep in its own territory in the final minute. Robert Williams timed it perfectly and stole the pitch and dashed into the end zone to give Shelby the surprising victory.

Wide right (1998): Another of Shelby's state championship clubs ran afoul of the Chargers. Though the Lions maintained ball control much of the night, it missed three field goals leaving the contest tied 7-7 late in the game. Fighting the clock, Shelby went to the air but it was picked off and returned for a score to give Crest the win.

Making a stand (2003): Crest had won five straight years over the Golden Lions but that came to end when Shelby halted a last-gasp Chargers' drive. The Lions' Tavorris Jolley, only a sophomore, made the stop on fourth down when Crest was inside the five-yardline and allowed Shelby to hold on.

The shootout (2004): In a year in which both teams played all the way to their respective state championship games, the two put up the most combined points in the series. Shelby jumped to an early 21-3 lead but the Chargers came back to pull out a 38-35 triumph. There likely were more future college players on the field in this game than in any Crest-Shelby matchup ever played.

Chargers vs. Golden Lions
Year-by-year
2007 — Crest 14, Shelby 7
2006 — Shelby 21, Crest 7
2005 — Shelby 21, Crest 17
2004 — Crest 38, Shelby 35
2003 — Shelby 17, Crest 14
2002 — Crest 40, Shelby 0
2001 — Crest 28, Shelby 14
2000 — Crest 45, Shelby 13
1999 — Crest 21, Shelby 7
1998 — Crest 14, Shelby 7
1997 — Shelby 18, Crest 7
1996 — Crest 14, Shelby 7
1995 — Shelby 44, Crest 21
1994 — Crest 16, Shelby 3
1993 — Shelby 24, Crest 17
1992 — Shelby 35, Crest 14
1991 — Shelby 13, Crest 7
1990 — Shelby 20, Crest 3
1989 — Shelby 26, Crest 20
1988 — Crest 28, Shelby 21
1987 — Crest 27, Shelby 20
1986 — Shelby 13, Crest 7
1985 — Shelby 7, Crest 6
1984 — Shelby 12, Crest 7
1983 — Crest 13, Shelby 7
1982 — Crest 14, Shelby 0
1981 — Crest 12, Shelby 7
1980 — Crest 21, Shelby 0
1979 — Shelby 19, Crest 13
1978 — Shelby 26, Crest 7
1977 — Shelby 13, Crest 7
1976 — Shelby 20, Crest 0
1975 — Shelby 21, Crest 8
1974 — Shelby 14, Crest 6
1973 — Crest 14, Shelby 14
1972 — Shelby 31, Crest 8
1971 — Shelby 33, Crest 12
1970 — Shelby 41, Crest 7
1969 — Shelby 47, Crest 0
1968 — Shelby 45, Crest 7

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Crest vs. Freedom

The Crest Chargers go for their second straight non-conference win in the 2008 football season as they play host to the Freedom Patriots from Morganton at 7:30 p.m. at Sid Bryson Stadium.
The contest was moved up one night because of the threat of Hurricane Hanna.

10 minutes before kickoff and the sun's still shining brightly. Looks like the fact we're playing this on Thursday night is having a major impact at the gate with the home side not half full (though fans continue to come in) and even fewer folks over on the visiting side.

Crest co-captains tonight are Aldrich Watson, Levon Brooks, Reggie Wilkins and Justin Price.

After an exchange of punts, Crest drives inside the Freedom 10. A scoring run by Kendall Kee is erased by a holding penalty. Chargers wind up attempting a 25-yard field goal but Freedom's Chris Avery blocks Trever Austin's kick, leaving the contest scoreless with 3:01 left in the first quarter.
Quarter ends with no score.
Chargers go on another march with a pair of 14-yard gains by QB Reggie Wilkins leading the way. Justin Price caps the 64-yard scoring drive with a six-yard sweep to the end zone with 8:49 on the clock. Austin's kick is good.
Crest 7, Freedom 0
Other scores to report, also after one quarter: South Point 7, Kings Mountain 0, and Ashbrook 7, Shelby 6

Freedom goes three and out and Crest's Aldrich Watson runs the kick back 49 yards to the Patriots' 5. Neil Chambers scores from there on first down for Chargers. Austin's kick is good.
Crest leads, 14-0, with 6:14 left in the half.
Chargers' defense continues to shine. Three interceptions -- one by Levon Brooks and two by Justin Price stymie Freedom.

Score at the half: Crest 14, Freedom 0
Latest scores from Gaston County: South Point 14, Kings Mountain 14; and Ashbrook 14, Shelby 6.

Both teams unable to move on their opening possessions in the third quarter. Crest finally gets rolling late in the period. Reggie Wilkins caps a 73-yard march with a dazzling 23-yard TD run. Wilkins appeared to be upended around the 15 but somehow came up on his feet and continued on into the end zone. Austin's kick is blocked.
1:54 left in 3rd quarter: Crest 20, Freedom 0
It stays that way through the end of the period.
Other scores: Shelby 16, Ashbrook 14 with 7 minutes left in 3rd period; South Point takes 21-14 lead over KM with 8:28 left in game.

Crest and Freedom take turns punting the football away in the fourth quarter as the offenses sputter.
Freedom throws deep and it goes for a 61-yard touchdown from Marcus Kincaid to Ethan Kincaid. Kick is good.
With 4:13 left in game: Crest 20, Freedom 7
Freedom recovers onside kick but can't get anything else going.
Final score: Crest 20, Freedom 7
Other finals: South Point 21, KM 14; Ashbrook 34, Shelby 16

Friday, August 29, 2008

Burns vs. Crest football

It's 40 minutes before gametime and folks are filing in to the stands on both sides of Sid Bryson Stadium.
Be sure to check out longtime Star photographer Jeff Melton's blog here at http://www.shelbystar.com/ for a photo blog of tonight's contest.

The sun is bright and making things pretty warm for players and spectators alike. I'll bet the ice cream vendor down on the track behind the west end zone does a good business tonight.
A few facts:
David Devine is coaching his first game with the Burns Bulldogs. He took over on an interim basis when it was announced that Ron Greene would undergo further surgery on his knee. Devine is no stranger to this game, having been a member of Burns' 1994 state championship club.
Burns hopes to end a long losing streak against their county rival. The Chargers haven't lost to Burns since 1998.
Both teams were in the state playoffs last season. The Bulldogs fell to NW Cabarrus in the first round in 3A while the Chargers bowed to Mount Tabor in the second round of the 4A playoffs.

Co-captains tonight: For visiting Burns -- Monterrio Merriweather, Jeremy Givens, Preston Smith and Mitchell Smith
For the host Chargers -- Reggie Wilkins, A.J. Straight, Josh McDowell, Levon Brooks and honorary captain Blake Hollifield (injured)

Crest's speed is quickly apparent. Chargers move 54 yards in three plays to take the lead. Quarterback Reggie Wilkins breaks free for a 22-yard score off the right side. Trever Austin's kick is good. Crest ahead, 7-0 with 10:13 left in the first period.

Burns fumbles the football away on its first play from scrimmage and Crest's Rhaheim Ledbetter recovers at the Bulldogs' 32. Chargers unable to convert as Burns takes over on downs at the 24. Bulldogs though go three and out and kick it away.

The teams exchange kicks before Crest starts moving again. Two rushes by freshman Quortez Wright have the Chargers in first-and-goal at the 7 as the quarter comes to an end.
Reggie Wilkins keeps around the left field to score from the 7 on the first play of the second period. Trevor Austin's kick is good and Chargers take a 14-0 lead with 11:53 to to in the half.

Burns' Jonah Brooks returns punt to the Crest 20 midway in the second quarter. He loses the football but teammate Jeremy Givens recovers to put the Bulldogs in business at the Charger 16.
The momentum swings in an instant as Burns' Jonah Brooks coughs up the football on third and 7 at the 13. Crest's Aldrich Watson picks up the football and sets sail in the opposite direction. He's caught from behind by Burns' Preston Smith at the Bulldogs' 16. Two plays later Neil Chambers carries it in from six yards out off the left side. Austin's kick puts Crest ahead 21-0 with 6:14 left in the half.

The only other score we've heard thus far: Shelby leads Morganton Freedom 20-0 in the second quarter over at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.

The rest of the half is played in the center of the field. On the final play of the half, Crest QB Reggie Wilkins hits Brandon Strong deep down the right side. He breaks a tackle but is knocked out of bounds at the three-yard line as time expires. Chargers own a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Crest owns a 9-3 edge in first downs at halftime. In this heat and humidity, that means the Burns defense is staying on the field a lot longer and it could be a factor in the fourth quarter should the contest tighten up.

Crest's Aldrich Watson intercepts on Burns' opening series in the third quarter. Chargers moved for another score with Wilkins going in from 10 yards out for his third TD of the night. Austin's kick puts the Chargers in front, 28-0, with 5:38 to go in the third period.

End of the third quarter, Crest still in front 28-0. Over at Shelby, Golden Lions ahead of Freedom 20-0 after three quarters.

Both teams getting a lot of reserves on the field in the fourth period.
Burns threatens late as Chris Marlow hauls in a 57-yard pass to get the Bulldogs drive to the 15. Burns' Jonah Brooks is stopped on fourth-and-one by Crest's Rhaheim Ledbetter for a four-yard loss, allowing Crest to take over at the 19 with 1:57 to play.

Burns gets another shot at it as Crest fumbles the ball away on first down. Four straight incompletions give the Chargers possesion at the 40 with 1:13 to play.

Final score: Crest 28, Burns 0
Wilkins had the most impressive stat of the night with 120 yards rushing for the Chargers.
Other county scores tonight - Kings Mountain 32, Hunter Huss 18
Shelby 20, Freedom 0

Monday, August 18, 2008

Regional Championship

...And then there were two!
Host Shelby Post 82 and Sumter Post 15 are squaring off here very shortly for the American Legion Southeast Regional Tournament championship. We have a packed house at Keeter Stadium and Veterans Field with even the grassy banks above the dugouts packed with fans.

Here are the starting lineups:
For Shelby (36-14) which will be the visiting team: Seth Canipe (CF), Brett Wease (SS), Kyle Kendrick (C), Adam McFarland (3B), Julian Ridings (DH), James Gold (1B), Eric Shuford (RF), Corey Cline (2B), Jordan Robinson (LF). Righthander Adam Izokovic is starting on the mound.
For Sumter (32-3), the home team on the scoreboard: Quentrell Nelson (RF), Bruce Caldwell (SS), Travis Witherspoon (CF), Matthew Price (3B), Michael Blackmon (DH), Tony Micklon (C), Matthew Talley (1B), Cam Martin (LF), Robert Benenhaley (2B). The pitcher is righthander Tyler Smith.

First pitch at 7:30 p.m.
Seth Canipe lines the third pitch of the game into left-center field for a double for Shelby. Brett Wease then sacrifices to put Canipe at third.
After Kendrick fans for the second out, McFarland grounds out to the second baseman to retire the side. No score, Sumter coming to bat.

Izokovic retires Sumter 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first. Still no score.

Shelby threatens in the second with two outs as Eric Shuford is hit by a pitch, then Sumter starter Tyler Smith walks Jordan Robinson to load the bases. On a 3-2 count, Canipe lines another double into the left-center field gap to score all three runners for a 3-0 lead. Sumter Coach Wallie Jones decides to make a pitching change, bringing in lefthander Matthew Talley.
Talley fans Wease to retire the side. Shelby in front, 3-0.

Sumter third baseman Matthew Price leads off the bottom of the second with a solo home run, the fourth of the tournament for the University of South Carolina signee.
Izokovic pitches around two infield errors to keep the score at 3-1, in Shelby's favor, after two complete innings.

Shelby goes quietly in the top of the third, score stays 3-1.
In the bottom of the inning, Izokovic retires Sumter 1-2-3.

Shelby gets leadoff runner aboard in top of fourth but can't move him. Score remains 3-1.
Sumter gets a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning and moves him to third, but he's stranded as Robinson gathers in a fly ball for the third out. The score after four: Shelby Post 82 3, Sumter 1.

Tension seems to be mounting as the game seems to be settling into a pitcher's duel. Kyle Kendrick doubles in the top of the fifth for Post 82 and moves to third with two outs. Julian Ridings hits a high hopper to the right side that Sumter first baseman Samuel Key dives and comes up with. From the ground, he fires to pitcher Talley covering the bag, barely nipping Julian Ridings for the third out. Score still: Shelby 3, Sumter 1.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Sumter Post 15 strikes quickly. Quentrell Nelson is hit by a pitch, then Bruce Caldwell hits a line drive home run to right center field to tie the contest. After 5 complete: score is deadlocked at 3-3.

Talley mows down Shelby 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth leaving the score tied at 3-3.
After the Sumter leadoff batter gets aboard in the bottom of the inning and is bunted to second, Shelby makes a pitching change. Eric Shuford comes to the hill to replace Izokovic, who gave up only three hits but two were home runs. Shuford retires two straight to leave the runner stranded at second. Score remains: Shelby 3, Sumter 3.

Jordan Robinson leads off for Shelby and hits a deep liner to center that Sumter's Travis Witherspoon hauls in on the run at the wall. The next two batters go quietly, leaving the score tied 3-3 in the middle of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, a bunt single, walk and error load the bases with two outs as Sumter cleanup hitter Matthew Price comes to the plate. Price is 10-for-23 with 4 HR and 10 RBI in the tournament. Price hits a hard liner that Jordan Robinson runs down in front of the fence for the third out. End of seven: score still tied 3-3.

Talley continues to roll along for Sumter. He retires Shelby 1-2-3 in the eighth and has now mowed down 11 in a row. The score is still 3-3.

Shuford responds by getting Sumter three straight. We go to the ninth inning all tied up at 3-3. Not too many of the 5,000-plus fans on hand are leaving this one early.

The tall Sumter lefthander continues to shut down the Shelby offense. Talley strikes out the side in the top of the ninth. Score remains 3-3.

Two errors allow Sumter to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. With one out and runner Samuel Key on second, Quentrell Nelson bunts down the third baseline. Shelby's Adam McFarland scoops and throws to first but the ball and the runner arrive at the base and the same time and the ball goes off first baseman James Gold's glove, allowing Key to keep motoring across the plate with the game winner.

Sumter (33-3) earns the right to come back to Shelby for the World Series starting Friday.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Shelby vs. Randolph County

It's Shelby vs. Randolph County in the winner's bracket showdown in the American Legion Southeast Regional Tournament at Shelby High's Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field.

We've got beautiful weather, a huge crowd and two good teams going at it. A reminder: Sunday's games will be at 1 & 5 p.m.

The lineups:

Randolph County: Cameron Cockman (SS), Josh Hohn (C), William Ridge (3B), Steven Davis (LF), Ethan Marsh (CF), Tyler McSwain (P), Austin Moyer (1B), Bradley Holland (RF), Jessie Seawell (2B).
Shelby: Seth Canipe (P), Brett Wease (SS), Kyle Kendrick (C), Adam McFarland (3B), Julian Ridings (RF), James Gold (1B), Eric Shuford (LF), Corey Cline (2B), Jordan Robinson (CF).

Seth Canipe is on the mound for Shelby. His ejection late in Friday's second-round game with Tuscaloosa, Ala., carried no extra penalty.
Canipe allows a hit but keeps Randolph County Post 45 scoreless in the top of the first.

Bottom of first: Canipe is hit by pitch leading off and Brett Wease bunts him down to second. Canipe moves to third on Kyle Kendrick's groundout to the right side. Randolph commits error on Adam McFarland's grounder to short, allowing Canipe to score the first run of the game. Inning ends, Shelby up 1-0.

Randolph County unable to mount a threat in the bottom of the inning.
Score stays: Shelby Post 82 1, Randolph County 0.

After one out, Post 82 stages a rally in the bottom of the second inning. Consecutive singles by Eric Shuford, Corey Cline and Jordan Robinson bring in a run, making it 2-0. Brett Wease slaps a two-out double past the first baseman down into right field corner, sending Cline and Robinson across to make it 4-0. That's the way it stays as the side is retired.

Randolph loads the bases in the third on a single, hit batsmen and walk. With two outs, Ethan Marsh -- the MVP of the state tournament in Gastonia -- is at the plate. The rising sophomore from Pfeiffer flies out to Julian Ridings to leave the runners stranded. Score stays: Shelby 4, Randolph 0.

Shelby gets a runner aboard in the third but a fine play by Randolph third baseman Hunter Ridge retires the side. Score is still 4-0.

Randolph comes alive in the top of the fourth. A pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt puts runners on second and third with one out. Nolan Seawell for Post 45 hits one deep to left, but Shelby's Eric Shuford makes the catch up against the wall. One run comes in on the sacrifice fly. Cameron Cockman then singles to right to bring in the second run before Canipe retires the side. Score: Shelby 4, Randolph 2.

Jordan Robinson singles and steals second for Shelby in the bottom of the fourth but Brett Wease's hard liner to center was caught Randolph's Ethan Marsh to retire the side. The score is still Shelby 4, Randolph 2.

Jordan Robinson takes over on the mound for Post 82 in the top of the fifth inning.
With one swing, the entire complexion changed. With two out and two aboard, Randolph first baseman Austin Moyer smashes a three-run home run deep into the trees in right-center field to give Post 45 a 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Shelby ties it. Adam McFarland doubles then scores on James Gold's single to left. After 5 complete innings: score is tied at 5-5.

In the top of the sixth, Randolph scratches a run out on two infield singles and a RBI hit to left by Hunter Ridge. Randolph 6, Shelby 5.

And now for a special announcement: Tonight's attendance is 4,671. For the day the figure stands at 7,051. The three-day total for the tournament is 18,408.

Back to the action -- Shelby gets a runner to second in the bottom of the sixth but he's left stranded. Score remains: Randolph 6, Shelby 5.

Post 82's Robinson strikes out the side in the top of the seventh. It's still 6-5.

As the old Batman TV show goes "Biff, Boom, Pow!" A leadoff single by Kyle Kendrick is followed by a line-drive home run over the right-centerfield wall by Shelby's Adam McFarland, putting Post 82 ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Eric Shuford lines into a double play to end the inning. With seven innings in the book, Post 82's on top, 7-6.

Randolph gets leadoff runner aboard in eighth and bunts him to second. Groundout to right side puts runner at third with two out and Josh Hohn at bat for Post 45. Hohn drives Shelby rightfielder Julian Ridings back to the wall but he leaps and makes the catch to end the inning. Shelby still ahead, 7-6.

Shelby goes quietly in bottom of eighth. Post 82 head coach Mike Grayson makes the move to bring in his closer, Eric Shuford, to pitch the ninth.

Hunter Ridge beats out an infield single to open the ninth, then Ridge steals second. Randolph's Steven Davis fans for the first out. Shuford fans Ethan Marsh for second out, bringing Travis McSwain to the plate for Randolph.
McSwain grounds to Wease at short, James Gold digs out the throw for the final out. Shelby wins, 7-6, as fireworks show erupts above Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field.

Final stats: Shelby 7 runs, 9 hits, made 1 error
Randolph 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 errors
WP - Jordan Robinson. LP - Travis McSwain.
Save -- Eric Shuford.
HR -- Adam McFarland (Sh), Austin Moyer (Randolph)

Friday, August 15, 2008

Shelby vs. Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Shelby Post 82 vs. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Post 34

winner's bracket, second day

Shelby is the visitor. The lineup: Seth Canipe (CF), Brett Wease (SS), Kyle Kendrick (C), Adam McFarland (3B), Julian Ridings (DH), James Gold (1B), Eric Shuford (RF), Corey Cline (2B), Jordan Robinson (LF) ... Pitcher - Adam Izokovic.

Alabama champs' lineup: Cameron Carlisle (LF), Jay Davis (C), Nick Vickerson (SS), Corban Green (1B), Hunter Trawick (DH), Vince Korthawi (2B), Rob McWhirter (3B), Colby Dickerson (RF), Coy Arrowood (CF) ... Pitcher Wes Grammar

Incredible crowd on hand for this contest. Through 2 days of the event, attendance has already topped the 11,300 mark.
First pitch of game comes at 8:49 p.m.

Top of 1st -- Shelby takes a 1-0 lead. An error, walk and infield single by Julian Ridings loads the bases. James Gold singles to right to score Seth Canipe. Eric Shuford flies out deep to center to end the inning.
Bottom of first -- Tuscaloosa puts runners on second and third with two out, by Izokovic gets a ground ball out to Corey Cline at second to escape the jam. After 1 inning: Shelby Post 82 leads, 1-0.

Shelby hitters go 1-2-3 in top of 2nd.
Tuscaloosa takes the lead in the bottom of the inning. A two-out two-run single by Cameron Carlisle makes it 2-1. One runner left stranded.
Tuscaloosa 2, Shelby 1.

Shelby strikes back in top of third inning. Adam McFarland delivers a two-RBI double down the first baseline into the corner. McFarland later scores when Gold grounds into a double play. Side retired. Shelby Post 82 now leads, 4-2.

Tuscaloosa cuts into the margin in the bottom of the third. Corben Green doubles to the deepest part of the park in center to send Nick Vickerson across in front of him. Izokovic's able to leave two runners stranded, keeping Shelby ahead 4-3.

Corey Cline leads off top of the fourth with a solo home run down the line to put Post 82 ahead, 5-3. Shelby on verge of breaking game open as it loads the bases, then Kyle Kendrick grounds into force play at second. Brett Wease's hard slide prevents double play as a run scores. An infield error plates another run, then Julian Ridings doubles to the left-field fence to send two runners across. Tuscaloosa makes pitching change to Jody Mason before side is retired.
After 3 1/2 innings, Shelby in front, 9-3.

Big flies continue to dominate the action. Cameron Carlisle hammers solo home run to left for Tuscaloosa to make it 9-4. Another run scores on a wild pitch in the inning before the side is out. After four complete innings, Shelby ahead 9-5.

Post 82 goes quietly in the top of the fifth, still 9-5. Tuscaloosa unable to respond in bottom of inning. Shelby though goes three up and three down in top of the sixth inning. Score remains: Shelby Post 82 9, Tuscaloosa 5.

In bottom of sixth, a single and walk forces a pitching change. Brett Wease takes over on mound for Post 82. He gets a flyout and two infield grounders to hold Tuscaloosa at bay. Shelby still leads, 9-5.

Seventh-inning stretch time!
In top of seventh, Julian Ridings leads off with his third hit of night. James gold then draws a walk. A passed ball moves runners to third. Corey Cline hits a sacrifice fly to left to score Ridings, but Gold's left stranded at third. Shelby Post 82 now leads, 10-5.

Tuscaloosa stages a rally with some help from Shelby. With two outs and a runner aboard, a fly ball to deep right is mishandled. When the hitter tries to go to third, an errant relay throw sails wide. Two runs score on the play.
Coy Arrowood then steps up and blasts a solo home run to make it 10-8. Eric Shuford, Thursday's night mound winner, comes in to pitch for Shelby. Shuford fans Carlisle to end the bottom of the seventh.
Going to the eighth, Shelby Post 82 leads 10-8.

Seth Canipe lines a home run over the left field wall to start the top of the eighth for Post 82. Brett Wease then beats out a bunt and moves to third on an errant throw. A wild pitch moves Wease to third. Tuscaloosa makes a pitching change, bringing Hunter Trawick to the mound.
Rally continues as Adam McFarland's bad-hop single scores another run. Julian Ridings hits a line shot into right field for his fourth hit of the night, plating a run to make it 13-8.
Shelby scores another run when Jordan Robinson draws a bases-loaded walk. Seth Canipe takes a third strike on a questionable outside pitch, then when Canipe reacted to the pitch, umpire throws him out of the game. Jacob Tisdale enters the game in Canipe's spot in the order.
Going to the bottom of the eighth, Shelby leads 14-8.

Tuscaloosa keeps fighting back. A leadoff double by Jay Davis and a RBI single by Hunter Trawick makes it 14-9.
With two outs and rain picking up ... umpires decide to delay the contest for the time being.
Action resumes after a break of less than 15 minutes. Tuscaloosa continues its rally, scoring again before the side is retired.
After eight innings: Shelby Post 82 14, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10.

Shelby unable to mount any threat in the top of the ninth. 14-10 going to bottom of the ninth.

Shuford retires Tuscaloosa in order to end it.
Shelby wins, 14-10, and faces Randolph County at 7 p.m. in an all-North Carolina winner's bracket final.

Notes: winning pitcher - Adam Izokovic.
Losing pitcher - Wes Grammer
Save - Eric Shuford
HR - Seth Canipe (Sh), Coy Arrowood (Tuscaloosa)
Top hitters - Shelby: Julian Ridings 4-for-4, Adam McFarland 2 hits, Brett Wease 2 hits; Tuscaloosa: Jay Davis 3 hits, Cameron Carlisle 2 hits, Coy Arrowood 2 hits.
Alabama plays at 1 p.m. against Columbia, Tenn.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Shelby vs. Puerto Rico

The 5 p.m. Randolph County (NC) vs. Leesburg (Ga.) game finally ended at 10:10 p.m. with the North Carolina champions winning 8-4.

At this unusual late hour, the starting lineups in the American Legion Southeast Regional between Shelby Post 82 (34-14) and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Post 134:

Shelby is the visitor. The lineup -- Seth Canipe (CF), Brett Wease (SS), Kyle Kendrick (C), Adam McFarland (3B), Julian Ridings (DH), James Gold (1B), Eric Shuford (RF), Corey Cline (2B), Jordan Robinson (LF).
Puerto Rico -- Jorge Laguer (SS), Wilfreo Rosario (RF), Miguel Pagan (3B), Samuel Marrero (1b), Ryan Santos (LF), Jan Vazquez (C), Rafael Sanchez (LF), Angel Fonseca (DH), Jonathan Torres (CF), Brian Quilies (P).

First pitch on this foggy, wet night came at 10:53 p.m.

Shelby drew first blood in the top of the first inning.
Seth Canipe drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Brett Wease's sacrifice bunt. Adam McFarland lined a two-out double to right-center field to plate Canipe. Shelby would leave two runners stranded in the inning ... Shelby 1, Puerto Rico coming to bat.

Note: Hard to believe there's still more than 1,000-to-1,2000 fans still in the ballpark at this hour.

Oddity: When the first disputed call of the contest occurred in the bottom of the first, there were three coaches from Puerto Rico out talking with the umpires about the play. The umpire ruled that a Guaynabo hitter had leaned into a pitch rather than avoid it and was not allowed to go to first base.
When the coaches came out, the third person from the Puerto Rico bench was thee merely to serve as the translater between the coaches and the umpiring crew.
Shelby pitcher Adam Izokovic allowed a leadoff walk but escaped damage. Shelby still leads, 1-0, after one inning.


Shelby is threatening to break the contest open early.
Post 82 scored five times in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead.
Shelby got only two hits -- a bunt single by Corey Cline and a RBI single by James Gold -- but benefitted from three walks by the Puerto Rico pitchers. An error and hit batsmen also contributed to the rally.
Before the side was out, the Guaynabo coaches made a pitching change, bringing Luis Flores to the mound.

Shelby's lead didn't last long. Puerto Rico scored four times in the bottom of the second on just two hits. Four walks and an error allowed Post 134 to crawl back into the contest. Jordan Robinson came on to replace Shelby starting pitcher Adam Izokovic. Puerto Rico left the bases loaded thanks to a hard liner right at first baseman James Gold to end it.
After two complete innings: Shelby 6, Puerto Rico 4.

In one swing, Shelby Post 82 got most of its lead back. Seth Canipe launched a three-run shot over the left-centerfield wall in the top of the third to lift Shelby back into a 9-4 lead.

It was Puerto Rico's time to use the long ball. Rafael Sanchez drilled a solo opposite field home run in the bottom of the third to draw Post 134 within 9-5.

Shelby went back on the attack in the top of the fourth. Singles by Eric Shuford, Corey Cline and Jordan Robinson netted a run. Canipe then drilled a double to right center to score a pair, giving him five RBI on the night. Canipe later crossed on Adam McFarland's infield single for a 13-5 advantage.

It certainly is a night for offense. Puerto Rico came back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 13-8, chasing Robinson from the mound in the process. Brett Wease came on for Shelby to get the final out. Rafael Sanchez, who homered earlier in the contest, delivered a two-run, two-out single to spark the rally.

The late-night hits just keep on coming. Jordan Robinson ripped the second Post 82 home run of the night in the bottom of the sixth. His three-run shot lifted Shelby to a 16-8 edge. The inning ended at 1:20 a.m.

Things are getting even crazier around here. Puerto Rico scores five in the bottom of the fifth, including two on a wild pitch where Shelby players thought the opposing batter had been hit by a pitch, but there was no sign by the umpire and the runners kept going. Wease replaced by Eric Shuford on the mound. He's unable to stop the bleeding, giving up a RBI single to Jonathan Torres to make it 16-14.

After 5 innings (at 1:47 a.m.) -- Shelby has 16 runs on 13 hits and has committed 3 errors. Post 82 pitchers have issued 8 total walks.
Puerto Rico stands at 14 runs on 10 hits and also has committed three errors. Post 134 pitchers have allowed seven walks. Only six of the Puerto Rico runs are earned at this point.

Shelby loads the bases on three walks in the top of the sixth inning but leaves them stranded. After 5 1/2 innings, Post 82 still leads 16-14.

Puerto Rico creeps even closer in the bottom of the sixth. Two hits, and error and a walk make it 16-15. Shuford leaves the bases filled with runners, keeping Post 82 in front at 2:25 a.m.

In this, the Shelby baseball version of the Boston Marathon, Post 82 went for two in the top of the seventh inning. Singles by Seth Canipe and Kyle Kendrick, and a walk to Brett Wease, loaded the bases. Consecutive groundouts by Adam McFarland and Julian Ridings brought runners across to make it 18-15.

The Shelby defense posted its first scoreless inning since the first. A one-out line drive to center was caught by Seth Canipe. His throw to first baseman James Gold doubled off the runner to leave the score 18-15 after seven innings at 2:44 p.m.

Shelby loaded the bases in the top of the eighth but Puerto Rico got two straight strikeouts to keep the score at 18-15.

Post 82 dodged another bullet in the bottom of the eighth. James Gold snared a line drive and tagged the bat at first for a double play. Puerto Rico then loaded the bases up but Shuford induced a fly ball to Canipe in center to keep Post 134 at bay with the score still 18-15.

Through eight innings (at 3:15 a.m.), Shelby has left 15 runners on base and Puerto Rico has seen 14 of its runners stranded.

3-up and 3-down for Shelby after 8 1/2 innings. After 4 hours and 29 minutes, we're going to the bottom of the ninth with Post 82 in front, 18-15.

After 4 hours and 45 minutes, it came to an end. Winning pitcher Eric Shuford got a strikeout to strand two runners to complete Shelby's 18-15 win.
Shelby now plays Tuscaloosa, Ala., in the second round tonight at 8.

American Legion event delayed again

For the third time in the contest, the grounds crew at Keeter Stadium and Veterans Field rushed out to cover the pitcher's mound and batters' boxes with tarps as another sudden rainstorm disrupted play.
Randolph County still led 7-2 in the top of the eighth when another storm -- which didn't appear on the press box radar -- popped up. However, within 10 minutes the tarps were removed and the grounds crew was hard at work trying to get play restarted.
Pitcher and catcher for Leesburg, Ga., were already out on the field warming up for the restart at 9:50 p.m.
-- Alan Ford

Play resumes in legion series

The Randolph County-Leesburg (Ga.) legion contest resumed at approximately 9 p.m. following a second lengthy weather delay.
Because the later game between Shelby and Puerto Rico has been pushed back to 45 minutes after the completion of this contest, the official opening ceremonies have been cancelled this evening.
-- Alan Ford

Rain Delay at American Legion Regional Tournament

The weather is putting a damper on the first evening of play in the American Legion Southeast Regional at Shelby High's Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field.
In the first game of the evening session, weather stopped the contest between North Carolina champion Randolph County and Georgia champ Leesburg. Randolph was leading 7-0 in the sixth inning when players had to leave the field due to threatening skies at 6:37 p.m. Play resumes at 7:42 but delayed again two minutes later.
At 8 p.m., play had yet to resume.

Sports Editor will blog tonight

Star Sports Editor Alan Ford will blog from Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium during Shelby Post 82's opening game in the American Legion Southeast Regionals. Shelby takes on Guaynbo, Puerto Rico, Post 134 in the final game of the evening around 8 o'clock, following the opening ceremonies.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Shelby vs. Cherryville

Game 4 of the Area IV American Legion baseball semifinals from Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium on the Shelby High campus

Weather: The heat wave hasn't subsided. It's 95-plus here about 20 minutes before the first pitch.
Shelby's lineup:
1. Seth Canipe 1B; 2. Brett Wease SS; 3. Kyle Kendrick C; 4. Adam McFarland 3B; 5. Julian Ridings RF; 6. Jacob Tisdale P (righthander, 4-0 record to date); 7. Eric Shuford; 8. Corey Cline 2B; 9. Jordan Robinson CF

Cherryville lineup
1. Al Benson CF; 2. Aaron Haynes C; 3. Jake Watts P (lefthander, 6-0 on year, won first game of the series); 4. Nate Wright 1B; 5. Seth Freeman RF; 6. Corey Martin LF; 7. Tripp McSwain SS; 8. Drew Reynolds 2B; 9. Tyler Buff 3B

Records: Shelby 34-13, Cherryville 35-5
Winner advances to play Pineville in Area IV finals. Pineville beat Newell, 8-6, earlier today to finish off that semifinal series, 3-0.

First inning: Neither side scored. Both pitchers allowed a hit but stranded the runner.
0-0

Second: Cherryville draws first blood in the top of the second. The visitors loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. With two outs and a 2-2 count, Al Benson singled up the middle to drive in Seth Freeman and Tripp McSwain. Tisdale, the Shelby pitcher, was then called for a balk, allowing Drew Reynolds to score from third for a 3-0 score before Tisdale got Jake Watts to pop up and end the rally. Cherryville might have scored more except for Eric Shuford's running catch at the fence earlier in the inning to rob Corey Martin of a double.

Shelby goes quietly in bottom of inning ... 3-0

Third: Neither team scores. Shelby got two-out singles by Brett Wease and Kyle Kendrick but Watts got Adam McFarland to fly out to center for the third out. Still 3-0.

Fourth: Lefthander Sterling Cole comes on to pitch for Shelby.
A leadoff walk to Drew Reynolds led to another Cherryville run. Aaron Haynes' two-out double to the wall in right barely eluded the glove of Julian Ridings, letting Reynolds cross to make it 4-0. After an infield single by Jake Watts, Shelby coach Mike Grayson brought in righthander Adam Izokovic to stop the bleeding. Izo fanned Nate Wright to retire the side.
Shelby goes three up, three down in the bottom of the inning. Still 4-0.

Fifth inning: Shelby Post 82 breaks the ice in the bottom of the inning.
Corey Cline led off with a single and reached second on a throwing error. Jordan Robinson drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. With runners on second and third, Seth Canipe lines a 385-foot out to dead center caught by Cherryville's Al Benson. Cline scores on the play and Robinson moves to third. Watts comes back to strike out two straight and leave Robinson stranded.
Cherryville 4-1

6th inning: Cherryville pushes the lead back to four with an unearned run. Tyler Buff reached on an error and later scored on Jake Watts' single to make it 5-1.

Shelby leaves the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. Singles by Adam McFarland and Izokovic, plus a walk to Corey Cline loads them with two outs. Watts fans Jordan Robinson to end it. Still 5-1.

Top of seventh: Seth Freeman's single precedes Corey Martin's line shot over the left field wall, putting Cherryville up 7-1. Drew Reynolds reaches on an error and scores an unearned run on Al Benson's two-out single up the middle to make it 8-1.
Bottom, 7th: Shelby leaves two more runners aboard. Kyle Kendrick and McFarland supply two-out singles but Watts gets a strikeout to end it. Shelby is 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position so far.

Eighth inning: Cherryville continues to pour it on. Tripp McSwain delivers a two-run double off Shelby reliever Jordan Robinson. Corey Martin later scores on Drew Reynold's infielder grounder to make it 11-1.
Shelby goes quietly in ninth. Final: 11-1.

Stats: Shelby 1 run, 10 hits, 3 errors
Cherryville 11 runs, 13 hits, 1 run
WP -- Jake Watts (7-0). LP - Jacob Tisdale (4-1)
HR -- Corey Martin (Chv).

Cherryville goes on to play Pineville in Area IV finals.
Shelby will face Puerto Rico in opening round of Southeast Regionals in Shelby on Aug. 14.

Blogging tonight from Shelby-Cherryville game 7/24

I'll be relaying the action from game four of the Shelby-Cherryville American Legion Baseball Playoff Series tonight at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium on my blog. Gametime is 7 p.m.