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Mike Shaw/CWNG photo by C. Jemal Horton jemal@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Brandon Little refuses to consider himself a perfectionist. Determined to avoid making a single mistake during a game or practice? OK, yes, the Weddington running back will admit to that. Unsatisfied, even after a 50-yard touchdown run? Yeah, sure. But a perfectionist? “No, sir,” he says defiantly but politely. “That’s not me. “I just look at everything as if I’ve got to do things better than I did the last time. On every play, I have the mind-set that I made a mistake. So on the next play, I have to be better. “I do things right, but there’s always a better way I can do them.” It wasn’t always that way for Little, who’s expected to be one of the Warriors’ main weapons this fall. Little has been a good player since taking up football in fourth grade; at the time, raw talent allowed him to excel. He usually was quicker, faster and flat out better than the competition, so attention to detail wasn’t always required. But that changed in high school, especially www.unioncountyweekly.com when Justin Hardin became the Warriors’ coach before the 2009 season. Hardin – a former military-college quarterback (The Citadel) and a follower of coaching great Bill Belichick – required his players to be more than physical specimens. And Little was eagerly buying into the philosophy. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the field much last season; he broke his arm in the fifth game and was unable to return. Psychologically, it was a step back for Little. “I was sad I couldn’t play,” he said. “When I was around the team, I was happy. But when I got home, I was (thinking), ‘You didn’t play tonight You could have helped your team, even if it was blocking.’ “I felt like I let my team down by breaking my arm. Emotionally, I was a mess.” But Little never forgot the lessons about mental toughness he learned from his family and new coach. Eventually, he found the resolve to get better – in all facets. At one point last season, he weighed a mere 135 pounds; now he’s up to 165, thanks to hard work in the weight room and, as he says, “protein and deer meat.” He also plays football with a thinking man’s approach. That, coupled with his ability to run the 100-meter dash in 10.64 seconds, makes him one of the county’s most dangerous ball carriers. “I’m better at reading my holes and going through them,” Little said. “Last year, I was fast to the hole and fast through it. Now, I’m looking at the holes and deciding which one I’ve got to take to get more yards and help my team. I’m more patient. “The more coaching I’ve gotten, the more I’ve grown as a player,” he added. “During film sessions, Coach Hardin always says, ‘You did well, but there’s this one thing you can correct to do it even better.’ So this year, I’m thinking that way. I think I have more attention to detail.” Hardin’s noticed, especially during a recent scrimmage at Mint Hill’s Rocky River High. “On the first play from scrimmage, he hit the hole and ran over a guy,” Hardin said. “That was a big confidence boost for him, so he could put that injury behind him. That was as hard as I’ve seen him run. You can tell he had a great offseason. I definitely think he’s more determined. “I never want my football players to be content. As a young athlete, if you stay hungry, you’ll get better. I think Brandon has that in him.” But a perfectionist? No way, no how. q Union ACAdemy Union Academy looks to improve on last year’s 2-8-1 record with help from (front row, from left) Rasheed Rushing, Marlon Young, Tyree Drakeford; and (back row) Jalan Lockhart, Hunter Finney, Devin Chambers and Darrin Clark. Coach Lynn Keziah said the Cardinals have a thin roster but a lot of heart. “I want them to play hard,” said Keziah. “They’ve got to leave it all out there. If you give me everything you’ve got, I won’t be disappointed.” The program’s made strides entering its second season. Keziah doesn’t shy away from saying his team is bigger and better than last year, and a new weight room has made that possible. But the new facility’s had more than a physical impact. “Our kids worked out all winter and are closer together as a group because of it,” said Keziah. OFFENSE Keziah believes fans will see a completely different offensive unit on the field this season – a unit that has worked hard since last fall to improve its record. “We’ll be more consistent and physical on the offensive side of the ball this season,” said the coach. Keziah said the Cardinals’ offense will run mostly out of the I formation but will feature a multitude of looks. Several offensive players return from last year, including junior wide receivers Jalan Lockhart and Marlon Young, and senior quarterback Jackson Hargett. Keziah has been pleased with the production of junior tailback Tyree Drakeford, as well as tight end Hunter Finney and lineman Devin Chambers. Keziah also noted that sophomore receivers Phillip Parker and Zach Crump should each have sizable impacts on the passing game. DEFENSE The Cardinals’ defense should benefit from the experience and strength they’ve gained since last season, said Keziah. “You’ll see a more mature team who understands their role, knows what they’ve got to do to be successful and is going to work hard to accomplish that,” he noted. Once again, much of the Cardinals’ roster will have roles on both offense and defense but will be helped by senior safety Jeff Stefano, who is returning from an injury last season. Big Man on campus Campus Weddington running back Brandon Little has explosive speed and a strong mental approach to match. Cardinals SpEcial tEamS The Cardinals’ special teams will be led by senior Derrick Hamm, who will handle kicks, while Drakeford will be the team’s punter. Drakeford and sophomore Rasheed Rushing will shoulder return duties. FAST FACTS head coach: Lynn Keziah conference: Rocky River 1A/2A 2009 Record: 2-8-1, 2-6 – Mike Shaw 2010 schedule Aug.20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Norman Aug. 27 . . . . . . . . . .at East Montgomery Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Piedmont Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Forest Hills Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Stanly Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Charlotte Berry Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Stanly Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monroe Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Cuthbertson Nov. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Central Academy UNION COUNTY WEEKLY • FALL 2010 17 Jim Dedmon/CWNG photo
Football Night in Union SUMMER COACHING CAMEOS Mike Shaw/CWNG photo CHarlotte Berry Last season, coach Andrew Howard led once-hapless Berry Academy to a school-record seven victories and a spot in the Class 2A state playoffs. But entering Howard’s fourth season at the helm, he’s raised the stakes. FAST FACTS head coach: Andrew Howard, fourth season (10-24) Returning starters: Offense, 9; defense, 9 conference: Rocky River 1A/2A 2009 record: 7-5, 5-3 2010 schedule Aug. 27 . . . . . . . . .at Charlotte Garinger Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . Mint Hill Rocky River Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Forest Hills Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . at Central Academy Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Stanly Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Union Academy Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Cuthbertson Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Harding Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Stanly Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Monroe Nov. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Piedmont The Cardinals have just 10 seniors on the roster but return 18 of their 22 starters and plenty of team speed. If they don’t improve on last year’s first-round playoff exit or their fourth-place finish in the Rocky River 1A/2A conference, the season would be deemed a setback. To reinforce this point, Berry’s players agreed on a team motto for the 2010 season and printed it on workout T-shirts: “7-5, not good enough.” Offense Berry’s Spread formation attack is stacked with experienced athletes at the skill positions, led by the explosive Germone Hopper. Howard will move Hopper all over the field to take advantage of his playmaking ability. The junior has collected more than 5,000 all-purpose yards in his first two seasons and rushed for 1,202 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2009. Senior quarterback Kenny Patterson is back for another campaign. Last year, the 6-foot-6 allconference selection threw for 2,192 yards and connected on 24 touchdown passes. His favorite target after Hopper is Quincy Ekechukwu, who caught 30 passes for 485 yards and five touchdowns. Returning starter Donovan Clinton will anchor the offensive line. Defense The Cardinals’ base defense is a 4-3 forma- Chris Hunt/CWNG photo Union County coaches were in midseason form during summer workouts, including (from left) Piedmont’s Frank Ambrose, Weddington’s Justin Hardin. tion, but Howard hasn’t ruled out installing a 3-5 this season. All-conference defensive ends Braxton Hicks (13 sacks) and DaQuazis Reid (10 sacks) return. Cornerback Terrance Winchester is also back, along with 6-3, 220pound middle linebacker Nick Dawson. Winchester and Dawson were both allconference selections, picking off six and seven passes, respectively. Dawson also made 78 stops. Elijah Williams had 110 tackles to lead the team. Cardinals Berry’s 2010 team leaders include Elijah Williams, Fred Perry, Nick Dawson and Braxton Hicks. sPeCIAL TeAMs Hopper made a name for himself as a freshman on special teams with a brilliant 97-yard touchdown return against powerhouse Butler in 2008. He scored four more times on special teams last season and will be counted on for another dazzling year returning punts and kicks. – Chris Hunt 18 FALL 2010 • UNION COUNTY WEEKLY www.unioncountyweekly.com Chris Hunt/CWNG photo
Page 1 and 2: Our PreseasOn suPer 7 Team-by-Team
Page 3 and 4: Football Night iN UNioN: LET’s dO
Page 5 and 6: Mike Shaw/CWNG photo Coach Tony Pyl
Page 7 and 8: Jim Dedmon/CWNG photo by Aaron Garc
Page 9 and 10: Jim Dedmon/CWNG photo by Aaron Garc
Page 11 and 12: Football Night in Union The Rebels
Page 13 and 14: Chris Hunt/CWNG photo Football Nigh
Page 15: Football Night in Union Weddington
Page 19: If you want the perfect lawn, get t

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