OUR PRESEASON SUPER 7 TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS BIG ...

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Football Night in Union The 2010 UnIon County Weekly Preseason Super 7 For the second season, Union County Weekly presents its preseason rankings, which were selected by Assistant Sports Editor Aaron Garcia. 1 Marvin Ridge How will opponents stop the Mavericks this season? They have talent to spare, headlined by a receiving corps featuring 6-foot-4 K.J. Brent and speedster J.C. Howze, who should complement each other well in coach Scott Chadwick’s revised passing attack. The bruising ground game, paced by Kolly Ogar, will still be a factor, which really makes gameplanning against the Mavs a headache. 2 Monroe Even if the Redhawks experience a bit of a drop off from last year, who could expect them to complete another undefeated regular season in the first place? The Redhawks still have the talent to make another deep run. And with do-it-all Jamison Crowder on the field, Monroe’s always a play away from six points. One Company - One Integrated Outdoor Solution Charlotte Outdoor Creations Your Complete Outdoor Living Design Center & Retail Showroom Everything for your Backyard! Grills & Outdoor Appliances Outdoor Furniture Outdoor Kitchens & Entertaining M-Th 9-6 Fri & Sat 9-5 Closed Sun. until Sept. Furniture Umbrellas Grills Sauces & Rubs Smokers Outdoor Rugs Bird Supplies Gifts & Decor SAVE 10% an extra with this ad expires 9/30/10 Charcoal Accessories Pavers Fireplaces 704-821-1001 3645 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews www.CharlotteOutdoorCreations.com 3 Sun Valley developed a tough reputation The Spartans seem young, but they last year and should be a difficult matchup as a result. They also return quarterback Ryan Smith (2,505 yards, 30 touchdowns) and running back JaDarrius Williams, the reigning conference player of the year. 4 Porter Ridge The Pirates lost some key leaders to graduation but still have the pieces to take a big step this season. After a full year in coach Blair Hardin’s Option offense, quarterback Lee McNeil and running back DeMario Alexander could become household names. 5 Piedmont young, but they developed a tough reputation matchup as a result. They also to graduation but still have the season. After a full year in coach If you want to see what a college-sized offensive line looks like, go watch the Panthers. They’re huge up SUMMER CLASSICS W eddington Dental • State-of-the-art dentistry • Smile enhancement including Zoom whitening • Veneers, crowns, implants, bridges & many other restorative services • Dental insurance form completion & filing front and should give electric quarterback Ross Rushing room to make plays. This year could be a big step in upstart Piedmont’s development. 6 Forest Hills After losing a number of talented players to graduation, including versatile quarterback Juanne Blount, coach John Lowery’s team might take its lumps early against a tough nonconference schedule, but the Yellow Jackets should climb as the season progresses. They’re still fast, strong and big, even if some of the names aren’t as recognizable – yet. 7 Weddington After losing a number Last year, coach Justin Hardin’s team made major improvement, winning five games and qualifying for the Class 3A state playoffs. The Warriors have many new starters, but this year should show fans what they can expect from Hardin’s teams: grit and determination. And wins. Protect Your Smile With A Custom Athletic Mouth Guard! Call for details! • Conveniently located at Providence Rd. & Hwy 84 • Caring, conscientious staff • We welcome new patients Richard M. Rotchstein, D.D.S. ~ Christopher W. Wasulko, D.M.D. & Associates, P.A. Weddington Corners ~ 13721 Providence Rd • Weddington, NC 28104 (704) 849-0822 • www.weddingtondental.com 4 FALL 2010 • UNION COUNTY WEEKLY www.unioncountyweekly.com
Mike Shaw/CWNG photo Coach Tony Pyland believes his team has something this season that it’s been lacking over the past two years: experience. “Last season, we weren’t sure how good we could be,” said Pyland. “This season, we are more experienced and are focusing on consistency.” Over the past three seasons, the Cougars only won one game. The lone win came last year against Gastonia Highland Tech, 35-6. www.unioncountyweekly.com Although last season didn’t go according to plan, Pyland looks at it in a positive light. “As a program, we grew and matured,” said Pyland. OFFENSE The Cougars are known as a running team, and this year won’t be any different. Pyland was outscored 583-45, but Roark’s confident the team is headed in the right direction. OFFENSE Senior Austin Hill returns as the starting quarterback and will be joined in the backfield by tailback Josh Lee. Receivers Brian Lattimore and Emmitt Afam will also have their numbers called frequently. Cody Clark will anchor the offensive line. “Last year, we were a one-back offense,” Roark said. “We’ll keep a lot of those components, but because we’ve got some good receivers, we’re going to spread it out a little more and try to get the ball to the athletes.” DEFENSE The team’s multiple-look defensive front Football Night in Union Central aCademy cougars Central Academy’s team leaders include (front, from left) Billy Wilson, Jeremy Ferguson, Chris Hailey; and (back row) Trae Funderburk, Will Robinson and Allen Carpenter. There’s nowhere to go but up for the Cavaliers, who entered the conference last season as a first-year school and were dominated by many of their opponents. This year’s team will benefit from the experiences of last year, head coach Mike Roark said. The Cavs expect to make great strides with hard work and an offseason in which they became bigger, faster and stronger. It might take baby steps to erase last season, when the team FAST FACTS head coach: Mike Roark, second season (1-10) Returning starters: Offense, 10; defense, 10 conference: 2A/1A Rocky River Conference 2009 record: 1-10, 1-7 2010 schedule Aug. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weddington Aug. 27 . . . . . . . . .at Concord Robinson Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Marvin Ridge Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at North Stanly Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at West Stanly Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monroe Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Piedmont Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Berry Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . .at Central Academy Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Union Academy Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Forest Hills said his offense will run the football at least 75 percent of the time. Even though Central Academy focuses on the run, Pyland said his two biggest threats on offense are quarterback Jeremy Ferguson and wide receiver John Quintero, who are both seniors. Pyland believes the tandem’s play will determine the potency of his offense. In addition to Ferguson and Quintero, Pyland called the play of senior halfback Billy Wilson exceptional. DEFENSE The Cougars run a 4-4 defensive scheme that emphasizes playing hard through the gaps. Junior Mitchell Blackburn returns after finishing first on the team in tackles the past two seasons. With Blackburn moving from linebacker to the defensive line, the Cougars will have a huge presence up front. Junior outside linebackers Josh Sawyer and Chris Hailey offer the defensive unit something more than tackles. “Their aggressiveness and athleticism give us some freedom defensively,” Pyland said. Inside linebackers Chris Frazier, a junior, and Robert Wimbish, a senior, are new to the team, and Pyland believes their play will keep the defense solid up the middle. SPECIAL <strong>TEAM</strong>S Junior Kyle Kling will handle both field goal and kickoff duties throughout the season. Senior Chase Bernard will be the team’s long snapper. All return duties will go to Hailey and junior Calvin Livingston. – Mike Shaw FAST FACTS head coach: Tony Pyland, fourth season (1-32) Returning starters: 17 conference: Rocky River 1A/2A 2009 Record: 1-10, 0-8 2010 schedule Aug. 20 . . . . . . . . . .at East Montgomery Aug. 27 . . . . . . .Gastonia Highland Tech Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Monroe Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlotte Berry Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Parkwood Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at North Stanly Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Piedmont Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cuthbertson Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Forest Hills Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Stanly Nov. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Union Academy CUtHBertSOn caVaLIErs Cuthbertson quarterback Austin Hill and lineman Cody Clark Denny Seitz/CWNG photo should be much improved from last season, even though the team is still dominated by sophomores. Three 10th-graders – Alex Norton, Carson Elmore and Connor Sorensen – will anchor the defense. Another sophomore, Jeff Swan, will be the top defensive lineman. In the secondary, safety Afam and senior cornerback Jalen Still are expected to be cornerstones. “We have some guys who are a year away from being really good varsity players,” Roark said. “We don’t have any option but to play them this year, so they’ll work hard, learn and improve.” SPECIAL <strong>TEAM</strong>S Roark said senior Adam Lutz is the best kicker/punter in the conference. It was Lutz’s punt – downed at the 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter of last year’s 17-16 win over Central Academy – that was the game’s pivotal play, Roark said. “He’s going to hit some field goals for us this year,” Roark said. “He’s got the range. If we block for him, he’ll be a weapon for us.” – Denny Seitz UNION COUNTY WEEKLY • FALL 2010 5
Page 1 and 2: Our PreseasOn suPer 7 Team-by-Team
Page 3: Football Night iN UNioN: LET’s dO
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 and 16: Football Night in Union Weddington
Page 17 and 18: Football Night in Union SUMMER COAC
Page 19: If you want the perfect lawn, get t

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