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

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Aaron Garcia/CWNG photo Football Night in Union MONROE Monroe’s 2010 nucleus includes (from left) Eric Horne, Chris Thomas, Qwadarius Duboise and Ricardo White. You don’t replace a running game that produced nearly 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns, nor do you just plug in another 6-foot-5 tight end/receiver/safety, like Issac Blakeney, who drew double coverage. “We’re not going to have that, so we’re going to have to do some other things as well,” said Monroe coach Johnny Sowell, whose team went 12-1 last season and averaged 49 points “Serving Families in our Community” 704-821-EYES (3937) 6044 Hwy 74 West Indian Trail, NC 28079 www.premierfamilyeye.com per game. Nevertheless, the Redhawks are using the mantra “Redhawk pride won’t be denied, let’s do it again in 2010.” OFFENSE Monroe may show a more diverse aerial attack in 2010, partly out of necessity but also due to Now Open Accepting New Patients Dr. Laura Young Optometrist REDHAWKS quarterback Jalen Sowell’s development as a passer. Sowell added velocity to his throws in the offseason and will have leading receiver Jamison Crowder to target. Quayshawn Chambers and Quinton Miller will both see time at tight end, while Chris Thomas, Rico White and Union Academy transfer Jerred Hill fill out the rotation. Seniors Qwadarius Duboise and Ricardo White step into the fullback and tailback spots, respectively, so the run game won’t see much of a drop off in athleticism. And don’t be surprised to see Crowder taking handoffs. The Redhawk transition will be helped by an experienced, though thin, line. Mason Sledge will line up at left tackle alongside senior guard Eric Horne, center C.J. Bolder and right tackle Gavin Croutch. DEFENSE The defense was hit hard by graduation, so there’ll be a host of new starters, many of whom will double on offense. Horne, Sledge and Croutch will anchor Monroe’s multipleformation defense from the tackle spots, while Duboise and Wesley Mongo will back the line. Bolder might take the third linebacker spot. Jalen Sowell joins Crowder this year at safety, and they’ll be flanked by cornerbacks LaVonté Baker and Caleb Walker. White will offer sup- www.wesleychapelcoffee.com Outstanding Coffees & Teas Ice Cream & Shakes Sandwiches & Wraps Free WIFI ~ Daily Specials! FAST FACTS head coach: Johnny Sowell, sixth season (35-25) Returning starters: Offense, 6; defense, 4 conference: Rocky River 1A/2A 2009 record: 12-1, 8-0 2010 schedule Aug. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Porter Ridge Aug. 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parkwood Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Mount Pleasant Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . .Central Academy Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Piedmont Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Cuthbertson Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Stanly Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Union Academy Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Stanly Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlotte Berry Nov. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Forest Hills port at outside linebacker/safety, while Thomas is a capable defender, too. SPECIAL TEAMS Crowder is among the state’s elite return men. Sowell must find a reliable kicker but has many options. FOOTBALL NIGHT – Aaron Garcia Footbal Night Pick up extra copies of the 2010 Union Union County Football Preview at our southern division office 1421-C Orchard Lake Dr Charlotte NC 28270 or our northern division office 501 S. Old Statesville Rd Huntersville NC 28078 Check out our Daily Specials! Mondays - Kids Eat FREE w/purchase of a regular adult lunch TUEsdays - Seniors get 20% discoUnT all day and FREE coffee or regular tea refills WEdnEsdays - Weddington H.S. Students and Staff receive a 25% discoUnT on all orders. Please show ID when ordering THURsdays - Buy one bagel get one FREE (does not include spreads) Limit 1 bagel per person 2 2 for 1 icE cREaM conEs featuring Tony’s ice cream Exp. 9-11-10 BUy onE GET onE FREE Lunch! (equal or lesser value w/coupon) Exp. 9-11-10 cHEck oUT oUR nEW LUncH MEnU! TEacHERs REcEivE 10% oFF EvERy day 5945 Weddington Road, Wesley chapel (next to Lowe’s Foods) • 704-821-0533 8 FALL 2010 • UNION COUNTY WEEKLY www.unioncountyweekly.com OUR PRESEASON SUPER 7 TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS BIG MEN ON CAMPUS AND MUCH MORE!
Jim Dedmon/CWNG photo by Aaron Garcia aaron@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com It would be excusable if Monroe’s Jamison Crowder walked around town with a little more swagger. But for all his ability, for all the spectacular catches and hits and jukes he puts on opponents whenever he gets an opportunity, for all the game-changing returns he takes deep into opponents’ territory, Crowder is as low-key and understated as they come. “He’s one of those kids, like a couple of these kids, that don’t do a lot of talking,” said Monroe coach Johnny Sowell of the Redhawks’ star return man/receiver/safety. “(Crowder) just takes it and goes. He’s a special player.” Special indeed. Last season, Crowder surfaced as one of the state’s top return men after collecting four kicks for scores and constantly giving his team an advantage in the field- position battle. Versatile Monroe senior Jamison Crowder has committed to Duke University. www.unioncountyweekly.com Big Man on campus Campus In a game against Parkwood, Crowder racked up 116 punt return yards and another 125 in kickoff returns. In all, he topped 80 punt return yards five times last season as a junior. And although teams often avoided him on kickoffs, he still managed to average 52.5 yards per return on four tries. Oh, yeah, he also caught 10 touchdowns, notched two interceptions and deflected six passes. This summer, Crowder decided to accept a scholarship offer from Duke University. He turned down North Carolina, N.C. State, East Carolina, Wake Forest and Illinois to become a Blue Devil. Yet another reason to walk around with the proverbial big head. But according to those around him, what keeps Crowder grounded is the same quality that’s allowed him to emerge as one of the state’s top playmakers: He enjoys playing and does so with a hard-nosed approach to whichever position he’s competing, whether he’s playing his myriad positions on the gridiron or guiding the Redhawks to the Class 2A state championship in basketball. “We call him ‘the Old Man,’” chuckled Sowell, who noted that Crowder is constantly icing down some part of his battle-weary body after games and practices. When asked which position he enjoys playing the most, Crowder admits that returning kicks and punts is his first love. But then, one of the area’s foremost offensive weapons throws a curve. “I like defensive back because I feel like, on the defensive side of the ball, I have a lot of fun, and I don’t really have to time everything,” said the 5-foot-10 Crowder. “I can make plays for myself then. They throw a pass and I’m trying to go and get it and make a tackle. “I’m not that big, but I like being physical.” You see, what keeps Crowder grounded despite the gaudy numbers and the attention from college recruiters is the fact that he loves the game and places as much value in a drive-ending tackle as he does an 80-yard scamper for a score. And perhaps most important, that keeps him hungry for more. q theZone! Get into the Join Now! 50% Off Joining Fee until September 20th Yoga, Pilates, Strength Training Classes Free with your MAFC membership, See more on our website! Ted Johnson, the middle linebacker for the New England Patriots, prepares for the adrenaline rush of playing in front of 60,000 fans, not by running backs into the ground, but by doing yoga. Yoga and Pilates to reduce injuries and improve performance by building strength, coordination and focus. • Develops a strong and flexible body • Increases balance, body awareness and coordination • Reduces injuries and improves performance • Relieves tension and stress • Increases concentration, focus and attention span • Promotes thinking and memory • Stimulates auditory processing and responsiveness Great Method for Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention Kinesio Taping taking the sports arena by storm: What does Kinesio Taping do... 1. Reduces pain 2. Enhance performance 3. Prevent injury 4. It re-educates the neuromuscular system 5. And it promotes good circulation and healing. Certified Kinesio Taping practitioners and sports massage therapists now at MAFC. Contact us to see if this will benefit you and your team. Yoga. Pilates. Strength Training 704-282-4681 Located off Hwy 74 across the street from Lowe’s on Hanover Dr in Monroe www.monroeaquaticsandfitnesscenter.com UNION COUNTY WEEKLY • FALL 2010 9
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: 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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