The Weekly Western 1A Report(Endowment Week)!

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Optimism, Enthusiasm, and Excitement is building in small towns and communities throughout the state of N.C. as High School Football Season begins this Friday August the 18th!

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Since the beginning of the 2001 high school football season, 4 Western 1A teams have claimed the (10) total 1A & 1AA state titles awarded by the NCHSAA. 1A Elkin(02',03'& 05') and 1AA Albemarle (01'-03') have claimed 3 state 1A titles each, while 1A Swain County (01' & 04') and 1AA Thomasville(04' & 05') have each claimed two state 1A titles. Both Thomasville and Elkin enter the 2006 season as the defending state champs, and both teams are favored to add to their trophy case again this year.

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1).Helping to claim the 3A title for Elkin back in 1967, it had been 34 years, since QB and now Head Coach Richard Grissom and his herd of Bucking-Elks had made it back to a title game, but it has been well worth the wait for Coach Grissom, his players and Elkin fans as the Bucking-Elks have taken full-advantage of the split-class championships which began in 2001. Elkin has now won 3 of the last 4 state 1A titles. In last year's final, Elkin spotted Eastern 1A Representative Northampton-West the early first quarter lead before scoring 35 unanswered points, beating the Hurricanes 42-12 to claim their 4th overall state title, and their 3rd 1A title. Elkin's 2005 defensive team allowed a meager 6.18 ppg. thru 16 games, which was tops in the state in all classifications. The Bucking-Elks return only 5 defensive starters for 2006, but two of those players(DL-Frankie Adams & LB-Keith Whitman) are listed on the NCPreps.com 2006 Preseason 1A All-State Defensive team. The Elkin offense also returns only 5 starters from a 2005 team that averaged 41 ppg, which ranked 3rd best among all classifications. Among those 5 returning Bucking-Elks' starters for 2006, are QB Tyler Transou, 05' All-State RB Dustin Miles and Preseason 06' & 05' 1A All-State Offensive Lineman Leonard Jordan. Needless to say, the road to the 2006 state 1A title will likely once again, run through Elkin.

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2).Thomasville can trace their rich football history back to 1936 when the Thomasville Mills Home beat Roanoke Rapids 13-0 to claim the Class B State title for the city of Thomasville.Beginning on Dec 10th 1929, Thomasville became a charter member of the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association (WNCHSAA) which grew to 42 members and 4 conferences before it was dissolved in 1977, with member schools joining the ranks of the present-day NCHSAA. During their time in the WNCHSAA, The Thomasville Mills Home along with Marion were named Co-Champs in 1942 even though the two teams never faced each other that year. Thomasville High School claimed their first outright school title in 1964 as the Bulldogs beat Hickory 20-13 to claim the WNCHSAA title. The Bulldogs would also finish as the WNCHSAA runnerup to Shelby (32-12) 4 years later in 1968. The city of Thomasville waited 15 more years (1983) before they would play for another state title. That 3A championship game ended with 21-6 loss to Eastern Randolph. The Bulldogs returned to a state title game 4 years later (1987), but lost the 2A title to Whiteville (14-12). However, the seeds for success had been sown, and the Bulldogs returned to the 2A title game, the very next season (1988), and it was indeed special for Thomasville fans and players as the Bulldogs claimed their first "Undisputed" State 2A title with a 13-10 victory over Hertford County. Bulldog fans would have to wait only 2 more years for their next chance at another 2A title, but the Clinton Darkhorses beat the Bulldogs 14-6 in the final. Much like their first 2A title, Thomasville returned to the championship game the very next season(1991), where the Bulldogs would claim their second 2A title with a 21-6 victory over West Brunswick. In 1995, Thomasville avenged their 1990 lost to Clinton by beating the Darkhorses 16-0 to claim their third class 2A title. When Thomasville was realigned into the 1A class in 1997, most high school football prognosticators predicted a 1A dynasty for the Bulldogs. However, it would take another 7 years(2004) before the Bulldogs would make the final, and win their 5th overall title, coming from behind to secure victory over another Bulldog team from Wallace Rose-Hill. The two teams would once again stage an epic championship battle in 2005, but again the Thomasville Bulldogs would prevail to claim the school's 6th overall title. Thomasville returns 10 defensive starters from last year's championship squad that allowed only 103 points for the 2005 season, Among those starters is Pre-Season 1A All-State (Jr.) LBer E.J.Abrams-Ward. The Bulldogs 2006 offense returns 6 players from an 05' team that averaged nearly 40ppg. Tops among the returnees, is 05' & Preseason All-State (All Classes) Player-of-the Year (Sr.) RB Quan Warley. Warley led the state in rushing last year with an eye-popping 3,304 yards rushing, including an amazing 43 TDs. Also returning for the Bulldogs for the 2006 season are fellow senior Preseason 1A All-State players (WR) Trey Ray and (TE) Michael Byrd. The dynasty that so many 1A coaches feared in 1997, seems to have arrived with the Bulldogs seeking their 3 straight 1AA title in 2006.

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3). List of "Undisputed" Western 1A State Champions for current 1A members, since 1959!

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A).Robbinsville-12 1A Titles(69',70',73',74',76',77',79'-83' & 1992)

B).Swain County-6 1A Titles(85',88'-90' 2001 & 2004)

C).Murphy-4 1A Titles(86',87',91' & 1996)

D).Albemarle-3 1AA Titles(2001-2003)

E).Elkin-3 1A Titles(2002,2003 & 2005)

F).Thomasville-2 1AA Titles(2004 & 2005)

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The 2005 NWC Regular Season Title was shared by 3 teams (East Surry, Elkin and Mount Airy) that spent most of last season in the 1A top 10 polls. East Surry would have a disappointing ending to their season in the first round of the 1AA playoffs, losing to Hendersonville 28-14. Mount Airy would beat fellow NWC 1AA foe West Wilkes(14-10) in the first round, but would lose a week later to Murphy(27-14) in the 2nd round. Elkin won the draw with East Surry and Mount Airy for the NWC's #1 Seed, which resulted in Elkin receiving the #1 seed for the Western 1A Regionals. The Bucking-Elks would prove that they were worthy of the top seed in the West as they would thrash their 4 Western 1A playoff opponents(East Montgomery,Hobbton,South Stanly and Cherokee) by a cumlative score of 189-19. A week later in the 1A Final, Elkin would finish the season in nearby Winston-Salem with a convincing win over Northampton-West of the 1A Tar-Roanoke Conference. 2005 NWC newcomer, Bishop-McGuinness would finish tied for 5th place in the NWC, but the Villians produced a season to remember, winning more football games than the school had ever won in a single-season. To top things off, the Villians also hosted their very first 1A playoff game. However, Hobbton ruined the moment with a narrow 29-28 victory, ending the Villians playoff hopes in the first round. South Stokes would also have an early first round playoff exit in the 1AA playoffs as the Sauras were pounded 48-6 by eventual State 1AA champion Thomasville. North Stokes produced an overall winning-record for the 2005 season, but the Vikings would lose to fellow NWC rival East Wilkes(27-12) in the first round of the 1A playoffs. The Cardinals' season would end the following week in the 2nd round as Cherokee beat the East Wilkes 27-7 on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Alleghany was left out of the 1A playoffs after finishing the 2005 season "Winless"!

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Elkin is the prohibitive favorite to take home the 2006 NWC Regular Season and the 1A Championship hardware, but like last season the Bucking-Elks will be pushed by East Surry,West Wilkes,Mount Airy and East Wilkes. East Surry returns 10 total starters, and will benefit from an unbeaten(10-0) JV team that was loaded with talented young players. East Wilkes returns the most starters(17) of any other NWC team, and will be led by 2006 Preseason All-State Offensive Lineman Landon Walker who has already committed to Clemson. West Wilkes returns 9 starters from last season, and could quite possibilly be the most physically imposing team in the NWC this year. Mount Airy returns only 6 total starters, and will field one of their youngest teams in several years. Bishop McGuinness lost two 1,000 yard rushers from last year's team, but the Villians return their entire offensive and defensive lines, which gives them a good opportunity to move up in the NWC standings this year. North Stokes returns 9 starters this year, but will likely have to develop some skill players in order duplicate last year's success. South Stokes has one of the largest 1A enrollments, and should improve on their 2 overall win total from 2005. Alleghany enters the 2006 with the burden of a 19 game losing streak, which the Spartans and their fans hope ends this year!

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No 1A Conference in the state since 2001, has enjoyed more State Championship success than the YVC. First it was Albemarle and record-setting RB T.A. McClendon, winning 3 consecutive 1AA titles. Now, Thomasville appears to be ready to duplicate that feat as the Bulldogs have a record-setting RB of their own in Quan Warley who barring injury, will likely shatter all the Davidson County records, while finishing as one of the top career-rushing leaders that this state has ever produced. Last year, Warley rushed for over 3,000 yards as Thomasville repeated as state 1AA Champs. YVC newcomer West Montgomery had a very good YVC debut as the Warriors finished 2nd in the conference, advancing to the 3rd round of the 1AA playoffs, before losing to fellow YVC member and eventual state 1AA champ, Thomasville. With enrollment figures among the top 3 teams in all of 1A, Jordan-Matthews finished 3rd in the YVC; Then, lost to former YVC member Albemarle 24-19 in the first round of the 1AA playoffs to finish the season with a somewhat disappointing 6-6 overall record. North Moore would finish in 4th place in the YVC, and would lose(28-0) to fellow YVC member West Montgomery in the first round of the 1AA playoffs.Chatham Central finished 5th in the YVC in 2005, and would also win a shootout with Robbinsville(47-41) in the first round of the 1A playoffs. The Bears would also score a lot of points in their 2nd round playoff matchup with Union, but the Spartans would end the Bears' season with a 54-49 victory. Both East Montgomery and South Davidson would have seasons to forget as the teams managed only 1 win between them, and that 1 victory was an Eagles YVC win over the Wildcats. East Montgomery still qualified for the 1A playoffs, but the Eagles ran into a buzzsaw in Elkin, losing to the Bucking-Elks 65-6 in the first round. South Davidson finished the season "Winless", and did not qualify for the 05' playoffs.

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There's no debate when it comes to picking the team who many think will win not only the YVC but also the 1AA title as well. Thomasville with a bevy of talent and experience is the overwhelming favorite to win their 2nd straight YVC crown. West Montgomery is the Coaches pick for 2nd in the YVC as the Warriors return QB Johnathan Hall and RB William Simmons, but both the Warriors' offensive and defensive lines will have to be replaced. North Moore returns 10 total starters, giving the Mustangs a chance to compete with Jordan-Matthews for a a top-3 YVC finish. East Montgomery returns the most starters(19) of any other YVC team, which should produce a few more wins this year. South Davidson will look to break a 20 game losing streak when the 2006 season begins, and 14 returning starters, may help the Wildcats do just that.Chatham Central had a breakthrough year in 2005, winning 5 games, but the Bears return only 6 total starters for the 2006 season, so first-year coach Bob Pegram will have his work cut-out for him if Chatham Central is to duplicate last year's success.

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Entering the 2005 season, Murphy was loaded with seniors on both sides of the ball, and the leadership of those seniors not only carried the Bulldogs to an "Unbeaten" SMC record, but also carried the Bulldogs to the 1AA Western Regional final, where their season would end with a 41-0 loss to 05' champion Thomasville. In 2005, Cherokee welcomed-home one of their own as former Braves' standout David " Scooter" McCoy returned to the Reservation to coach the Braves. Cherokee responded with a season to remember as the Braves finished 2nd in the SMC, and advanced to the Western Regional 1A final, where they lost to 05' state 1A Champ Elkin 37-7 to finish with an impressive 12-2 overall record. After a great run in 2004, Swain County finished in 3rd place in the SMC. The Maroondevils who were hit by the injury bug late in the season, beat fellow SMC member Hayesville(35-21) in the first round, but seen their hopes of defending their 04' state title, end in the 2nd round as upstart South Stanly ended Swain County's season with a 14-7 victory in Bryson City. Robbinsville, Hayesville and Rosman would each finished tied for 4th in the SMC, but all three teams would exit the playoffs in the first round. Andrews would finish the season with only 1 victory, and thus failed to qualify for the 2005 1A playoffs.

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Most teams that lose a 3-year starting QB would be a little guarded about their chances the following season. However, those teams may not have a talented RB like the Braves do. Freshman Langston Woods broke onto the scene late in the 04' season, rushing for over a 100 yds in a conference win over Rosman in his varsity debut. Last year, Woods rushed for over 1,300 yards and 18 TDs as a sophomore. Entering his junior year, Woods has now earned the distinction as a 1A Preseason All-State RB as determined by NCPreps.com. Teamwise, Cherokee returns 16 starters, along with a very talented crop of JV players who finished the 2005 season unbeaten, making the Braves the early favorite to win the SMC this year. The battle for 2nd place in the SMC appears to be a little more interesting this year. Boasting the largest enrollments in the SMC, Murphy and Swain County generally stock the talent-shelf much quicker than the other members of the SMC. Mix that with a rich football tradition with multiple state titles at each school; The Bulldogs( 1-2A Title in 74' & 4-1A Titles) and the Maroondevils(1-2A Title in 79' & 6-1A Titles) along with the Robbinsville Black Knights( 12-1A titles) can talk football tradition with any other school in the state, which means that generally all three teams will have the opportunity each year to finish at or near the top of the SMC. This year "On Paper" anyway, seems to be a little different as both Swain County and Murphy replace proven signal-callers who were at one time or another 1A All-State QBs. Murphy returns 5 starters, including PreSeason 1A All-State (DL) Ryan Stiles, while Swain County returns 4 players on both sides of the ball and 16 letterman altogether. Both teams figure to challenge once again for a spot in the upper-tier of the SMC. Both Hayesville(16 Returning Starters) and Robbinsville(15 Returning Starters), along with Cherokee(16 Returning Starters), return the most experience of the 7 SMC schools. Robbinsville, Hayesville and Rosman also return their QBs and most of their skill players, which should help those 3 teams challenge both Murphy and Swain County for upper-tier SMC status. Andrews will start the season with a "New" Head Football Coach for the third consecutive season as Ron DuPree takes over the helm of the Wildcats. The Wildcats return 15 letterman from last season, and hope to make it back to the playoffs this year.

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Beginning with realignment last year, the WHC was completely revamped as three 1A teams, along with four 2A schools,now comprise the 7 team Western Highlands Conference. Avery County which had already been a member of the WHC for years as a 2A team, moved down to the 1A classification after realignment. The Vikings with record-setting (QB) Garrett Sutphen and (WR) Josh Johnson finished their first season in the 1A class as Co-Champions of the WHC with 2A Owen. The Vikings then proceeded to advance to the 3rd round of the 1AA playoffs for the first time in school history. The remarkable season ended for the Vikings' in Murphy with a hard-fought 1AA playoff ( 28-21) loss to the Bulldogs. Polk County also continued their winning ways last year as the Wolverines handed WHC Co-Champ Owen their only conference loss of the season. Unfortunately, the Wolverines season unraveled late in the year, and ended with narrow losses to Hendersonville in the regular season finale and West Columbus(41-34 in OT) in the first round of the 1AA playoffs. Speaking of Hendersonville, the Bearcats had an up and down season last year, finishing tied for 3rd in the WHC with Polk County and 2A Mitchell County. The Bearcats did peak late in the season and in the 1AA playoffs as Hendersonville surprised 4th-seeded East Surry(28-14) in the first round in Pilot Mountain, before losing a "Nailbiter"(22-19) in Mount Gilead to West Montgomery in the 2nd round of the 1AA playoffs. 2A Co-Champ Owen advanced to the 3rd round of the 2A playoffs, but lost at top-seeded Lincolnton(28-6), ending the Warhorses' 05' season. Mitchell County, Madison County and Mountain Heritage lost in the first round of the 2A playoffs, but all 7 members of the WHC, qualified for the playoffs last year, for the first time ever.

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2A Owen appears to be the early favorite to claim the 06' WHC title as the Warhorses return 14 starters, including 05' 2A All-State RB Ross Farrar who rushed for 1,375yds and 16 TDs. All three 1A members(Avery County,Hendersonville and Polk County) will have to replace their 05' signal-callers. Polk County will turn to a familiar name as Sr. Austin Ollis gets his turn under center this year. Along with Ollis, the Wolverines return 14 starters altogether, giving Polk County the early nod to finish ahead of their other two 1A brethen. Hendersonville hopes that a new attitude along with 8 returning starters, will generate the type of success that the Bearcats are accustomed too. Meanwhile, Avery County will start the season with 7 returning starters from 05', and along with 2A Mitchell County, 2A Madison County and 2A Mountain Heritage will likely jockey for positions 4-7 in the WHC in 2006.

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For the first time in several years, Albemarle and South Stanly found themselves in a conference other than the YVC as the Bulldogs and Rebel Bulls moved into the split Rocky River Conference with 2A members Forest Hills,West Stanly,North Stanly,Monroe and Mount Pleasant. 2A Forest Hills rolled to the RRC title last year, and the Yellowjackets advanced to the 2AA Western Regional Final, before losing to eventual state 2AA Champ Shelby(21-7). Both Albemarle and South Stanly had respectable first seasons in their RRC debut. The Bulldogs finished 3rd in the RRC, beating fellow 1A member South Stanly(42-14) in their first RRC meeting. In the 1AA playoffs, the Bulldogs dispatched old YVC foe Jordan-Matthews(24-19) in the 1AA playoffs, before their season ended in a 2nd round loss(33-13) to 05' 1AA champ Thomasville. Prior to the start of the 05' season, South Stanly changed their mascot from "Rebels" to "Rebel Bulls", and the team made their first "Rebel Bulls" season, one to remember. South Stanly finished tied for 4th in the tough RRC, but advanced to the 3rd round of the 1A playoffs, beating North Duplin(41-6) and 04' 1A state champion Swain County(14-7), along the way. The Rebel Bulls' season ended in the 3rd round at Elkin(35-6), but the team set the standard for their "New" Mascot, winning 9 games in their first season as the "Rebel Bulls". 2A members West Stanly and Mount Pleasant also made the 2AA playoffs last year, The Colts were placed in the Eastern 2AA Playoff Brackett, and advanced to the 2nd round, before losing to Reidsville(25-0). Mount Pleasant received a #15 seed in the Western 2AA playoffs, and shocked 2nd-Seeded Salisbury(19-14) in the first round. In the 2nd round, the Tigers scared the daylights out of Bandys, before losing 29-23, ending their season. 2A teams Monroe and North Stanly did not qualify for the playoffs, last season.

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Both Forest Hills and West Stanly are the biggest schools in the conference with over a 1,000 students each. Both teams also return 12 starters each with the Colts returning perhaps the most recognized athelete in the RRC in QB Quantavius Sturdivant who is a 2A All-State player who can both run(745yds rushing & 6TDs) and pass(1,794yds passing & 21TDs. Mount Pleasant peaked late in the season last year, and the Tigers return 13 starters, along with members from a 9-1 JV team to bolster their championship hopes for 2006. Both Albemarle and South Stanly will be in the mix with 2A Monroe and 2A North Stanly for positions 4-7 RRC this year. Albemarle will have more inexperience than the Bulldogs are accustomed too as they return only 5 starters this year. On the other hand, South Stanly returns the most starters of any other team in the conference(15), led by QB Jamal Rush, along with receivers Brandon Holt and Aaron Thompson.

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Last year was the first time that all 4 Lincoln County teams played in the same conference. At season's end, those 4 Lincoln County teams also made the playoffs, which was also a first. Speaking of first, Lincolnton ran away with the first SPC title last year, earning the Wolves the #1 Seed in the 2A Western Regional, where they advanced all the way to the 2A state Finals, losing to Clinton(13-6) in the title game. The lone 1A member in this 7 team conference is Cherryville. The Ironmen started the 05' season on a positive note, beating 2A Bunker Hill in an endowment game, and won another game over 2A Chase High School to move to 2-2 on the season. However, it was all down hill after that as the Ironmen finished the season with an 8 game losing streak after losing to Murphy(68-19) in the first round of the 1AA playoffs. South Iredell qualified as a 2A playoff team, but lost in the first round(21-10) at Owen. East Lincoln, West Lincoln and North Lincoln made the 2AA playoffs, but only East Lincoln advanced past the first round of the playoffs. The Mustangs who finished 2nd in the SPC, lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs to Forest Hills(42-20). Bessemer City did end the 05' season on a positive note with a victory over Cherryville, but the Yellowjackets failed to make the 2A playoffs.

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Lincolnton lost QB Zach Gibson to graduation, but the Wolves return 11 starters, including (Jr.) 2A All-State performers(TE) Demery Brewer and (Ath)C.J.Wilson. South Iredell gets the nod for the 2nd position with 17 starters returning. East,West and North Lincoln with likely battle for position 3-5 with Bessemer City and Cherryville likely struggling to keep out of the cellar this year.

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1).Albemarle(RRC) @ 2A North Rowan(E)-Last yr:North Rowan won 20-17!

2).Alleghany(NWC) @ 2A Ashe County-Last yr:Ashe County 51-0!

3).Cherryville(SPC) vs 2A Bunker Hill-Last yr:Cherryville 22-9!

4).East Montgomery(YVC) @ 2A Red Springs(E)-Last yr:Red Springs 42-6!

5).East Surry(NWC) @ 2A West Stokes(E)-Last yr:East Surry 28-8!

6).East Wilkes(NWC) @ 2A West Davidson(E)-Last yr:West Davidson 21-7!

7).Elkin(NWC) vs 2A North Wilkes(E)-Last yr:Elkin 49-6!

8).Hayesville(SMC) vs 3A Franklin(E)-Last yr:DNP!

9).Hendersonville(WHC) vs 2A Smoky Mtn @ WCU(E)-Last yr:Hendersonville 21-0!

10).Jordan-Matthews(YVC) vs 3A SW Randolph-Last yr:Jordan-Matthews 21-6!

11).Mount Airy(NWC) @ 2A Starmount(E)-Last yr:Mount Airy 14-7!

12).Polk County(WHC) @ 2A North Henderson(E)-Last yr:Polk County 21-7!

13).Rosman(SMC) @ 2A Brevard(E)-Last yr:Brevard 49-0!

14).South Davidson(YVC) @ 3A Randleman(E)-Last yr:Randleman 34-0!

15).South Stokes(NWC) vs 3A Rockingham County(E)-Last yr:Rockingham Co. 34-7!

16).Thomasville(YVC) vs 2A Clinton-Last yr: DNP-1st Reg.Season Meeting!

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1).Andrews(SMC) vs Cherokee(SMC)-(E)-Last yr:Cherokee 40-0!

2).Avery County(WHC) vs West Wilkes(NWC)-(E)-Last yr:Avery County 37-15!

3).Chatham Central(YVC) vs North Stokes(NWC)-Last yr:North Stokes 16-12!

4).South Stanly(RRC) @ West Montgomery(YVC-Last yr:South Stanly 22-21!

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1).Murphy(SMC) vs 2A Marion County Tenn.-Last yr:Murphy 27-24(OT)!

2).Swain County(SMC) vs 4A Morristown-West Tenn.-Last yr:Morristown-West 38-14!

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1).Bishop McGuinness(NWC) vs Highland Tech(IND)-Last yr:Bishop McGuinness 15-14!

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1).Thomasville

2).Wallace Rose-Hill

3).Elkin

4).Manteo

5).East Bladen

6).East Carteret

7).Cherokee

8).James Kenan

9).Southside

10).Polk County

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1).Thomasville

2).Elkin

3).Cherokee

4).Polk County

5).East Surry

6).West Wilkes

7).South Stanly

8).West Montgomery

9).Albemarle

10).Murphy

HM: Swain County,East Wilkes,North Moore, Hendersonville and Hayesville!

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