Notable Football Teams in the NCHSAAs 90-years

The Notable Ninety Highlights Outstanding Teams During 90-Year History of North Carolina High School Athletic Association

SECOND INSTALLMENT: Football

CHAPEL HILL - The North Carolina High School Athletic Association is wrapping up its 90th year of operation, and the NCHSAA has done a number of things to highlight the 90th anniversary of the organization.

One of the special programs that has been developed in honor of the 90th anniversary is The Notable Ninety, a recognition of 90 great teams from the tradition of high school sports in our state.

“The purpose of The Notable Ninety is not to name the 90 greatest teams in state history, which would really be an almost impossible task,” said Rick Strunk, NCHSAA associate executive director who developed and coordinated the program. “It’s just an attempt to recognize some teams in a variety of sports who are notable for some reason, be it how they earned a championship, individual players on a team, a long string of championships for a perennial power, or unusual circumstances in their season. Our feeling is that lots of schools and communities have noteworthy teams, and perhaps this effort will continue to have people talking about high school sports and remembering notable teams from their own communities.”

Nominations were solicited from NCHSAA member schools, media representatives, former players and coaches, and fans. Forms were mailed to the schools and the nomination information was also posted on the NCHSAA web site. Over 150 teams were nominated.

Then the complete list of nominated teams was sent to a special statewide committee, which included media representatives from across the state as well as a number of retired coaches and athletic directors, for their input. The selections from their series of ballots created The Notable Ninety.

“The list is not designed to be comprehensive or all inclusive,” said Strunk. “We are sure that there are a lot of notable teams out there that we didn’t get information about. But we believe that The Notable Ninety contains a lot of interesting teams and athletes from the 90 years of the NCHSAA or other organizations that were involved in high school athletics over the years. We just hope people will enjoy seeing the list and remembering some of these great moments.”

The Notable Ninety will be released in three installments; first, basketball teams, including men and women; second, football teams; and then third, all other teams in other sports.

NOTABLE NINETY

FOOTBALL

EDENTON Edenton 1934

Record: 10-0-0 Coach: Henry House NCHSAA Class B State

champion

This team was not only undefeated but also unscored on. And get this--no opponent penetrated inside Edenton¹s 15-yard line. The team accomplished this feat with only three substitutes on the 14-man roster. The team featured two first team All-state players, end Richard Rogerson and halfback Paul Spencer. This was the first team in any classification to record 10 consecutive shutouts in one season and win a state title.

HILLSIDE Durham 1943

Record: 8-0 Coach: not listed NCHSAC 2-A champion

This team was undefeated, untied and unscored upon, going on to win the North Carolina High School Athletic Conference state championship

HARDING Charlotte 1952

Record: 13-0 Coach: Dave Harris NCHSAA 2-A champion

This is the first of a series of three teams that put together a 35-game winning streak, the longest in Mecklenburg County for almost 50 years. Coached by NCHSAA Hall of Famer Dave Harris, the Rams scored a whopping 459 points in 13 games - a record for points in a season at the time - and beat cross-town rival Central for the first time in school history. This team still has an annual reunion to this day.

ASHEBORO Asheboro 1958

Record: 12-0 Coach: Lee J. Stone NCHSAA Western 3-A champion

The Blue Comets were ranked number one in the state and described in the Greensboro News as the ‘best high school football team in the history of North Carolina.’ The team shut out seven opponents, scored 400 points for the season and gained 4,317 yards in total offense while holding their opponents to 33 points and 1,426 yards of offense. The team featured six college football players including high school All-Americans and Duke players, tackle David Deaton and halfback Mark Leggett.

THOMASVILLEThomasville

1964

Record: 11-1 Coach: George Cushwa NCHSAA Western 3A champion

Considered by many, including two state newspapers, to be the best team in the state in 1964. The team ranked third in the nation in total points scored, 364, fourth in the nation in rushing offense averaging 303 yards per game, and ninth in the nation in total offense with 383 yards per game. Coach George Cushwa said “This is the greatest backfield I have ever coached and also the greatest team I have ever coached.” Ten players went on to receive full football scholarships including halfback Ran Byerly, fullback Charles Bowers and halfback Bill Bobo.

SYLVA-WEBSTERSylva

1966

Record: 11-1 Coach: Babe Howell NCHSAA 2-A co-champion

The team outscored opponents 516-130. This was the second straight 11-1 co-champion team for Coach Howell in his first two years at Sylva-Webster. The team featured running backs Tommy Love (1,759 yards rushing) and Gary Phillips (1,515 yards rushing). This team not only impacted the field but also the community. Love was one of the first two African-Americans to attend Sylva-Webster and because of his character and that of his teammates integration was a smooth transition for Jackson County.

HICKORY Hickory 1966

Record: 12-0 Coach: Frank Barger WNCHSAA 3-A champion

After a 7-2 season opener, no opponent came within 28 points of the Tornadoes. The team outscored opponents 465-56 and is considered by many to be the best team in WNCHSAA history. Running back Mike Mallan led the team with over 1,400 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns while quarterback Hal Queen completed 16 touchdown passes.

R.L. FIKE Wilson

1967-1969

Record:12-0 in ‘69 Coach: Henry Trevathan NCHSAA 4-A champion

This was the third consecutive state championship and considered by many to be the best of Fike’s 1960s teams. The team featured All American fullback and halfback Carlester Crumpler who had over 2,000 yards rushing and averaged 9.92 yards per carry as well as all-state lineman Dan Killebrew. Until 1967 Fike had endured six consecutive losing seasons, so this represented quite a turnaround as Fike won three straight 4-A crowns. The ‘67 team was led by 13 seniors, and featured guard Sarvis Bass and fullback and defensive end Billy Clark. Fullback Zeke Church and linebacker Steve Windham were standouts on the ‘68 club.

SYLVA-WEBSTER Sylva

1973

Record: 14-0 Coach: Babe Howell NCHSAA 2-A champion

One of the most dominant teams produced by Coach Babe Howell in which they outscored opponents 628-116 and in four playoff games outscored opponents 203-46. The program was in the midst of a dynasty that gave way to back-to-back state titles and a 29 game winning streak. The team featured running back Ronnie Smith who had over 1,500 yards rushing.

MAXTON Maxton 1975

Record: 13-0 Coach: Roy Vaughn NCHSAA 1-A champion

Team crushed most opposition, averaging 62.8 ppg for the season which is still a record. Closest game was a 36-14 victory at Robbinsville in second round of playoffs. Star was James McDougald, running back who went on to gain almost 4,000 yards rushing at Wake Forest. Won state 1-A championship by 86-8, scoring first six times it had the ball with McDougald rushing 13 times for 327 yards.

SWAIN COUNTYBryson City

1979

Record: 14-0 Coach: Boyce Deitz NCHSAA 2-A champion

The school’s first state title. The team defeated four undefeated teams and the 1-A state champion. The team averaged 26 points a game while giving up on 7.9 points, including four shut outs. The team had no huge stand out athletes but was a team above all else truly committed to each other and a common goal after being picked to finish third in a four-team conference preseason.

ROBBINSVILLERobbinsville

1980

Record: 13-0 Coach: Bob Colvin NCHSAA state 1-A champion

Representative of this dominant program that won nine championships in 11 years under NCHSAA Hall of Fame coach Bob Colvin. Was only undefeated team during a five-year string of Robbinsville championships from 1979 through ‘84.

WALTER M. WILLIAMSBurlington

1981

Record: 14-0 Coach: Pete Stout NCHSAA 3-A champion

Representative of several teams in this powerhouse program during this time. This was the second of back-to-back state titles in which the team was outstanding in defense. The powerhouse defense was led by All-state and Shrine Bowl linebackers Pete Moore and Donald Beard. The team went onto to finish with a state record at the time of 43 consecutive victories until 1982 with a first round playoff loss.

PAGE Greensboro

1985

Record: 15-0 Coach: Marion Kirby NCHSAA state 4-A champion

Won its third straight state title and finished unbeaten to cap three-year mark of 41-1-1. This is representative of those championship teams; the first two were quarterbacked by Todd Ellis, who threw for over 3,000 yards in 1984. Page beat Fayetteville Terry Sanford 26-20 in the ‘85 final.

LEXINGTON Lexington

1986

Record: 14-1 Coach: Gary Whitman NCHSAA state 2-A champion

Repeated as state 2-A champ, rolling over Ahoskie 35-7 in title game. Did this despite starting QB Deems May, Parade and Scholastic Coach All-American, missed all but three games with a knee injury.

GARNER Garner

1987

Record: 15-0 Coach: Hal Stewart NCHSAA state 4-A champion

Blew past Charlotte Harding 40-21 in state final game at Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium, powered by Anthony Barbour’s four touchdowns. The running back who went on to star at N.C. State ran for 47 touchdowns on the year and a then state record 3,125 yards rushing.

SHELBY Shelby 1987

Record: 14-1 Coach: Jim Taylor NCHSAA 3-A champion

This was the Golden Lions’ second consecutive state championship team. The team had eight young men who played both ways and eight signed college football scholarships. Featured players included quarterback and cornerback Therome George, who had over 1,700 total yards, fullback and linebacker Cedric Surratt, halfback and linebacker Dunsey Harper, and tailback and safety Tony Mauney. Also kicker Clint Gwaltney kicked a state record field goal at the time of 53 yards to propel his team into the state championship game.

WHITEVILLE Whiteville

1987

Record: 15-0 Coach: Bill Hewett NCHSAA 2-A champion

This was the first eastern 2-A team to win a state title in 12 years. This team finally won after the 1985 and 1986 teams lost in the third and fourth rounds of the state playoffs. The team featured four time NFL Pro Bowler, All-American, Mr. NCHSAA, four-year starter at tight end and linebacker, Chester McGlockton, as well as UNC football player, two-way tackle Rickie Shaw, and Wake Forest signee, tailback Virgil Cokley who rushed for more than 2,300 yards.

RICHMOND SENIOR Rockingham

1990

Record: 14-1 Coach: Daryl Barnes NCHSAA state 4-A champion

Won its third consecutive state championship, beating West Forsyth 9-7 on the last play of the title game. Team capped a 44-1 run during this three-year span. Eric Thomas was quarterback and Flip Ellerbe went over 1000 yards rushing for third consecutive season.

EAST FORSYTH Kernersville

1992

Record: 15-0 Coach:Joe Bill Ellender NCHSAA 4-A champion

The Eagles were ranked number 15 in the USA Today national poll. The team never trailed entering the fourth quarter and scored 83 touchdowns while allowing only 16. The defense posted five shutouts including two in the playoffs, and kept five other opponents within single digits. In the playoffs the Eagles outscored opponents 176-41. The team featured L.A. Dodger signee, quarterback Joe Lagarde, tackle and two-time state wrestling champion Gary Lee Wadford as well as professional AFL player James Clyburn.

CARVER Winston-Salem

1998

Record: 16-0 Coach: Keith Wilkes NCHSAA state 3-A champion

Won school’s first state championship since 1962, beating Kings Mountain 33-28 in title game. Two years earlier, team had conference championship season eliminated by use of an ineligible player and forfeited to go 0-11.

RICHMOND SENIOR Rockingham

1998

Record: 16-0 Coach: Daryl Barnes NCHSAA state 4-A champion

Rolled over Garner 36-6 in state final game. That win was the Raiders’ 31st in a row and its second consecutive state title. Marcus Ellerbe was the big gun for the Raiders and rushed for 198 yards in the championship game.

INDEPENDENCE Charlotte 2002

Record: 16-0 Coach: Tommy Knotts NCHSAA 4-A champion

One in a series of Independence powerhouses. Most prominent name was Chris Leak, record-shattering QB who became only NC player to throw for 4000 yards in three different seasons. This was the Pats’ third straight state title and ran their winning streak to 46. Jeff Romanelli was outstanding LB and Mohamed Massaquoi caught whopping 97 passes on season.

Football Honorable Mention

CANTON Canton 1956

Record: 12-0 Coach: Boyd Allen NCHSAA 2-A champion

LINCOLN Chapel Hill

1957

Record: Coach: not listed NCHSAC

ELIZABETHTOWN Elizabethtown

1961

Record: 10-1 Coach: Charlie Reagan 2-A Waccamaw Conference champion

EAST SURRY Pilot Mountain

1963

Record: 10-2 Coach: Bob Ward NCHSAA Western 1-A champion

HICKORY RIDGEVIEW Hickory

1964

Record: 12-0 Coach: Sam Davis NCHSAC 2-A champion

NORTH FORSYTH Winston Salem

1971

Record: 11-3 Coach: Colon Nifong NCHSAA 4-A champion

ROBBINSVILLE Robbinsville

1976

Record: 13-0 Coach: Bob Colvin NCHSAA 1-A champion

ROBBINSVILLE Robbinsville

1980

Record: 13-0 Coach: Bob Colvin NCHSAA 1-A champion

EASTERN RANDOLPH Ramseur

1983

Record: 13-1 Coach: Donnie Baxter NCHSAA 3-A champion

JAMESVILLE Jamesville 1984

Record: 13-0 Coach: Jerry Godley NCHSAA 1-A champion

TARBORO Tarboro 1984

Record: 13-1 Coach: Jim Brett NCHSAA 3-A champion

CURRITUCK COUNTY Barco 1989

Record: 13-1 Coach: not listed NCHSAA Eastern 1-A champion

SOUTH VIEW Hope Mills

1991

Record: 13-2 Coach: Bobby Poss NCHSAA 4-A champion

HICKORY Hickory 1996

Record: 16-0 Coach: David Elder NCHSAA 3-A champion

PARKLAND Winston-Salem

2001

Record: 15-1 Coach: DeAngelo Bell NCHSAA state 3-A champion

CARVER Winston-Salem

2002

Record: 14-0-1 Coach: Keith Wilkes NCHSAA state 3-A champion

ASHBROOK Gastonia 2002

Record: 11-4 Coach: Joe Shepherd NCHSAA 3AA champion

CUMMINGS Burlington 2003

Record: 9-7 Coach: Steve Johnson NCHSAA state 2-A champion