Notes ‘n’ quotes …
Finally, a showdown that really was a showdown, thanks to Carson and East Rowan.
When the whistle blew to start Friday’s game at Carson between two teams with a combined record of 9-3, the stands were packed, the concession stands had long lines and the bands were playing.
But the bands, good food and a lot of fans are always the scene when the game begins. It’s up to the teams to live up to the hype and most of the time, they don’t. More times than not, the game is a blowout, or perhaps simply boring.
But these two teams gave us everything we anticipated and more, scoring seven second-half touchdowns, six in the fourth period.
So thanks again, Carson and East.
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Superstitions are a part of the football makeup, too. Both of the coaches involved ó East’s Brian Hinson and Carson’s Mark Woody ó made a point to tell us they didn’t want to be picked by the newspaper. Common Sense finally decided Carson would take this one.
When East’s 29-26 victory was complete, Hinson told a reporter, “Thanks for not picking us.”
Woody said, “I told you not to pick us.”
Hinson has been playing this, “Us against the world” theme all year long. He hasn’t referred to his team very often without mentioning the Mustangs were 1-10 last year.
But it all stops now. East is a confident, disciplined, well-coached team. No one is listening to this “no respect” stuff anymore. The team is 6-1 and the Mustangs are getting plenty of respect.
Hinson probably didn’t want me writing that.
Here’s something else he probably doesn’t want to read: East will be picked to beat Statesville on Friday.
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The most incredible report from Friday night came out of Lexington. With the clock running down in a tie game, the Yellow Jackets’ quarterback spiked the ball to stop the clock.
On fourth down.
Oops.
Lexington lost in overtime.
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Want to watch something besides football? Today is your day.
There are five soccer matches involving area schools. There are six tennis matches and three volleyball matches. Look at the local schedule in the scoreboard.
West Davidson’s volleyball team comes to Carson to meet the talented Cougars. An interesting side note is that Carson coach Kelan Rogers will know just about everyone on both sides. He came to China Grove after a long coaching stint in Tyro at West.
North Rowan’s tennis team makes a 168-mile round trip to Chatham County for a tennis match.
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Speaking of volleyball, Tuesday is a big day for Carson and South. They play the two best teams in the North Piedmont Conference.
Carson travels to defending state champ North Iredell, while West Iredell visits South. Those are two of seven volleyball matches in the area.
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On Wednesday, the Rowan County Cross Country Meet will be held at Dan Nicholas Park for girls and boys.
The schools have already had the pre-Rowan County meet. No word yet on whether there will be a post-Rowan County meet.
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On Thursday, take your pick. There are six volleyball matches and six jayvee football games.
But the featured attraction is at Carson, where nearby South Rowan visits for a volleyball match. This is always one of the largest crowds of the year that isn’t football, basketball or baseball. Be a part of it.
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And then, it’s back to Friday and the big event of the week: varsity football.
West Rowan plays host to Carson in the Falcons’ Homecoming.
I think K.P. Parks should be crowned Homecoming King. He’s already King of Football in this county. What’s one more title for The Great One?
The only other home game is at North Rowan, who is an overwhelming favorite to defeat winless North Moore.
A victory would put the Cavaliers at 3-0 in the Yadkin Valley Conference and set up a showdown with undefeated Albemarle for sole possession of first place on Oct. 16.
It suddenly seems like a long time ago that North was 0-4, doesn’t it?
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And finally …
Catawba goes to Carson-Newman on Saturday, while Livingstone plays its third straight home game, this one against Chowan at 1 p.m.
Even though Catawba has lost its last two games, it still holds quite a distinction.
Over the last 10 years, only Appalachian State, with 100 wins, has more victories than Catawba (86). The Indians are 20 ahead of N.C. State and 22 ahead of Wake Forest.