By Mike London
mlondon@salisburypost.com
The area college roundup …
Wingate’s Phillip Hilliard (Salisbury) had punted more often than anyone in the SAC going into Saturday’s games, and the booting Bulldog received another serious workout. Hilliard was called on to punt 10 times in a 35-27 loss against Newberry and averaged 38.6 yards per kick.
Hilliard’s 76-yard punt remains the longest in the SAC this season.
He’ll have a chance to return home Saturday afternoon when the Bulldogs play at Catawba.
n Senior Scotty Robinson (Salisbury) was a factor in East Carolina’s easy win over Rice on Saturday. He was credited with three quarterback hurries.
n Josh Bush (West Davidson) made five tackles for Wake Forest, but the Deacons were blown out by Clemson 38-3. Tristan Dorty (West Rowan) made two tackles for the disappointed Demon Deacons.
n North Carolina Central kicker Frankie Cardelle (Salisbury) had a pretty exciting day in a 52-7 romp against Central Methodist.
Cardelle accounted for 16 points with field goals of 41, 24 and 39 yards and five conventional PATS, plus a 2-point conversion pass that he tossed on an option play.
We’re not making this stuff up.
Cardelle completed the same number of passes ó one ó that the Hornets did on Friday night.
n Catawba safety Jaspen Gray (Davie) picked off a pass as the Indians finally won their first SAC game at Tusculum.
n Malcolm “Mosquito” Gaither (West) saw action for Greensboro in a 27-24 win against Ferrum.
n In a win against Maine, Richmond’s Jonathan Mayfield (Davie) made a tackle on a kickoff for the top-ranked FCS team. Mayfield’s head coach is the much smarter version of Mike London.
n In baseball news, Ross Steedley (East Rowan) hit three homers in the Charlotte’ 49ers’ fall World Series, while Justin Roland (East) also swung a hot bat. Corbin Shive (East) had a sharp mound outing, throwing five innings with one walk and five strikeouts.
n In recruiting news, West’s big left-hander Zack Simpson has picked up velocity ó 85-86 mph ó and recently visited Virginia Tech.
n Basketball is not that far away. Three senior ladies should be standouts for their respective teams this season ó South Carolina State’s Sophilia Hipps (North Rowan), Lees-McRae’s Renee´ Roberson (West) and Meredith’s Brittany Cornelius (East).