Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Thursday, August 18-August 24, 2016 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 17 Cleveland County Cleveland County High School Football High School Football GRIDIRON GUIDE with with Paul Foster Paul Foster Your Heating & Cooling Experts Since 1977 License #6757 704-487-7877 www.shelbyheating.com Commercial • Residential • Sales • Service 704-487-9093 855 W. Sumter St. Shelby, NC www.shelbyvfw.com PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CLEVELAND COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK V F W post 4066 Foster has covered over 15 State Championships combined in the Carolinas in his years as a high school football broadcaster and reporter, with the majority of those involving Cleveland County teams. PREVIEW EDITION PREVIEW EDITION The Burns Bulldogs There's a lot of excitement in the upper part of the county again about Burns football after the arrival of new Head Coach David Devine. It's been a coming home party for Coach Devine, who played football at Burns under long time and former Bulldogs Coach Ron Greene. Devine will look to start a new tradition and restart a winning program just like Greene did in his day. "The kids have been working hard," said Devine, when referring to summer practice and scrimmages. "The team and our coaches are progressing well, as everyone is learning a new system. Each day we are getting better and molding together as a unit," added Devine. Some of the players to keep an eye on are returning Quarterback Cameron Barbee and Receiver TJ Roberts, as well as Aaron Hill, Keron Pryor, Magale Burris, Nate Black, and Spencer Devine. Burns will run the spread on offense and the 4-3 formation on defense. Fans will also notice a new scoreboard this season at Ron Greene Stadium. In the SMAC (South Mtn. Athletic Conference) Preseason Coaches Poll, Burns is ranked 4th, which shows a sign of respect for Devine and the team's talent. The Bulldogs open at home Friday night against the Carolina Wildcats from Pickens, S.C. The Crest Chargers The Chargers will begin the 2016 campaign as not only back to back 3A State Champions, but also tied for ninth in the nation for most consecutive wins with a 32-game winning streak. Preseason acclaim also has them ranked #1 in the state in the 3A rankings and picked to fi nish number 2 in the South Mountain Athletic Conference (SMAC) behind Shelby, according to the conference coaches poll. "While we're getting better (August practices/scrimmages), we're young," said Crest Head Coach Will Clark, entering his second season. Incredible talent in recent years like running back Tre Harbison and QB Willie Green have graduated, plus others, leaving the Chargers with only four returning starters on offense and fi ve on defense. However, look out for new rising stars to fi ll the vacancies like defensive players- Rae-Kwon Turner and Jeremiah Boykins on the line, defensive back Jamaud Geter, and linebacker's Sanchez Spikes and BJ Ramseur. Coach Clark said, "We will go with a multiple offense this season, as the quarterback position means Cameron Peeler is our starter and transfer Payton Kemmerlin our backup." Last but not least, returning starter and outside linebacker Justin Foster is getting pursued by numerous colleges. Crest enters rival South Point on Friday night to kickoff the season. The Kings Mountain Mountaineers While Crest and Shelby made it back to state championships last season, it can't be forgotten that the Kings Mountain Mountaineers were in the state semi's – only one win away from appearing in one themselves. A tremendous 2015 season for this program has them riding high entering this season with numerous returning starters and depth. "We are excited," said Head Coach Greg Lloyd. "We not only have a good group of returners, we also have players that were strong for our JV program that will help us in the future." Offensive weapons like Running Back Darian McClain and Quarterback Darren Burns, both seniors, will make this team diffi cult for opponents to slow down. On the other side of the football, the Mountaineers are said to be fast on defense thanks to the likes of Trevon Wilson and McClain. Lloyd took time to tell us that the entire program, coaches and players, will miss having Senior Jake Merchant, a starter for the team go- ing back to ninth grade, lost due to injury. Look for Kings Mountain to run a one back offensive-spread set and a 4-3 on defense. The Mountaineers begin the season ranked 4th in the state in the 3A Top 10 Poll and third in the preseason SMAC Coaches Poll. They'll open the season at North Gaston. The Shelby Golden Lions The long winning tradition of Shelby football couldn't be any stronger entering this latest season for a program that has now won three straight State 2A titles. Familiar names are back to keep the tradition going, like Junior Linebacker Dax Hollifi eld (wanted by big time college teams) and Wide Receiver, Senior, Jayden Borders, who will call East Carolina home on the next level. Others include defensive back CJ Ross, running back Xavier Brooks, and receivers Devin Gullatte and Darius Fuller. Head Coach Lance Ware, said "We have had an outstanding preseason, as we are breaking in a new quarterback. Our veteran of- fensive line will help with that transition." The Quarterback is Malik Sarratt, who will now be running Shelby's high-fl ying spread offense. In all, the Lions have nine starters returning on defense and six on offense. Coach Ware says his team will run a 4-3 again this year on the defensive side of the ball. Ware says, "The defense is under the direction of Coach Justin Hawn, our new coordinator in place of David Devine (now at Burns)." Shelby was selected in the South Mtn. Athletic Conference Coaches Poll to fi nish fi rst in the league and second in the state in the current State 2A poll behind Monroe. The Golden Lions host Freedom in game one Friday evening. The 2016 Season Kickoff All Four County Schools Begin the Season Ranked with High Expectations Annual Barbecue New House, NC Sandy Plains Church Phone Day of BBQ... 704-434-6552 ALL YOU CAN EAT ALL YOU ALL YOU ALL YOU CAN EAT CAN EAT Saturday, Sept. 10th • 12 Noon until Ole Timey Pit Cooked Barbecue Pork & Chicken Adults: $12.00 Children: 6 to 10 Years $6.00 5 and under FREE