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14 September 2007
Written by: prepalertnc
Posted under Watauga High School, Brevard High School, North Henderson High, South Caldwell, A C Reynolds, Polk High School, East Henderson, Franklin High School, McDowell High School, Swain County, Madison High School, Christ School, Alexander Central, Asheville School, Smoky Mt High, Mt Heritage, Tuscola High School, East Rutherford, Mitchell County, TC Roberson, West Henderson, NCISAA, Western Highlands, Western Athletic, High School Sports, WAC, Smoky Mtn, Northwestern, MAC, Mountain Athletic, Enka High School, Hendersonville, Asheville High School, Erwin, Pisgah High School, Andrews, North Buncombe, Owen High School, Cherokee, WHC
WNC offenses: the sung and the unsung
It’s still early, but several names from across the region have put up big numbers for their respective football teams in western
North Carolina . In four games, McDowell tailback Buggy Kincaid has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2007 despite his team’s long losing streak, now stretching to seven games over two seasons; Roberson runner Justin Wynn, who just missed the 2,000-yard mark last fall, is still the main provider for the top team in the mountains; North Buncombe’s duel threat at quarterback, junior Randy Pressley, is on pace to gain 1,000 yards throwing and also running the football in ’07; Cherokee’s Langston Wood remains a consistent force on the ground; and Reynolds back Darius Spencer is a constant threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
In the passing department,
Polk
County ’s Derrick Overholt added to his stellar numbers last week despite a dreadful first two series at Landrum. Overholt, the state’s leading passer through four games, threw his first two interceptions of the season in his first three attempts through the air, but then went 15-for-17 the rest of the way for 211 yards and two scores. He added a five-yard touchdown run to lead the unbeaten Wolverines to a close win across the border.
Mitchell QB Joe Hoilman has never received the exposure he’s earned, but is steadily picking up where he left off last season, when he accounted for more than 2,400 yards (1,274 rushing, 1,127 passing) and 22 touchdowns. In just three games this season he has 881 total yards with eight TDs, four each on the ground and through the air.
Another double danger behind center—actually a three-way threat due to his special teams play—is Owen signal caller Aaron Reese. Reese’s numbers may not match other QB’s in the region, but watch any game featuring the Warhorses and notice the defensive attention he receives, as well as the number of plays he’s directly involved in—deceptively or directly. He never seems to leave the field. Reese’s placekicking and punting duties, along with his defensive presence in the secondary, give opposing teams more reason for worry.
Among receivers, Erwin senior Ronnie Fortune has yet to reach the end zone with his 25 catches, but he and fellow wideout Devian Humes require heavy defensive attention from Erwin opponents in ’07. Fortune, an all-conference return specialist in ’06, has supplanted the more heralded Humes so far.
The most dangerous receiver in the mountains through the first four weeks has been
Polk
County ’s Josh Twitty (17 rec., 433 yds., 7 TDs). With junior wingback Kamron Kerr (17 rec., 290 yds., 2 TDs) and quality depth on hand, the Wolverines possess a passing attack that rivals any team in the state.
As far as multiple threats downfield and in the backfield, no team in the region has more options than resurgent
Hendersonville . In the backfield the Bearcats feature punishing fullback Cedrick Allen along with running backs Darryl Demps and Darren Perry, all juniors. Head coach B.J. Laughter calls sophomore QB Ben Walgenbach potentially the school’s best ever. At tight end is strong, swift, and intelligent senior Jamie Hatten (a
Marshall recruit), whom Laughter sees as his program’s most consistent three-way performer over the past 17 seasons. In addition, Walgenbach can readily reach senior Stephen Clay at wideout. Another two-way standout, four-year starter Dominique Whiteside (an Army recruit), secures the line on both sides of the ball.
Another team on the rise—with younger talent than
Hendersonville —is Robbinsville, which runs a double-wing offense featuring three dandy sophomores at halfback: Blake Anderson, Kurt Odom, and Randy Hernandez; another soph at QB in 6’-4” Luke Perkins; and senior fullback Joe Jumper. Listen for more noise from the Black Knights in the time ahead.
One more worthy lineman of note is Brevard senior Chad Harris (6-4, 315), an all-state candidate at strong tackle and a future collegian.
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