Charlotte's Garinger Makes the playoffs!

Garinger High Schools last trip to N.C. football playoffs was in 1990. Making the playoffs and hosting a playoff game are special at Garinger, which is 4-7. The Wildcats won four of their past six games after ending a streak of 61 straight losses on the field. Since 1989, Garinger has had four losing streaks at least 18 games long.

Coach Carter came to Garinger from a winning team at Dalton(Ga.) High. He has turned around the program and genarated a new era of school pride. “It still hasn't hit me,” said Carter, whose team will play Providence Friday. “ … Our kids are enjoying it. This is something they won't forget. They made history.” Garringer football is all the the buzz around town! "Everyone is pulling for these guys, they deserve this" said Betty Bland

Go Wildcats!

CYFL Tar Heels off to the championship!

Congrats to the defending CFYL champs!

The Tar Heels 5-3 will be defending the championship going against the 6-0 Georgia BullDogs on Saturday 11/15/2008 at Independence High School in Charlotte NC.
Congrats to Coach Jerry Shippy & our upcoming stars!

HOME SWEET HOME: Braves Use Defense, Special Teams To Claw Past North Greenville, 21-7

PEMBROKE – Matthew Fortson returned a third quarter interception 62 yards for a touchdown and Jamal Williams added a 75-yard kickoff return nine minutes later to help UNCP put the caps on a perfect season at home with a 21-7 victory over North Greenville Saturday afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
The win put the lid on a 9-1 campaign for UNCP as well as gave the Black and Gold a 6-1 record against teams it lost to in its inaugural season in 2007. North Greenville, who played what is considered to be one of the toughest schedules in the country, ended their season with a 2-9 record.
Williams racked up 100 or more all-purpose yards for the seventh time this season, catching six passes for 78 yards and a first quarter touchdown, while also returning two kicks (one punt) for 87 yards and another score. Cory Smith completed 14 of 24 passes for 172 yards for the offense as well.

As it has all season, the UNCP defense shone once again, this time limiting a staunch running game to just 58 yards on 27 carries, while also forcing at least two turnovers for the 10th time this season. The Crusaders, who racked up 224 yards on the ground in last season’s 40-6 win over the Braves, managed just 72 total yards in the first half.

Laurinburg native Adam Deese registered a team-best eight tackles, while Caylon Hann tacked on six stops, as well as a career-best four pass break-ups. Fortson (six tackles) scored on an opponent turnover for the second time this season, but the first since returning a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown in a 48-29 win at Lane in late September. “Regardless of whether we make the playoffs or not, it can’t take away from what we have done this year,” said head coach Pete Shinnick when asked if his team deserves a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs. “We have five seniors on this year’s team that can say they won their last seven college football games. Not many people can say that. “I am proud of the things that our guys accomplished this year. We got better every week and that was our goal before the season started.”

UNCP looked to have all the ingredients for a blow out in marching 43 yards in 10 plays on the opening possession of the game, but Taylor Baskett’s 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right to keep the score at a deadlock. With the UNCP defense doing its part to keep the Crusaders down however, the Braves would score the game’s first points with time waning down in the second period as Smith eluded a sack and found Williams racing down the near sideline for a 37-yard scoring strike.

North Greenville came out of the halftime break with a jolt of momentum and drove 41 yards in just four plays, but Fortson stepped in front of a Richard Harb pass in the flats and raced 62 yards to put the Braves up 14-0 early in the second half. North Greenville finally got on the board when Nick Rosamonda picked off a pass by Smith deep in UNCP territory and returned the pick 16 yards for a score, but the Braves answered on the ensuing kickoff when Williams corralled Michael Sears’ kickoff at the 25-yard line, eluded a pair of Crusader defenders and did all the rest himself to cap the day’s scoring.

UNCP Football Makes History!

Braves Guarantee Winning Season With 36-14 Win At West Virginia Wesleyan

Cory Smith threw for a career-best 311 passing yards and a school record five touchdowns to help UNCP guarantee its first winning season in program history with a 36-14 win over West Virginia Wesleyan Saturday afternoon at Cebe Ross Field.
The triumph marked the fourth-straight victory for the Braves (6-1) who also put the finishing touches on a 4-1 road slate that includes wins in four different states. Smith became just the second 300-yard passer for the Black and Gold, falling just short of teammate Ryan Horton’s school record 360 passing yards set last season against Faulkner. His touchdown mark eclipsed the previous mark of three established last season (Horton, Matt Evans).

West Virginia Wesleyan (1-6), who dropped a tight 35-32 decision to 23rd-ranked Seton Hill last week and entered Homecoming week averaging 330 yards per game, mustered just 205 total offensive yards on Saturday, including a paltry 86-yard effort in the first half. Reggie Taylor, who toted the nation’s 19th-best rushing average (114.8 yards/game) into the weekend, was held to just 82 yards (22 in first half) on 20 carries by the UNCP defense, effectively putting an end to his streak of three-straight 100-yard rushing games. “I am very excited for our guys – I thought it was a great win and a great finish to a very long three-game road trip,” said head coach Pete Shinnick. “We finished our road schedule with a 4-1 record and this was a great way to do it. We played well on both sides of the ball. “We’ll take (the winning season), but we’re not done.”

Ten different players recorded pass receptions for UNCP, with four different individuals scoring touchdowns. Freshman Jamal Williams hauled in seven catches for 119 yards and a pair of scores and L.J. Johnson caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown as well. Josh Humphries (3 catches, 39 yards) and Josh Throckmorton (2 catches, 16 yards) both accounted for receiving touchdowns as well.

The UNCP defense forced three or more turnovers for the sixth time this season after recording a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery. Terrell Partlow (Charlotte's South Meck)registered a team-best eight tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception to pace the Black and Gold, with Caylon Hann picking off his nation’s-best sixth interception of the season to complement six solo stops. The Braves turned in double-digit tackles for loss (12) for the fourth-straight game, including sacks by five different players.

UNCP set the tone from its opening possession, driving 61 yards in eight plays before Smith capped off the drive with a 14-yard scoring strike to Humphries. After a 35-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right on the ensuing possession for the host team, the Braves would cushion their advantage on a 13-play, 79-yard drive that was culminated on an eight-yard scoring pass to Throckmorton.

The Black and Gold would pad its lead out to 20-0 midway through the second quarter before West Virginia Wesleyan would scratch the scoreboard for the first time with a lot of help from the visitors. Nearly half (30 yards) of the 69-yard scoring drive by the hosts would come via personal foul penalties, but the Braves answered the touchdown with one of their own just more than two minutes later – keyed by a 37-yard pass to Jamar Dials – to take a 26-7 lead into the intermission.

The Braves picked up right where they left off in the start of the second stanza, capping a 7-play, 69-yard scoring drive on a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Williams. A fourth quarter touchdown run by the Bobcats’ Jason Jackson would be answered by a 30-yard field goal by Taylor Baskett on the ensuing drive to provide the final score.

Want to play for the braves >http://uncpbraves.athleticsite.com/recruiting.asp?sportID=9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GenmNrexDYI

DeVonte Holloman changes his mind about Clemson

DeVonte Holloman, a top football recruit and a former Independence High star, says he won't be going to Clemson.
Holloman, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior who had committed to the Tigers, was the nation's No.2 recruit at safety, according to recruiting service scout.com.

He transferred from Independence to Rock Hill South Pointe at the beginning of the season. Holloman said he “was surprised but not surprised” when he heard about Clemson coach Tommy Bowden being fired Monday morning. “I wasn't expecting it at the beginning of the season,” Holloman said. “Maybe at the end, but it's not a situation I want to go into – with a whole new head coach and all the changes that will probably happen. I want to go somewhere a little more stable.” He took an unofficial visit to Tennessee last month and plans to take official visits to South Carolina this week and Louisiana State on Oct.25.
He said he also wanted to visit North Carolina and was contacting the Tar Heels coaches who initially recruited him. Holloman, a 4.0 student, said he plans to graduate in December and enroll in his new school in January. “I'm wide open again,” Holloman said of his recruiting prospects.

Charlotte NC's Garinger continues road back to respectability

Until Monday night, Garinger High senior quarterback Marquez Stanley had started 38 games in a row for the Wildcats – and lost all 38. But Monday night was different.
Garinger was playing West Mecklenburg and was down 12-0 at halftime. The game was going like so many had for the Wildcats in the past 33 years. Since 1975, Garinger had been through 14 coaches and had produced only four winning seasons. In 12 of those 33 years, Garinger didn't win any games. In seven of those 33 years, Garinger won one game. But Monday night was different.

In the locker room at halftime, Stanley said the players talked about all the mistakes they had made. They talked about playing smarter. Stanley said he could feel that, for a change, the Wildcats had faith they could turn it around. Second-year coach Chris Carter sensed it, too.
“Guys,” Carter screamed to his players, “we had eight turnovers, but they only have 12 points. We can do this! “WE. CAN. DO. THIS!”

In the second half, Stanley threw for a touchdown. He ran for two more. In his 39th start, Stanley won his first game. Garinger beat West Mecklenburg 31-12 and won its first game on the field in six years. The Wildcats picked up four forfeit wins last year but had lost 61 straight on the field. “I just felt like crying when we won,” Stanley said. “Actually a few tears did come out. I was so happy. I knew we could do it. I knew we had the talent to win and we finally won and I was so happy.” Garinger athletics director Claire Gardin won three state championships as a girls track coach at Charlotte Latin. She helped restart the women's basketball program at Davidson, but in her long career, which began in 1987, she'd never seen a program like this. Carter was the fourth football coach in six years. No Garinger coach produced a winning record since Barry Shuford, now at Olympic, led the team to a 6-4 record in 1995. And since joining the staff in 2003, Gardin had never seen her school win.

When Gardin got to school Tuesday morning, she could easily see the difference that a football win had on her school. “There was just this sense of pride,” she said. “Football players had a different stride. Students were excited. It did wonders for our school.”

Garinger (1-5, 1-0 Queen City 3A/4A) is alone in first place in the 4A section of the conference and plays at Berry (0-6, 0-1) tonight. Berry beat Garinger 19-15 last year on Garinger's homecoming. Tonight is Berry's homecoming, and Garinger has a chance for payback, plus something else none of the Wildcats has seen: A bona-fide win streak. “Everybody who used to say we couldn't, now they've jumped on the bandwagon,” Stanley said. “It used to be, ‘Y'all can't win. At least score a touchdown, though.' Now it's ‘Y'all better win Friday. I know y'all can do it.'”
Garinger has a chance at its first playoff berth since 1990. Coach Carter hopes it's more than that. He hopes this is a permanent change. He's put a paper sign in every players locker. It's become the team's Constitution. It talks about the 2008 Wildcats being trendsetters, about changing the losing culture at Garinger. “I know we can make the playoffs,” said Stanley, who will start his 40th game tonight. “More important, all of us know we can, and we're determined to do it.”

Player makes the most of first start

Lincoln (Coucil Bluffs, Iowa) sophomore running back Austin Ebertowski made his first start Friday and came just four yards short of the state record for most yards in a game. Ebertowski rushed 41 times for 451 yards and three TDs in his team's 56-42 defeat of West (Sioux City). The record of 455 was set by Don Larson of Alden in 1954.
Another big game was turned in by Coleville, Calif., quarterback Jason Peters, who led his team to a 54-18 defeat of Wells, Nev. Peters ran for 336 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

Did you know?

The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an institution in which the institution agrees to provide a prospective student-athlete who is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules athletics aid for one academic year in exchange for the prospect's agreement to attend the institution for one academic year. If the prospective student-athlete does not attend the signing institution or attends that institution for less than one academic year, and enrolls in another college that participates in the National Letter of Intent program there may be eligibility ramifications. The basic penalty may preclude the student-athlete from representing the second college until completing an academic year in residence at the latter institution and may lose one season of competition in all sports.

Charlotte may get it's own college football team!

The chancellor of UNCC has recommended to the board that the school add a football program in 2013. If approved, the team would begin playing in the NCAA Football Championship Sub-Division formally known as division 1-AA. To date, more than 1,500 PSL were reserved at $1,000. This is great news for Charlotte!

Arkansas player scores 9 touchdowns!

Nashville, Ark., quarterback Derrick Graham tied an Arkansas record with nine TDs on short runs Friday in his team's 58-35 defeat of Liberty Eylau (Texarkana). Graham ran 31 times for 127 yards. According to the Arkansas High School Sports Record Book, only one player in state history had run for nine touchdowns before this season — Kendric Smith of Hughes, Ark., in 2006. Graham also caught three passes and played linebacker. Ken Pearson from Hugh, Colo., rushed for 12 in 1930 for the national record.

Write the coach!

If you are intersted in a certain school, write the coach and let him know. He wants to hear from you! Express your interest in joining the program. Tell him a little about yourself. Include your GPA, SAT/ACT Score, academic and athletic accomplishments. Make sure to include contact information. Include a print out of your game schedule, position & JERSEY NUBER!

Handle your business! Sign up for the SAT!

If you need to take the SAT be mindful of the upcoming SAT test dates. The next test is 10/4/08. Regular registration started on 9/9/08. Late registration begins on 9/16/08 (fee applies)

Visit : http://www.prepnow.org/prepsatframe.htm

It's so much more then just football!

If you are like me, you are really excited that high school football season is here again! I can hear the roaring crowds cheering loudly for their favorite teams. I remember families cuddling under blankets trying to keep warm on crisp autumn nights. The hot dogs, hot chocolate and, oh we can't forget the marching bands. I love the game!

For many of these young men, it is much more then a game. Football has become a sense of pride, accomplishment, and bravado. Away to develop into a leader. Many of these young men have dreams of playing at the college level and hopefully playing in the NFL. For those athletic enough, football scholarships provide a great way to attend some of the best institutions in the nation. The average cost to attend an instate public university has sky rocketed to an average of $17,336 a year according to US News & World Reports.

College recruiting is very competitive. Each year there are approximately 281,000 high school seniors playing football in the country. Each year there are approximately 16,800 college freshman roster spots at NCAA school. This number includes all three divisions. D1-D3. So if you really want to compete for a football scholarship, you have to be proactive. You have to work.

Educate yourself on how the process works and learn what you need to do to be seen.
In most cases, coaches don't just show up at your door or at your school. Realize that coaches are looking for recruits that are not only hard workers on the gridiron; they want you to also be a hard worker in the classroom. Your grades, GPA and SAT will greatly impact the options that are available to you. If you think you have what it takes and a real desire to play at the college level, talk to your coach about your desire and get busy.

Independence - Madison Game Cancelled Due To Weather Concerns

Charlotte's Independence High's road football game against Florida power Madison County on Friday has been cancelled because of potential bad weather from Tropical Storm Hanna.

Patriots coach Tom Knotts said he was told by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials that they didn't want Independence traveling in unstable conditions. Madison County is about 45 miles east of Tallahassee. The Cowboys are Florida's reigning 2A champion.

It would have been the second straight season with an out-of-state trip for Independence, which won seven straight N.C. championships before losing in last season's N.C. 4AA final. The Patriots' 109-game winning streak was snapped by Elder (Ohio) High in Cincinnati last September.

What every college coach wants you to know!

Are you ready for some football? Well the season has started in most parts of the country and fans and players alike are amped up! I start my week thinking about those Friday night lights and the electrifying excitement on the gridiron . I’m especially excited to watch the talented players that show a real passion for the game and desire to play at the college level. If this is sound like you or your son take note. There is a tremendous amount of preparation before a game. Especially so for important games. There are practices, weight training and conditioning, film review & position meetings.

If you are serious about playing at the college level, you need to prepare just as hard in the class room. The schedules for the SAT & ACT for 2008 are now available. If you are a junior you should began to take them now! If you are a senior hopefully at this point you have done this and scored reasonably well. If not, RUN & Sign up and do not pass go! If a college coach is considering you, you stand a much better chance at getting an offer if he knows that you have NCAA qualifying test scores and a good CORE GPA.

Keep in mind that some schools have their own admission requirements that may exceed NCAA minimums. By taking care of this early on, you stand a much better chance at getting a coach to pull the trigger and offer a scholarship. Please see the schedule of upcoming test dates and get busy: http://www.prepnow.org/prepsatframe.htm


Wayne

The Football Recruiting Show!

PREP NOW.ORG is a free information service dedicated to providing student athletes and parents with the knowledge, tools, resources to get on the recruiting radar.
Prep Now.Org stresses the importance of ACADEMICS and acquiring a quality education that will prepare you for life after football.

We are parents that have been through the process. Our children received scholarships to play football at major Universities. We wanted to share what we have learned to help you in the pursuit of your dreams. With much input from college coaches, college recruiting coordinators, student athletes & parents from across the nation, it's our mission to help you understand how the process really works.

Don't make the mistake of sitting and waiting for the coaches to come knocking in your senior year. Don't think that simply being a good athlete is enough to get you a scholarship! Don't leave your future solely in the hands of a busy coach. If you want to be seen, you must work hard and be proactive. You have to make it happen! Join us for The Football Recruiting Show! Our live weekly show hosted by Wayne & Maurice with guest co-Host Al Woods! The show airs every Friday 9:00PM-10:00PM EST. Join us and get the real deal on football recruiting!

Safe Summer Workouts!

In most cases, football workouts are well underway. Here are a few tips to beat the heat and stay safe:1. Listen to your body! Heat cramps lead to heat exhaustion, which leads to heat stroke. Stop when you feel cramping, not when you feel like passing out! This is not the time of year to "suck it up" and be the tough guy. Stubborn tough guys can actually die from heat stroke! If you feel "weak and whoozy" it's past the time to stop! Seek attention immediately by telling the coach.
2. Remember that the higher the temperature and humidity, the harder your body has to work for the same speed.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. Keep drinking periodically during practice.4. Wear loose, sweat wicking, light colored clothing. There are lots of synthetic materials on the market that help wick sweat away from your body and keep you cool. Heat-related illness claim football players lives every year. Don't be the next victim! Play hard but be safe!!!