Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

24 Aug

Back-to-School prayer event set for Sunday in Randolph County

Bob SuttonEventsAsheboro City Schools, Chuck Powers, Randolph Christian Men, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Schools

ASHEBORO — Chuck Powers, founder of the Randolph Christian Men, would like to see a record turnout for Sunday’s Back-to-School Prayer Night. At 5:30 p.m., gatherings are scheduled to begin at about 40 locations that are part of the Randolph County School System and Asheboro City Schools. “We’ll have someone who will lead prayer at each of those facilities,” Powers said. “We’re asking the Lord to bless everyone involved in education.” Turnout for last year’s Back-to-School Prayer Night was more than 500 based on reports Powers, an Asheboro man, received from his group’s members at the school locations. “I think…

18 Aug

Randleman must start season minus standout Dobias

Bob SuttonSportspiedmont athletic conference, prep football, Randleman athletics, Randleman football, Randleman Tigers, Shane Timmons, Thomas Dobias

Randleman’s Thomas Dobias won’t be on the field at the start of the season after knee surgery. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) Surgery means Tigers linebacker / running back will miss at least a month RANDLEMAN – Randleman junior Thomas Dobias, considered one of the top football players in Randolph County, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus Thursday. He’s expected to play this season for the Tigers after missing four to six weeks. “I should be back for the start of conference play,” said Dobias, who plays linebacker and running back. Randleman, which opens the season Friday night at Asheboro,…

17 Aug

Southwestern Randolph Cougars find more roles for Clapp

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, Easton Clapp, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Southwestern Randolph football

Even in a new position, Easton Clapp should have ample chances to carry the ball for Southwestern Randolph. (File photo) After record season, Southwestern Randolph seeks to keep it going ASHEBORO – Trying to follow the best season in school history, Southwestern Randolph has moved one of its best players to another position. Makes good sense to the Cougars. They enter this season with Easton Clapp, the hard-running ball carrier, taking snaps at quarterback. Don’t worry, his mentality hasn’t changed. “I knew I was going to have to play quarterback this year,” said Clapp, who had been a running back.…

17 Aug

Experienced Providence Grove Patriots look primed for more on football field

Bob SuttonSportsCalvin Brown, Chase Whitaker, Luke Thomas, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Providence Grove athletics

Chase Whitaker will remain a key part of Providence Grove’s defense, but his role might expand on offense. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Providence Grove’s large senior class could pay off CLIMAX – Two of the most productive players from Providence Grove’s special 2021 football team are gone. But don’t feel bad for the Patriots because they’re bustling with experience. “A lot of people assume that we’re going to be pretty good,” said coach Calvin Brown, whose roster has 22 seniors. “I think that experience and being a year older is going to make a difference. We’re not relying on a lot…

17 Aug

Asheboro Blue Comets intent on collecting confidence, winning in football

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Asheboro football, Blake Brewer, Hakemme Butler, Mid-Piedmont Conference, prep football

Asheboro coach Blake Brewer, here at practice earlier this month, will try to help the Blue Comets head in the right direction. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Asheboro seeks change from five-year stretch of doldrums ASHEBORO – There’s no reason for members of the Asheboro football team to dwell on the past. What’s ahead is the exciting part for the Blue Comets. “The expectations are higher,” senior safety DJ Headen. “Another year to prove ourselves.” Asheboro has dipped to the depths in recent seasons, but that hasn’t depleted optimism. Coming off a one-win season, the Blue Comets are anxious to change the…

17 Aug

Randleman Tigers plan on quick football turnaround

Bob SuttonSportsChristian Long, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Randleman athletics, Randleman football, Shane Timmons, Thomas Dobias

Quarterback Christian Long is hoping for a smoother season in his second year as Randleman’s starter. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman reaches for rapid rebuild after rough season RANDLEMAN – The quest to return to the top is in the works for the Randleman football team. “We’re not who we want to be yet, but we’re getting pretty close,” senior quarterback Christian Long said. “I think the mentality going into this year is different. I don’t think we’re all the way there yet.” A sudden dip has given the Tigers a sense of urgency entering the season, which begins Friday night…

17 Aug

Eastern Randolph Wildcats load up for more football success

Bob SuttonSportsBurton Cates, Eastern Randolph athletics, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Stratton Barwick

Stratton Barwick will be at the controls of the offense again for Eastern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph wants to build on last year’s dominance RAMSEUR – Remaining the best football team in Randolph County is only part of the quest for Eastern Randolph. The Wildcats would like to build on that. With a foundation along the offensive line and enough talent swirling around at other positions, they could be on their way. Third-year starter Stratton Barwick is at quarterback and four offensive linemen are back from a year ago. Eastern Randolph finished with a 10-1 record last season,…

16 Aug

Sunday early voting removed in Randolph County

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsElection Day, Melissa Johnson, primaries, Randolph County Board of Elections

ASHEBORO – There will still be weekend early voting in Randolph County for the 2022 general election, but there will be a slightly different twist. The Randolph County Board of Elections voted to nix a Sunday early voting date for this fall. Instead, there will be three Saturdays when early voting is conducted. Melissa Johnson, who’s director of the county’s Board of Elections, said there was interest from some citizens to restore a Sunday date at last week’s August meeting. However, that decision had been made nearly a month earlier and needed to remain in place based on the board’s…

15 Aug

Brannon drives in runs in first pro game

Bob SuttonSportsBoston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, Florida Complex League, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball

Brooks Brannon, shown here with Randleman during the Class 2-A state playoffs in May, has had a strong start to his professional career. (File photo) Ex-Randleman star then triples twice in second game Former Randleman catcher Brooks Brannon’s second professional plate appearance resulted in a two-run single Saturday in the Florida Complex League at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. “It was amazing,” Brannon said of the feeling in a text to Randolph Record. Brannon, who was a ninth-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox last month, went 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in his debut for…

14 Aug

New Asheboro AD sees grand potential, calls Blue Comets ‘a sleeping giant’

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Asheboro High School, prep sports, prep wrestling, Steve Luck, Wes Berrier

Wes Berrier, the new athletics director for Asheboro High School, checks out the first day of football practice last week. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Wes Berrier’s view of athletics at Asheboro High School is one of great potential. He’d like to see the Blue Comets’ programs return to prominence. “A sleeping giant,” the new athletics director said. “I feel I’m coming in at a great time. I’m expecting big things as far as our athletics.” Berrier officially became the athletics director this summer, though he filled that role for the final couple of months of the 2021-22 school year…