Sports

Eastern Randolph Wildcats lose grip in playoff loss

Eastern Randolph Wildcats lose grip in playoff loss

Eastern Randolph’s season comes to a close in the third round of the postseason RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph’s first loss marked the end of its football season, falling 27-14 to Corvian Community in the third round of the Class 1A state playoffs Friday night. An array of turnovers proved critical for the Wildcats (12-1), who were seeded fourth in the West Region. “We worked so hard, and that’s what makes it emotional,” Eastern Randolph running back Lucas Smith said. “This is the worst feeling you can have.” The Wildcats were in just their second tussle across the past two months…
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Schools in Randolph County see shifts for NCHSAA realignment

Schools in Randolph County see shifts for NCHSAA realignment

Asheboro might have new league partners, while UCA bumps up Schools in Randolph County will continue to be spread across three classifications in an upcoming realignment, but there’s a different makeup regarding the schools within the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Asheboro, in particular, could have some new company in terms of fellow conference members. The NCHSAA is expanding from four to eight classifications beginning with the next school year. The breakdown of classifications was unveiled recently as enrollment figures were released. Asheboro has been tagged for Class 6A, while Uwharrie Charter Academy, Randleman and Southwestern Randolph are on…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lucas Smith

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lucas Smith

Eastern Randolph, football Eastern Randolph’s high-powered team has had various sources of production in maintaining an undefeated record. One of the main contributors to the offense has been Smith, a senior running back. He has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark regularly and ended up as a frequent visitor to the end zone. Smith has been an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference selection in each of the past two seasons. The Wildcats have cruised to victories in the Class 1A state playoffs. They’ll have an other home postseason game Friday night in a matchup of unbeatens when Corvian Community visits for a third-round…
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Asheboro boys fall in OT of soccer state final

Asheboro boys fall in OT of soccer state final

MATTHEWS – Asheboro’s boys’ soccer team had done so much work throughout the season and during the last game of the year that the biggest reward seemed so close. But Blue Comets couldn’t complete the assignment in the Class 3A state championship game, falling to Western Alamance 4-3 in overtime Saturday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. Asheboro held a 3-0 halftime lead, courtesy of goals from Cam Letterlough, Ozmar Martinez and Diego Bustamante in a 20-minute span. Juan Macias provided two assists. “We went into halftime with a three-goal lead,” Asheboro coach Nick Arroyo said. “We came out of halftime…
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Prep football: Eastern Randolph breezes through second round; Randleman stalls in loss

Prep football: Eastern Randolph breezes through second round; Randleman stalls in loss

RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph is the last football team standing in Randolph County. The Wildcats whipped visiting Cherokee 42-0 in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs Friday night. Mason Carson returned an interception for a touchdown for the first points of the game and Eastern Randolph was in control. Cade McCallum threw for two touchdowns and Lucas Smith rushed for 145 yards. Eastern Randolph (12-0), which is the No. 4 seed in the West Region, will next take on fifth-seeded Corvian Community (12-0), a 42-6 winner against No. 12 seed Mitchell, on Friday night at home. Eastern…
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Southwestern Randolph falls in Class 2A soccer final

Southwestern Randolph falls in Class 2A soccer final

MATTHEWS – Southwestern Randolph’s bid for a first state championship in boys’ soccer came up short. The Cougars fell 3-1 in the Class 2A final to Clinton on Friday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. “I thought we represented our school well,” Southwestern Randolph coach Jimmy Walker said. “We just came up short (in the final).” Clinton took the lead in the 17th minute as Holden Spell scored the opening goal off an assist from Chris Zeleya. Just 27 seconds later, the Cougars leveled the score on a goal from Fernando Hernandez. Jonathan Lopez-Degollado supplied the assist. In the 37th minute, Clinton’s…
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Asheboro, Southwestern Randolph teams win soccer regionals, head to state finals

Asheboro, Southwestern Randolph teams win soccer regionals, head to state finals

Southwestern Randolph boys’ soccer players celebrate their victory against Lincolnton in the Class 2A West Region final. (Thadd Sanders / For Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The boys’ soccer teams from Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph will play for state championships Southwestern Randolph (27-2) will take on Clinton (27-2) for the Class 2A title at 7 p.m. Friday. Both teams were top seeded in their respective regions. Asheboro (27-2) will be in the Class 3A final against Western Alamance (24-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday. It’s a rematch from the regular season. The title games will be held at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Fernando Hernandez

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Fernando Hernandez

Southwestern Randolph, boys’ soccer Hernandez has been the leading scorer for the Cougars, who'll play in the Class 2A state final. Southwestern Randolph meets Clinton for the state championship Friday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. Hernandez, a junior forward, had racked up 48 goals through the early rounds of the state playoffs. He also rated second among Southwestern Randolph players with 24 assists. He’s on a similar pace as last season, when he had 49 goals. In 2023, he was named the Offensive Player of the year in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Photo: Fernando Hernandez of Southwestern Randolph…
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Prep soccer: Blue Comets, Cougars make deep runs in state playoffs

Prep soccer: Blue Comets, Cougars make deep runs in state playoffs

Asheboro’s Cristian Raygadas, right, makes a move in front of Pisgah’s Fernando Gamez during the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Boys’ soccer teams from Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph made it to the final week of the season. They hope to make all the way to state championships. Asheboro is in Class 3A and Southwestern Randolph is in Class 2A. Both teams hold No. 1 seeds in the West Region, meaning they would be assigned home games all the way through regional play. The teams play in West Region finals Tuesday…
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Prep basketball: Trinity teams win notable openers

Prep basketball: Trinity teams win notable openers

DENTON – The beginning of basketball season came with special results for Trinity’s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams Friday night. The girls’ team ended a long losing streak, while the boys’ team embarked on a season with a new coach for the first time in more than three decades. Trinity’s girls opened the season by defeating host South Davidson 49-29 on Friday night as Madison Hill racked up 19 points and Ava Nance posted 15 points. It was the program’s first victory in about 21½ months. Trinity went 0-25 last season and had lost 29 consecutive games overall since defeating…
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