Mark Heilig - Randolph Record

23 Oct

Jones gives Providence Grove big kicks on football field

Bob SuttonSportsCarson Jones, Mark Heilig, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots

Carson Jones of Providence Grove boots a 50-yard field goal against Asheboro. (Courtesy photo) CLIMAX – Carson Jones of Providence Grove didn’t know kicking footballs for long distances would be so rewarding when he first became involved with the sport. Now he wants more of it. Long kicks have garnered attention for the junior specialist, who gives the Patriots another dimension on offense. Earlier this season, he booted a 50-yard field goal at Asheboro. “Those are kicks you really want to make,” Jones said. Those came on top of a pair of field goals of 50-plus yards for the junior…

01 Oct

Providence Grove Patriots eager to pounce on PAC play

Bob SuttonSportsBrady Collins, Jackson Rhyne, Mark Heilig, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots

Providence Grove linebacker Brady Collins has been a top tackler in the state so far this season. (Courtesy photo) CLIMAX – The Providence Grove football team began the season coming off an awkward preseason, so the Patriots hope they can benefit from a reset going into Piedmont Athletic Conference play. With an early August coaching change, the Patriots were making adjustments as the season launched. “It has been a lot of change,” said Jackson Rhyne, a senior running back and safety. “Nobody was really expecting that (coaching change) at all. It was very sudden. I think we handled it really…

24 Aug

Prep football: Asheboro, Randleman, Eastern Randolph, Providence Grove win openers

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, DJ Scott, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, John Kirkpatrick, Johnathan Kelly, Mark Heilig, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers

Defenses for Randleman and Eastern Randolph were in good form and Asheboro’s offense put up the most points of any Randolph County team in the first week of the high school football season. There were a couple of coaches in their first games with Randolph County teams, with a win and a loss in those outcomes. Friday night’s openers provided an array of outcomes and storylines. Here’s a look.: Asheboro 38, Albemarle 14: At Albemarle, DJ Scott gained 226 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns as the visiting Blue Comets won their opener for the second year in a row.…

10 Aug

Prep football: Sudden change puts Heilig in charge at Providence Grove

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Hayes, Mark Heilig, prep football, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove Patriots

CLIMAX – Anything awkward about an August coaching change for Providence Grove’s football team isn’t a primary concern for interim coach Mark Heilig. There’s a fast-approaching season to prepare for. “My head has been spinning a little bit,” Heilig said. “(The amount) of time has been the big thing. There are so many things to do.” Heilig, a longtime assistant coach, has taken the position vacated by David Hayes, whose resignation Aug. 2 resulted in a trickle down of changes. That evening, Heilig was overseeing an open practice as part of the community night event on campus. Now it’s a…