piedmont athletic conference - Randolph Record

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

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,…

11 Aug

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Bob SuttonSportsAshton Troutman, basketball, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep sports, The Burlington School, UCA, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Basketball standout heads to private school for senior season BURLINGTON — One of the most highly recruited boys’ basketball players in Randolph County in the upcoming senior class will no longer will be playing for a school in the county. Ashton Troutman is transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy to The Burlington School. He said he’s looking for more exposure and a higher level of competition. “Just being in a basketball environment and for a good team,” Troutman said. “I would have never flirted with the idea of leaving if it wasn’t for basketball.” Troutman, a 6-foot-7½, 205-pound post player, was…

29 Jun

Good hands man for all seasons: Providence Grove’s Thomas makes positive impact

Bob SuttonSportsLuke Thomas, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports, Providence Grove, Providence Grove athletics, UNCG

Luke Thomas fires a pitch from the mound this spring. He's planning to play college baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Whatever the sport at Providence Grove, Luke Thomas had the ball in his hands. Those were good hands for the Patriots. “I like being in control of the game. I don’t like leaning on other players,” Thomas said. “I like being the make-or-break type of guy.” Thomas helped make Providence Grove relevant on just about every level during a high school career that turned out unmatched. “A fixture not only in the football program but a fixture in the…

23 Jun

Baseball coach Smith adds Randleman’s AD title

Bob SuttonSportsJake Smith, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Randleman High School

Jake Smith has led Randleman to back-to-back state championships in baseball and is taking on additional duties. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) State-champion baseball coach expands role at school RANDLEMAN – Randleman baseball coach Jake Smith has a new job, but he’s not going anywhere because of it. Smith, who has directed the Tigers to the past two Class 2-A state championships, is adding the athletics director title to his duties. “I’m going to try my hand at that a little bit,” Smith said. “It’s something I’m excited about.” He takes over for Ryan Dobias, who’s stepping aside from that role…

15 Jun

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Randolph RecordSportsall-conference, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports

Randleman's Kylie Vaughan throws the shot put during the Class 2-A state championships last month. (PJ Ward-Brown/ Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Co-Players of the Year: Brooks Brannon (Randleman), Braylen Hayes (Randleman Pitcher of the Year: Ryan White (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Jake Smith (Randleman) All-conference Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Brooks Brannon, Braylen Hayes, Drake Purvis, Bryson Sweatt, Trey Way, Ryan White Trinity: Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mosley, Landon Mowery, Siler Parrish Southwestern Randolph: Adam Cole, Tyler Parks Wheatmore: Rylan Smith. Providence Grove: Zander…

13 Apr

Tigers blank Patriots twice as Randleman closes in on outright PAC title

Bob SuttonSportspiedmont athletic conference, Randleman, Randleman baseball

Randleman’s Hunter Atkins drills the ball during a game against Southwestern Randolph in Piedmont Athletic Conference action last month at Randleman. CLIMAX — Randleman’s baseball team was close to perfect in a couple of ways during a pair of Piedmont Athletic Conference shutouts last week. Those results allowed the Tigers to clinch at least a share of the PAC regular-season championship. “We’ve been swinging it really well,” outfielder Braylen Hayes said. “Pitching is amazing.” Indeed, in Wednesday’s 10-0 victory at Providence Grove, Ryan White retired the first 17 batters he faced. So he had a perfect game until Brady Collins…

13 Apr

Prep Notes: Races brew in PAC standings

Randolph RecordSportsbaseball, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports, soccer, softball

Ethan Frye of Eastern Randolph takes a swing during a baseball game last week against Uwharrie Charter Academy. With schools in the Piedmont Athletic Conference on spring break this week, the schedules are limited in many sports. It’s also a good time to check on some key remaining matchups. For instance, Wheatmore and Uwharrie Charter Academy are unbeaten in PAC girls’ soccer games. Those teams will meet April 22 in what is bound to be a critical clash, though there will be a rematch May 10. In softball, undefeated Providence Grove has defeated second-place Southwestern Randolph twice. The only remaining…