prep football

Eastern Randolph QB cuts weight, but still wants to feast on victories

Eastern Randolph QB cuts weight, but still wants to feast on victories

Quarterback Stratton Barwick of Eastern Randolph bulls his way for a touchdown against Walkertown earlier this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – The thought of the quarterback for Eastern Randolph’s wildly successful football team being the big man on campus wasn’t a grand idea for veteran coach Burton Cates. He put Stratton Barwick on a diet. Now a bit swifter, Barwick hopes to put the Wildcats on the fast track again this year. Listed at 6-foot-1, Barwick is down to about 235 pounds after playing the 2021 season at 250. “He has gotten a step quicker,” Cates said. This weight…
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Blue Comets enter win column, but Providence Grove suffers first loss

Blue Comets enter win column, but Providence Grove suffers first loss

TRINITY – Every team in Randolph County has at least one victory after Friday night’s results. There also is no longer an undefeated team among the seven football-playing schools in the county. Asheboro entered the win column by securing an 18-13 road victory at Wheatmore. The Blue Comets (1-3) won for the first time since August 2021, snapping a 12-game losing streak. Josh Meadows scored on a 2-yard run with about four minutes to play for the winning points. Michael Brady scored a first-half touchdown for Asheboro. Kai Matthews ran 18 yards for the Blue Comets’ second touchdown. Wheatmore is…
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Prep Football: Providence Grove, Randleman, Trinity, Wheatmore win comfortably; E. Randolph holds on

Prep Football: Providence Grove, Randleman, Trinity, Wheatmore win comfortably; E. Randolph holds on

Zane Cheek of Providence Grove runs between Asheboro’s Jaylon Moore (to his right) and DJ Headen during Friday night’s game. Asheboro’s Davis Gore, far left, chases Cheek. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randollph Record) ASHEBORO – Zane Cheek ran for three touchdowns and Providence Grove notched its third consecutive shutout with Friday night’s 49-0 victory at Asheboro. Cheek rolled up 210 rushing yards on 16 carries. Zander Cheek, who finished with 75 yards on the ground on 10 carries, Chase Whitaker and Karson Bowman all scored on runs. Zander Cheek also scored on a catch from Andrew Canter on an 80-yard play. Providence Grove…
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Prep football: Randleman, E. Randolph, Providence Grove rack up wins

Prep football: Randleman, E. Randolph, Providence Grove rack up wins

Eastern Randolph’s Ervodd Cassady runs into the end zone against Walkertown on Friday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Quarterback Christian Long ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the Tigers cruised in a 47-7 victory against visiting Montgomery Central on Friday night. Amarion Moton scored on touchdown runs of 3 and 1 yards for Randleman (2-1). Long connected with Tyshaun Goldston, who racked up 135 yards on five catches, for a 66-yard touchdown play. Long’s touchdown runs came from 4 and 22 yards out. Micah Thurston also scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. Eastern Randolph 35, Walkertown…
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Prep football: Wildcats trounce Asheboro; Providence Grove, SWR cruise

Prep football: Wildcats trounce Asheboro; Providence Grove, SWR cruise

Southwestern Randolph’s Grant Little heads for a big gain against South Stanly on Friday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Ervodd Cassady scored on four touchdown runs as Eastern Randolph bashed visiting Asheboro 69-7 in Friday night’s non-conference football game The Wildcats improved to 1-1 to maintain dominance in the series under veteran coach Burton Cates. Eastern Randolph scored 28 points in each of the first and second quarters to build a 56-0 lead by halftime. Stratton Barwick threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Nicah Taylor returned an interception for a touchdown, marking one of the three pick-offs…
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Prep Football: Randleman blanks Asheboro in opener; PG rolls; SWR, Trinity score big

Prep Football: Randleman blanks Asheboro in opener; PG rolls; SWR, Trinity score big

Randleman’s Anthony Santos tries to pull away from Asheboro’s Julian Faz on Friday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Randleman clicked better in the second half of a 24-0 season-opening victory Friday night at Asheboro. The Blue Comets never got into a groove. Those factors allowed the Tigers to avenge last year’s season-opening loss. “They had to live with last year’s score all year,” Randleman coach Shane Timmons said of his players. Even as they wasted a few chances until late in the first half, there were reasons for the Tigers to be pleased. “They kind of got the butterflies…
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Randleman must start season minus standout Dobias

Randleman must start season minus standout 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,…
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Southwestern Randolph Cougars find more roles for Clapp

Southwestern Randolph Cougars find more roles for Clapp

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.…
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Experienced Providence Grove Patriots look primed for more on football field

Experienced Providence Grove Patriots look primed for more on football field

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…
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Asheboro Blue Comets intent on collecting confidence, winning in football

Asheboro Blue Comets intent on collecting confidence, winning in 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…
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