state playoffs

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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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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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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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 Football Playoffs: Eastern Randolph, Randleman win in first round

Prep Football Playoffs: Eastern Randolph, Randleman win in first round

The Asheboro football team gathers for its first playoff game in eight years Friday night at Greensboro Dudley. (Thadd Sanders / For Randolph Record) The season ends for Southwestern Randolph and Asheboro in road losses RAMSEUR – Lucas Smith ran for two touchdowns and made a scoring catch as Eastern Randolph opened the Class 1A state playoffs by blowing past visiting Swain County in a 49-0 victory Friday night. Smith scored on runs of 1 and 45 yards and then caught a TD pass from No. 3. Kobe Walker ran for touchdowns from 1 and 2 yards out. Jayden Spinks…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Diego Bustamante

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Diego Bustamante

Asheboro, boys’ soccer Bustamante regularly contributes to the Blue Comets’ big offensive numbers. He’s a senior for the top-seeded team in the West Region for the Class 3A state playoffs. At the beginning of this week, Bustamante ranked second on the Asheboro team in goals with 29 and in assists with 28. He had two in each of those categories when the state playoffs began Saturday and the Blue Comets trounced visiting West Charlotte 9-0. In 2023, he was the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. ***** Photo: Diego Bustamante has been a stellar player for Asheboro’s boys’ soccer…
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Prep football: E. Randolph, Randleman to start at home in states; Asheboro returns to postseason

Prep football: E. Randolph, Randleman to start at home in states; Asheboro returns to postseason

Eastern Randolph and Randleman will play home football games to begin the state playoffs Friday night, while Asheboro makes a long-awaited return to the postseason. Eastern Randolph (10-0), the Piedmont Athletic Conference champion for a fourth year a row, is the No. 4 seed in the Class 1A West Region with a game against No. 29 seed Swain County (1-9). In Class 2A, fourth-seeded Randleman (8-2), which has lost its last two games, is home against No. 29 seed East Gaston (4-6). No. 27 seed Southwestern Randolph (6-4) visits sixth-seeded East Surry (8-2), which holds a seven-game winning streak and…
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Prep soccer: Top area seeds show power as states begin

Prep soccer: Top area seeds show power as states begin

Win Smith of Asheboro makes a move around a West Charlotte player during Saturday’s Class 3A game in the boys’ soccer state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph hold No. 1 seeds for the West Region in the boys’ soccer state playoffs, which began during the weekend. Both teams will play every game at home through the regional final if they advance. It was a strong first-round showing for teams from Randolph County, though one team tumbled in an upset loss. Second-round games were set for Tuesday, with winners playing in the third round Thursday night…
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Prep soccer: Asheboro, Southwestern Randolph hold top seeds going into state playoffs

Prep soccer: Asheboro, Southwestern Randolph hold top seeds going into state playoffs

Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph hold No. 1 seeds for the West Region in the boys’ soccer state playoffs, which begin this weekend. Asheboro is atop the bracket in Class 3A. Southwestern Randolph is in the same spot for Class 2A. Both teams will play every game at home through the regional final if they advance. First-round games will be held Saturday, with the second round Tuesday. West Charlotte is the opening opponent for Asheboro (22-2), which won the Mid-Piedmont Conference. No. 12 seed Ledford (12-7-4) and No. 21 seed Montgomery Central (9-9) are the only other teams from the league…
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Prep soccer: Three area teams set standard with state playoffs approaching

Prep soccer: Three area teams set standard with state playoffs approaching

A few boys’ soccer teams from Randolph County could be in good positions to make some noise in the postseason. Championship efforts from Asheboro in the Mid-Piedmont Conference and co-champions Randleman and Southwestern Randolph in the Piedmont Athletic Conference came with some dominating performances. Because of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the western part of the state, the beginning of the state playoffs has been delayed as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association adjusted the postseason calendar for the sport. The pairings and seeds will be announced Thursday. First-round games will be contested Saturday, and for teams advancing there will…
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