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The trip across the country lasted just three games, but the Rutherford County should be proud nonetheless. Rutherfordton finished in the top ten among the world and top six nationally in Intermediate 50/70 Little League World Series last week.
The lost to Houston 12-1, fell to Michigan 5-4 and won a consolation game 10-7 against Canada. Canada had jumped out to a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth, but Rutherfordton’s J.C. Crowe and Cameron Snethen came through aiding to score four runs in the fifth and then added five more in the sixth to close out their trip in Livermore, California. Congrats to these young men!
This past week, practice officially began for high school football teams throughout the county and I swept by all four schools on Thursday to see what everybody had to say as they prepare for 2013.
At Chase (5-7 last year), they had 60-plus kids show up as 32-35 are varsity players with around 30 on junior varsity. Chase returns ten starters on offense, but just four on defense.
They will also have a tougher schedule this year as Bailey went onto say that the new South Mountain Athletic Conference is probably the toughest in the western part of the state. The non-conference won’t be easy either as they go to Newton Conover (won nine games last year) to start and then follow that by hosting Bandys (won nine game last year) in the second game on the schedule.
“The kids came out excited about August first and we should have plenty of motivation after three close losses last year,” Chase Football Coach Daniel Bailey said. “This really is a solid and complete group of football players, who have worked hard all summer long and we expect good things this year.”
Over in Bostic, East Rutherford (5-7 last year) had the biggest turn out of the county with around 80-85 kids this year. Varsity will have 45 as the remainder will play junior varsity. As for the new SMAC, the Cavaliers understand that the conference will be difficult in 2013.
“You have to play in the conference you are in and that’s what we are going to do.” East Rutherford Football Coach Clint Bland said. “It will be challenging for sure, but I am excited to give these kids a chance to play.”
It won’t be easy as a very young and inexperienced club will have to get things figured out quickly. The Cavs have just eight starters returning overall and will be tested initially when they host Erwin to begin the season on August 23rd.
In Rutherfordton, R-S Central (1-10 last year) had 75 kids show up on day one. The Hilltoppers varsity roster should have 40 or so kids with the junior varsity getting close to 35. R-S Central has 14 overall starters returning (8 offense/6 defense) and hope to make the playoffs for the first time in four years.
“We can’t back down. We are going to go out and compete every Friday night,” R-S Central Football Coach Mike Cheek said. “Our kids have busted their tails off this summer and we had a good first day at practice.”
The Hilltoppers will host McDowell to begin the season on August 23rd.
In Avondale, 35 kids came to the opening day practice representing Thomas Jefferson (6-6 last year) with 11 kids as returning starters. Coming off their best football season ever, some think that the Gryphons could win the Southern Piedmont Conference and set an even better record than of a year ago.
“Our kids have good attitudes, we’ve worked hard all summer,“ Thomas Jefferson Football Coach Jerry Cash said. “We just need to get a little better in shape, but I feel good about the upcoming season.”
Even 1A All-State preseason pick and Thomas Jefferson senior, Efrim Borders (wide out/free safety) weighed in about the 2013 Gryphons team.
“We had a good season last year, but we want to strive for better.” Borders said. “I can step up and be a leader, but as long as we stay humble as a team, then we will fine.”
Only 11 teams don’t make the playoffs from Class 1A, so the chances of a second straight postseason visit looks likely for the Gryphons.
Thomas Jefferson will travel to Lee Academy, SC (August 23) and then to Rosman (August 30) before getting their first home game of the year against Avery (Sept. 6).
