"Thank you to our dear community, who stood behind us throughout this journey, not only once, but both times. You guys made it possible for us to stay with Colby night and day and not worry about other bearings in life. Our family is forever grateful for what each and every person has done. We are so humbled by all the kindness, and honored to call Rutherford County 'home'. Our most important concern is to keep praying for Colby and his complete healing so he can be back to 'normal'. Thank you all!" says Jessi Whiteside, mother of 7 year old cancer patient, Colby Whiteside.

Girls basketball previews

NFL

Volunteer based, and funded through private donations and grants, CPC kicked off it's educational pet program with a visit to Cliffside Elementary School in October. "Our mission is to safeguard and promote the rescue and adoption of animals, provide education to the community about responsible pet ownership and reduce the pet overpopulation through our Spay and Neuter Program." said Lynne Faltraco, Executive Director.

Real quickly, let's take a look at the varsity men's team around in the county in among high school teams.

"I came to this PATH shelter after losing everything to a domestic violence relationship. I came scared and broken. I'm leaving with a job, car, house and a network of wonderful women I have built while here at the shelter. I'm not scared anymore and the broken pieces are slowly being put back together again.

Thank you Path."

- Recent PATH client

TJCA Football

Thomas Jefferson had another great year on the football field, but they fell 47-20 last Friday to Cherokee (12-1) in the third round of the playoffs.

It was 21-0 to start with two early turnovers and TJCA (11-2) cut it back to 21-6, before going down 28-6 at the half.

In the spirit of giving, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Jr. High Student Council was honored to donate a $1,000.00 check to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots Program. During the ceremony, the Marines also awarded Thomas Jefferson with the Toys for Tots 2017 Commander's Award for outstanding support of the Toys for Tots Program.

Thomas Jefferson Football (11-1) is still alive in the 1A playoffs.

The Nomi McMullens-Max Robbins connection were too much for Elkin to solve this past week in a 55-34 victory. Robbins had 244 yards receiving on 393 yards passing from McMullens. McMullens had five touchdowns throws in all with Robbins grabbing four and outrunning everyone is his path.

The Gryphons will host Elkin (6-6) in the second round of the 1A playoffs after Thomas Jefferson received a first round bye. Elkin won 50-7 last week over Hayesville.

"You know, the time is right. We've got people desecrating the American Flag, high-dollar football players refusing to stand for the National Anthem, a President that's really standing up for the country, and Veterans Day coming up...the timing couldn't be any better for something like this All of this - I've done all of this myself." says 80 year old Air Force Veteran, Bud Byers. "One day I just said, 'I'm going to do this.' I started with one flagpole with an American Flag, North Carolina State Flag, and an MIA Flag from the Vietnam War, and it just grew and grew...I sat up late at night and drew the figures and I just did it the way I planned it."

Thomas Jefferson played their worst game of the season and fell on the road this past week to Union Academy 30-24 last week. Despite a third string quarterback due to injuries, the Gryphons still had a chance, but couldn't complete the regular season undefeated.

When I think about Veterans Day, I always think about my Grandfather, or as we called him Paw-Paw. He didn't tell many stories about his time in the Navy, but I knew he was proud he served this country. After he passed, I remember looking through old pictures and being drawn to the ones of him in his Navy uniform. The classic black and white photos of an almost lost generation.

For now, two high school football teams are in good shape to make the playoffs, but only one is looking to go into the postseason undefeated.

"Don't forget your coat!" is a phrase many of us remember our mother shouting as we ran out the door on our way to school on chilly mornings. A nice warm coat, she believed, would shield her children from the cold much like her own warm embrace. It was their armor against the forces of nature. Most days, it was the end of a morning routine enabling her to rest easy knowing her child would be protected until they reached warm classrooms.

There is one thing the 1A Southern Piedmont Conference just figured out this past weekend on the football field, Thomas Jefferson is in the driver's seat to win the league after beating Bessemer City 26-14.

Fall into winter with live entertainment and treat yourself to a night out on the town at the Foundation Performing Arts Center.

Thomas Jefferson

The Gryphons continue to stay unbeaten as they easily dispatched of Highland Tech on the road last week, 59-20. Bill Lay had another 100 yard game on the ground and four touchdowns as they led 38-0 at the break.

Malikhi Lowery, a student at Forest Hunt Elementary, will be traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada, to race in the upcoming AMA Monster Energy Supercross on Saturday, October, 14th. The supercross is described as, "a breathtaking exhibition of motorcycle action sports entertainment at its best. As an FIM World Championship event, this Supercross series represents some of the most exciting motorcycle racing in recent history. The teams total up to 57 fast-paced, fearless riders who must be seen to be believed."

East Rutherford

The rivalry game wasn't much of a game at all as East Rutherford easily beat R-S Central on Thursday Night Lights, 47-0. It was the first ever high school football game in Rutherford County to be broadcast on live TV. I have a feeling it won't be the last either.

Zack Freeman lost his father when he was a young man. A freshman in college, and nowhere near becoming a parent himself, he grieved, along with his sisters, for the man that had been such an influential figure in his life. "My dad did every thing he could to make sure we had everything we needed," says Zack.

It pretty much speaks for itself when you echo the words...East Rutherford at R-S Central on the football field. This rivalry game is on Thursday night 7pm, October 5th with MY40 and Thursday Night Lights being on hand to broadcast a live Rutherford County football game for the first time in history.

Friday night, October 6th, kicks off this year's Annual 2-Day Hilltop Fall Festival with the Race For The Gold: Soapbox Derby beginning at 7:00pm. These custom designed derby cars will race down Main Street in the hopes of taking home the trophy.

We have approached the halfway mark of the high school football season as Rutherford County went 1-2 this past weekend. Two teams are at home this coming Friday.