Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs 65 yards for a touchdown after catching the pass from Keaton Reed against South Stanly at Southwestern Randolph on August 27, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
ADAM COLE #2
Southwestern Randolph | Running Back/Defensive Back | Junior
Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole is the first-ever Strider Auto “Best Overall” Athlete of the Week. The junior tailback scored six touchdowns for the Cougars, who defeated South Stanly 55-6 on Friday night. Three of those came on receptions, two on rushing plays and another on an interception return. Cole had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Cole has scored nine touchdowns through two games and not played in the fourth quarter in either game.
ASHEBORO — Big point totals were the order of the week for area high school football games.
Each of the Friday games involving Randolph County teams had at least one team reaching the 40-point mark.
Other than the only intra-county matchup that involved Eastern Randolph’s 49-7 whipping of host Asheboro, here’s a recap of games:
EAST DAVIDSON 37, WHEATMORE 22
Thursday at Trinity, the Warriors (1-1) couldn’t keep up in the home game despite 241 passing yards and two touchdown throws from Ben Walker. Cade Hamilton was charted with 102 receiving yards in the loss.
SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH 55, SOUTH STANLY 6
Southwestern Randolph’s QB Keaton Reed rushes the ball for 3 yard gain against South Stanly at Southwestern Randolph high school on August 27, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Adam Cole scored six touchdowns for the Cougars in their home opener. Cole hauled in three touchdown receptions,, rushed for two more and added a defensive scored on an interception return.
Cole had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Three of SWR’s Keaton Reed’s seven completions went for touchdowns to Cole. Easton Clapp produced two touchdowns.
Southwestern Randolph also scored 55 points in a victory two years ago against South Stanly.
PROVIDENCE GROVE 42, SOUTHERN GUILFORD 26
At Greensboro, Luke Thomas threw three touchdown passes and Zane Cheek scored three touchdowns.
Cheek caught a scoring pass from Thomas and added two rushing touchdown runs. Chase Whitaker, who made a touchdown grab, was credited with 17½ tackles on defense for the Patriots (2-0).
CENTRAL DAVIDSON 62, RANDLEMAN 33
At Randleman, Jaylyn Smith and Cory Casilac each ran for four touchdowns and all of Spartans’ offense came on the ground to the tune of 606 rushing yards. Central Davidson (2-0) didn’t attempt a pass.
It didn’t need to as Smith gained 262 yards and Casilac picked up 252 yards.
Randleman’s Thomas Dobias rushed for touchdowns from 4 and 23 yards out. Quarterback Christian Long was 10-for-16 for 100 yards and a touchdown, while he also ran for a touchdown for the Tigers (0-2).
FORBUSH 56, TRINITY 6
At East Bend, the Bulldogs (1-1) dropped the non-league road game.
ASHEBORO – The top three spots from a U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur qualifier at Pinewood Country Club went to out-of-state golfers Sunday.
Ann Marie Costello of Longs, S.C., Mariah Hopkins of Danville, Va., and Samantha Perrotta of Bordentown, N.J., all shot 2-over-par 74s to share medalist honors.
The other three to advance to the national tournament Sept. 25-30 at Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, S.C., were Courtney Stiles (75) of Pinehurst, Jessica Younts (76) of Greensboro and Katie Kirk (77) of Charlotte. Kirk used a birdie on the first playoff hole to separate from Caroline Ellington of Raleigh and Katie-Rose Higgins of Charlotte for the final spot.
SOPHIA – Jason York posted a victory in the Late Models division at Caraway Speedway on Saturday night.
York was ahead among seven drivers when the 56-lap event came to a close. Division points leader Blaise Brinkley was the runner-up, while Jamie York finished third.
Johnny Baker won among 11 entries in the Mini Stocks.
In other races, Justin Smith topped a 14-driver field to capture the U-Cars feature, Mike Chambers claimed the Challenger race and Rich Hunter won in the 602 Modifieds.
There are Labor Day races at the track scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Monday. Divisions on the docket include Late Models, Challenger, Mini Stock, U-Car, Bowman Gray Stadium Street Stocks and Legends.
ASHEBORO — A local favorite that specializes in a meat and three vegetables lunch is closing its doors for good in less than two weeks. Dixie III, owned by Mark and Kris Davidson, is closing for good on September 9.
In a statement, the restaurant announced its closing. “It saddens us to inform you that Dixie III will be closing the doors on September 9th 2021. First, we want to thank our loyal customers. We greatly appreciate all the years you have allowed us to serve you and be a part of this wonderful community. We also want to thank our staff — current and past — who have been like family to us and have helped make Dixie III successful for almost 40 years. As hard as it is to say goodbye, owners Mark and Kris are looking forward to retirement. We wish the very best for each of you and hope to see you over the next two weeks.”
Dixie III restaurant on Dixie Drive in Asheboro on August 28, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The restaurant was closed on Friday, August 27, due to staff shortages that prevented it from operating. The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly hard on restaurants.
ASHEBORO — Students, teachers and staff in the county school system will be required to wear masks inside school buildings starting Monday, August 30. The Randolph County Board of Education met for a special meeting on Sunday and a divided board voted 4-3 to require mask-wearing at all schools. The change comes after one week of in-person classes and marks a change to the board’s policy making masks optional in July.
“We have the rules that we have to follow,” said superintendent Stephen Gainey. “Last week, we sent 530 children home for exposure to 81 cases … universal cloth face coverings, we send only 81 children home.” Gainey later clarified that the 81 total cases was students and staff combined.
“We’re in a situation where kids need to be in school,” said board chair Gary Cook. “If the masks …, if it keeps them in school can we not try that for a few weeks and revisit it and if it works and the numbers come down, we get rid of it.”
Following almost two hours of discussion and debate, the board ultimately voted to require cloth face coverings by all students, staff and visitors when inside school buildings and on buses. The policy won’t require employees to wear masks when in work area alone, including offices or classrooms. Extracurricular activities are also exempt from the mandate. Extracurricular activities — whether they are inside or outside — will be mask-optional for students, staff, parents or spectators.
The new mask rules will be in effect through October 15, 2021.
ASHEBORO — With eight schools currently affected by COVID-19 quarantine protocols due to contact tracing, The Randolph County Board of Education has called a special meeting for Sunday, August 29 at 2pm
In an email to the North State Journal, the county’s largest school system said its leaders would meet at the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium at Randolph Community College, 629 Industrial Park Avenue, Asheboro, for the purpose of discussing the current status of COVID-19 in the Randolph County School System and COVID-19 protocols.
The system said Monday that Southeastern Randolph Middle School, Southwestern Randolph high School, Southwestern Randolph Middle School, Randleman High School, Providence Grove High School, Northeastern Randolph Middle School, Level Cross Elementary School and Grays Chapel Elementary School currently had a staff or student with a reported case of COVID-19 and that other students and staff were quarantine due to close contact.
ASHEBORO — The seventh annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Show was held in Asheboro on August 7. The event featured 68 competitors showing cattle and goats from Randolph, Guilford, Chatham, Stanly, Cabbarus, Johnston, Rockingham, Richmond, Anson, Cumberland, Wake, Person, Moore, Montgomery and Stokes counties. Scarlett Farms in Snow Camp hosted the event. Brandon Hartman served as judge and the Trinity High School FFA served concessions.
Livestock judge Brandon Hartman speaks with showmanship competitors during the Randolph County 4-H/FFA Livestock Show on August 7, 2021, in Snow Camp, NC
The competition featured youth competitors in showmanship and a separate competition based on the animal’s characteristics and classification.
The youth competitors were judged for showmanship which included handling the animal, eye contact with the judge, setting the animal up to highlight physique of the animal and answering questions asked by the judge about the animal. Judges questions included breed type, feed requirements, anatomy and breeding programs. The judge does not evaluate the animal itself during showmanship.
In the type-class show the judge looks primarily at the physical characteristics of the animal shown. Showmanship is still a part of the competition because the exhibitor must show the animal well to highlight it’s physical features while minimizing any potential flaws that the judge may see. The judge compares each animal present the ideal standard of that breed or species. During this show, the judge is evaluating and judging the animal and its physical characteristics.
The 2021 4-H/FFA Livestock show winners were:
Showmanship Cattle
Jr Grand Tyla Marshall
Jr Reserve Jonathan Scarlett
Int Grand Avery Hatfield
Sr Grand Caroline Scarlett
Sr Reserve Lindsay Seitz
Showmanship Goats
Jr Grand Reygan Tew
Jr Reserve Brayana McGee
Int Grand Addison Farris
Int Reserve Rylan Tew
Sr Grand Hattie Jo Powell
Sr Reserve Laura Jessup
Overall Grand Champion Heifer Caroline Scarlett
Overall Reserve Champion Heifer Tyla Marshall
Overall Grand Champion Doe Hattie Jo Powell
Overall Reserve Champion Doe Laura Jessup
Overall Grand Champion Wether Laura Jessup
Overall Reserve Champion Wether Hattie Jo Powell
Registration is now open for the 2021 Randolph County 4-H Poultry Show. The show will take place at 6pm on September 30 at the Randolph County Cooperative Extension Center. Please register by September 24 at 5pm. For more information, contact Allison Walker at [email protected] or call/text (336) 467-2927. Register at https://go.ncsu.edu/2021randolphpoultryshow.
Allison Walker is a 4-H Youth Development Agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Randolph County Center.
ASHEBORO — Apprenticeship Randolph, a local initiative from local businesses, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools, celebrated its inaugural class of graduates earlier this month.
Apprenticeship Randolph began in June 2016 as a collaboration among Randolph Community College, the Randolph County School System, Asheboro City Schools, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, and local manufacturers. The goal was to bridge both the interest and skill gaps in modern manufacturing and provide a vehicle for expanding the workforce pool for advance manufacturing in the county. The program allows participants a debt-free education.
The program is for high school juniors and seniors and begins with a six-week, pre-apprenticeship summer program that consists of RCC classes and 40 hours per week of on-the-job training. Once a business selects its apprentice after this trial period, the program is spread over four years with students receiving paid, on-the-job training while earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Manufacturing Technology or Information Technology through RCC and a Journeyworker Certificate from the N.C. Community College System and U.S. Department of Labor.
At a celebratory dinner honoring the first eight graduates on August 10, 14 new apprentices were announced. Business and civic leaders joined the celebration.
Chris Harrington, Director of Operations at Elastic Therapy Inc., opened the dinner welcoming everyone in attendance, noting that every company represented at the event were founding partners that helped start the program. He then introduced the eight graduates, having them stand to be recognized as their name was called.
“It wasn’t too long ago when we kicked off this thing called Apprenticeship Randolph,” Harrington said. “We had some mentors that helped guide us, but we built the car as we were driving down the road. We’re very proud of this first cohort. It took a lot of flexibility and adaptability. I also want to thank everyone that helped the program and these eight gentlemen — they didn’t do it by themselves. In addition to the schools, the College, the companies, and other community organizations, we want to recognize the family members, the mentors, and the people in the support network that’s so critical to success.”
Brandon Hill, who boasted the highest GPA of the graduates, addressed the group. “I just want to say what a ride it’s been the past four years,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs. To our families and significant others, thank you. Your support throughout this whole process has gotten us to where we are today.” Hill said he glad the program was created to give students an alternative pathway to successful career beyond a four-year university. “Thanks to you, the eight of us graduating are not buried under student loans and have a college degree and great career.”
New apprentices are introduced. (Photo Courtesy of Randolph Community College)
Following the dinner, a graduation and signing ceremony was held at the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium. The 14 pre-apprentices each came onstage to sign their apprenticeship contracts with industry partner representatives.
“I knew I wanted to do something with my hands and didn’t want to go a university for another four years. This is perfect,” said new apprentice, Reece Beeson, who signed with United Brass Works Inc. “I was able to meet [United Brass Works] early on multiple times. I feel like they’re a good company, very family-oriented. I love to tinker. I love to take stuff apart and put it together and see how things work.”
Beeson said he wasn’t concerned about a four-year commitment.
“It’s just a number,” he said. “If you’re doing something you like, it won’t take long.”
The evening ended with a celebration of the eight graduates who turned their tassels ready for their careers.
ASHEBORO — An industrial site in Sophia could soon be marketed nationally to companies seeking places to expand or relocate. A 170-acre tract on Wall Brothers Rd was selected by Duke Energy for inclusion in the utility company’s annual economic development program. Duke has selected nine properties in eight counties across North Carolina for inclusion in its 2021 Site Readiness Program to enhance the readiness of the sites for business and industrial development. Sites in Catawba, Durham, Guilford, Harnett, Henderson, Jones, Craven, Randolph and Rowan counties were selected.
Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials and local economic development professionals to develop a strategy for getting the sites ready to market to industrial projects. In N.C., Duke has helped prepare 136 properties that have won 35 major projects since the program started in 2005. The program claims success in drawing more than 6,500 new jobs and nearly $7.5 billion in capital investment to the state.
“Despite the challenging environment through the pandemic, Duke Energy remained fully committed to economic development and our Site Readiness Program,” said Stu Heishman, Duke Energy’s vice president of economic development and business recruitment. “We are seeing a significant increase in project activity across the Carolinas, and demand for qualified industrial sites has never been stronger. Our team will continue to work with local and regional partners to aggressively advance the readiness of our prime industrial sites.”
In Randolph County, a future 170-acre industrial park located on Wall Brothers Road in Sophia, lies just north of Asheboro and just of Interstate 74. The site is easily accessible to major markets with its access to I-85 and I-40. Substantial on-site utilities include power, natural gas and water, and planning is underway to extend sewer to the site. With a flexible layout, this park can accommodate manufacturing and/or distribution buildings ranging in size from 50,000 square feet to 800,000 square feet.
“Being selected for the Duke Energy Site Readiness Program could not have come at a better time for Randolph County because the demand for readily available sites is more prevalent now than ever before,” said Crystal Gettys, business recruitment director for Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “As Randolph County prepares to expand its inventory of viable industrial sites, the program provided the constructive guidance needed to move the development of our site forward with confidence. We are thankful to have been selected for this program and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.”
Duke Energy worked with major site selection firms to evaluate the sites, including Global Location Strategies, Site Selection Group and Strategic Development Group. Based on consultant recommendations, Duke Energy will collaborate with county leaders and local economic development professionals to develop an improved strategy for marketing these sites. Additionally, each site is eligible to apply for a $10,000 matching grant from Duke Energy to help prepare it to attract projects.
After each site’s state of readiness has advanced, Duke Energy’s business recruitment team strategically markets each of them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.
