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Adam Cole

SWR football Adam Cole runs behind Eli Gravely v ER in 2022

No speed traps: Cougars’ Cole burns at rapid clip

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Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs behind teammate Eli Gravely during a 2022 football game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Southwestern Randolph product seeks more fast times in football

ASHEBORO – Adam Cole figured out pretty early that the best way to make an impression was to do it fast.

He sprinted to a special high school career for Southwestern Randolph.

It mostly came about through football and baseball, allowing his foot speed to set him apart.

By his senior year, he became the face of the football program.

“It’s kind of a role I have to take,” he said. “It’s not like I control it. I definitely like it. It gives me a sense of responsibility, too. I like that. I definitely think I’m a leader on the field.”

That helped translate into a record career, setting the school standard for career touchdowns. He was a receiver and cornerback.

A center fielder on the baseball field, he gave track and field a try and ended up in the Class 2-A state meet as a junior.

But football has had his attention.

“I’m just not this big, huge guy you’d look at and say he’s going D-I,” Cole said this spring. “I’m 180 pounds.”

While the speed component is nice, a commitment to build himself as an overall athlete allowed him to excel.

“I was playing at 150 pounds last year,” he said last August in reference to his junior season. “I’m about 170. I want to be about 185. Just playing baseball and football and going to camps every day, I really haven’t had a day off this summer. It’s definitely not letting me gain as much as I want to.”

The workload largely paid off as Cole ended his high school career by being selected as the Male Athlete of the Year in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

Faster, faster

Cole’s speed puts others in awe, but he looks at the fine print.

“I’ve always been fast,” he said. “I was running a 4.7 40(-yard dash). That’s honestly terrible for a receiver if you’re trying to go play college football. I’ve put in a lot of work over the summer. I’d get up early before we had baseball practice or before football practice, go do field work. I’d go do work. I work out every day. I went from a 4.7 40 to a 4.4.”

For Southwestern Randolph, Cole’s speed gave the Cougars a valuable weapon.

“Fastest dude I’ve seen around here,” said Easton Clapp, a classmate and quarterback. “No one can keep up with him, if not the best athlete we got. Crazy fast. He can run routes like crazy.”

Opponents knew it, too.

“He’s crazy fast,” Randleman linebacker Thomas Dobias said. “He’s probably the fastest kid in our conference, for sure.”

Prior to his freshman year, Southwestern Randolph coaches had an inkling Cole might be an impact player. They had him work with varsity players in summer camps.

“I started enjoying it because I knew by my sophomore, junior, senior year, I would really be one of the best around,” he said.

A broken ankle mostly derailed that first season in high school. He called his junior season the best when he scored 23 touchdowns.

Cole accepted the attention that followed.

“It makes me play better because I know I have a standard to play up to,” he said. “I know people are watching and really expecting a lot of me. I like that. I like the pressure knowing I have to be something. It just gives me a sense of confidence.”

As the touchdown totals soared, his reputation as a speedster grew.

“They joke about it all the time. Yeah, they know,” Cole said of reaction from teammates. “I don’t remember any time in four years of high school football, I don’t think I’ve ever been run down.”

Betting on himself

Cole is joining the East Carolina football program as a preferred walk-on. Division I scholarship offers weren’t coming his way, but he didn’t want to settle for anything else.

“I’m not trying to be cocky in any way, but I feel like I’m more talented than to go D-II, D-III,” he said. “I’m just betting on myself. I’m going to work my way up and I think I’ll be on scholarship after a few years if I work as hard as I can and everything goes to plan.”

Here’s Adam Cole at Southwestern Randolph football practice last August. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record)
Adam Cole had a notable baseball career while with Southwestern Randolph (here) and Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record)
Adam Cole competed in select track and field meets for Southwestern Randolph. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record)

Yet he sensed interest from the Pirates and assistant coach Roy Tesh, who was his primary recruiter. Cole’s workout last year in Greenville made a difference.

“I just showed out at that camp,” he said. “They talked to me more consistent than really any other school did which is surprising.”

At the outset, he’ll be pegged as a defensive back.

“I would rather be scoring touchdowns, but I like defense, too,” he said.

He might also try punt returns and kickoff returns.

Too fast, this time

While getting to spots on the field faster is generally a bonus, it doesn’t always have the greatest results.

That’s what happened in the Cougars’ third-to-last football game last fall. Randleman’s Chesney Welch made a catch and took off toward the end zone.

“It was a play across the field and I chased him down and punched the ball out,” Cole said. “When I punched, I hit just his elbow with this pinky right here. It snapped this bone right here.”

He was pointing to his right hand.

But on that mid-October night, Cole wasn’t finished. He stayed in the game, ending up filling in at quarterback in the Cougars’ 34-7 loss.

“I played through the game,” he said. “I didn’t really feel it until I came off.”

It marked his final high school football game. The next day he went for an exam. Surgery was scheduled.

Cole sent a photo of X-ray to Welch, who probably could have done without a reminder of the sequence.

“Adam running his 4.3 came down and poked it out,” Welch said. “You don’t want to be chased by him.”

Even now, there’s a sliver of satisfaction for Cole that came from that play. He not only caused the fumble, he recovered the ball.

Cole said he made the most of the rehabilitation.

“My grip strength increased because I did therapy for it,” he said.

Adam Cole puts down a bunt for Randolph County Post 45 during last year’s Southeast Regional.          (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Burning up base paths

Cole’s baseball numbers might suggest a future in that sport. He led the Cougars this year by batting over .490 in addition to swatting four home runs. He had been a mainstay in the Randolph County Post 45 lineup for two years, and even spent a couple of weeks with the team this spring prior to football commitments in Greenville.

“I don’t really enjoy baseball like I do football,” he said. “I go out of my way to go put in work for football. Baseball, I just kind of go out there and play.”

Played it quite well. Classmate Tyler Parks, a North Carolina baseball signee, saw up close what Cole’s speed could do.

“With baseball, speed doesn’t slump,’ Parks said. “He can fly. He has always been fast. As he got older, he just got faster. He just keeps getting faster. I work out with Adam. It’s just unreal how quick he is.”

Show it on the track

While Cole’s speed wasn’t camouflaged, it hadn’t been on display in the most obvious way – on the track – until his junior year.

“I was joking around with the track coach: When you going to put me on the roster and let me run?” Cole remembered.

Next thing he knew, he was sprinting in the 100 meters and then taking off to go play baseball.

Adam Cole competed in the 2022 Class 2-A state meet. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

It resulted in more than a spring fling. Cole became the Class 2-A Midwest Regional champion in the 100 in 2022.

“I didn’t expect to go out there and win regionals, and went to the states,” he said. “I’d never run track in my life. Definitely pretty cool.”

For the most part, track became a part-time pursuit.

“I don’t practice track,” he said. “I just go to baseball.”

But extra sprinting had side benefits.

“It’s really good for me,” he said. “Because baseball isn’t a ton of running, it’s keeping me in shape. Keeping me fast. Last year when I needed to go to camps to get recruited, it helped my 40-yard dash a lot. It’s helped my form. It’s a good way to compete.”

That might have been the biggest factor. A chance to test himself in a different forum.

“Really, I just like to compete,” he said. “That’s the big thing.”

Still, at this spring’s Randolph County Championships, Cole said there were doubters. He referred to it as guys talking smack.

For his part, Cole won the 100 and 200 meters.

“It’s in one ear and out the other,” he said. “I’m a baseball player. I’m fast, too, and I can do good in things like this. Coming out here not training for track and just being able to win all these track meets like I am makes me feel good. Really, I like to win.”

And for Cole, the faster, the better.

Post 45 Pierce Leonard batting spring2023

Returnees help Post 45 hit early groove

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Pierce Leonard takes a swing for Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Randolph County Post 45 has been off a strong start to the American Legion baseball season.

The team has a good core of returning players who’ve produced across the first couple of weeks of the season.

Post 45 had a 7-1 record – capped with a 5-4 victory at Davidson County last week – before a five-day break in the schedule. The team is slated to be back in action this week.

The lone loss came by a 3-2 score at Rowan County. Twelve days later, Post 45 avenged the loss with a 10-5 home victory.

Tyler Parks drove in four runs in that triumph, while Ethan Frye and Braylen Hayes homered. Samuel Asbill was the winning pitcher.

Parks, Hayes, Tanner Marsh, Adam Cole, Josh Meadows, Drew Harmon, Connor Adams, Alex Martinez and Robert Garner are returnees from the 2022 team who’ve been key contributors this season.

Hayes homered twice as part of an 8-RBI night and Marsh scored four runs in a home romp past Davidson County. Meadows homered in a game at Mocksville-Davie County.

Cole won’t be with the team much longer as he reports for classes this month at East Carolina, where he’ll join the football program. Post 45 manager Ronnie Pugh said he welcomed Cole’s participation this spring even though he knew it would be on a short-term basis.

Outfielder Carter Brown, since helping Uwharrie Charter Academy to a Class 1-A state championship, has been produced upon joining Post 45. He drove in three runs in the Rowan County and Davidson County games.

Pitcher Drake Purvis, who was coming off surgery and didn’t pitch until late in the high school season for Randleman, has been a boost to the pitching staff along with high school teammate Austin Lemons.

Other Post 45 newcomers include former Randleman standout Hunter Atkins plus Ethan Frye and Pierce Leonard from Eastern Randolph’s team.

Because of delayed completion of renovations at McCrary Park in Asheboro, Post 45 has played home games at Randleman High School. The team has practiced at McCrary Park and should be playing games there by the end of next week. Last Wednesday’s home game against Mooresville was cancelled because of weather-related concerns.

Trinity girls bball Autumn Gentry Jan2023

College choices abound for area senior athletes

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Record-setting Autumn Gentry of Trinity plans to play basketball collegiately. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Here’s a list of additional college commitments and/or signings involving athletes at area high schools made during the past several months from members of the Class of 2023 (Others have been previously listed):

Baseball

** Two Randleman players are going to UNC Greensboro. Pitcher Austin Lemons joined infielder Hunter Atkins in the signing class for the Spartans.

** Catcher Caleb Dunn of Randleman signed with Division II Catawba.

Boys’ basketball

** Ashton Troutman of Uwharrie Charter Academy is going to Division II Carson-Newman.

Girls’ basketball

** Ashara Spruill of UCA picked Division I Texas Southern.

** Trinity’s Autumn Gentry, the program’s all-time leading scorer, is bound for Division III Bridgewater.

Girls’ golf

** Salem Lee of Asheboro is going to Appalachian State.

Football

** Quarterback Stratton Barwick of Eastern Randolph picked Division III Guilford College, where he also hopes to play baseball as a pitcher.

** Eastern Randolph lineman Mason Sechrest is going to Division II Winston-Salem State.

** Randleman tight end Chesney Welch signed with Division II Catawba.

** Adam Cole, a receiver and defensive back at Southwestern Randolph, will take a spot as a preferred walk-on at East Carolina.

** Tight end / long snapper Eli Gravely of Southwestern Randolph is heading to North Carolina Central.

** Trinity’s Ezra Hollifield, a lineman, chose Division III Greensboro College.

** Trinity’s Colby Peel, a lineman, is heading to Division III Averett.

Softball

** Morgan Coward of Asheboro selected Division II Belmont Abbey.

** Maddie Flinchum of Providence Grove will join the Division III Pfeiffer team.

** Southwestern Randolph teammates Madison Varner and Ky Perdue have picked Division III Pfeiffer as their college destination.

UCA baseball Jake Hunter pitches spring2023

Prep baseball: Eastern Randolph, UCA slide through first week of state playoffs

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Jake Hunter’s pitching has given Uwharrie Charter Academy a boost. (Randolph Record)

Eastern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy took different paths to the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs in baseball.

Each team won twice in the first week of the state playoffs.

No. 21 seed Eastern Randolph (6-17) won two road games, beginning with a 9-5 ousting of No. 12 seed Mount Airy.

Then the Wildcats went to No. 5 seed Hayesville, where Friday night’s game was suspended in the fifth inning. Eastern Randolph ended up with a 5-2 victory when the game concluded Saturday.

Eastern Randolph heads to No. 13 seed Highland Tech on Tuesday.

Second-seeded UCA (16-10) had a smoother time, stopping No. 18 seed Bishop McGuinness 10-4 as Jake Hunter threw five shutout innings.

Earlier in the week, UCA topped No. 31 seed Queen’s Grant 12-5 with Ben Medinger hitting a home run and Brett Smith notching the pitching victory.

UCA has a third-round home game vs. No. 10 seed North Stokes on Tuesday.

Class 2-A

In the first round, Trinity, which reached the regional semifinals last year, lost to No. 17 seed East Gaston by 6-4. The No. 16 seeded Bulldogs (15-11) received two hits from Jake Little. Cade Hill was the losing pitcher.

No. 18 seed Providence Grove lost 1-0 at No. 15 seed Forbush, which scored with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Andrew Thomas pitched the complete game for the Patriots (14-11).

No. 29 seed Wheatmore lost 7-0 at No. 4 seed West Stokes. The Warriors ended up with an 8-14 record.

Top-seeded Burns topped No. 32 seed Southwestern Randolph 10-8. Eli Gravely drove in four runs and Adam Cole had three hits and scored two runs for the Cougars (9-15), who nearly rallied from a 9-2 deficit. 

Class 3-A

At Salisbury, Asheboro’s season came to a close with Friday night’s 11-6 loss at No. 10 seed East Rowan.

Tanner Marsh scored twice and knocked in two runs for the No. 26 seed Blue Comets (13-12).

Asheboro began the playoffs by winning 13-7 at seventh-seeded Enka with Cohen Caviness collecting four hits and four runs batted in and Marsh scoring three runs and driving in three runs. Connor Adams was the winning pitcher.

Randolph County Championships April 2023

Asheboro runs away in Randolph County track and field championships

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Numerous schools have stellar results for individuals

ASHEBORO – Asheboro’s boys’ and girls’ track and field teams were superior in the Randolph County Championships on Tuesday.

But the Blue Comets had plenty of company from entrants from other schools when it came to special individual performances.

On the girls’ side, Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph won four events on the track and Randleman’s Gracie Beane was strong in field events. Asheboro’s Jalaya Showers, Wheatmore’s Ariel Martin and Trinity’s Kensley Fox also won multiple individual events.

In boys’ races, Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole was the top sprinter, Asheboro’s Nicolas Chavez claimed both hurdles events, Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood had huge successes in distance events, and Asheboro’s Lance Everhart was two-event winner and a runner-up in two other events.

Asheboro’s girls compiled 145½ points to runner-up Wheatmore’s 118½ among the seven teams.

The Blue Comets, competing at their home facility (at South Asheboro Middle School), were more dominant in boys’ competition by winning seven events and racking up 186 points, while Trinity was second with 130.

Here’s a look at some highlights:

Girls

Snotherly, who scored 40 of her team’s 47 points, dominated in some events and had challenges in others.

She was pushed in the 400 meters by Wheatmore’s Peyton Wilson. Snotherly maintained a slight edge down the stretch and finished in 1 minute, 4.42 seconds, compared to Wilson’s 1:04.99.

In the 800, Snotherly (2:38.82) used a strong finishing kick to overcome Southwestern Randolph’s Coley Shiflet (2:41.18).

Snotherly had no threats in cruising in the 1,600 (6:06.00) and 3,200 (13:25.19).

Showers, a freshman, won the 100 (12.69) and 200 (26.11)

Beane won the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches and the triple jump at 34-1¼. She was second in the long jump.

Martin won the 100 hurdles (19.01) and 300 hurdles (52.97).

Fox was the winner in the shot put (29-4½) and discus (86-8).

Asheboro’s Sion Murrain was the winner in the long jump (15-10½). Teammate Lia George was the only entrant in the pole vault.

Asheboro’s girls won the 400 relay and 800 relay, while Wheatmore claimed the 1,600 relay and Providence Grove was first in the 3,200 relay.

Boys

Cole won the 100 (11.16) and 200 (22.76). Cole had 20 of Southwestern Randolph’s 51 points, plus he anchored the Cougars’ third-place 400 relay (that resulted in six more team points).

Chavez edged Everhart in the 110 hurdles in 16.07 and ran away in the 300 hurdles in 41.67.

Hazelwood won the 1,600 (4:51.52.) and 3,200 (10:55.65). He was second in the 800 behind Trinity’s Jose Castillo (2:12.80).

Everhart won two events by claiming the long jump (20-1) and pole vault (11-0). Teammate Kai Matthews was the 400 winner in 54.72.

In field events, Chase Farlow of Randleman won the high jump in competition that extended for a large portion of the meet. He cleared 6-2, with Everhart the runner-up at 6-0.

Randleman had three other winners in field events: Amari Ferdna (triple jump, 40-3), Landon McGee (discus, 118-9), Amarion Moton (shot put, 40-6¼).

Boys’ relay winners were: Asheboro in the 400 and 1,600 and Trinity in the 800 and 3,200.

Wheatmore girls soccer Summer Bowman v East Davidson 2022

Prep Roundup: Homers highlight baseball action; Cougars stay unbeaten in softball

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Wheatmore’s Summer Bowman, shown here during the 2022 postseason, continues to be a force on the school’s girls’ soccer team. (Randolph Record file photo)

Home runs proved big for several Randolph County baseball teams last week.

Austin Lemons homered in Randleman’s 11-6 home victory against Uwharrie Charter Academy in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Troy Carver homered for UCA.

In the rematch, Lemons struck out 14 in a complete game as the Tigers won 5-0 on the road. Caleb Dunn supplied three hits and John Kirkpatrick drove in two runs.

In between those games, Dunn homered in Randleman’s 5-2 home victory against Southeast Guilford.

Randleman is playing this week in a tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

** Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole and Tyler Parks homered in both PAC games against Eastern Randolph.

In the first meeting, Eastern Randolph routed host Southwestern Randolph 14-5 as Ethan Frye scored three runs. The Cougars got revenge with Friday’s 11-0 road whipping, aided by Jonah Campbell’s seven-hitter with nine strikeouts.

** Trinity and Providence Grove also split PAC meetings.

Trinity won 7-2 at home with Cade Hill knocking in three runs and Jake Little homering.

Providence Grove avenged the loss with Friday’s 10-3 home result behind Andrew Canter’s six innings of work on the mound without giving up an earned run and Jayten Beasley’s three runs batted in. Trinity’s Jacob Proctor had a two-run homer among his three hits.

** Asheboro’s Davis Gore had a two-run home run in Asheboro’s 15-8 non-conference triumph at Southwestern Randolph. Tanner Marsh helped the Blue Comets with three hits, including a pair of doubles, and scoring three runs and Amare Godwin drove in four runs.

Josh Meadows smashed a three-run homer and Marsh belted a two-run shot in Asheboro’s 6-3 home victory against Central Davidson in Mid-Piedmont Conference action.

** Wheatmore upended host Central Davidson 7-1 with Parker Kines working six innings without permitting an earned run in the non-league matchup.

Softball

Southwestern Randolph moved to 11-0 overall going into spring break.

The Cougars are more than halfway through their Piedmont Athletic Conference schedule with a 7-0 league mark. Next week, the have a home rematch with defending PAC champion Providence Grove.

Southwestern Randolph topped Uwharrie Charter Academy 4-3, with Carleigh Whitson and Maddie Varner both driving in two runs in their first game of last week.

When Southwestern Randolph flattened host Asheboro 14-0, Ky Perdue had two triples and scored two runs. Aylssa Harris was the winning pitcher with nine strikeouts in the five-inning game.

The Cougars capped another perfect week by winning 19-0 at Trinity in three innings.

Southwestern Randolph is off until April 11, when it takes on second-place and defending PAC champion Providence Grove at home.

** Eastern Randolph edged host Providence Grove 4-3 with Skylar Pugh holding the Patriots to one earned run. Providence Grove’s Emma Mazzarone homered and struck out 10 batters.

In Eastern Randolph’s 2-1 non-conference escape at Northern Guilford, Addie Flinchum recorded 14 strikeouts with two walks.

Then the Wildcats won again by defeating visiting Randleman 9-4 with Ziera Watson driving in three runs and posting three hits. Pugh struck out 14 and walked four.

** Providence Grove got back on track in a 17-1 pounding of visiting Trinity as Ruby Caudle struck out 11.

Then the Patriots returned to PAC play and Mazzarone homered twice and tripled while throwing a five-inning no-hitter with 15 strikeouts at Wheatmore. She walked one while facing 17 total batters.

** Wheatmore’s Carmen Turgeon struck out 13 in five innings of a 13-0 blistering of visiting Trinity.

Wheatmore had a different type of game with a 12-10 non-conference victory in nine innings at Southeast Guilford. The Warriors posted eight runs in the seventh inning,

** Uwharrie Charter Academy fell 10-9 at North Stanly despite Molly Bulla’s homer and double.

Girls’ soccer

Undefeated Wheatmore had a rare close game with last week’s 1-0 victory at North Davidson on Summer Bowman’s goal.

In 11 games, that’s the only outcome decided by fewer than six goals.

Then the Warriors won 9-0 at Southwestern Randolph and 9-0 against visiting Gray Stone Day School.

Southwestern Randolph was on both ends of nine-goal margins. The Cougars defeated host Eastern Randolph 10-1 behind Macy Allred’s four goals. Two nights later came the loss to Wheatmore.

Randleman baseball Hunter Atkins at ER March2023

Randleman Tigers adopt new script, keep on winning in baseball

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Randleman’s Hunter Atkins takes a swing during a game earlier this season at Eastern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – The script looks a bit different, but Randleman’s baseball team has kept the winning formula.

The two-time reigning Class 2-A state champions are cranking out victories on a regular basis.

“We’ve had some tough games that we’ve battled through,” shortstop Hunter Atkins said. “We’ve just been competing. It’s just about competing when it comes down to it. Our team has the grit.”

And Randleman owns an 8-2 overall record. The Tigers have made it halfway through their 12-game Piedmont Athletic Conference schedule with a perfect mark.

“You’re learning all the time,” coach Jake Smith said. “Guys are getting challenged. Just facing adversity. Everything hasn’t gone all hunky-dory. We’ve had to compete and play seven innings.”

The latest success came with Friday night’s 12-5 victory at Southwestern Randolph.

While last year the Tigers frequently had shortened games because of blowouts that resulted in the mercy rule, they’re on the field longer these days.

“It’s something getting used to, playing full seven innings – not going five innings and getting out,” catcher Caleb Dunn said. “Our hard work is going to put us over and we will be able to finish out these games that are longer.”

The past couple of seasons were defined by a roster that included eventual Boston Red Sox draft pick Brooks Brannon at catcher and a roster stacked with college prospects. Now, it’s what Smith calls “back to normal.”

For the Tigers, the good thing is that includes winning games.

“We’ve got the guys this year that need to get the job done,” Atkins said. “Just getting after it. That’s how we roll. We just get after it.”

Randleman’s Austin Lemons threw five innings Friday night. Smith said he liked Lemons’ outing even though the right-hander wasn’t always smooth. He was forced to work out of jams.

“Kind of grew up,” Smith said.

Lemons allowed three runs, but only one was earned. He walked four and struck out seven.

“He had a good night,” Dunn said. “He can do better, though. I know he can.”

Seth Way has been the team’s top starting pitcher. The Tigers are waiting for the return of Drake Purvis, who’s rehabbing from an elbow injury. Purvis said he could be on the mound within a couple of weeks.

Randleman’s results have been nice validation through four weeks of the season.

“We really worked hard in this preseason and I think that really helped us in that way, getting our confidence up,” Dunn said. “Playing great competition as many times as we can a week is really good for us and I think that can really help us out throughout the season.”

The Tigers have remaining PAC series left against Uwharrie Charter Academy, Providence Grove and Trinity.

“Going through the conference undefeated right now is definitely a good feeling,” Atkins said. “Can’t ask for much more.”

Randleman’s five-run first inning came in handy against Southwestern Randolph. Chesney Welch had an RBI double and Seth Way, Shawn Miller and Dunn all drove in runs.

The Cougars scored two runs in the second. Adam Cole’s triple drove in a run in the third, and then Southwestern Randolph loaded the bases with no outs. Lemons struck out the next three batters.

“That was the chance to get back in the game,” Southwestern Randolph coach Ethan Marsh said.

The Tigers were back at it in the fifth, scoring on John Kirkpatrick’s two-out single. Way provided an RBI single in the three-run sixth before Atkins’ two-run home run in the seventh. Atkins scored four runs.

Randleman QB Christian Long 2022 throw at Asheboro

Prep Football: Tigers topple Providence Grove; Wildcats, Cougars cruise to wins

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Randleman quarterback Christian Long makes a pass earlier this season. (Randolph Record file photo)

CLIMAX – Amarion Moton scored on two fourth-quarter touchdown runs to help Randleman seal a 30-14 road victory against Providence Grove in Piedmont Athletic Conference football Friday night.

Randleman’s defense limited the often-potent Providence Grove offense to 180 yards.

Randleman never trailed, going up in the first quarter on Christian McLeod’s 26-yard field goal. Tyshaun Goldston scored on a 13-yard pass from Christian Long in the second quarter.

James Ellis of Providence Grove scored on a 44-yard pass play before halftime.

Gregory Price’s 40-yard interception return gave Randleman a cushion.

Moton, who gained 151 yards on 23 carriers, took care of the rest. Goldston ended up with 106 receiving yards on six catches. He accounted for all except 13 of the team’s receiving yards.

Providence Grove was 0-for-10 on third-down conversions, while picking up one of three on fourth downs.

Eastern Randolph 55, Trinity 13: At Ramseur, Stratton Barwick threw three touchdown passes and Davonte Brooks scored on runs of 35 and 19 as the host Wildcats rolled in the PAC game.

Lucas Smith (3 yards), Ervodd Cassady (6 yards) and Angel Hernandez (18 yards) also scored on runs for Eastern Randolph (6-1, 2-0), which led 35-7 at halftime.

Trinity (4-3, 0-2) received touchdown runs of 60 and 65 yards from Dominic Payne.

Southwestern Randolph 56, Wheatmore 25: At Trinity, Adam Cole scored five touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the PAC road victory.

Cole caught three of the four touchdown passes thrown by Easton Clapp. He ran for a touchdown and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Clapp also ran for a touchdown among his 157 rushing yards.

The Cougars (5-2, 1-1) also scored on Sean Adkins’ catch and Jentzen Cox’s rushing play.

Wheatmore is 1-6, 0-2.

Central Davidson 56, Asheboro 6: At Lexington, the Blue Comets surrendered more than 50 points for the second week in a row in the Mid-Piedmont Conference loss.

The Blue Comets (1-6, 0-2 Mid-Piedmont Conference) failed to reach a double-figure point total for the sixth game this season.

Central Davidson is 6-1, 1-1.

ER Brooks vs SWR Sept2022

Prep Football: Wildcats fend off SWR; Providence Grove, Randleman cruise in PAC openers

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Davonte Brooks of Eastern Randolph heads for the end zone against Southwestern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – Davonte Brooks scored three touchdowns and Eastern Randolph relied on its defense in a 20-12 road victory against Southwestern Randolph in a Piedmont Athletic Conference football opener Thursday night.

“We just all came together and played as one and that’s how we got the job done,” Brooks said.

Eastern Randolph (5-1), which is the reigning PAC champion, won despite its lowest point total of the season.

“It was not our best game,” Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates said. “Too many mistakes – penalties at the wrong time.”

Southwestern Randolph (4-2) couldn’t crank up enough offense.

“I thought our kids gave everything they had,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said.

The Wildcats stuck to a ground attack in the second half after the Cougars intercepted two first-half passes. Cates said windy conditions impacted the game plan.

“Let’s go with our strength, which is the offensive line and running the football,” Cates said.

Brooks gained 160 rushing yards and teammate Ervodd Cassady ran for 128 yards.

Brooks scored on a 25-yard run to open the scoring and later in the first quarter Southwestern Randolph’s Easton Clapp scored on a 1-yard run.

Adam Cole’s 42-yard punt return for a touchdown put the Cougars on top 12-7 in the third quarter.

Brooks scored on a 1-yard run later in the third quarter. Brooks scored again from 1 yard out in the fourth quarter.

“I thought in the second half they dominated the line of scrimmage,” Baxter said.

Providence Grove 31, Trinity 0: At Trinity, Zane Cheek ran for two touchdowns and Providence Grove (5-1) built a 28-0 halftime lead.

Zander Cheek also scored a touchdown. Brady Collins threw a touchdown pass to Joe Coltrane. Andrew Canter kicked a 37-yard field goal.

Trinity (4-2) suffered a shutout to the Patriots for the second time in three seasons. Dominic Pay had 57 passing yards and 53 rushing yards.

Randleman 49, Wheatmore 0: At Randleman, Christian Long threw four touchdown passes – two each to Chesney Welch and Tyshaun Goldston – as the host Tigers rolled.

Long also ran for a touchdown. Amarion Moton’s 10-yard run opened the scoring in the PAC game.

Randleman quarterback Christian Long picks up yards as Wheatmore’s Ethan Roberts, left, tries to make a stop. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record)

Randleman (4-2) led 42-0 at halftime. All of Long’s touchdown passes came in the second quarter, hitting Welch for 17 and 10 yards and connecting with Goldston for 9 and 20 yards.

Long finished 11-for-18 for 128 yards. Moton rushed six times for 105 yards.

Wheatmore (1-5) was held to 81 yards of total offense. Jonathan Kelly had 48 rushing yards.

Oak Grove 52, Asheboro 7: At Asheboro, unbeaten Oak Grove in the road victory to open Mid-Piedmont Conference play for both teams.

The Grizzlies (6-0) were up 28-7 at halftime. Asheboro (1-5) scored early in the second quarter after trailing 21-0.

 

Asheboro M Graham and SWR Danny Jackson Sept2022

Prep Football: Cougars clobber Asheboro; Wildcats roll in non-league finale

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Asheboro’s Markell Graham is pursued by Southwestern Randolph’s Danny Jackson and Caleb Shelton, far right, during Friday night’s game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph scored on the first snap of the game and went on to drub visiting Asheboro 40-2 on Friday night.

Adam Cole took a short pass from Easton Clapp and burst 64 yards for a touchdown for the first points.

“It was open,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said. “I think our wide receivers did a tremendous job of blocking on that play.”

Southwestern Randolph (4-1) heads into Piedmont Athletic Conference play on a two-game winning streak. This puts the Cougars in a good mindset.

“We came in and did what we needed to do up front,” Baxter said of controlling the line of scrimmage.

Cole ended up with two rushing touchdowns to go with the scoring pass play. Clapp threw for two touchdowns and ran for another on his way to 196 passing yards and 126 rushing yards. Marcus Robertson caught a touchdown pass.

Asheboro (1-4) avoided a shutout by tackling a Southwestern Randolph ball carrier in the end zone in the fourth quarter. That accounted for the final points of the game, though it came a couple of plays after the Blue Comets had a possession halted inside the Southwestern Randolph 10-yard line.
“We’re going to have to go back to the drawing board,” Asheboro coach Blake Brewer. “We’re going to have to build some toughness.”

Michael Brady rushed for 97 yards for Asheboro.

Until last year, Southwestern Randolph had never defeated Asheboro in consecutive football meetings. Now, the Cougars have won three straight in the series.

Asheboro leads the all-time series 26-4.

The Blue Comets open Mid-Piedmont Conference play next Friday at home against undefeated Oak Grove (5-0), which is coming off an open week.

“We’re going to have to find an identity and do it quick,” Brewer said.

Eastern Randolph 42, West Stanly 0: At Oakboro, the visiting Wildcats tuned up for Piedmont Athletic Conference play by winning their fifth consecutive game.

Among the scoring plays for Eastern Randolph (5-1) were two touchdown runs for Davonte Brooks and one touchdown apiece for D.J. Thomas, Ervodd Cassady and Angel Hernandez. Stratton Barwick threw a touchdown pass to Jake Fesmire.

West Stanly (3-3) has lost three straight games, though the first two defeats came by a combined 15 points.

 

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