Asheboro’s Jose Cortes controls the ball against Southwestern Randolph during a non-conference game n Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
JOSE CORTES
Asheboro High School | Senior | Soccer
Jose Cortes scored a total of 10 goals across two games as the Blue Comets rolled to a pair of victories. In a 9-1 romp past Oak Grove, Cortes, a senior, tallied four goals to go with an assist in the team’s Mid-Piedmont Conference opener. Two nights later, Cortes racked up six goals and another assist in a 9-0 blasting of Central Davidson.
Those results gave Asheboro three consecutive games with nine goals. The Blue Comets carried an 8-0-1 record into this week.
ASHEBORO – When the late Recil Cox traveled into Asheboro from the country to take a job in textiles, it led to much more.
Now 60 years later, that legacy continues to flourish in what became Cox’s Harley-Davidson of Asheboro.
“You surround yourself with good people,” said Stephen Cox, grandson of the founder. “If these people are good people, you’re going to get everything out of them every single day.”
A 60th anniversary celebration of the business will take place Saturday at the store on N.C. 134 near Pinewood Country Club.
The owner is Jan Cox, daughter of the founder. Her son, Stephen Cox, is the general manager.
It’s a business that has stood the test of time and expanded. The Asheboro store employs about 25 people.
All this because Recil Cox, who grew up on a farm in southeast Randolph County, developed a reputation as a mechanic and could repair motorcycles.
“It just kind of went from there,” Stephen Cox said. “We were known early on as a service dealership because of my grandfather.”
Gary “Poochie” Cox, left, and his father, Recil Cox, founder of Cox’s Harley-Davidson, are together for this 2005 photo as part of a Relay for Life fundraiser that raised $101,000. (Photo courtesy of the Cox family)
Owning a Harley-Davidson dealership comes with clout and responsibility.
Stephen Cox still has the letter that was sent from the Milwaukee headquarters to Recil Cox, welcoming him as an official Harley -Davidson Motor Co. dealer. It’s dated Sept. 22, 1961.
In part, the letter reads: “Your first year of operation is an important one for you. This is the period in which you establish a solid foundation for the years ahead. Right at the start, it’s desirable that you form good habits and that all of your procedures are correct.”
In the mid-1990s, Recil’s son, Gary “Poochie” Cox took over ownership. He died in 2010, followed by Recil Cox’s death in 2017.
The Cox family added stores in Rock Hill, S.C., and Mansfield, Pa. The Pennsylvania store has been sold, but the Rock Hill location remains under the family’s control and is larger than the Asheboro store.
But the Randolph County store is still considered the headquarters.
Saturday’s celebration is to be tied to Motorcycles for Mammograms, an annual ride and benefit that’s organized by Joy Hicks. It’s a fundraiser that goes to support uninsured women in Randolph County so they can receive mammograms. Hicks, a breast cancer survivor, is business manager for Cox’s Harley-Davidson.
Also involved with the anniversary will be a motorcycle giveaway, axe throwing, food trucks and other vendors. The headline event will be an afternoon appearance by country music singer Sammy Kershaw, with Cory Luetjen and the Traveling Blues Band serving as the opener.
The Cox family is hoping to meet – and reminisce with — many community members.
“It just felt like now as the time to do it,” Stephen Cox said of the anniversary blowout.
Other than family, Eddie Berry is the longest-serving employee. He has been involved since the 1970s, though he became full-time after retiring from a career in law enforcement. His title is service manager.
Stephen Cox, who lives in Greensboro, said the business has held up strong during the pandemic. He said power-sports goods have been in high demand.
For the Cox family, the business has allowed the family to make connections around the globe. Stephen Cox said there’s pride that this stems from a small-town family.
“It has taken us all over the world because of a little ol’ Asheboro business,” Stephen Cox said. “It has been a good business, a neat business to be in. At the end of the day, it’s the people that make this place run.”
Southwestern Randolph’s football team kept the big offensive numbers coming.
The Cougars topped visiting Starmount 42-30 on Friday night in a non-league game.
The matchup was a late schedule addition when Southwestern Randolph’s scheduled matchup with Albemarle was nixed. The Cougars have scored more than 40 points in their last three games.
Southwestern Randolph has boosted its record to 4-0.
Keaton Reed accounted for 250 yards of total offense in the Starmount game. He rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another, with the pass going to Bryson Reid.
Adam Cole scored touchdowns on a punt return and an interception return. He also forced a fumble and came up with a fumble recovery. Easton Clapp scored a touchdown, but made a big impact on defense with 10 tackles (three of those for losses).
The Cougars overcame Luke Kimmer’s two touchdown passes and Zack Dezern’s 180 rushing yards for Starmount (1-3), which racked up more points than in its first three games combined.
Southwestern Randolph heads to Asheboro for Friday night’s game to conclude its non-conference schedule.
“Being unbeaten coming to us, they’re going to have a lot of confidence,” Asheboro coach Blake Brewer said.
Friday night’s games
Randleman at Montgomery Central, 6:30
Southwestern Randolph at Asheboro, 7:30
West Stanly at Eastern Randolph, 7:30
Ledford at Wheatmore, cancelled
Wheatmore 34, Asheboro 32: At Asheboro, Reece Linton’s pass to Jonathan Kelly for 31 yards resulted in the winning points with 25 seconds remaining.
Linton, normally a wideout, made the key pass. Starting quarterback Ben Walker exited with a knee injury earlier.
“We knew coming in it probably was going to be a shootout,” Wheatmore coach Philip Yarbrough said. “We got to stop them one more time than they stop us. We’ve got to score one more time than they score. I guess they made me a prophet.”
A potential winning touchdown catch for Asheboro was nullified by an offensive interference penalty.
Wheatmore (3-1), which pulled off several fourth-down conversions, also was boosted on offense by Walker’s three touchdown passes, with Dylan Weil catching two of those and Porter Grimes grabbing the other. Grimes also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
For Asheboro (1-3), Michael Brady and Khyland Hadley-Lindsay ran for two touchdowns apiece, while Tony McRae scored a touchdown on a reception.
“I thought this was a game we really had to win, looking at our schedule,” Brewer said. “I’m broken hearted for (our players).”
Ledford 34, Providence Grove 14: At Climax, the Patriots lost the home game in non-league play, unable to set a school record for most wins to begin a season.
Ledford (4-0) erased a 14-7 halftime deficit by posting 20 points in the third quarter. Alex Sanford rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Caleb Rogers had 110 yards of total offense and Zane Cheek rushed for 73 yards for Providence Grove (4-1). Luke Thomas was intercepted three times, but threw for 112 yards. Chase Whitaker returned an interception for a Providence Grove touchdown.
Randleman 31, North Stanly 28: At New London, the Tigers pulled out their first victory of the season on Christian Long’s 18-yard go-ahead pass to Jozey Akines.
Thomas Dobias ran for touchdowns from 8 and 3 yards for Randleman (1-3), which was in a road game for the first time. Ervodd Cassady had a 3-yard scoring run and Chris Gentry kicked a 42-yard field goal.
Randleman’s defense intercepted three passes, two of those by Akines and the other by Micah Thurston. North Stanly fell to 1-3.
Trinity 48, Carrboro 8: At Trinity, the Bulldogs are 3-1 after the convincing home victory.
Trinity has won its past two games by a combined score of 96-14. The Bulldogs won a total of one game the past two seasons.
ASHEBORO – At the time about 15 years ago, it might not have been clear to a group of Asheboro High School athletes that they were involved in a special era for the school’s athletics department. It might be more apparent now.
Three of the newest additions to the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame are from that time frame, with Lindsay Cross from the Class of 2006 and the following year’s graduates Mike Eddy and Neal Pritchard.
“Maybe I’m biased, but the period I was going through, there were great athletes,” Eddy said. “It really was special to be a part of. You realize now that those were special teams.”
Cross was a standout in basketball and softball and also ran on the cross-country team. Eddy was an elite runner in track and field and also was a busy kicker on the football team. Pritchard excelled in basketball and baseball on the way to a professional career.
They’ll be among five inductees during Friday night’s football game against visiting Southwestern Randolph. They’re joined in the induction class by DeNeal McNair, a football and track and field standout from the Class of 1984, and John Thornburg, a wrestler, football and baseball player from the Class of 2012.
“I remember there being some really good teams,” Pritchard said.
Cross likes the idea of being part of an induction class that seems familiar. She said she knows the Thornburg family from church activities and has known McNair’s son since middle school.
“It’s special to be inducted in a class where I know the others,” she said.
The admiration for the Blue Comets is a theme for the inductees.
“I really loved my time at Asheboro High,” Eddy said. “Being on the teams at Asheboro High was really a formative experience for me.”
Eddy was Class 3-A state champion in the 400 meters, reaching the state team in all four seasons. He also won a state title in the 500 in indoor track and field.
“He ran like a deer,” Pritchard said. “That boy could run for days.”
That parlayed into a four-year career with distinction on Princeton’s track and field team.
Yet it was on the football field for the Blue Comets that left a particular impression. He racked up 136 points – a total believed to be a school record.
“When I went to the high school, for whatever reason they didn’t have a kicker,” Eddy said. “So I get pulled over to the varsity (as a freshman). … The offense scored a lot, so I got to collect a lot of extra points.”
Eddy also practiced as a wide receiver, but he said he wasn’t needed much for that role. He said the team was stacked with leaders, including quarterback Blake Brewer (who’s now Asheboro’s coach). He said the list of quality athletes was impressive for a team undefeated in the regular season.
“And we didn’t have (Pritchard) on that team,” Eddy said.
Eddy said Pierce Neel, an assistant coach for the football team, made a positive impression as his track and field coach. Eddy is a professor in geology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
He’ll cherish returning home to relive some of the memories this weekend.
“We all came together on those sports teams and in a place like Asheboro you come together and that helps form a community,” Eddy said.
• Pritchard said he was grateful for the support he received as an Asheboro athlete. He said he received valuable coaching throughout high school, then capped in his final years by Brian Nance (basketball) and Tim Murray (baseball).
“They brought in more people to help the athletes,” Pritchard said. “I felt like I was blessed with some great coaches along the way. I’ve always been appreciative of that.”
Prichard was a conference Player of the Year twice in basketball and baseball. That’s something no other Asheboro athlete has accomplished.
“I look back and I can’t remember many of the personal accomplishments,” Pritchard said. “I guess it was exciting, but I always judged it by ‘how did we do as a team?’”
Pritchard said basketball always seemed like a primer for the baseball season. He went on to play collegiately as a shortstop for Elon. From there, he was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization for three seasons, twice playing on minor-league teams that won league championships.
“As long as I can remember, playing baseball was my dream,” Pritchard said. “I’m not sure if I would have gone to college if it wasn’t for baseball. That was my path.”
Pritchard, who lives in Randleman, gives hitting lessons and coaches a travel youth baseball team. He works with family in a trucking and grading business.
• Cross became Asheboro’s first all-state softball player, receiving that distinction twice as a first baseman. She was an all-conference player in basketball, while also running for the cross-country team.
“Basketball was definitely my favorite sport, but I was probably better at softball,” Cross said.
Cross said her parents made it possible to go from one venue to another while playing multiple sports growing up. Those activities helped her build friendships with athletes from other schools as well.
“Playing with them on the weekend, you have these friendships,” she said, noting Asheboro’s tight-knit community. “Then you’re (playing against) them. We still wanted to win for Asheboro.”
After high school, Cross had a standout career in basketball and softball at Randolph College.
“It’s a little tricky,” she said. “Those seasons kind of overlap in college.”
Cross, who also has a degree from UNC Greensboro, is a social worker for the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools.
• McNair was a two-time all-conference selection in football and three-time All-County participant in track and field. He became a member of a North Carolina A&T championship football team. More recently, he was a successful track and field coach for Asheboro and has served as a pastor for Vision of Unity Outreach Ministries in Asheboro.
• Thornburg won a state championship in wrestling as well as receiving all-conference recognition in baseball. He works for Trane in Raleigh after graduating from North Carolina State.
ASHEBORO — A water line broke under the downtown water tower in Asheboro today causing localized flooding, a sink hole and damage to a telecommunications structure. The 10-inch water main failed around midday a resulted in damage to a Verizon communications building which was located beneath the prominent water tower.
A sink hole has caused damage to a telecommunications building on Church Street in downtown Asheboro (PJ Ward-Brown/The North State Journal)
Red mud covered Church Street and cleanup efforts were underway around 1pm. City crews as well as private contractors were on sight to assess and mitigate damage.
The downtown water tower houses many telecommunications antennae. No major outtages have been reported. North State Journal has reached out to city officials but have not yet received a response.
ASHEBORO — The 48th annual Asheboro Fall Festival has been cancelled. The annual event scheduled for the first weekend of October will not be rescheduled.
According to the Randolph Arts Guild, the sponsor of the event, the decision was made by their board of directors following a meeting with the Randolph County Health Department.
Blue Comets welcome huge contributions from Letterlough
ASHEBORO — Cameron Letterlough says one of the best parts about the opening weeks of the season has been forging relationships with his new teammates.
He’s a freshman on the Asheboro boys’ soccer team.
It seems like he has made quite an introduction on the high school scene.
Asheboro’s Cameron Letterlough takes a shot and scores a goal against Southwestern Randolph during a non-conference game Sept. 1 in Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
“I’ve just been scoring,” Letterlough said. “My team is really good and I have confidence to know when to shoot and not to shoot.”
Letterlough racked up five goals in a 9-0 victory against Randleman. He followed that last week with two more goals in a 7-1 triumph against Northwood.
“He’s something special,” Asheboro coach Nick Arroyo said. “He has no fear of anyone on the field.”
Arroyo said he didn’t know anything about Letterlough until he arrived for preseason practice. It didn’t take long for him to realize the newcomer would make an immediate impact.
“I never heard of him until he showed up,” Arroyo said. “The way he moves, you don’t see very often on the soccer field.”
Letterlough didn’t play for South Asheboro Middle School last year, saying he needed to concentrate on academics. However, he has been a member of NC Fusion, a Greensboro-based club team.
That gave him a good background. He said he wants to fit in with the Blue Comets.
“I was ready to step in and show them how I play,” he said.
Along with senior striker Jose Cortes, Letterlough’s spot in the lineup has provided a productive combination along the front line.
“We’ve got quite a bit of talent top to bottom,” Arroyo said, noting that Letterlough has been a key piece to the lineup.
Letterlough, who turns 15 years old later this month, said he knows there will be challenges ahead. After all, he’s on the scouting reports.
“Ever since that Randleman game, people noticed,” he said.
He said he wants to maintain the high level of production.
“My biggest strength is to have good runs and be able to finish,” he said. “(I want to continue) getting to know my teammates and to have fun.”
There’s also a bit of friendly competition between Letterlough and Cortes.
“He’s catching up,” Letterlough said.
Arroyo is a 2006 Asheboro graduate in his second season as school’s coach as well as directing the under-13 squad for the Asheboro City Football Club. He said the Blue Comets, who went 4-3-1 in the spring (when the 2020 season was shifted because of the pandemic), could be in line for a breakthrough season.
Asheboro entered this week with a 4-0-1 record.
“There’s a lot that’s going to be on the positive side,” Arroyo said. “We’re not a team of one. We’re a team together.”
ASHEBORO – Area businesses have endured countless challenges during the pandemic, but Linda Brown with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce said there are signs of brighter days.
“Our organization has done OK. We’ve held our own,” said Brown, the group’s president. “We’re planning on holding our regular events this fall.”
Brown said businesses in the region are doing their best under difficult circumstances to make things click.
She was on a recent tour of industries with other area leaders and she noted that some of the companies had to turn down sales opportunities because they can’t meet demand. That’s largely due to a reduced workforce.
“It’s hard to find employees in every sector,” Brown said, something she said has been the theme stemming from many of the Chamber’s members. “Right now, I think that’s the main (issue).”
That even stems to the Chamber. The group has an opening for a membership and events coordinator.
As of last week, that opening had enticed just seven applicants compared to about 200 who applied the last time that job was open. “It’s a lot different atmosphere,” Brown said.
Brown said one of the primary messages from the Chamber is to “remember that local businesses are short of staff, so be kind” to the workers who are out there.
Despite the trouble spots, numbers provided through the Chamber show certain positives. Brown said retail spending in Randolph County was up 7.1 percent in 2020 compared to 2019.
She said the reason for that increase might be based on federal stimulus money provided to many residents along with panic buying early in the pandemic.
The Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce lost 111 members from last year, while picking up 45. Regarding the reduction, Brown identified 40 of those coming because of closed businesses and another 35 related to financial concerns (though some might rejoin). Another dozen of the losses came because of mergers and others resulted from Randolph County locations closing.
Yet the NC Rural Center reported that there were 62.5 percent more business startups in Randolph County compared to the previous year, something Brown identified as an encouraging trend.
“A lot of people are trying to find different ways to make a living,” she said.
The local Chamber held a virtual annual meeting in January, but largely resumed many of its normal activities by April. Brown said plenty of autumn events are on the docket.
She said an Oct. 5 gathering to recognize elected officials for their contributions as part of a thank-you session should attract about 100 honorees. The Chamber’s annual retreat is set for Oct. 21-23 at Wrightsville Beach.
Brown, who’s a member of the board for the Asheboro Regional Airport, said there are signs of growth coming for the airport. She said a new hanger will be built to help accommodate about 15 on a waiting list for spots.
After serving for decades, Dixie III to close doors
ASHEBORO – On a recent afternoon at Dixie III, Mark Davidson was so busy he had to put off accepting a phone call until he could catch up on a few tasks.
That included making cornbread.
As owner of the long-time Asheboro diner, there have been countless items on Davidson’s to-do lists.
That will suddenly cease this month when the family-owned eatery closes its doors after 39 years at the same location.
“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Davidson said. “We’ve been doing this all our lives. We’re just ready to retire.”
Davidson, 65, said it’s time to step away. His family has been in the local restaurant business for multiple generations, but a break is needed. He said his wife, Krista, and son, John, have been instrumental in the most-recent endeavors.
The last day of operation is set for Sept. 9.
“It’s not about a business closing because we don’t have enough business,” Davidson said shortly after the clamor of another busy lunchtime had died down. “If anything, it’s just the opposite.”
The family has been involved with area restaurants since the 1940s.
The current location on East Dixie Drive is along a busy street in Asheboro, yet in many minds it stands out among the countless choices for those seeking a meal.
Online reviews include a variety of comments through the years. Here’s a typical assessment from one woman: “We love Dixie! My family and I have eaten here for years, dating back to when I was a kid. Their fried okra is the best I’ve ever had.”
A “meat and three” at Dixie III in Asheboro. (North State Journal)
The restaurant has specialized in what Davidson and others refer to as “Meat and three” — meaning a main selection plus three side (vegetable) orders.
It’s Southern food. Among the specialties is homemade cobblers.
Most meals cost less than $10.
As word has spread about the upcoming closing, there has been an outpouring of support regarding Dixie III.
“We’ve had a tremendous response from this community,” Davidson said.
Even during the height of the pandemic with indoor dining restrictions, Dixie III maintained a brisk pace of business because of take-out orders, Davidson said. Yet he said that the closing of dining rooms and capacity limits when those re-opened were devastating at times.
Dixie III restaurant has been located on Dixie Drive in Asheboro for decades. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The pandemic might be related to other challenges that have been difficult to overcome. One day last week, the restaurant was closed because of what was described as a staff shortage.
Generally, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
When the announcement to close for good this month was made, the family expressed the positives associated with the restaurant.
“First, we want to thank our loyal customers,” the statement said. “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.”
Davidson owns the property. Ideally, he said he’d lease the restaurant to someone interested in operating an eatery in the location.
Quarterback’s precision adds to firepower for Eastern Randolph’s offense
ASHEBORO – Eastern Randolph has so many ways to be productive on the football field.
With highly recruited playmakers dotting recent rosters for the Wildcats, now it’s clear that it’d be wise not to overlook Stratton Barwick.
Eastern Randolph’s Elias Alston makes a 29-yard touchdown reception from Stratton Barwick against Asheboro in the second quarter at Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The junior quarterback is slinging the ball in the right directions these days.
“It’s a joy to see the ball going through the air and the crowd cheers,” Barwick said.
That happened numerous times last week when visiting Eastern Randolph thumped Asheboro 49-7 on Friday night.
“We just came out and played football,” Barwick said.
Veteran coach Burton Cates of Eastern Randolph said Barwick has been impressive with efficiency.
“Last year as a sophomore he had some tough games,” Cates said. “But we saw what he could do in that comeback against Clinton (in a road upset in the state playoffs). We know we have a good one. He works hard.”
Barwick was 7-for-7 for 259 yards in the Asheboro game. That was a nice complement to go with standout running back Nahiem Lilly, who rushed for 95 yards on 15 carries.
With receivers making moves after receptions, there’s no shortage of options on the offense. It’s worth paying attention to.
“They should be,” Barwick said. “It’s something to watch.”
The Blue Comets saw too much of it in the non-conference matchup. Barwick was leading the charge.
“They did a fantastic job protecting him,” Asheboro coach Blake Brewer said. “When he hit them in stride, they (showed) really good team speed.”
Eastern Randolph scored on a pair of 1-yard runs by Davonte Brooks in the first quarter, but those possessions were drastically different. The first one came on a short field after Delonte Glover blocked an Asheboro punt. The next touchdown capped a 95-yard drive after the Blue Comets were halted on a scoring chance.
Then Barwick took command on scoring plays. He connected with D.J. Thomas for a 65-yard play in the opening minute of the second quarter.
In the last 4 ½ minutes of the first half, the Wildcats tacked on three touchdowns to build a 41-7 bulge.
Barwick hit Elias Alston for a 29-yard touchdown play and hooked up with Alston again for a 30-yard touchdown – with Lilly’s 2-yard run coming in between those plays.
The game’s last points came in the third quarter, with Barwick’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Glover followed by Lilly’s two-point conversion run.
“They got it all going,” Brewer said.
Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates walks the field against at Asheboro on Aug. 27. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Cates has lost only twice to Asheboro across more than a quarter-century worth of games covering two stints as Eastern Randolph’s coach.
It’s still a big deal when the Wildcats conquer Asheboro. After the latest result, the postgame congratulations came pouring in. Even Kaemen Marley, a highly recruited athlete who’s on the Tennessee roster, came back on a brief break and was on the field for a postgame hug for Cates.
The potential for the Wildcats could be soaring this season.
“We just got to stay healthy,” Cates said.
The Blue Comets (1-1), whose lone touchdown came on Qamelo Butler’s 1-yard run in the second quarter, wasted several scoring chances in the first half. By then, the tone had been set.
“You score early when we were down there and maybe it’s a different game,” Brewer said.
The Wildcats didn’t hesitate to take advantage.
“We didn’t get stops,” Brewer said, referring to no Eastern Randolph punts until late in the game.
Asheboro’s Tyler Smith punt is blocked by Eastern Randolph’s Delonte Glover. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Asheboro has a week off on the schedule, so that’s time for the Blue Comets to adjust. They’ll have to look at special teams as well after having two punts blocked by Eastern Randolph.
Three of the newest additions to the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame are from that time frame, with Lindsay Cross from the Class of 2006 and the following year’s graduates Mike Eddy and Neal Pritchard.
