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SWR girls J George v. Trinity A Nance Feb2023

Prep Basketball: Southwestern Randolph teams reach PAC semifinal rounds

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Southwestern Randolph’s Jordin George shoots against Trinity’s Ava Nance on Monday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team survived the only tight finish on the opening night of the Piedmont Athletic Conference postseason.

The Cougars prevailed 47-46 against visiting Trinity in the PAC Tournament quarterfinals Monday night. They needed a defensive stop on the game’s final possession.

Senior forward Maddie Small made the second of two free-throw chances to break a tie with 9.5 seconds left following an offensive rebound.

Jordin George posted 14 points for the third-seeded Cougars (18-7), who play in the semifinals Wednesday night at second-seeded Eastern Randolph.

For sixth-seeded Trinity (12-13), Kennedy Jackson racked up 16 points and Autumn Gentry and Kaelyn Whiteheart both had 13 points.

Eastern Randolph defeated seventh-seeded Providence Grove for the second time in five nights, winning 51-33 at home. Brecken Snotherly supplied 38 points and 15 rebounds for the Wildcats (16-6). Providence Grove is 6-18.

Fifth-seeded Uwharrie Charter Academy won 57-39 on the road against fourth-seeded Wheatmore (9-14).

UCA (11-14) has a date with regular-season champion Randleman (22-1), which received a bye, in the semifinals.

The girls’ tournament final is at 6 p.m. Friday at Eastern Randolph, where the boys’ final will follow.

PAC boys

Second-seeded Southwestern Randolph used Sean Adkins’ 14 points on the way to defeating seventh-seeded Wheatmore 58-38.

The Cougars (15-9), who also received 12 points from Landon Williamson and 11 points from Thomas Leal, are home against third-seeded Trinity on Wednesday night.

Wheatmore (5-18), which hasn’t won against a PAC opponent, had 12 points from Cooper Black.

Trinity’s Dominic Payne tallied 30 points in a 70-61 victory against visiting Providence Grove (7-18), the sixth seed. Dylan Hodges added 13 points and Brandon Campbell had 12 points for the Bulldogs (19-6).

There were big offensive outputs as fourth-seeded Randleman stopped fifth-seeded UCA 66-52. Tyshaun Goldston led the Tigers (15-10) with 28 points, Greg Price had 17 points and Christian Long added 14.

Those outings helped offset Ashton Troutman’s 35 points for UCA (7-18).

Randleman heads for Wednesday night’s semifinal at first-place Eastern Randolph, which had a quarterfinal bye.

CHRISTIAN L

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Christian Long

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Randleman, football/boys’ basketball

The seasons changed for Randleman, but Christian Long keeps on producing.

After helping guide the Tigers to a second-place finish in the Piedmont Athletic Conference football standings as the starting quarterback, Long turned his attention to basketball.

In last week’s season-opening 71-54 victory at Lexington, Long racked up 17 points. He made three of four 3-point shots and went 4-for-4 on free throws. He also was charted with a team-high five steals.

Sophomore Tyshaun Goldston, who was on the receiving end of some of Long’s passes during football season, paced the Tigers with 19 points in the basketball game against Lexington.

Randleman vs Trinity football photo Oct2022

Prep football: Wildcats, Tigers win routs to set up title clash

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Randleman’s Amarion Moton leaps Trinity’s Jacob Hodges on the way to a touchdown. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record).

The showdown for the Piedmont Athletic Conference football championship is set for Friday night.

That comes after more blowouts across the league, including romps for co-leaders Eastern Randolph and Randleman last Friday night.

Those teams meet for the title in Ramseur.

Here’s a look at games from the second-to-last week of the regular season:

Eastern Randolph 62, Wheatmore 0: At Trinity, the visiting Wildcats posted their highest point total of the season in their last road game as Stratton Barwick threw for four touchdowns.

Barwick was 9-for-14, with two of the scoring passes going to Ethan Frye. D.J. Thomas and A.J Randle also caught touchdown passes. Running back Ervodd Cassady ran for three touchdowns as part of his 88-yard outing on the ground.

Eastern Randolph (8-1, 4-0) will try to repeat as PAC champions in the the regular-season finale. Cassady is a transfer from Randleman.

Wheatmore (2-7, 1-3) suffered its fourth shutout of the season in its home finale.

Randleman 70, Trinity: At Randleman, the Tigers continued their impressive turnaround from last season by winning their regular-season home finale.

Amarion Moton ran for four touchdowns and Tyshaun Goldson scored on a reception and a punt return.

Randleman (7-2, 4-0) notched its third shutout of the season, holding Trinity (4-5, 0-4) to 32 yards of total offense.

Moton had 55 yards on seven carries. Christian Long threw for two touchdowns on 8-for-10 passing for 156 yards.

Moton’s touchdowns came on runs of 13, 17, 10 and 1 yard. Daylan Atkins scored on an 11-yard carry.

Goldston made an 18-yard touchdown catch and returned the punt for 50 yards.

Aiden Robinson and Amari Ferdna also match touchdown catches, the latter on a pass from Logan Laughlin.

Providence Grove 48, Southwestern Randolph 21: At Asheboro, the visiting Patriots jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead on the way to ruining the Cougars’ home finale.

Zane Cheek scored on two runs while gaining 111 yards on 17 carries and Zander Cheek had one touchdown run as part of 131 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Zander Cheek also scored on a touchdown pass from Andrew Canter.

Karson Bowman scored on a run and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Providence Grove (6-3, 2-2) also received a big game on defense from linebacker Chase Whitaker, who made nine tackles, caused two fumbles and intercepted a pass. Tucker Batten kicked two field goals.

Southwestern Randolph (5-4, 1-3) has lost two games in a row for the first time this season. Quarterback Easton Clapp rushed for 112 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Eli Gravely. Clapp also made 15 tackles on defense.

Ledford 56, Asheboro 7: At Ledford, the visiting Blue Comets (1-8, 0-4) trailed 35-7 at halftime. The Panthers (8-1, 3-1) bounced back from a road loss to Oak Grove a week earlier.

Asheboro scored first on Michael Brady’s 10-yard run.

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Week 11 schedule

Friday’s games

Randleman at Eastern Randolph

Southwestern Randolph at Trinity

Wheatmore at Providence Grove

Montgomery Central at Asheboro

Randleman Moton v SWR football Oct2022

Prep Football: Randleman, E. Randolph win key road games

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Amarion Moton tries to run away from Southwestern Randolph’s Jentezen Cox and the rest of the Cougars. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Randleman and Eastern Randolph won road games Friday night to move closer to a huge Piedmont Athletic Conference showdown in two weeks.

Randleman rocked Southwestern Randolph, while Eastern Randolph knocked off neighbor Providence Grove.

Here’s a look at Friday night’s games.

Randleman 34, Southwestern Randolph 7: At Asheboro. Amarion Moton ran for two touchdowns and Tyshaun Goldston scored on two passes from Christian Long for the visiting Tigers (6-2, 3-0 PAC).

Christian McLeod kicked field goals from 33 and 24 yards for Randleman.

The Long-to-Goldston connections were for 29 and 34 yards in the third quarter, allowing the Tigers to break away from a 10-7 halftime edge. Long was 9-for-15 for 123 yards.

“We told our (players) keep answering what they did,” Randleman coach Shane Timmons said.

Easton Clapp scored the game’s first points on a 2-yard touchdown run for Southwestern Randolph (5-3, 1-2). After that, the Cougars largely stalled.

“Our defense was flying around making plays,” Timmons said.

The Tigers made it tough on Southwestern Randolph.

“Their defensive line was in control the whole time,” Cougars coach Seth Baxter said. “We couldn’t block them.”

Moton, who finished with 132 rushing yards on 19 carries, had Randleman’s first touchdown on a 52-yard run. He scored from 2 yards out in the fourth quarter for the game’s last touchdown.

“He just wore us down,” Baxter said.

Eastern Randolph 28, Providence Grove 7: At Climax, Devonte Brooks scored three touchdowns as the visiting Wildcats won their seventh game in a row.

Lucas Smith returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown for Eastern Randolph (7-1, 3-0). That was one of five pick-offs for the Wildcats.

Brooks gained 145 yards on the ground.

Providence Grove (5-3, 1-2) scored on Brady Collins’ 19-yard pass to Lemuel Coltrane.

Wheatmore 27, Trinity 26: At Trinity, the Warriors (2-6, 1-2) came back from a double-digit deficit in the second half for their first PAC win in two seasons.

For Trinity (4-4, 0-3), Dominic Payne threw two touchdown passes to Jacob Hodges. Chance Grogan scored a touchdown and rushed for 154 yards.

North Davidson 49, Asheboro 6: At Asheboro, the Blue Comets stumbled on homecoming in the Mid-Piedmont Conference.

Asheboro (1-7, 0-3) has lost four games in a row. North Davidson is 3-5, 2-1.

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.

 

ER football Ervodd Cassady v Walkertown

Prep football: Randleman, E. Randolph, Providence Grove rack up wins

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Eastern Randolph’s Ervodd Cassady runs into the end zone against Walkertown on Friday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

RANDLEMAN – Quarterback Christian Long ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the Tigers cruised in a 47-7 victory against visiting Montgomery Central on Friday night.

Amarion Moton scored on touchdown runs of 3 and 1 yards for Randleman (2-1).

Long connected with Tyshaun Goldston, who racked up 135 yards on five catches, for a 66-yard touchdown play. Long’s touchdown runs came from 4 and 22 yards out.

Micah Thurston also scored on a 13-yard touchdown run.

Eastern Randolph 35, Walkertown 21: At Walkertown, Ervodd Cassady ran for three touchdowns as the Wildcats (2-1) picked up a road victory. Those were part of the team’s 275 rushing yards.

“I thought the offensive line played extremely hard,” Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates said.

Versatile back Davonte Brooks returned to action after missing the Asheboro game a week earlier with an injury. He made several big-yardage plays.

Eastern Randolph’s Will Stalker returned an interception for a touchdown.

Walkertown (2-1) won its first two games by shutouts.

Providence Grove 51, Jordan-Matthews 0: At Siler City, the visiting Patriots (3-0) recorded a shutout for the second week in a row.

Zane Cheek scored on a punt returning and a rushing play. Zander Cheek and Joel Coltrane also returned punts for touchdowns. Jaden Baker ran for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterbacks Andrew Canter and Chase Whitaker each threw a touchdown pass.

The Jets (0-3) have scored six points all season.

East Davidson 42, Trinity 13: At Trinity, the Bulldogs (2-1) couldn’t hang around after trailing just 14-7 at halftime. Dominic Payne threw a touchdown pass to Chance Grogan and Bob Gibson reached the end zone on a run for host Trinity’s touchdowns. East Davidson is 2-1.

Ledford 70, Wheatmore 0: At Thomasville, the Warriors dropped to 0-3 with the road loss.

Randleman QB Christian Long 2021 v SWR

Randleman Tigers plan on quick football turnaround

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Quarterback Christian Long is hoping for a smoother season in his second year as Randleman’s starter. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Randleman reaches for rapid rebuild after rough season

RANDLEMAN – The quest to return to the top is in the works for the Randleman football team.

“We’re not who we want to be yet, but we’re getting pretty close,” senior quarterback Christian Long said. “I think the mentality going into this year is different. I don’t think we’re all the way there yet.”

A sudden dip has given the Tigers a sense of urgency entering the season, which begins Friday night at Asheboro.

Randleman’s motto under third-year coach Shane Timmons is GSD – Get Stuff Done.

So there’s an emphasis on across-the-board improvements after last season’s 4-7 record. That mark followed a three-season stretch when the Tigers were a combined 32-3 without a regular-season defeat.

“Things come in cycles,” Timmons said. “Culture starts with me.”

No doubt, part of that will be embracing a physical approach. The Tigers want to hammer on foes.

With that, four senior offensive linemen create what might be the strength of the team. Randleman wants to be in control along the line of scrimmage.

Long said he has improved his ability to improvise with the ball and he senses there are strong pieces in place around him. There were uneven outings in his first season as a starter.

“He had his growing pains,” Timmons said. “He took his lumps and he learned from his lumps.”

The Tigers lost last season’s leading rusher Ervodd Cassady because of his transfer to Eastern Randolph. And they’ll begin this season without battering running back Thomas Dobias.

Dobias, a standout junior linebacker, will miss the opening few weeks with a knee injury. Timmons said depth has been developed in some areas to help compensate.

“It’s so nice to have other guys,” he said.

Still, the defense is going to have a youthful element.

“When you look at the driver’s ed class and half your defense is in it, you’re pretty young,” Timmons said.

Sophomore Tyshaun Goldston, a transfer from Asheboro, could help at receiver and safety.

The Tigers were encouraged by solid outings in last week’s scrimmages.

Last August, there was a stunning defeat to open the season, so there’s a reminder about the importance of reversing that. A “Beat Asheboro” countdown clock is in the team’s weight room.

The goal is for a quick rebuild to re-establish those winning ways.

“We’ve got a lot better energy this year,” Dobias said.

Whether the Tigers are up to the task remains to be determined, they seem encouraged by the attitude. Long said that’s already on display.

“We’ve got guys willing to play anywhere,” he said.