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High school football predictions 9/21

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Tonight’s high school football games feature a couple of intriguing matchups. For instance, Apex, which has dominated Green Hope over the years, is a heavy underdog against them this week. Plus, Holly Springs, usually a patsy for Athens Drive, could give the Drive fits tonight. Traditional powerhouses Fuquay and Panther Creek play each other as well as strong Middle Creek and Cary. The weather is expected to be clear and 70 degrees in the Triangle area. Below are tonight’s games involving Triangle-area teams with predicted winners in bold. Last week my record was 10-3. For the year I stand at 35-5. Most games start at 7:30 p.m. You might want to check with local officials as some games start at 7.

Apex at Green Hope
Cardinal Gibbons at Cedar Ridge
Chapel Hill at Carrboro
Charlotte County Day at Ravenscroft
Fuquay Varina at Panther Creek
Garner at East Wake
Heritage at Sanderson
Holly Springs at Athens Drive
Jordan at Northern Durham
Knightdale at Smithfield-Selma
Leesville Road at Broughton
Middle Creek at Cary
Millbrook at Wakefield
Person at Southern Durham
Riverside at East Chapel Hill
WF-Rolesville at Enloe
West Johnston at SE Raleigh

Featured stories, Panthers

Is this the beginning of a sophomore jinx for Panthers’ Newton?

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The Panthers and Cam Newton were embarrassed by the New York Giants in Charlotte Thursday night by a 36-7 score.

Newton, who took the league by storm as a rookie last season, threw three interceptions and rushed six times for just six yards. Of course the defense didn’t do anything either against a banged up Giants team that was playing with a backup runningback and backup receiver. The difference was the good play of Giants QB Eli Manning (a 110 QB rating) and the poor play of Newton (a 40 QB rating).

So the questions will no doubt come regarding the long-term success of Newton. Part of the problem is that expectations were so high after last season, and they shouldn’t have been.

People were so excited about the style of play by the big QB who is strong, has a good arm and can run. I’m sure race plays into it as well for many. But when you really look at the numbers last year, Newton was only the 15th rated quarterback in the NFL. Plus, there were only five quarterbacks that threw more interceptions than Newton did a year ago (17).

Of course Newton did rush for more yards (706 yards) than any other quarterback in the NFL last season. While his rushing prowess may help change the game of football, so far no running quarterback has ever made the NFL Hall of Fame or won a Super Bowl. Scrambling QBs, yes, but quarterbacks that rush for that many yards, no.

So far this year, only Michael Vick, another running QB, has thrown more interceptions (6) than Newton has (5).

Robert Griffin III for the Redskins may be another quarterback that is known for running but, while it’s early to say, Griffin may actually be a better quarterback and offensive leader. He’s smaller though and may not be able to sustain the punishment that Newton can.

Of course the loss to the Giants wasn’t all Newton’s fault and he has plenty of time this season to shine but, so far, now that NFL teams have had a year to adjust to Newton’s style, it’s looking like a sophomore jinx.

Notes: Newton did leap for a touchdown in the second half after the Giants had the game well in hand. Despite the big deficit, Newton felt compelled to do his signature Superman move, pretending to tear his shirt off. On the TD dive, Newton hurt a finger but it’s not believed to be serious.

I’m not sure if the fans were just taken out of the game early or if they just weren’t that fired up. Someone tuning in during the first drive of the game may have thought it was a home game for the Giants. There were plenty of Giants fans in attendance but the Panthers fans weren’t ever in this one.

Final game stats

Duke, Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

Record 327 appearances highlight ACC basketball schedule

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All-time highs in national television appearances and games televised, as well as a record-setting number of overall TV appearances, highlight the 2012-13 Atlantic Coast Conference basketball schedule released Wednesday.

The league’s 12 member schools are scheduled to make an ACC-record 201 national television appearances, breaking the record of 192 set last year. League schools will also make 327 overall TV appearances, eclipsing the previous record of 304 set a year ago.

In addition, ACC teams will take part in 208 televised games, topping the 200-game mark set in 2010-11.

For the first time in league history, member schools will play 18-game ACC schedules with all 108 contests scheduled to be broadcast live, including 53 on a national basis either on ESPN (50) or CBS (3).

All 11 games of the 2013 ACC Tournament will be jointly broadcast by ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the ACC Network.

Each of the 108 conference games, with the exception of the three CBS telecasts, will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com and through smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

The complete schedule can be accessed on the following link at http://bit.ly/1213-ACCMBB-Schedule.

– News release

Duke, Featured stories

Devils share a magical moment as Holliday rejoins his teammates

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Duke receiver Blair Holliday is back with his teammates but he’s not playing football. After a near-fatal jet ski accident last summer, he’s fortunate to be able to walk.

“It was a surreal moment when he walked in our pregame meal all dressed to a T in his new suit,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said during his weekly media teleconference. “He’s a big, tall young man. You could have heard a pin drop when he walked through the doors. Everyone was seated except me.”

Cutcliffe was preparing to bless the food when Holliday came through the door. “I said, ‘Hey everybody, let’s welcome back No. 8.” Holliday’s teammates and coaches gave him a standing ovation.

“He proceeded to go around the room giving people hugs, greeting people. It was really one of those times where the clock stopped. Time did stand still for a moment,” he said.

Cutcliffe wanted to Holliday to watch the game safely from his office overlooking the stadium but he would have none of that. Holliday went out for the coin toss and watched the game with his teammates. “I think he had the time of a lifetime just being back on the sideline with his buddies,” Cutcliffe said. “We were very happy that he was here.”

Still, it’s a long battle back and he probably won’t ever return to being an elite athlete. Cutcliffe said he has to fight the frustration and depression. “He’s making progress,” he said. “He’s got lots of challenges.”

But he’s alive and has the admiration, respect and love of a people, especially his teammates.

Featured stories, UNC

Heels hope to get bad taste out of their mouths against ECU

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First-year UNC football coach Larry Fedora said he realizes the importance of beating in-state East Carolina but as much as anything else the Tar Heels want to get a bad taste out of their mouths after losing 39-34 at Louisville.

The Heels trailed 36-7 before almost pulling off the comeback.

“It was good to see that we had that never-say-die attitude – that our guys fought all the way to the end. I was proud of that fact,” Fedora said. “The problem is, why were we in that position in the first place.”

East Carolina, meanwhile, is coming off an upset win at Southern Mississippi.

“It’s an in-state team, a very important game for a lot of reasons,” Fedora said. “One, because it’s the next opportunity for us. You got a bad taste in your mouth. No one likes the way the last one ended. The only way you can change that is to go out and play on Saturday and play the way you’re supposed to play the game.”

The Tar Heels may have injured star runner Gio Bernard back this week – or not. “He had a great
practice yesterday. Had a smile on his face, was moving around really well,” a coy Fedora said. “I’m excited about it. Hopefully he is, too.”

But coach, coach, is this a nagging injury or one that will be healed? “Really, it’s hard to tiptoe around the subject. I mean, it’s better just to tell you that he’s feeling good, had a smile on his face, practiced well yesterday, and we’ll just see what happens.”

Featured stories, N.C. State

O’Brien says Citadel’s triple option presents problems

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Even though NC State took care of lightly regarded South Alabama, Coach Tom O’Brien is leery of playing Citadel, a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

“(They’re a) Triple option team that certainly presents a lot of problems to any defense when you have to get ready for it in one week,” said O’Brien, who compared them to powerhouse Georgia Tech.

“It’s very similar to what Georgia Tech does from what we’ve seen on tape,” he said during his weekly media teleconference. “Everyone has got their own peculiar little wrinkle here or there, but the base of the offense is run the way that Georgia Tech’s base offense is run.”

Junior quarterback Ben Dupree makes the offense go. “He’s a very quick, fast guy that does a great job with the option. It’ll be a big challenge for our defense and our football team this week, but look forward to a great night here.”

It’s Military Appreciation Night at Carter Finley and O’Brien will need to figure out a way to slow down the advancement of the Citadel’s offense.

“They believe that if they run 30 triple options that you can’t be disciplined – whether you’re the dive guy, the quarterback or the pitch guy – that you can’t be disciplined enough for those 30 snaps so they can make plays,” he said. “Sooner or later the ball is going to go flying over your head.”

Featured stories, UNC

Roy Williams should be able to start season after kidney surgery

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University of North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams underwent a robotic partial nephrectomy at UNC Hospitals this morning to remove a tumor from his right kidney.

Dr. Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, and co-surgeon Dr. Mathew Raynor led the surgical team, which took three and a half hours to complete the operation. Doctors discovered the presence of the tumor during a physical earlier this month.

Dr. Wallen says Williams, 62, should be able to coach when the Tar Heels begin practice for the 2012-13 season on Saturday, October 13th. Williams may have a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney at a later date and could be sidelined for a few practices.

“The surgery went well and according to plan,” said Dr. Wallen. “Coach Williams did great. I fully expect him to coach this season and for years to come. He could miss some practice time if we perform another procedure sometime in October, but he would be able to resume his coaching duties prior to the start of the regular season.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Williams and his family for a full recovery,” says UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. “Obviously his health and prognosis are my greatest concerns. He’s in great hands with the medical staff at UNC Hospitals. The basketball team is also in outstanding hands with Steve Robinson, CB McGrath, Hubert Davis and Joe Holladay. As Coach Williams frequently says, he has the best staff in the country and I know they will do an excellent job as CoachWilliams recuperates. We will be ready for his return as soon as he is able to do so, but I have stressed to him that he returns only when he has been given the medical approval and he is ready to do that. Hopefully that will be soon and for a long, long time to come.”

Williams is entering his 10th season as the head coach of the Tar Heels and 25th as a college head coach. He is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, has led Carolina to national championships in 2005 and 2009, another Final Four in 2008, Elite Eights in 2007, 2011 and 2012, five NCAA Tournament No. 1 seeds, seven Associated Press Top 10 final rankings, six ACC regular-season titles, two ACC Tournament crowns, five 30-win seasons and developed 13 first-round NBA Draft picks.

ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News and Fox Sports named him the Coach of the Decade for 2000-2009. Williams led Kansas and Carolina to 33 NCAA Tournament wins in the 2000s, eight more than any other coach.

The Asheville native has directed teams at Kansas and UNC to a record of 675-169. His winning percentage of .800 is the fourth highest in the history of college basketball and No. 1 among active coaches. He is one of 13 coaches to win multiple national championships, joining an illustrious list that includes only two other ACC coaches – Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski.

Carolina is 257-68 (.791) in his nine seasons. He has set UNC coaching records for most wins for one year (36 in 2007-08), two years (70 in 2008-09), three years (101 from 2007-09), four years (124 from 2006-09), five years (157 from 2005-09), six years (176 from 2004-09), seven years (206 from 2005-12) and is tied for the most in any eight-year span (225, tied with 1991-98).

At Carolina, Williams has coached two National Players of the Year (Sean May in 2005, Tyler Hansbrough in 2008), three Bob Cousy Award winners presented to the best point guard in the country (Raymond Felton in 2005, Ty Lawson in 2009, Kendall Marshall in 2012), three ACC Players of the Year (Hansbrough in 2008, Lawson in 2009, Tyler Zeller in 2012), two ACC Athletes of the Year (May in 2005, Hansbrough in 2008), four ACC Rookies of the Year (Marvin Williams in 2005,Hansbrough in 2006, Brandan Wright in 2007, Harrison Barnes in 2011), two Final Four MOPs (May in 2005, Wayne Ellington in 2009) and 16 NBA Draft picks.

“Patti and I send all best wishes to Coach Williams and his family,” says Chancellor Holden Thorp. “All of us at Carolina are thinking about him, hoping he recovers quickly and looking forward to having him back with us soon.”

– News release

Featured stories

Sports radio host to speak at Raleigh Sports Club luncheon

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Mark Thomas, local sports radio host, will be the guest speaker Wednesday at the Raleigh Sports Club luncheon. Thomas played football for N.C. State and Smithfield-Selma High School before playing in the NFL. He is the co-host of “The Insiders” from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on 620 The Buzz. We are expecting a capacity crowd as we anticipate Mark to discuss the latest hot topics in local sports.

The RSC will also honor Brian Nobles, a baseball player at Millbrook High School, as the Student Athlete of the Week.

The meetings emphasize friendship, fellowship, weekly door prizes, pick sheets, and great food. This is the 49th year of The Raleigh Sports Club.

The Raleigh Sports Club weekly Wednesday luncheon meetings are from 11:30 -1 p.m. at Highland United Methodist Church at 1901 Ridge Road in Raleigh. The Forks Cafeteria caters a Southern Buffet with lines opening at 11:30 a.m. There were 265 attendees last week who heard NCSU football coach Tom O’Brien speak.

Member attendance fee is $15 while guests are $25. For more details go to www.raleighsportsclub.org.

Featured stories, UNC

Message from UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp, who is stepping down

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September 17, 2012

Dear Carolina alumni, parents and friends,

Today I am announcing what has been the hardest decision of my life … my intention to step down as your chancellor effective June 30, 2013. I’ve decided that this is best for the future of Carolina.

I told UNC President Tom Ross yesterday of my decision. I also let him know that I am willing to stay longer, if needed, to avoid any gap in leadership until the Board of Trustees, President Ross and the Board of Governors can name a successor.

I will always do what is best for this University. And what is best right now is for me to make plans to step aside. This wasn’t an easy decision personally. But when I thought about the University and how important it’s been to me, to North Carolinians and to hundreds of thousands of alumni, my answer became clear.

Over the last two years, we have identified a number of areas that need improvement. We have a good start on reforms that are important for the future of this University. I have pledged that we will be a better university, and I am 100 percent confident in that. We still have work to do, and I intend to be fully engaged in that until the day I walk out of this office.

Together, we have accomplished so much. Student applications are up by 24 percent. Our faculty has made us a top 10 university in research funding. We have made excellent progress with faculty retentions. More alumni and friends made gifts to the University last year than ever before. We have pulled the campus through the financial crisis, emerging as a stronger institution. And we have launched a campuswide initiative to define our vision of the 21st Century public research university.

It has been a privilege and honor to lead this great University, and I look forward to continuing to work with you. My love for Carolina, where I have invested three decades of my life as a student, faculty member, researcher and administrator, has only grown deeper with the time I have spent as your chancellor.

With great appreciation for all of you and what you do for Carolina,

Holden Thorp

Featured stories, Panthers, Redskins

Thoughts on Panthers, Redskins games and who should be cut

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The Panthers defeated the Saints 35-27 while the Redskins fell short at the Rams 31-28. Both teams are 1-1.

Here are some thoughts on the games:

– After a dismal running game in the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay (barely double digit yards), the Panthers piled up 219 against the Saints. Cam Newton carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, DeAngelo Williams ran for 69 yards and a score on 14 rushes and Jonathan Stewart, who missed the opener with a right ankle injury, added 51 yards rushing.

– The Redskins were without top receiver Pierre Garcon, who was injured during the opening season win over the Saints. As a result, Aldrick Robinson started in his place. In the third quarter, Robinson was open deep and Robert Griffin III put the ball in his hands and he dropped it. It should have been easy completion. That would have set the Skins up for a touchdown or at least a short field goal.

– Brian Stropolo is a New Orleans Saints fan. Unfortunately, he was also a replacement official scheduled to be a side judge for the Panthers-Saints game. He didn’t step aside. No, the NFL found pictures of him wearing Saints gear just hours before the game, thanks to ESPN. He was replaced by Tim Keese, who was an alternate on the crew. Just another reason why the NFL needs to get the regular refs back, although they sometimes aren’t the best in the world either. I’m sure officials have favorite players and grew up rooting for certain teams but most can be objective. I suppose Stropolo thought he could too but his rooting interest is recent – plus, he’s a replacement official.

– The officiating was worse for the Redskins-Rams than it was for the Panthers-Saints. There are really too many problems to go into all of them here. But to name a few, London Fletcher was called for a late hit out of bounds when the ball carrier was in the air going out of bounds but he wasn’t out of bounds yet. I’m not sure how someone can stop the tackling motion in mid-air but these refs expected him to. There was a play in the end zone where it looked as if Stephen Jackson got two feet in but he was called out. Once Griffin was hit as he was going out of bounds and the player was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. But then several more times during the game, both ways, on more obvious calls, late hits weren’t called.

– The Saints have trouble with mobile quarterbacks that use screens and options. Both against Griffin and Newton, they had a lot of trouble.

– It’s good to see Griffin run to escape trouble and it’s even good to occasionally give him the option to run but the designed running plays didn’t seem to work as well and they put him in danger. He took a number of hard hits against the Rams, in a particularly hard-hitting games that the referees let get out of control. You don’t want your franchise quarterback to get hurt before he’s even the franchise quarterback. It’s his second game for goodness sake, save him.

– Finally, Joshua Morgan should be cut from the Redskins. It’s hard to sugar coat what he did. First, very late in the game, with the Redskins driving for a winning touchdown or tying field goal, he had an easy first down and turned back to lose yardage. Then, seconds later, he throws the ball at the defender. INEXCUSABLE. No matter what he ever does for the Redskins in the future, he will be remembered for that. If he had gotten the first down, the Redskins would have had plenty of time to have won the game. If he had not thrown the ball at the defender, the Redskins would have at least gone into overtime. Seriously, he should be off the team. The Redskins don’t need that kind of player. The Skins have been thinking of bringing back tight end/fullback Chris Cooley. Now would be a good time for that.