The University of North Carolina has declared six student-athletes on the football team ineligible for Saturday’s season-opening game for violating school and/or NCAA rules, the school announced Friday. The University is also withholding at least six other student-athletes from Saturday’s game while the investigation continues.

The six ineligible student-athletes include: defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.

Six other student-athletes who will be withheld from Saturday’s game include: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.

The number of games that those 12 student-athletes may miss has not been determined at this time. The investigation continues to include both agent-related and academic issues.

The university also continued to work Friday with the NCAA to determine the eligibility status of three other players. Those three will not accompany the team to Atlanta on Friday morning. Further information will be announced when a decision on their status for the game is reached.

“We’re obviously very disappointed to learn that the actions of a number of our student-athletes have resulted in their being unable to compete in Saturday’s game,” said Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. “It is important to note again that people should not make assumptions as to the nature of each student-athlete’s involvement with these issues.

“We are still working with the NCAA staff to resolve these eligibility issues. The NCAA is focusing on each of their situations on a case-by-case basis. Together we are working to determine their status in as thorough and fair a process as is possible.

“I know our fans share my disappointment, but I hope they will show their strong support for the student-athletes on the football team who will represent our University on Saturday. I am proud of the way they have worked so hard to prepare for this season despite numerous distractions. They have my full support.”

“Moving forward, Dick Baddour, Butch Davis and I are determined to use this as an opportunity to look hard at our programs, resources and people to ensure that everyone associated with the football program upholds the values that are central to Carolina’s culture, most especially our academic values,” said Chancellor Holden Thorp.

“As I’ve have said, there is no single game more important than the character and integrity of this university,” said head football coach Butch Davis. “We are disappointed the players’ choices have denied them the opportunity to compete alongside their teammates and represent the University of North Carolina. Our coaches and players have a tremendous challenge this weekend, and despite these circumstances, our team will be excited to face LSU.”

It was one of those plays you’ll see on various shows for years to come. Presbyterian was outmanned in a 53-13 rout by Wake Forest in the season opener last night. But at least they’ll be remembered more for a well-executed trick play that resulted in a 68-yard touchdown.

QB Brandon Miley bounce passed one to receiver Derrick Overhold out to his side. Overhold and Presbyterian acted as if it were a dead ball – an incomplete pass, and the Wake defense accordingly stopped. But the “pass” was a lateral and Overhold jolted back into action as Michael Ruff had kept running behind the defenes. Overhold threw a strike to an open Ruff who went the rest of the way for a score.

“The trick play was as well executed as anything I’ve ever seen,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said smiling. “He (Overholt) hit the ball and seemed so disgusted that it was incomplete. I thought that was beautiful.”

Here are 10 football games that are within driving distance in the Triangle area Thursday and Friday nights. In bold is the predicted winner. Most games are at 7:30 p.m. Check with local officials as some games start at 7.
My record last week was 7-3 for a season total of 14-6.

Apex at Leesville Road (Thursday)

Athens Drive at Broughton (Thursday)

Wilson Hunt at Holly Springs (Thursday)

Cary at Sanderson

Cedar Ridge at East Chapel Hill

Louisburg at Cardinal Gibbons

Riverside at Chapel Hill

Wake Forest-Rolesville at Southern Durham

Garner at Middle Creek

Jordan at Green Hope

Check the scores in our Sports Roundup on the left navigation bar.

DURHAM BULLS NEWS RELEASE – The International League announced Tuesday its postseason All-Star Team and Award Winners as selected by the circuit’s managers, coaches, media, and club representatives. Durham slugger Dan Johnson has been named the IL’s Most Valuable Player on the strength of his League-leading 30 home runs and 95 RBI.

Johnson is the fourth Durham Bull since the club joined the League in 1998 to be named Most Valuable Player, following Steve Cox (1999), Toby Hall (2001), and Kevin Witt (2006).

Heralded pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, also of Durham, has been named the IL’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Hellickson’s 2.45 ERA leads the circuit. Hellickson is the first ever member of the Durham Bulls to be named IL Most Valuable Pitcher.

Manager of the Year is Charlie Montoyo of Durham. Montoyo’s Bulls have the League’s best record (84-52) and have already clinched their fourth straight IL South Division championship. He is now the first skipper since Durham joined the International League in 1998 to receive Manager of the Year honors.

Durham is the first franchise to win at least three of the League’s four Special Awards since Norfolk swept the honors in 1995.

Also, Durham’s Elliot Johnson has been selected as the International League’s top utility player for 2010. The 26-year-old Johnson was primarily a shortstop this season, but he has also seen significant time at second base and in the outfield for the Bulls. His .314 average is 4th in the IL, while he is also 5th in the League with 30 stolen bases.

Ok, I admit, I don’t get it. There was a fifth annual Elite 24 outdoor basketball tournament held in Venice Beach, Ca. over the weekend and I watched like a Martian spying on an alien activity.

There was somebody named Bobbito Garcia, who I understand is famous and who was billed by ESPNU as “Legendary Playground Announcer.” I don’t know about you but when I was playin’ make-it, take it b-ball in South Rocky Mount, we didn’t need a playground announcer constantly yackin’ like some hip-hop DJ. (Although, come to think of it, we might have had some Average White Band, Parliament and Ohio Players playing in the background.)

Garcia, also known as DJ Cucumberslice, got into the announcer booth with ESPNU’s Eamon McAnaney (yes, I looked up the spelling) and former Dukie Jay Williams, also known as Jayson Williams, and he said something I found disturbing.

“Look at the guys on the court, they are going to be millionaires very soon.” Is that really a message we want to be sending out – before they’ve even gone to college, before they’ve even graduated from high school? Williams pointed out that a lot of 16, 17 and 18-year-old basketball players now have 5,000 or so followers on Facebook and Twitter. Is that kind of celebrity at this point a good thing?

After being treated to rapper – or maybe rap group – Laws singing the supposed big hit “So nice” – during which I could make out only the words, “Yeah, Yeah” – we got to watch some mostly defenseless basketball from some guys we’ll see in the ACC.

Austin Rivers, who’s being recruited by Duke and Carolina, was a co-MVP of the game with 15 points for the losing white team. Unfortunately, he sprained his right wrist and even took, and missed, a free throw with his left hand. He’s probably going to miss the next all-star game, which is probably a good thing. Rivers is scheduled to take an official visits to Duke the weekend of Oct. 1 and to UNC the weekend of Oct. 16.

The other co-MVP of the white team was James McAdoo, who has verbally committed to UNC. The MVPs of the winning gold team were Myck Kabongo (verbal, Texas) and Kyle Wiltjer (verbal, Kentucky).

Others included Michael Gbinije (verbal, Duke), Deuce Bello (maybe Florida State or Wake), Quincy Miller (maybe Duke) and Quinn Cook (maybe Duke or Carolina).

I’m just not sure that these tournaments – and there are something like 75 playground tournaments in New York alone – are ultimately helpful. Yes, they play against good competition but defense is suspect at these events, there’s a chance of injury, players become celebrities at a young age, there are some shady hangers on, and there is an atmosphere around the events that may not be the best. In other words, the culture could add to the problems we see with sports agents, troublemaker friends and the attitude that playing college ball is simply a stepping stone to the pros, not a way to get an education. Even NBA careers are short for most who make it.

I’m sure most of those putting on these events are well meaning, good people and I’m sure ESPN has good intentions airing these events (even if the announcers are reminiscent of the Cosby kids when they were all laughing, joking and talking at once) but I can’t help but think it’s not good in the long run.

As one of the announcers said laughingly when someone leaped off the bench onto the floor during the game, “Everywhere else that’s a technical. At Elite 24, it’s encouraged.”

Let’s encourage these young men to conduct themselves well and not thrust themselves into the future already when they may or may not be a star making millions of dollars.

Here are 10 football games that are within driving distance in the Triangle area tonight. In bold is the predicted winner. Most games are at 7:30 p.m. Check with local officials as some games start at 7.
My record last week was 7-3.

Apex at Durham Riverside

Broughton at Garner

Clayton at Fuquay Varina

East Chapel Hill at Cardinal Gibbons

East Wake at Wake Forest Rolesville

Enloe at Athens Drive

Green Hope at Leesville Road

Holly Springs at Wakefield

Northern Nash at Cary

Southern Durham at Middle Creek

Check the scores in our Sports Roundup on the left navigation bar.