88.3 FM Saturday Sports Talk 3A Top 10...

Was released this morning.
1-Crest
2-Eastern Randolph
3-Southern Durham
4-Asheville
5-Parkland
6-High Point Central
7-Tuscola
8-Ragsdale
9-Concord
10-South Point

 

three from the Tri County conference.

No way Ragsdale finishes third of the three though. Although who knows what happens - Will probably see ER, Central and Ragsdale in a three way tie with one loss a piece. Some team is going to get stuck with a shitty third place seeding when the playoffs roll around.

 

One heck of a con. you have there.

 

#6 High Point Central

Bison defense ready to stampede foes




By: Steve Hanf , STAFF SPORTS WRITER 08/15/2004




Stephen Johnson owns the gaudy numbers, but if High Point Central's defense plays as well as expected, the Bison quarterback won't have to account for nearly as many points this season.


The Bison reached the state semifinals in the 3AA playoffs last season by recording a few shutouts and winning a few shootouts. Teams may be hard-pressed to find the end zone quite as often this year.

"The strength is our defense," second-year head coach Todd Staley said. "We have so many veterans, kids with a whole year under their belts playing in our system. They're a lot further along."

Experienced seniors dot the defensive lineup, paced by all-conference defensive back Darrius Dumas, returning inside linebacker Darion Robertson, returning nose guard Adolphus Oliver and huge bookends at defensive end: 6-foot-6 junior Jerry Chandler and 6-3 senior Tripp Jones.

Junior outside linebacker Chris Mosley is one of the Bison's top hitters at outside linebacker and will be joined by junior newcomer Raemon Smith. Senior free safety Brian McCloud is a returning starter in the secondary. Other key cogs who didn't start last season, but do own a lot of experience include senior inside linebacker William Petty, senior defensive back Shamar Taylor and senior DB Kendrick Bowden.

"Those kids are pretty quick, and most coaches will take quick any day," Staley said. "We lost four offensive linemen - that'll be our rebuilding position. If they have time to gel and the defense plays as well as it's capable of, I think we have a chance to win a lot of games."

Even the offensive line is not so much a question mark as a matter of getting the new guys used to playing together. The only returning starter, senior right guard Rob Walden, will be joined up front by Graham Jones, a senior who played varsity last year; junior transfer Matt Blackman; junior Sam Fulp, the former JV center; and junior Walter Jordan, who mostly played defense.
"It's not a veteran group, but so far they've done a good job," Staley said. "They'll be fine."

Johnson enjoyed great protection last year, when he threw for nearly 2,000 yards and found the end zone 16 times. The junior joined the varsity midway through his ninth-grade season, then flourished under Staley's spread offense last year.

"He's a solid athlete as well as just being a good quarterback. He's got a strong arm and he's quicker than most people give him credit for," the coach said. "He's a student of the game and really works hard - he probably puts as much pressure on himself than anybody else."

All four of Johnson's primary targets are seniors who own varsity experience. Devin Page, Andy Schlimmer, McCloud and Rasheik Pegram - a running back last year. Mosley also gets into the offensive mix at tight end.
As good as the passing game looks, Central's rushing attack includes a pair of unproven talents. Junior Chris Young has only played football for three years, but the Tri-County Conference MVP during track season is a big, strong runner.

Joining him is Smith, who attended Central as a freshman before going to school in South Carolina last year. He's back for his junior season and ready to make a name for himself. "I think we've got a bunch of weapons," Staley said. "We've got the opportunity to put the ball in a lot of different peoples' hands, and I think any one of them can make something happen when they've got the ball."

Staley counts Schlimmer as another key weapon. The kicker and punter for Central boomed extra points and field goals at a rapid rate last season, making the difference in several contests.

Every point counts, especially this season as Ragsdale and star runner Toney Baker garner all the attention in the TCC. Staley added that Central will have plenty of competition fighting for the top spots in the league.
"Eastern Randolph and Ragsdale have still got to be considered the top teams. Toney Baker's still over there - he's been there forever," the coach said with a laugh. "I think with the talent we've got here we have an opportunity in any game. You've only got to be better than the other team on the night you play 'em.

"High Point Central has got a tradition of winning, and there's a lot of pressure on us to continue that tradition," Staley added. "We're just trying to keep it going."

 

#3 Southern Durham

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/preps/story/1536444p-7716103c.html

Some links or cut and pastes on some of these top teams would be cool if anybody else has some. It's nice to read what all the pre-season hype is on these guys.

 

If they are a top 30 team in the country then Crest should be in the top 15. I've gotta find that poll.

 

All that comes from having a lot of Division 1 ( supposedly ) players.

That's why I was surprised to see none of them on that top players list you posted.

 

#2 Eastern Randolph

http://www.news-record.com/sports/preps/prepfb_erandolph_081904.htm

I know you Crest guys don't think so but Eastern really does have a great football program.

 

They make a fine 2nd place team.

 

#8 Ragsdale

News & Record has them on top in the Triad Area Lucky 13.

I wish they had a game tonight. I hate waiting for another week...

http://www.news-record.com/sports/preps/prepfb_rags_082004.htm