Photo Credit: Nick Gentile[/caption]So far in the English Premier League, there have been many upsets and surprises. Chelsea currently leads the league with nine wins this season, with Southampton in close second with eight wins. Manchester City is the heavy favorite this season, in third place, and needs three more wins to tie with Chelsea. Chelsea’s Diego Costa has had nine goals this season, helping Chelsea to stay in the lead.
Chelsea has been in the lead a lot because of Diego Costa, the Spanish striker, and Oscar, the 23-year-old midfielder. The team lineup works well together, and their teamwork has foiled many teams' plans. Diego Costa has been the leading scorer on Chelsea, widening their lead in the league.
Burnley FC is in last place in the league. Being the smallest town in England to have its own Premier League team, it has had trouble recruiting players to combat the upper ranked teams. Obviously, size matters, as larger clubs have more fans, which generates more income, which leads to more players being recruited. Media also plays a role in recruiting, though not as much as leagues here in the United States. Soccer cannot have timeouts like football, so it cannot have as many commercial breaks, as you can miss things during a commercial break.
Fans in Fulham, London are definitely enjoying themselves while their team completely dominates the league. Stamford Bridge stadium is a sea of blue as Chelsea beats teams like Liverpool (2-1) and ties good teams like Manchester United (1-1). Fans are also waiting for the number one and number two teams to play--Chelsea being number one, and Southampton being number two as of November.
Chelsea is also awaiting their new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who says, “It felt [like] the right moment to go to Chelsea. I was ready.” In the eleven games that he has played in so far this season, he has 25 saves. Two of those games were what soccer fans call clean sheets, meaning he had no shots to save in the games.
The Premier League is always changing though, and players will be traded, kicked, celebrated, and revered. Teams will rise and fall, and Chelsea’s reign may end in a heartbeat. In soccer, there is never a definite score or lead, and the excitement will hopefully continue this season.
Photo Credit: Maddie Norwood[/caption]Senior football player Garrett Cloer received the WRAL Extra Effort Award on Tuesday, November 25. The award was presented to him by Football Friday host Tom Suiter at OHS, and Mark Holt, also a senior, nominated Cloer for the award. The segment featuring Cloer’s win aired on November 26 at approximately 6:25 pm on WRAL. Cloer plans to play football for Cornell University in the fall.
Cloer, the number 12 quarterback for the varsity football team, was surprised and excited to win the award because it was “not something I saw coming,” he said. He learned that he had won on Monday when Assistant Principal Will Okun called him out of class to tell him. “He called me out of class, and I didn’t know what about, so I was kind of searching for what it might be about, but it turned out to be something good, which I was happy with,” he stated.
Cloer is ready to play for Cornell. He would like to “start as soon as possible and make an impact on the team.” He first played football when he was 10 as part of an Orange County recreational team. He continued to play in middle school and high school. One of the joys of football is “how close it brings our friendships,” he said. He also loves the intensity of the sport and how difficult it is.
It is unusual for a team member to nominate an athlete. Usually, coaches or teachers nominate students. Suiter said that it is “very seldom” this occurs and it “shows class.”
Holt met Cloer in 4th grade when they joined the same baseball team. After playing sports with Cloer for so long, he thought that Cloer should win the award in his senior year. Like Cloer, he didn’t know who had been chosen for the award until Monday. He is “happy [that Cloer won] cause he deserved it.”
Students are nominated using a form on the WRAL.com website. Suiter estimated that he received 150 nominations last year and chose 35 students. The award is given out weekly. Previous students from OHS that have received the award include Madison Chandler, Patrick Pettiford, and Jamie Lea.
Photo Credit: Megan Joyner[/caption]Orange High School is wearing pink throughout October in honor of 2014’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Clubs and schools are partnering together to raise awareness and collect donations for breast cancer.
Every October, breast cancer charities organize activities and fundraisers in order to support people with breast cancer and fund research. The proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society from these foundations contribute to the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and cure of breast cancer. Started in 1985, NBCAM has been initiated and managed by the American Cancer Society. It was originally started in order to promote mammography, a very important part in the diagnosis of this type of cancer. Throughout the community, radio stations, organizations, and charities alike have been providing free mammograms for women. One of the most well-known campaigns is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This event is a 5K race in which participants run or walk in honor of the survivors and those who have lost their battle to breast cancer. These races take place not only across the country, but all over the world.
Not all events that take place during October in support of breast cancer awareness have the intended purpose of raising money. Many organizations coalesce with breast cancer patients as well as survivors in order to build support groups for those that are affected. NBCAM is a time where people all across the world come together and seek hope for the future battle with breast cancer.
On a local level, Orange High School is also an active participant in NBCAM. Clubs and sports teams at OHS have taken the initiative to rally students in support of breast cancer. The football team is sporting pink socks and the cheerleaders accessorize with pink bows, all in support of the cause. In addition, the cheerleading team sold tie dyed pink shirts and spray painted hair pink during the annual Ag Day festival. The Student Government Association sold spirit links during Spirit Week for 25 cents apiece and plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research. Friday, October 10, Orange High School played Cedar Ridge in football. Fans on both sides of the field dressed in pink for breast cancer.
Orange High School has played a large role in raising awareness for breast cancer throughout Hillsborough. As clubs finish their campaign against breast cancer, they will continue to seek donations and encourage the community to join them in their quest to find a cure.
Photo Credit: Den Echoes archive[/caption]This year is the first season in college football where there will be playoffs, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Instead of having two teams play a championship game, there will be a four team playoff along with the regular bowl games.
With only four playoff slots, it looks like it is going to be very competitive to get in. Chances are, if a team loses two games, they will not get in. Five teams in the top 25 are in the same division (SEC West.)
The front runners right now are Mississippi State, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Baylor. Two of those teams (Mississippi State and Ole Miss) are in the SEC West and they play each other in the final regular season game. At the pace the season is going, it will be a battle of the undefeated in the final regular season game to decide who gets to play in the SEC championship game.
The SEC champion is most likely going to win the playoffs. After seven weeks, the SEC West is undefeated against any non-divisional opponents. The western side of the division is dominating halfway through the season. So, as always, strength of schedule will be a deciding factor as to who makes the playoffs, but two extra teams will be included this year.
Photo Credit: Will Okun[/caption]To someone reading the stats, the Orange Panthers would have seemed to struggle mightily against cross town rival and fellow Big Eight conference member Cedar Ridge on Friday night. The Panthers managed to just get two first downs and run only 13 offensive games before lightning and rain forced the game to be called with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter.
However, it was the exact opposite, as the Panthers' explosive offense raced out to a 35 to 13 lead over the Red Wolves, which is where the score ended.
Orange was led by senior running back Tay Jones, who scored three touchdowns, including two rushing from eight and 73 yards, while also taking a 97-yard kickoff return to the end zone.
Jones would finish the game with 89 yards on just five carries, while the other Orange scores came on runs of 72 and 15 yards from Eryk Brandon-Dean and Mike Bolden respectively.
Jones' kickoff return fired up the Panthers following a Cedar Ridge opening drive that went 73 yards on five plays and was capped by a Peyton Pappas scramper from 12 yards out.
Following a Cedar Ridge three-and-out on the next possession, Jones followed his blocking around the right edge all the way to the end zone on his 73-yard run.
Cedar Ridge would answer on the following possession and again sustain a long drive as they went 77 yards on 10 plays, this time culminating with a five-yard strike from Pappas to a wide open Marquez Hunter.
Those would be the last points put on the board by Cedar Ridge; following a failed extra point, Orange took the first play from scrimmage to the end zone on Brandon-Dean's quick steps and elusive moves. This led to a 72-yard run to put the Panthers up 21 to 13.
After the Bolden touchdown and a fumble on the ensuing kickoff by the Red Wolves at the 24-yard line, the Panthers were looking to again score quickly. However, a pair of sacks, a penalty, and an incomplete pass led to 4th and 25 for the Panthers.
Orange would be able to convert though, as senior quarterback Garrett Cloer found Bryse Wilson across the middle for a 32-yard gain. Jones would take it in for a score on the next play, before the game would be stopped and eventually called.
Photo Credit: Will Okun[/caption]The crowd at Auman Stadium watched with anticipation as the time was winding down until the homecoming announcement was made on October 24. By the time it was halftime and Megan Joyner was crowned the 2014 Homecoming Queen, the Orange Panthers had mounted a 35 to 0 lead over J.F. Webb.
The Panthers' first quarter scores came on a touchdown pass from Garrett Cloer to Eryk Brandon-Dean, a 2-yard run by Michael Bolden, a 15-yard run by Brandon-Dean and an 11-yard run by Cloer.
The Panthers' final score of the half would come on a 2-yard Bolden run, following a 45-yard pass from Cloer to a diving Austin Wood.
Orange dominated the entire contest in route to a 49 to 0 win that moved them to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in conference this season.
The Panthers travel to Raleigh to take on 6-2 Cardinal Gibbons on October 31 at 7 pm.
Photo Credit: Jared Riley[/caption]Friday, September 26, the Orange High Panther football team faced their toughest challenge of the season in the 4-0 Northwood Chargers. It took all the effort the Panthers could muster to fend off the Chargers, but Orange was able to prevail with their fifth consecutive win by a score of 14 to 7. The packed house at Aumond Stadium saw the Panthers move to 5-0 overall and earn their first Big Eight conference win of the year, while Northwood dropped to 4-1 and 0-1 respectively.
The Panthers offense opened the game on fire, scoring 14 points in the first seven minutes with Eryk Brandon Dean taking it in from 10 yard out, and a Garrett Cloer one yard plunge into the endzone. The game appeared to be on the same track as Orange’s previous 54 to 14 thrashing of Graham, however Northwood ensured that would not be the case. The Chargers defense was able to keep the Panthers out of the endzone for the rest of the contest and forced the Panthers to become one dimensional as the passing game was ineffective for most of the night. Cloer finished the night with only 5 completions on 10 attempts and 91 yards. The senior quarterback was on the move for most of the night, as Northwood’s impressive front seven kept the pressure on.
Orange was not the only team having trouble on offense, as Northwood was unable to move the ball for most of the game except for a 39 yard touchdown pass from Ti Pinnix to Jared Worley on a blown assignment by the Orange secondary. Worley, a senior captain for the Chargers, was all over the field, racking in 4 catches for 91 yards on offense, while making several tackles from the linebacker position. Worley and the Charger defense gave a valiant effort in trying to stop the Panthers' two headed monster at the running back position in Brandon-Dean and senior Tay Jones. The two combined for a nice 127 yards on 23 carries, but were unable to break free for the long runs the Panther faithful have become accustomed to seeing. Brandon-Dean was also the Panthers’ leading pass catcher, hauling in three catches for 70 yards.
Northwood struggled extremely in the running game as the Panthers’ front seven were in the back field the entire game, causing many long third downs for the Chargers and Pinnix. The senior signal caller was able to complete 14 of 29 passes for 194 while also rushing 15 times for 33 yards, most of which were scampers out of a collapsing pocket.
The Panthers defense, known as the ‘Orange Crush,’ stood strong on two different goal line stands, as they stopped the Chargers at the 2 yard line shortly before halftime after a false start negated a Northwood touchdown. Northwood was also looking for a tying score as the fourth quarter winded down, as the Chargers were able to get as close as the 8 yard line, before a Pinnix pass on fourth down was batted down by senior defensive lineman Byron Stephenson.
The Panthers travel to Henderson this Friday to take on the 1-4 Vikings of Northern Vance.
Jared Riley
Jared Riley was born a sports fan. He grew up a sports fan and he still is one today. He enjoys all sports, but his favorite is football. Riley is the sports editor for the Orange High School newspaper Den Echoes. He is a 16 year old, three-time-award-winning journalist, but these accolades do not matter to him yet as his goal is to one day be a journalist for ESPN. He wants to be the next Adam Schefter.
Riley has played football since he was eight, and he wants to continue to be around football even when he grows up. He is an offensive lineman on the Orange High football team.
Riley has a life outside of football as well. He is in multiple clubs. Some of these include the Society of Saint Andrews (SOSA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Riley enjoys hanging out with his friends. They like playing basketball and other sports outside. His favorite television shows are Sports Center and the news. Watching shows like this will definitely prepare him to work on ESPN.
Riley hopes to go to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has an advantage over other students, as he attended a journalism camp at UNC this past summer. He sure has set the bar high and should be an example to others about having high hopes for their education.
Photo Credit: Amanda Tavares[/caption]Jared Riley was born a sports fan. He grew up a sports fan and he still is one today. He enjoys all sports, but his favorite is football. Riley is the sports editor for the Orange High School newspaper Den Echoes. He is a 16 year old, three-time-award-winning journalist, but these accolades do not matter to him yet as his goal is to one day be a journalist for ESPN. He wants to be the next Adam Schefter.
Riley has played football since he was eight, and he wants to continue to be around football even when he grows up. He is an offensive lineman on the Orange High football team.
Riley has a life outside of football as well. He is in multiple clubs. Some of these include the Society of Saint Andrews (SOSA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Riley enjoys hanging out with his friends. They like playing basketball and other sports outside. His favorite television shows are Sports Center and the news. Watching shows like this will definitely prepare him to work on ESPN.
Riley hopes to go to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has an advantage over other students, as he attended a journalism camp at UNC this past summer. He sure has set the bar high and should be an example to others about having high hopes for their education.
Photo Credit: Will Okun. Pettiford runs the ball down the field attempting to get a touchdown.[/caption]Patrick Pettiford has been a constant highlight on Football Friday. He is the winner of the Extra Effort Award this week presented by Tom Suiter.
When asked about the award, Pettiford said, “I am thankful for receiving the award; it was a great accomplishment. I'm just happy I was chosen.” Pettiford's inspiration is his late grandmother. “She passed away a few years ago but her presence is my guidance,” said Pettiford. He tries to be a role model for his team and he considers his team part of his family. “We worked hard together the whole off season and we built a strong chemistry over the years.”
Pettiford hopes to continue on with his football career in high school. “I've had colleges talk to me, but I haven't really talked to any about any scholarships. I think Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina is interested though.” Football has been Pettiford’s main sport for the past two years. Pettiford has a record of 17 touchdowns for the season.
“Pettiford is respected, not just for football, but also around the school,” said Will Okun, assistant principal at OHS. Pettiford also stays focused on his school work and academics because football players have to keep their grades up. “He’s the game changer,” Earnie Price told WRAL.
Besides football, Pettiford is also an artist.Jason Johnson, OHS principal told WRAL ”You wouldn't know that Patrick was a football player or an amazing drawer because he doesn't brag about himself,”. Pat Moser, head football coach at OHS, told WRAL, “There are many football players on the team that would not be as good as they are today had it not been for Pat showing them the way.”
November 8, the Orange High School Panther football team defeated Rocky Mount 31-3 in the first round of the NC 3AA playoffs. The win came one week after the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season against Southern Durham, and moved the team to 12-2.
Photo Credit: Will Okun.[/caption]Friday, November 8, the Orange High School Panther football team defeated Rocky Mount 31 to 3 in the first round of the NC 3AA playoffs. The win came one week after the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season against Southern Durham, and moved the team to 11-1.
Orange’s defense recovered from giving up 55 points against Southern Durham, to hold an explosive offense to just 229 yards from scrimmage, and one field goal. The defense was helped by a fast start from the offense and junior quarterback Garrett Cloer, who found Artrell Stewart for a 44 yard touchdown with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
Cloer would finish the game with two touchdowns and 280 yards, while completing 10 of 20 passes. Orange junior running back Tay Jones also played a big game on offense, accounting for 117 total yards of offense and three touchdowns, while breaking several Gryphon tackles.
Despite beginning three drives in Panther territory in the first half, Rocky Mount was unable to get anything moving on offense. Rocky Mount quarterback Joshua Carter was pressured all night, contributing to him finishing with just 62 yards and completing 8 of 24 passes. Carter was also sacked seven times by the relentless Panthers front seven. The lone score for the Gryphons was scored by kicker Micah Varnell on a 34 yard field goal in the second quarter.
Sophomore linebacker Bryse Wilson, who had eight tackles and two pass deflections against Rocky Mount, spoke about some of the changes the team made after the Southern Durham game, saying, “We [Orange] put in a new speed defense and changed our man coverage.”
The Panthers would lead at halftime by a score of 21 to 3, and would score one more touchdown on a 26 yard touchdown run by Jones. The final points of the night came on a 32 yard field goal by senior Brad Barbee.
Wilson also says the team is prepared for their second round opponent Cleveland, saying, “We expect a lot of running. They have a good running back and a good running quarterback.”
Orange will be on the road for the second round, as the Panthers travel to Clayton to take on the number three seeded, 9-3 Rams of cleveland High School. The game will begin at 7:30 pm.
Tay Jones scores a 93 yard touchdown during Orange's 55 to 41 loss to Southern Durham. Photo Credit: Mr. Okun[/caption]Friday, November 8, the Orange High School football team suffered their first loss of the 2013 season, in a 55-41 shootout against Southern Durham. With the win Southern Durham earned the Big Eight conference championship and moved to 9-2 on the season and 7-0 in conference, while the loss put the Panthers at 10-1 and 6-1.
The previously undefeated Panthers began the game on defense, and were able to stall a Southern drive at the Orange 14 yard line, after Southern failed to convert on fourth down. Orange however was unable to stop the Spartans after this, as on their next possession, Southern Durham junior quarterback Kendall Hinton put the first points on the board on a 36 yard rushing touchdown. That was just the start of the scoring that occurred on Friday night.
Hinton, a junior, would finish with 428 yards and five touchdowns through the air, while also picking up another 128 yards and one touchdown rushing. The majority of Hinton’s passing yards went to Maurice Trowell, who caught eight passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns for the Spartans, and Derrick Mason who caught 10 for 157 and also brought in two touchdowns.
The Spartans would also score on their next three possessions and would take a 27 to 0 lead over the Panthers with 11 minutes left in the second quarter. The Orange offense would manage to put 13 points on the board by halftime on two Tay Jones touchdowns, a 93 yard rush, and a 29 yard pass for junior quarterback Garrett Cloer, but would trail at the end of the first half by a score of 34 to 13.
Cloer would end the game with 288 passing yards, which mostly came in the second half, and three touchdowns. While Jones, a junior running back, would finish with 119 yards and one touchdown on seven rushes, to go along with his 29 yard touchdown reception.
Orange sophomore linebacker Bryse Wilson credited Southern Durham’s start to speed and strategy, saying, “They [Southern Durham] were very fast! And they [Southern Durham] were replacing our blitz’s.” Wilson also spoke about some of the adjustment’s the Panthers made at half time saying, “On defense we put in our speed package and on offense we were able to pick up their blitz, and throw the ball.”
Those adjustment’s would pay off, as the Panthers’ came out in the second half and scored on their first possession on a five yard Patrick Pettiford run. The score would cut Southern’s lead to just 14. However, the teams would trade touchdowns on their next two possessions, including a 70 yard pass from Cloer to receiver Ky Muller, and a Pettiford four yard run that would make the game 48 to 34 at the end of the third quarter.
Pettiford, the other half of Orange’s running back duo, finished 78 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, while also catching a 76 yard touchdown pass.
The fourth quarter would not show a touchdown until Pettiford’s 76 yard catch from Cloer that came with three minutes left, which made the score 48 to 41 and cut Southern’s lead to under 10 points for the first time since the first quarter.
However that wouldn't last long as Southern would score the final points of the night, on a 44 yard pass from Hinton to Trowell that secured a 55 to 41 Southern victory.
Wilson believes that the loss will prepare Orange for the playoffs, saying, “We[Orange] will know how to keep up with the speed and we will see that we can lose, so I think we will come together more as a team in the playoffs.”
As for what Wilson’s playoff expectations are, he said, “I think that all of our games will be tough, but I think we will end up playing Southern Durham again in the regional semi-finals, and beating them.”
The Panthers’ will begin the North Carolina 3-AA playoffs on Friday, November 15, as the number six seed against 8-3 Rocky Mount. This game will at home, and will began at 7:30 pm.
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Friday, November 1, the Orange High School Panther football team took one more step on their way to an undefeated season, after beating Cardinal Gibbons 49 to 28 on senior night. The win improved the Panthers’ record to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in conference, while the loss put Cardinal Gibbons at 7-3 and 4-2. The win also guaranteed the Panthers a birth in the 3-A State Playoffs.
Orange was led by junior running back Tay Jones, who rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries. Senior running back Patrick Pettiford also had an impressive game, rushing for 103 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, while also accumulating 75 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Panthers junior quarterback Garrett Cloer passed for 222 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 9 of 11 passes in another efficient outing. Orange receiver Ky Muller also had a big game, catching three passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Orange had to overcome giving up 21 points in the first quarter, which matched the most the team has given up all season. At halftime the score was tied at 28, but the Panthers’ defense returned to regular form by shutting Gibbons out in the second half. Orange Head Coach Pat Moser spoke with the Herald Sun about the defense’s adjustments, saying, "We started putting the fastest guys we had on the team on DiMaggio, we rotated those guys every two or three plays. (DiMaggio) is phenomenal. Coach Smith, by adjusting and putting some speed on him and then we double-covered him, we were trying to keep the ball out of his hands."
Cardinal Gibbons’ senior quarterback Shawn Stankavage had a big game, despite being chased around by Panthers’ defenders all night. Stankavage threw for 416 yards and two touchdowns while completing 31 of 44 passes. He also rushed 26 times for another two touchdowns and 63 yards. Moser also spoke with the Herald Sun about Stankavage, saying, "The defense was shocked at the start of the game with Stankavage. Boy, he's something else. When he graduates, I'm going to go and make sure he crosses the stage and is out of there. I'm telling you what, he's a great quarterback and a great kid. I wish him well." Gibbons receiver Dante DiMaggio caught two of Stankavage’s touchdowns, on his way to a 14 catch, 262 yard night.
The Panthers play their final regular season game of the season on Friday, November 8 against 8-2 and 6-0 Southern Durham. This will most likely be the Panthers’ toughest game of the season, and will determine the champion of the Big Eight conference. Come support your Panthers at Southern Durham as the team goes for 11-0.
The Panthers’ defense continued its dominance over opposing offenses by intercepting Cedar Ridge quarterback Peyton Pappas four times. Sophomore Bryse Wilson intercepted one of the passes, while junior AJ Bradsher accounted for the other three interceptions and a fumble recovery in just his first varsity start. Bradsher spoke with the Herald Sun about his interceptions and said, “They just came to me, I didn’t think much.”
Head Coach Pat Moser also spoke with the Herald Sun about Bradsher’s performance, saying, “Three interceptions and a fumble recovery, and did you see the one he stuck with one hand? That was an amazing play. This kid has been waiting his turn and he had a great game. I’m very proud of him. He’s a great kid. He’s worked hard in the weight room and he’s done what we asked him.”
Orange’s offense was also a bright spot, with seven different players scoring touchdowns, including two each from running back duo Tay Jones and Patrick Pettiford. Quarterback Garrett Cloer again showed his accuracy, while throwing for 126 yards and five touchdowns on only seven passes. In total the Panthers gained 483 yards on offense, with 357 of them rushing.
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Quarterback Garrett Cloer prepares to throw a pass. Photo Credit: Will Okun[/caption]
Photo Credit: Will Okun[/caption]On Friday, October 4 the Orange High School Panther football team earned their sixth win of the season, defeating Northern Vance 56 to 0. The team played in front of a packed crowd as the school held its annual Homecoming game. It was also the 50th anniversary of the school opening.
Orange received another efficient game from junior quarterback Garrett Cloer who threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while completing nine of eleven passes. Senior Patrick Pettiford accounted for three Panther touchdowns, two while rushing for 71 yards, and another receiving.
The Panthers’ defense proved strong again with their third shutout of the season, while returning a fumble for a touchdown. The Panthers also played well on special teams receiving a 67-yard punt for a touchdown from senior JD Brooks, and a blocked punt by sophomore Bryse Wilson.
The Panthers next play on Friday, October 11 against cross-town rival Cedar Ridge at 7 pm.
Johnny Manziel accepting the Heisman Trophy in 2012[/caption]Every year in December, as the college football season begins to come to a close, a select few student-athletes are given the opportunity to visit New York City for the presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. One of these college football players will be selected to join a fraternity that gives them the right to say they are the best college football player in the world. I will be giving names to keep an eye on, periodically, throughout the season. Here is a list of the earliest frontrunners to “strike the pose” in New York in December 2013.
Top 4:
Johnny Manziel, a sophomore at Texas A&M, is the defending Heisman trophy winner and was the first freshman to ever win the award. Despite his achievement, he has already been deemed a long shot to win the award this year by many ESPN panelists. This is because of the many off the field incidents he encountered during the off season, including being kicked out of the Manning Passing Academy, due to alleged partying. He was also suspended for the first half of the teams first game because he may have taken money for signing autographs, which is a violation of NCAA rules. However, despite all of this, I believe that Manziel should be viewed as the front runner because of his ability to sling the football, coupled with his explosive speed and elusiveness. He currently has thrown for 497 yards and six touchdowns while completing 69 percent of his passes with only one interception, while also rushing for one touchdown and 55 yards. Manziel has a huge test on Saturday, September 14, against number one ranked Alabama. If he can lead A&M to a victory or perform well, then you’ll see Manziel’s stock skyrocket.
Another standout quarterback is Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, who has won ACC Player of the Year the past two seasons. Unlike Manziel, Boyd was rarely in the news during the offseason, but has already received high praise for lighting up the scoreboard against SEC team Georgia. On the season, Boyd has thrown for 439 yards and three touchdowns on 60 percent passing, while only playing five quarters of football. He has also rushed for another 52 yards and three touchdowns. Boyd also has a very talented receiving core that should contribute to his passing stats during the season. Boyd will remain in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy as long as Clemson can stay in national championship contention.
Louisville quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, has had the best start to the season of all the Heisman candidates, throwing for 752 yards and nine touchdowns, while having a 76 percent completion percentage and only one interception, but is still the most underrated candidate. It may have something to do with the fact that he plays in a weaker conference than the rest, and if his Louisville team doesn't go undefeated, it could hurt his Heisman chances. Despite this, he has seen a lot of attention in the preseason predictions and if Louisville can stay on track it is likely Bridgewater will find his way to New York in December.
The only running back in the top four is Georgia’s Todd Gurley. Gurley has rushed for 288 yards and three touchdowns, while picking up an average of 6.9 yards per carry. He has also caught two passes for a total of nine yards and one touchdown. He was a big reason why Georgia beat number six ranked South Carolina in week two. He will have a tough road to New York, facing SEC defense’s every week and taking more hits than the quarterbacks in the race for the Heisman Trophy. He could lose some votes due to his quarterback, Aaron Murray, also being in contention for the Heisman Trophy. If his physical running style doesn't cause him to wear down as the season progresses, and his quarterback doesn't take his spotlight away, he should have the numbers to end up a contender.
Dark Horse Contenders:
Last year, no one in the country could have predicted that a freshman at Texas A&M would have won the Heisman, or that two years ago Robert Griffin III would have a great season for Baylor and win the award, so there is always a chance for an unexpected player to win. One of those players in Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota has thrown for 433 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 53 percent of his passes. Mariota is also a threat running, having rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns while averaging an astounding 26.1 yards per carry. He will have the opportunity to run more plays than the others due to Oregon’s typically fastest offense in football, giving him more chances to rack up stats. He could find himself in the top four if he is able to get Oregon to the national championship and put up the numbers his system provides.
The only other player not on people’s radar is Miami (Florida) running back Duke Johnson. Johnson will have many opportunities to pound out yards and get close to 200 yards in games against the weaker defenses in the ACC. He currently has rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns, while picking up an average of 6.1 yards. Johnson played very well in Miami’s upset of number 12 ranked Florida. He could find his way into the top four if someone currently in it has a disappointing season, or if his offensive line can keep him safe in the process.
Heisman Rank on 9/12/13:
1. Johnny Manziel
2. Teddy Bridgewater
3. Tajh Boyd
4. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
5. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
6. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
Photo credit: Mr. Okun[/caption]Friday, September 6, the Orange High School Panthers football walked off the field with a 38 to 0 win over Riverside High School in Durham, NC. This moved the Panthers to 3-0 on the season after defeating Roxboro Person and North Durham, 40 to 7 and 42 to 15 respectively.
The team is led by junior quarterback, Garrett Cloer, who has already thrown for 471 yards and has had ten touchdowns in his first year as Orange's varsity starter. Also leading the team will be the running back duo of senior Patrick Pettiford and Junior Tay Jones. The two have combined almost 600 yards rushing and five touchdowns, and have also caught another four touchdown passes. The Panthers have also had a very strong defense, none of the 22 points scored against the team in their first three games have occurred while the starting defense was on the field.
Sophomore Bryse Wilson, who starts at linebacker, said that his goal for the team this season is to simply “go undefeated and win the state championship.” Wilson also spoke highly of his teammates, “They are all hard working and have the will to win.” Wilson, who has been playing football since the age of six says that the football team's success will have a positive impact on the school, “It gives the school more confidence and more of a will to come out and support not only the football team but also other sports.”
Wilson also says that the team embraces a rough style of football, “We like to play a smash mouth kind of game in order to open up the passing. On defense we are told to get to the ball and be angry when you get there.” He also states that being a Panther means something both on and off the field, “It means that when you are walking up and down the halls you are not only representing yourself, but also the team and coaches.”
Orange football had an excellent 2012 season, finishing 11-3 and making it to the semifinals of the 3A State Playoffs before losing to the eventual state champions, Havelock High School.
The next Panthers home game is September 13 at 7 pm against Graham High School. The team has asked all students to sit in the student section and wear white at the game. To learn more about the team and players, visit their website http://ohsfootball.weebly.com/index.html.
After the NHL lockout ended January 6, 2013, the Carolina Hurricanes took to the ice and began their season. During the course of the season, I had the pleasure of attending two games at PNC Arena. The first game I attended was on January 24, when the team took on the Buffalo Sabres. It was the team’s second home game and the crowd was very excited to see their hometown team back to work. Along with the Hurricanes fans, there were many Sabres fans as well, which is common in Raleigh. In the end, the Hurricanes sent the Caniacs home happy with a 6-3 victory. Overall, you can expect a family-friendly atmosphere with very proud fans, and a Hurricanes staff who loves to get the fans involved with trivia games and fan cameras.
Duke Basketball
November 16, 2013, I attended the Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium against the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University. As this Eagles team was rarely heard of before this David vs. Goliath match-up with Duke, they made quite a story becoming the only #15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to win their first 2 games and advance to the Sweet 16, where they eventually fell to their now in-state rival Florida University.
According to USA Today, Cameron Indoor Stadium is the #1 ranked college basketball arena in the country, and it was ranked 4th by Sports Illustrated for the best sport venues of the 20. Located near the famous “Krzyzewskiville” sign at the epicenter of Duke Sports, Cameron Indoor Stadium was opened on January 6, 1940, and it’s cost was $400,000 (6.3 million in 2013 dollars). Krzyzewskiville is actually named after a phenomenon in which a pretty lengthy line of undergraduate students wait to get admission to Duke home games (more famously and commonly against UNC), and is often confused as a ticket line (Duke students get admitted to the “Cameron Crazie” student section for free).
Durham Bulls
Did you know that you lived less than an hour away from the minor league baseball team that has had 2 of the last 3 International League MVPs? Well, you do, and according to StadiumJourney.com, the Durham Athletic Park is the #2 ranked AAA minor league baseball stadium in America. The DBAP really is one of the nicest minor league ballparks in America, and if it had a larger seating capacity and city position, it could be home to one of the U.S.’s 30 Major League teams. The experience really is a part of the stadium, and the weather is usually fantastic around the Durham area. Despite the team being more well-known for the 1980’s baseball movie Bull Durham, the Durham Bulls just recently took their third ever International League Championship in 2009, along with their first ever AAA National Championship, championing them as the top overall minor league baseball team in America.
The food at the DBAP really is great too, and in 2012, the DBAP introduced the “Bull Dog,” a mouth-watering hot dog wrapped in bacon and fried in a delicious dough. The Bull Dog was taken off the menu for the 2013 season, however. Never fear because it was replaced by the “Nuke Dog.” The Nuke Dog consists of a famous relish recipe by Cottage Lane Kitchen, and is named after Ebby “Nuke” LaLoosh from the 80’s film. Also on the concourse are national and southern favorites Domino’s Pizza and Moe’s. Also adding to the experience are the between-inning games/rituals. Various mascot skits, races, and sumo wrestling entertain the fans while the action is temporarily shut off. Even the crew that lines the infield in the 5th inning dances to some music for the fans’ enjoyment. Overall, you will have a great experience at the DAP, and it is hands-down one of the best minor league stadiums in the country.
UNC Basketball
The University of North Carolina has one of the top three traditions in college basketball, with 6 National Championships and 18 Final Four appearances. Along with the fact that 29 UNC alumni have went on to win an NBA Championship, which is the most of any school, the Tar Heels also have a beautiful stadium to call home. That would be the Dean E. Smith Center, aka the Dean Dome. Opened in 1986, the Dean Dome has been home to 3 national championship winning teams along with 7 ACC Tournament champions, and 11 regular season ACC champions. During the 2012- 2013, I attended one game at the Dean Dome, when the Tar Heels took on the Florida State Seminoles. When the game had a break the Tar Heels showed numerous videos of all their past moments and a personal favorite of mine called “I am a Tar Heel," during which many of the former Tar Heel greats repeat the phrase, inspiring many striving basketball players. Overall, the Tar Heels have one of the top stadiums in the country, and for a reasonable price you can come to Chapel Hill to witness some of the best basketball around.
UNC Football
While the UNC might be known more for their basketball or women’s soccer, they also have a very solid football program. This year, I was able to attend three Tar Heel football games, two at home, and one on the road, so I am able to compare the experience to opposing teams. The home games I attended were against ACC foe Virginia Tech and in-state rival North Carolina State. The NC State game is now known as one of the best games in Tar Heel history, because with 31 seconds left in a tied ball game, North Carolina running back Gio Bernard returned a 74 yard punt for a touchdown to earn UNC a victory. While watching home games at Kenan Stadium, from the home side you can get a glimpse of the famous bell tower in Chapel Hill. Throughout the game the fans are pumped up by several playings of the AC/DC song “Hells Bells” which reenacts the playing of the tower.
I also attended a game at Wallace Wade Stadium, home of the Duke Blue Devils when they took on the Tar Heels. Wallace Wade Stadium is much smaller than Kenan and more than half of the stadium was filled by UNC fans. The food was poor quality compared to that of UNC games and the PA announcer failed to get the fans pumped up very much. Overall, I would say that there aren't many better ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching a Carolina football game at Kenan Stadium.
Written by Megan Joyner
The Orange High Varsity football team made it to the fourth round of the state playoffs, the farthest they have come in more than twenty years. They came away with three victories in the first three rounds of the playoffs and will take on Havelock High School in the fourth round, on Friday November 23, 2012. in Havelock, NC.
The Panthers battled the Eastern Alamance Eagles Friday November 16, 2012 at Eastern Alamance in Mebane. The Panthers came away with a victory, having a one point advantage over Eastern Alamance. The final score was 14-13. The stands were filled with fans as the game began. The Panthers came out with the lead 7-0 in the second quarter. However, before halftime the Eagles snuck in and scored 3 points making the score 7-3. The score remained 7-3 all the way up to the fourth quarter. The Eagles were gaining ground and scored two more points only allowing the Panthers a 2 point lead. With 6 minutes left to play the Eagles scored a touchdown taking the lead 13-7. The Panthers weren’t done yet; Desean Motley ran in a touchdown with two minutes left to play. The Panthers held strong making the final score 14-13.
The Panthers played Eastern Wayne on Friday November 2, 2012 at home in the first round of the playoffs. They came out with a victory, winning 38-6, therefore advancing to the second round where they took on South Johnston High School at home. They came out with a huge win 56-13. There was a big crowd as the Panthers made history at their home field Friday November 9, 2012. This was such an accomplishment for the Varsity team as they moved up in the NCHSAA playoffs for the first time in many years
The Panthers now advance to the fourth round of the state playoffs to take on Havelock High School on November 23, 2012 in Havelock. Come cheer on your Panther football team as they advance to the fourth round of the state playoffs, one of the first times in Panther history.
- Jalen Pittman jumps for joy as Panthers advance to 4th round of playoffs.
Entering playoffs with a 7-2 win streak, the varsity Panthers strived to win all season long and made it into playoffs after defeating Chapel Hill Friday, November 2 on Chapel Hill turf (41-26). Lead by their confident coach Pat Moser, who has stood behind both the JV and Varsity teams throughout the season, the team hopes to continue to victory.
The Panthers are going into playoffs with the same strategies and determination to win. They must continue to win in order to advance in the playoffs.
November 9 will be the first game of the playoffs at Orange High School against E. Wayne High School. At the Friday night football game, there will be more people supporting the orange and black colors. Team players, many school students, families and local fans will come out to lead the panthers in their first game of playoffs.
If defeated the season will finally come to a close; if they win, the Panthers will continue on in defeating many other high schools until either eliminated from the competition or until victory is won.