North Davidson state reflection

[crazyduke3]

So there's a lot to say. Let's start here.

Awesome season. Coaches, players, boosters, parents, thank you. There is without question pain but thank all of you for your sacrifice, grit and great memories. All of you were awesome. Well done. As fun of a season as there has ever been in ND and it's because of all of you. Great job and especially players, you need to take pride that while the win was what it was about, their is pride to be had when you are 30-40 years old and to know that you brought a community together and instilled in them great pride. You will all understand when you are older.

Let's talk about the game.

The boys never quit, gave it their all and it makes me think about when I was a player and they instilled a saying toward us "Knights don't quit."

We were, however, not the better team. This a game we absolutely could have won, but we were not the better team. They were without question the best team we faced and way better than any playoff team we had played to this point. They were also better coached.

The play that stands out in my mind and I have to imagine all ND fans and will forever for players. The play that we will be talking about for many years.... the pick six. Right there on the goal line, points for the taking, strong momentum for us... only to gift them the 7 and we get nothin was the play of the and just devastating.

The fake punt and the onsides kick, especially the onside kick, were horrible ideas. Horrible. I'm okay with going for a 4 &3 or even a 4 & 1. But onside kicks are SO low chance of success and gift such great field position. I know we successfully have done it this season but that is play that rarely works out and the choice to do so reeked of greed and desperation... the worst part was I had a feeling we'd do it. So many risk taken in this game and stung by it so much.

4 Turnovers will always do you in, plain and simple. When we had the ball, if we weren't turning it over, stalling out.

But the boys fought hard and that's all that we can ask. When will ND return to state? Who knows. This game is so insanely hard to reach. It was really cool to see them get this far.

 

[tarheel fan1]

So there's a lot to say. Let's start here.

Awesome season. Coaches, players, boosters, parents, thank you. There is without question pain but thank all of you for your sacrifice, grit and great memories. All of you were awesome. Well done. As fun of a season as there has ever been in ND and it's because of all of you. Great job and especially players, you need to take pride that while the win was what it was about, their is pride to be had when you are 30-40 years old and to know that you brought a community together and instilled in them great pride. You will all understand when you are older.

Let's talk about the game.

The boys never quit, gave it their all and it makes me think about when I was a player and they instilled a saying toward us "Knights don't quit."

We were, however, not the better team. This a game we absolutely could have won, but we were not the better team. They were without question the best team we faced and way better than any playoff team we had played to this point. They were also better coached.

The play that stands out in my mind and I have to imagine all ND fans and will forever for players. The play that we will be talking about for many years.... the pick six. Right there on the goal line, points for the taking, strong momentum for us... only to gift them the 7 and we get nothin was the play of the and just devastating.

The fake punt and the onsides kick, especially the onside kick, were horrible ideas. Horrible. I'm okay with going for a 4 &3 or even a 4 & 1. But onside kicks are SO low chance of success and gift such great field position. I know we successfully have done it this season but that is play that rarely works out and the choice to do so reeked of greed and desperation... the worst part was I had a feeling we'd do it. So many risk taken in this game and stung by it so much.

4 Turnovers will always do you in, plain and simple. When we had the ball, if we weren't turning it over, stalling out.

But the boys fought hard and that's all that we can ask. When will ND return to state? Who knows. This game is so insanely hard to reach. It was really cool to see them get this far.

If the 2aa east is the same then north will be back. But you may have to deal with an even better Shelby team

 

[M193_55g]

Losing 29 seniors, 6 of which played varsity as freshmen, means ND probably doesn't go nearly as deep next year, even in the East. This was an exceptional group that won't be easily replaced. The defense was nearly all seniors. There are a few play-makers coming back on offense, so they won't be starting over completely there.

I thought the onside kick was an OK call, just poorly executed. They nearly got the one onside kick later, and have recovered several this year. I agree with you on the the fake punt.

I would have liked to have at least seen a back in the backfield on more plays with a few more runs mixed in. Need to be able to get some play action going, instead of letting a team like Shelby settle into coverage all game.

Either way, it was a great effort by our boys. They just played an exceptional team and would have needed a lot of things to go their way to win. I will miss watching some of these seniors. Stephens was pretty much unblockable for the last two years . Van Meter is everything that is good & right about high school football. Welch transformed himself, got leaner, quicker, and was a force. Mad Dog went 100% every play. Fulks (really good basketball player, too) & Perrell were always around the ball and always a threat. So many others. Great season.

 

[Champ_24]

What schools are looking at Stephens??

 

[Chopper747]

What schools are looking at Stephens??

Is that #99?

 

[BlueStar12]

Is that #99?

yes

 

[M193_55g]

What schools are looking at Stephens??

I'm not sure. I think his dad or somebody close to him posts here, so maybe they will let us know.

 

[Jfrog99]

Blake Stephens current offers are ODU, Richmond, and Marshall he has a pwo from NC State and a couple offers from Dll schools there are several schools that are still recruiting him

 

[Mopar forever]

Blake Stephens current offers are ODU, Richmond, and Marshall he has a pwo from NC State and a couple offers from Dll schools there are several schools that are still recruiting him

Best of luck to him. He surly stood out on the tv screen. Even to a guy that’s never seen or heard of him. When you see a guy play and you go to the roaster to see who he is that’s pretty special (to me)

 

[Champ_24]

Kid is a warrior. Love watching him play.

 

[PrepFanNC]

Losing 29 seniors, 6 of which played varsity as freshmen, means ND probably doesn't go nearly as deep next year, even in the East. This was an exceptional group that won't be easily replaced. The defense was nearly all seniors. There are a few play-makers coming back on offense, so they won't be starting over completely there.

I thought the onside kick was an OK call, just poorly executed. They nearly got the one onside kick later, and have recovered several this year. I agree with you on the the fake punt.

I would have liked to have at least seen a back in the backfield on more plays with a few more runs mixed in. Need to be able to get some play action going, instead of letting a team like Shelby settle into coverage all game.

Either way, it was a great effort by our boys. They just played an exceptional team and would have needed a lot of things to go their way to win. I will miss watching some of these seniors. Stephens was pretty much unblockable for the last two years . Van Meter is everything that is good & right about high school football. Welch transformed himself, got leaner, quicker, and was a force. Mad Dog went 100% every play. Fulks (really good basketball player, too) & Perrell were always around the ball and always a threat. So many others. Great season.

If North ends up in the East again, its conceivable that they could make it this far again. The VAST majority of the talent in the East played in the small 2A this year. There were 3 teams that were playoff worthy in the 2AA East. North Davidson, Ledford, and an inferior SWEdgecombe.

I can’t remember for sure, but based on North’s second place finish and their MaxPreps rating, they would have been an 8th or 9th seed in the West. They’d have likely bowed out in round 1.

It is totally possible that North ends up in the West next year. I’m certain that they are working hard toward next year, but its going to be a rebuilding year for sure. That being said, it could still be enough to win the CCC. I still contend that we could have placed Oak Grove High in North’s spot in the brackets and they’d have advanced to the 3rd round. 2AA East was THAT weak.

Also, on another note, it will be nice to have a season in which people can’t use the “they’re 3A” excuse. Ledford and North will both be legitimate 2A schools next year (albeit on the large side).

 

[M193_55g]

If North ends up in the East again, its conceivable that they could make it this far again. The VAST majority of the talent in the East played in the small 2A this year. There were 3 teams that were playoff worthy in the 2AA East. North Davidson, Ledford, and an inferior SWEdgecombe.

I can’t remember for sure, but based on North’s second place finish and their MaxPreps rating, they would have been an 8th or 9th seed in the West. They’d have likely bowed out in round 1.

It is totally possible that North ends up in the West next year. I’m certain that they are working hard toward next year, but its going to be a rebuilding year for sure. That being said, it could still be enough to win the CCC. I still contend that we could have placed Oak Grove High in North’s spot in the brackets and they’d have advanced to the 3rd round. 2AA East was THAT weak.

Also, on another note, it will be nice to have a season in which people can’t use the “they’re 3A” excuse. Ledford and North will both be legitimate 2A schools next year (albeit on the large side).

I almost expect the CCC next year to be a 4 way race. ND, Ledford, Thomasville and Oak Grove. I don't expect any of them to contend for a state title, but you are right that the 2AA east was really weak. ND got what had to be one of the best draws of any team in NC high school ball this year.

I guess it will really hinge on what the current underclassmen can do on defense at ND next year. Most of them have had very little playing time because they came up behind such a great group of seniors. Maybe there are some stars there that we just haven't seen much of.

 

[ocdavis31]

I almost expect the CCC next year to be a 4 way race. ND, Ledford, Thomasville and Oak Grove. I don't expect any of them to contend for a state title, but you are right that the 2AA east was really weak. ND got what had to be one of the best draws of any team in NC high school ball this year.

I guess it will really hinge on what the current underclassmen can do on defense at ND next year. Most of them have had very little playing time because they came up behind such a great group of seniors. Maybe there are some stars there that we just haven't seen much of.

While I appreciate your confidence in my Bulldogs, I think the bigger question is the fate of North Davidson next year. If the announcers were correct Saturday, they lose 29 seniors, eighteen of them starters. I have no idea what they have coming back, but on any team replacing that many people will require great coaching. North may very well be the top dog, but I do think the conference won’t be as top heavy as this year.

 

[tarheel fan1]

Clinton could go big 2a

 

[Stanimallector]

From what I was told North Davidson time has come to an end or close to the end and Oak Groove is about to be to new king of the Hill

 

[M193_55g]

From what I was told North Davidson time has come to an end or close to the end and Oak Groove is about to be to new king of the Hill

That is a common sentiment around here, but I don't think it will be that dramatic. Oak Grove does have the best coach in the county, and draws from an area that has historically produced strong talent. I don't expect them to just become the king of the hill all of a sudden next year, however.

 

[M193_55g]

Clinton could go big 2a

That would really liven things up in the east.

 

[M193_55g]

While I appreciate your confidence in my Bulldogs, I think the bigger question is the fate of North Davidson next year. If the announcers were correct Saturday, they lose 29 seniors, eighteen of them starters. I have no idea what they have coming back, but on any team replacing that many people will require great coaching. North may very well be the top dog, but I do think the conference won’t be as top heavy as this year.

I agree, OC. I see Tville and Oak Grove coming up, and ND and Ledford dropping back. I don't see the other teams making much noise, other than Salisbury, maybe. I'm not sure what they have coming back.

 

[PrepFanNC]

For at least one more year, I’ll go this way:

Tier 1 - North Davidson and Ledford
Tier 2 - Salisbury, Thomasville, Oak Grove, Lexington
Tier 3 - South Rowan And East Davidson

Tier 27 - Central Davidson (because they just can’t get kids to come out)
West Davidson (because status quo is somehow acceptable)

After 2019, who knows. I definitely agree that the top heaviness I’d the CCC is coming to an end. Especially is the next realignment goes back to 25%-25%-25%-25%. That’ll be a farewell to 3 teams.

 

[M193_55g]

[QUOTE="Especially is the next realignment goes back to 25%-25%-25%-25%. That’ll be a farewell to 3 teams.[/QUOTE]
For sure.
Even if they stay 20 30 30 20, ND and Ledford may be gone from what I am hearing.

 

[NCprepbball]

If you’re looking at next years ADM, South Rowan and Central may be bigger than Ledford.

 

[bknights#77]

So there's a lot to say. Let's start here.

Awesome season. Coaches, players, boosters, parents, thank you. There is without question pain but thank all of you for your sacrifice, grit and great memories. All of you were awesome. Well done. As fun of a season as there has ever been in ND and it's because of all of you. Great job and especially players, you need to take pride that while the win was what it was about, their is pride to be had when you are 30-40 years old and to know that you brought a community together and instilled in them great pride. You will all understand when you are older.

Let's talk about the game.

The boys never quit, gave it their all and it makes me think about when I was a player and they instilled a saying toward us "Knights don't quit."

We were, however, not the better team. This a game we absolutely could have won, but we were not the better team. They were without question the best team we faced and way better than any playoff team we had played to this point. They were also better coached.

The play that stands out in my mind and I have to imagine all ND fans and will forever for players. The play that we will be talking about for many years.... the pick six. Right there on the goal line, points for the taking, strong momentum for us... only to gift them the 7 and we get nothin was the play of the and just devastating.

The fake punt and the onsides kick, especially the onside kick, were horrible ideas. Horrible. I'm okay with going for a 4 &3 or even a 4 & 1. But onside kicks are SO low chance of success and gift such great field position. I know we successfully have done it this season but that is play that rarely works out and the choice to do so reeked of greed and desperation... the worst part was I had a feeling we'd do it. So many risk taken in this game and stung by it so much.

4 Turnovers will always do you in, plain and simple. When we had the ball, if we weren't turning it over, stalling out.

But the boys fought hard and that's all that we can ask. When will ND return to state? Who knows. This game is so insanely hard to reach. It was really cool to see them get this far.

I agree with a lot of your post but I do have some points of disagreement. Would the game have been closer if we hadn't onside kicked twice and ran a fake punt ? Probably, but being close still gets you 2nd. The staff was trying to win the game not keep the score close. Not sure what you saw but on the fake punt if the receiver was looking for the ball it may have been a TD as he was wide open. It was executed well by everyone else.

 

[crazyduke3]

I think another thing that Shelby had and this isn't ND's fault really.... they really only faced adversity once all season and that was the last game against Ledford. Look at the rest of the games and we literally smoked everybody. So Shelby was used to struggle and we were not.

I see you guys defend those plays, but there in lies the problem - they are difficult to execute plays, case in and point, we didn't execute any of them successfully. That's why you don't see them done very often.

But this game was more than 3-4 plays.

Tough to see so many talented seniors leave. Blake continued the tradition of great d-linemen at ND and it was a special sight. All these kids were fantastic. I hope they find wonderful, successful lives.

 

[Champ_24]

Playing in the CCC will continue to hurt ND, Ledford and Oak Grove in the future. I told my neighbor. Shelby is a different animal. He said ND should win comfortably. I explained to her in the 704, esp. Cleveland co. You see and play against better athletes all year long. ND has not played a team like Shelby, whereas Shelby has play multiple teams that are just as good as or better than ND. If I'm ND I'm trying to schedule non-conference games with Reidsville, Randleman and keep Mt. Tabor.

Oak Grove will be good no doubt. But Ledford has ALOT of talent coming up from the middle school. I don't think they'll fall back. I think ND still will be solid.

Next years predictions
1. Oak Grove
2. Ledford
3. ND/Salisbury
5. Thomasville
6. South Rowan
7. West Davidson
8. Lexington
9. Central

 

[crazyduke3]

Agreed. Keep playing tabor and ask schools like East forsyth or some Guilford County school if they would like to play and find a way to get one of them mid season.

 

[tarheel fan1]

I wouldn’t mind reidsville and North Davidson series. I want reidsville to get a big non conference game. Reidsville is playing Eastern Guilford next season

 

[M193_55g]

I just wish the CCC had a few less teams. It leaves very little flexibility to schedule out of conference.

 

[bknights#77]

I just wish the CCC had a few less teams. It leaves very little flexibility to schedule out of conference.

Amen and basically only in the 1st 3 weeks!

 

[PrepFanNC]

[QUOTE="Especially is the next realignment goes back to 25%-25%-25%-25%. That’ll be a farewell to 3 teams.

For sure.
Even if they stay 20 30 30 20, ND and Ledford may be gone from what I am hearing.[/QUOTE]

It’s really tricky... and I’m guilty of looking at North and Ledford and forgetting that there are lots of other schools whose ADM is growing or fluctuating.

Next year, I feel like of the three, North will be the biggest, but that is based on a large 8th grade class that is coming up. The class, if I remember correctly is about 30 kids larger than the class they’d usually expect.

Oak Grove is going to be right at a thousand. So will North. I think Ledford is looking at a little less than a thousand based on what they have right now, prior to losing their last big senior class.

 

[PrepFanNC]

I just wish the CCC had a few less teams. It leaves very little flexibility to schedule out of conference.

Exactly. It’d be great to have a mid-season game in which you can schedule someone of your choosing... But that would force a conference game in WEEK 2. No Bueno.

 

[PrepFanNC]

Playing in the CCC will continue to hurt ND, Ledford and Oak Grove in the future. I told my neighbor. Shelby is a different animal. He said ND should win comfortably. I explained to her in the 704, esp. Cleveland co. You see and play against better athletes all year long. ND has not played a team like Shelby, whereas Shelby has play multiple teams that are just as good as or better than ND. If I'm ND I'm trying to schedule non-conference games with Reidsville, Randleman and keep Mt. Tabor.

Oak Grove will be good no doubt. But Ledford has ALOT of talent coming up from the middle school. I don't think they'll fall back. I think ND still will be solid.

Next years predictions
1. Oak Grove
2. Ledford
3. ND/Salisbury
5. Thomasville
6. South Rowan
7. West Davidson
8. Lexington
9. Central

No way Oak Grove is ready to win the conference yet. Still too many gaps. They’re coming, but not in 2019. I’d place them 3rd/4th. They have to get over that mental hump of getting backs those THUMPINGS by Thomasville and Lexington last year.

But, a lot of injuries in the late part of this season really kept us from seeing how far Oak Grove has improved. There is quite a bit of young talent and they’ve got a coaching staff that will develop it.

Other point of contention... I like how you put West ahead of Lexington. But Lexington is going to beat Central and South Rowan for sure. I’m not sure West Davidson can beat South Rowan... and I’m defintitely not sure that West will sneak up on Lexington again.

 

[Mopar forever]

I just wish the CCC had a few less teams. It leaves very little flexibility to schedule out of conference.

Your screen name is freaking awesome!!! LoL

 

[M193_55g]

Your screen name is freaking awesome!!! LoL

It's just because I'm cheap. Otherwise it would be MK262_77g.

 

[Mopar forever]

It's just because I'm cheap. Otherwise it would be MK262_77g.

I’m a m855 guy

 

[M193_55g]

I’m a m855 guy

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[BlackKnightNut]

North will not slide as much as people think... And Oak Grove will not come up as much as people think... Tville got a good coach and I think they are the most dangerous element next year...

1a. ND
1b. Tville
3. Salisbury
4. Oak Grove
5. Ledford
6. Lexington
7. East Davidson
8. West Davidson
9. South Rowan
10. Central Davidson

 

[ocdavis31]

North will not slide as much as people think... And Oak Grove will not come up as much as people think... Tville got a good coach and I think they are the most dangerous element next year...

1a. ND
1b. Tville
3. Salisbury
4. Oak Grove
5. Ledford
6. Lexington
7. East Davidson
8. West Davidson
9. South Rowan
10. Central Davidson

I was talking with some of Thomasville’s coaches yesterday about the steps they are taking to instill in the players what it takes to reach that next level. It’s a process and progress may or may not be measured by next year’s win-loss record. It may better be guaged by how many players show up and work hard. Thomasville accomplished amazing things with very low numbers.
What is very evident is that there has been a shift in culture. Regardless of record, the staff’s emphasis on discipline, character, and effort will pay off for these young men. Coach Robertson deservedly gets a lot of the credit, but he has assembled a great staff and it’s the depth of assistants who have bought into his philosophy that will make the difference.
Now let’s just work on getting those play calls in on time.

 

[bknights#77]

North will not slide as much as people think... And Oak Grove will not come up as much as people think... Tville got a good coach and I think they are the most dangerous element next year...

1a. ND
1b. Tville
3. Salisbury
4. Oak Grove
5. Ledford
6. Lexington
7. East Davidson
8. West Davidson
9. South Rowan
10. Central Davidson

Salisbury was very young this year will be interesting to see what they look like next year. If Lexington would take the steps T-Ville did to hire a top notch coach they could be in the mix. I don't think athletes is the problem at Lexington.

 

[M193_55g]

Salisbury was very young this year will be interesting to see what they look like next year. If Lexington would take the steps T-Ville did to hire a top notch coach they could be in the mix. I don't think athletes is the problem at Lexington.

Is Henderson out at Lexington?

 

[bknights#77]

Is Henderson out at Lexington?

Not that I know of