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(Fourth is a series of Gazetteland high school football preseason previews) By DWIGHT FRADY Gazelle Sports Writer KINGS MOUNTAIN — Last year, Kings Mountain coach Bobby Jones, who had been at Holbrook for four years and at Ashbrook for one season, saw his feat tie North Gaston 7-7 In their opener, then zip off six wins in a row. The Mountaineers finished at 7-2-1 and despite the fact they whipped Shelby, 14-7, it was South Point and Shelby (again) in the postseason playoffs. That was still the best team we had in my four years at Kings Mountain,” said Jones, “This year, we're starting all over at a fet, of postions. We lost a lot of Jetvermen, fifteen to be exact, 14 of them Sarters, “T haven't had a chance to see 45 much on defense yet, 80 I can’t comment on that aspect of tL. As for our returnees, there aren’t that meny “We've got a guard, tackle, a fullback, a quarterback, a halfback and an end returning.” The returning guard is 9, 155-pound senor Nathaniel Smith. The tackle is 1+, 19%-pound senior John Yarboro, the fullback is 4-10, 196 pound senior Wendell Jackson, the quarterback is 6-2, 376-pound junior Mike Bumgardner, the halfback is 5-10, 165-pound senior Steve Southwell, and the end is 5-10, 15-pound senior Chris Johnson. Because of his speed, Jones is thinking about making a slot back out of Johnson, also an outstanding basketball player, Jones, a Shelby High and East Carolina University graduate, said he has some others returning, but players who didn't start. Although Bumgardner and Jackson are surefire starters, Southwell’s strongest suit is defense and Jones will probably use him as a defensive halfback post. Halfback Mike Williams, a 53, 150-pound senior, returns where he saw a good bit of action last year. Kim Thompson is a halfback who was injured in the first game last year, then stayed hurt. all season, Thompson is a 510, M45-pound senior. Up from the junior high team which had a B41 record last year is 510, ¥ 60-pound sophomore Trotsky Boyce. Kenny Beil is another good-looking halfback; a sophomore at 510, 160. “I'd have to say this sophomore crop is the best we've had since I’ve been here,” said Jones, who coached Holbrook to the state 2-A finals in 1967. Johnson played split end last year. The right end, William Thompson, returns and he’s a 6-2, 178-pounder. Lee Steinert, 6-2, 170-pound serviuc, is out for football for the first time and is listed as an end. At offensive center is Bruce Valentine, a 6-2, 175-pound sophomore. Also there is 48, 16 pound sophomore Richard Van Dyke. A starting guard on offense looks to be David Gordon, a 5-10, 225 pounder, and Simon McClean, a 63, 210-pounder, ex isted as a possible tackle starter, Gordon is a sophomore, and McClean is a senior out for football for the first time since junior high. Still another senior out for the first time is Mike Byers, a 6:2, 185-pounder. He's listed as a tackle. “Right now, it looks like we'll have four boys who'll play both offense and defense,” said Jones. “It's a little too early to tell, really. Certainly we'll play a lot both ways if they don't start both ways. We'll run from the veer again. In the veer, you've got to have a good quarterback and quick linemen to come off the football. Bumgardner started all last season as a Sophomore, and I feel like he is one of the best in the league. He throws the ball well; is a good-sized kid and an adequate runner. “Johnson is a real fine receiver and tedous team in scoring last year with eight touchdowns. He also did a stellar job of running back punts and kickoffs for us. He's a good defensive player, too.” One of the biggest groduation losses was hulking tackle Carl “Rosebora, an All-Gazetteland performer two years running and headed for Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Tony Falls, a graduated halfback, is going to Elizabeth City State. “Shelby will be a bit better than the rest of the teague,” said Joneson looking ahead to the race. “Burns ought to have a good team with most of their kids back. South Point is always In the running, but other than the three I've mentioned, the others should be well-balanced throughout. “I feel like if we can fill a few positions that are keys to us, we can be just as strong ag ‘74. We just don't have any experience on defense at ends, linebackers or the guard positions. ‘We had 7 boys out for our first practice,” said Jones, “Over 30 of them were soyhomores. Our program is getting stronger, although our team this year may not show that strength as yet “We're young and we'll make some sophomoric mistakes. If we come up with some defense, we'll do just fine.” Ex-Gardner-Webb standout Dennis Dukes, a R-8 Central product, 's serving as a KM assistant coach this year. ‘Kings Mountain opens at North Gaston August 2),
Newspaper Details
The Gastonia Gazette
Gastonia, North Carolina, US
Sat, Aug 16, 1975
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Jack H.
NC, USA 16 Jul 2026
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