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By Aaron Beard .ess Write RALEIGH — Tom Knotts can still vividly remember the 1996 season, one in which his West Charlotte team was loaded for a run at a second consecutive championship only to stumble in the postseason. Knotts is determined not to let the same thing happen to his 2001 Charlotte Independence squad. “I feel this year’s team is better than last year’s,” Knotts said, “but I don’t want history to repeat itself.” Independence (15-1 last season) surpassed all expectations by winning the Class 4-A N.C. High School Athletic Association championship with a young, inex perienced group. Seventeen starters return to make the Patri ots a seasoned, battle-tested bunch. The weapons are in place for another title run, starting with junior quarterback Chris Leak. Leak, last year’s AP Player of the Year, threw for 4,529 yards and 51 touchdowns — both state records — against only seven interceptions. In the 4-A final against South View, Leak threw for a championship-game record 359 yards and three touchdowns. Ten starters return on offense, including wideout Mario Raley, an AP all-state selection last sea son with 1,688 yards and 22 TDs. Traditional powers Richmond County, with new coach Ed Emory, and Fayetteville Byrd .We know we’re the hunted instead of the hunter. Last year, we wanted to knock some people off. Now we know they’re shooting for a Tom Knotts, Independence coach should be among the challengers for the 4-A crown. Garner and Northern Durham should also field tough teams. “We know we’re the hunted instead of the hunter,” Knotts said. “Last year, we wanted to knock some people off. Now we know they’re shooting for us.” The 3-A classification appears loaded with contenders, including defending champion Bertie, which finished 15-1 last year. Bertie returns only nine starters from last year and loses quarterback Randall Rankins, who threw for 322 yards in the 3-A final against Jamestown Rags dale, Rankins’ brother, Jejuan, will likely start at quarterback after converting from wide receiver. Jejuan Rankins had 42 receptions for 922 yards and 12 TDs as a wideout, and added 15 intercep tions — two returned for scores as a safety. He also returned five punts and one kickoff return for scores. If junior Antonio Burden devel ops, however, Burden could become the starter, allowing Rankins to move back to receiver, offensive coordinator Barry McGlone said. Defensively, the Falcons will be led by O’Brian Murphy, a senior linebacker with 117 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions last season. The key, Bond said, could be the development of talented play ers in the junior class who are making the transition from junior varsity. “We’ve got some good individ ual players, but I don’t know how the team will rally around them,” Bond said. Jamestown Ragsdale, which lost to Bertie in the 3-A final, returns 15 starters and will pose a tough challenge, as well as Con cord, Kannapolis Brown and Win ston-Salem Carver. In addition, Shelby Crest and Anson County traditional 4-A powers — drop down to 3-A, while High Point Central moves up two years after claiming the 2-A title. The 2-A classification boasts two defending state champions: South west Onslow and Graham. South west won the 2-A title by beating Newton-Conover 14-13. Graham beat Pinetown Northside 31-6 in the 1-A final, but moves up to 2-A. Eleven starters return to the Stallions (15-1), including senior quarterback Kendrick Brooks. “Self-motivation is a big factor. Every Fri day, teams are going to be up to play them. They’ve got to rise to a new level to take care of business. They just haven’t answered the bell yet.” Phil Padgett, SW Onlson coach Brooks threw five TD passes and ran for four scores on offense, while picking off seven passes as a defensive back. Brooks also returned two punts and one kick off for scores. Brooks was named MVP of last year’s title game after running for a 29-yard touchdown, recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass. Senior Mike Sunday also returns. Sunday had two touch down receptions as a wide receiv er while averaging 41 yards per punt and putting more than half of his kickoffs into the end zone. Coach Phil Padgett said his team still needs to renew its work ethic as it prepares for the regu lar season. “Self-motivation is a big fac tor,” Padgett said. “Every Friday, teams are going to be up to play them. They’ve got to rise to a new level to take care of business. They just haven’t answered the bell yet.” Graham returns six starters on offense and five on defense from last year’s 14-2 team. The Red Devils’ defense was particularly strong last year, holding North side to 106 yards of total offense in the 1-A final. Graham coach Pat Moser said the Red Devils will look to a pair of linebackers — senior Darius Mims and junior Chris Walker to anchor a defensive unit that lost its secondary from last year. The offense will focus on senior quarterback Chris Gammon, a two-year all-conference per former who passed for 2,787 yards and 28 TDs last year. Graham will have to survive an early season schedule that includes 3-A powers Burlington Williams and Western Alamance, which combined to go 21-5 last season. “It’s tough, but it will help us later with the close games,” Moser said. Northside has 11 starters returning from last year’s 1-A runner-up, while Thomasville, Boonville Starmount, Henderson ville and Williamston could chal lenge for the 1-A crown. In addition, the NCHSAA has instituted a second 32-team play off for the 1-A classification. The additional playoff — termed 1-AA will feature the smallest schools in the 1-A ranks. Each of the two playoffs will be seeded Nos. 1-16 in the East and West region brackets.
Newspaper Details
Wilson Daily Times
Wilson, North Carolina, US
Sat, Aug 25, 2001
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
Chris G.
USA 30 May 2026
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