In poorly timed fracas after Garner-Clayton football contest, no one came out a winner
The fracas at the conclusion of Friday’s latest edition of the storied, decades-long Garner-Clayton rivalry could not have been more poorly timed. Many conferences throughout the state, including among the greater Triangle, were on bye weeks, thus the aftermath of Clayton’s 49-0 win has been even more magnified.
People will offer differing opinions as to whether the Comets ran up the score, as Garner coach Thurman Leach contended. Leach reportedly instructed the Trojans not to participate in a postgame handshake line.
Clayton scored just seven of its points after halftime. A running clock is instituted after a 42 (or more) points differential in the second half.
However anyone feels about running up the score, confronting a coach about anything as teams are getting on buses to depart is an act primed for escalation. There are no winners in such situations.
A 24-hour “cool down” period allows everyone — athletes, coaches, and parents — to reflect on the entire experience so it becomes one for teaching and learning. This particular matter is certainly one for discussion, including those with differing opinions about the game’s winning team running up the score, and/or how the runner-up team’s coach responded to the outcome.
In all circumstances, these situations are about much more than football. How adults handle these challenges can yield meaningful opportunities to demonstrate to the players the proper way to handle difficult interpersonal situations in a constructive, proactive manner.
The appropriate time and place, though, is not immediately after a game at team buses.
HOUGH ON ‘D’
The statistics spoke clearly how Hough achieved its 16-7 over Chambers in last Friday’s Queen City 4A Conference showdown. The victorious Huskies limited the host Cougars to season lows of 134 rushing yards and 83 passing yards. The passing yardage total was nearly half of Chambers’ previous season low (165). Hough also tallied seven quarterback sacks.
The seven points by Chambers marked the Cougars’ lowest scoring output since the fall 2021 state final against Cardinal Gibbons, in which Chambers tallied just two points.
The fires are stoked for another potential postseason meeting between the league rivals. Chambers won last fall’s state semifinals matchup, 35-21, after Hough prevailed 16-10 in the regular season.
RAYNOR TALLIES 300 PASSING/100 RUSHING YARDS
East Forsyth quarterback — and Arkansas State commit — Jaylen Alexander-Raynor extended his torrid statistical pace through the air and on the ground in Friday’s 56-21 home win over Davie County. Alexander-Raynor surpassed 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game for the first time this fall.
Raynor has passed for 17 touchdowns (zero interceptions) and run for 12 touchdowns this fall.
CATHOLIC’S BOYLE BOILING
Charlotte Catholic quarterback Sean Boyle threw for 260 yards — a Cougars season best — and two touchdowns in Catholic’s 36-35 win over Independence.
Boyle’s 16 completions on 20 attempts and two touchdown passes were also season bests for the UNC-Charlotte commit.
CLEVELAND SURPASSES 1K IN TWO
Cleveland, a fall 2021 4A state quarterfinalist, continued producing prolific numbers after the graduations of standouts Omarion Hampton (now at North Carolina) and Skyler Locklear (now at Austin Peay). The Rams racked up more than 1,000 total yards in just the past two weeks.
Undefeated through five starts, Cleveland amassed 512 yards in Friday’s 34-13 win over visiting South Garner. The Rams’ 272 rushing yards were a season best. Anthony Greene led the Rams’ ground game with 107 yards (15 carries) and one touchdown.
SOUTHERN DURHAM STOPS HAVELOCK
Southern Durham earned a huge road win Friday, 35-28 at Havelock. The Spartans earned their second win after three tough loses to 4A powers Wake Forest, Hillside, and Leesville Road.
