By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
Roaming the county getting ready for tonight …A football game between West Rowan and Mooresville would be special regardless of the site or the records. These schools sit just 13 miles from each other.
But when the Blue Devils travel to Mount Ulla tonight, there are enough story lines to make this a dream matchup:
– This game will decide the No. 1 seed from the North Piedmont Conference. West is 8-0 in the league, Mooresville is 7-1.
While West has already clinched at least a tie for its fifth straight title, and is favored, Falcons coach Scott Young knows what he’s up against.
“That’s a good football team,” he said. “They’ve had a great program for a long time.”
– Everyone will be watching the running back matchup between West’s K.P. Parks and Mooresville’s Jjshaun Pinskton.
Enterting tonight, Pinkston has raced for 2,175 yards. Parks has 1,874. The two have combined for 57 touchdowns.
“It’s unique to have two of the best running backs in the state on the same field on the same night,” Young said. “But the game is so much more than Parks vs. Pinkston. “It’s our offensive line and Parks against their defensive line. It’s their offensive line and Pinkston against our defensive line.”
West’s defensive front will have to prove its stats aren’t a misprint. Chris Smith, Eli Goodson, Brett Graham, Kenderic Dunlap and company are giving up just 24 yards on the ground per game, 123 total and 9 points.
“Pinkston’s small in stature,” Young said. “He’s listed at 170 pounds but he runs very big. He doesn’t sacrifice speed to do so. He’s a complete back.”
– Jon Crucitti meets his former team.
Crucitti, arguably Rowan County’s most versatile player, transferred from Mooresville, where he played quarterback. At West, he has played quarterback, running back, receiver, punt returner and punter.
“That ought to be interesting to see how that develops,” Young said. “Their kids will be fired up to come after him. He’ll be fired up to perform well against his old buddies.”
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Mooresville plays on aritificial turf and teams have said it is quite an adjustment for many opposing players.
But what about Mooresville when it has to play on real grass? Are the Blue Devils uncomfortable?
No, Young says. “They play on the baseball field so it shouldn’t be that big of an adjustment.”
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Early in the week, Young was praying for the rain to stay away. It has already ruined three Friday nights this season. He was happy to hear the forecast of 76 degrees during the day and no raindrops at night.
“We can have a big crowd,” he said.
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It’s a full slate of games.
Mike London wll be at the biggie, West-Mooresville. Bret Strelow is headed for West Iredell, who is playing host to Carson. David Shaw goes with Salisbury to Providence Grove. Jason Bullard is covering East at Statesville. Bill Kiser is following South Rowan to North Iredell. Steve Huffman will be at North Rowan, who plays Lexington. Brian Pitts has the Davie-North Davidson game.
And Nick Bowton?
Well, after four years, Nick has left the Post to go back home to Indiana. We’ll miss him.
We love ya, man.
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On the air tonight …
– The dynamic duo of Howard Platt and Wilson “Don’t call me Wild” Cherry will call the West-Mooresville game on WSTP 1490 AM.
– The fast-moving show on WSAT 1280 AM, anchored by Mark Loman, will have reporters at every game for updates and play-by-play.
– We used to call WRNA’s Carl Ford “The Politician.” Now, we have to call him Commisioner Carl.
Ford and The Coach, Bob Parker, will be on 1140 AM bringing us the South-North Iredell game.
Just wondering: Will Ford try to talk Parker into running for office?
– The velvet-voiced Randy Whitley and former A.L. Brown coach Buddy Amerson will call the Wonders game at home against Concord on WRKB 1460 AM.
Go enjoy a game tonight, folks. And be nice.