Common Sense says tonight’s Salisbury-Thomasville football game is one people will still be discussing over Thanksgiving dinner.
It’s a magical thing that Salisbury travels to the “Chair City” to challenge the Bulldogs at George Cushwa Stadium. Like tradition? Thomasville own seven state titles, plus the 1964 WNCHSAA crown.
In 1974, Salisbury’s WNCHSAA champs had to beat Thomasville twice. The Hornets won 7-6 both times, stopping a two-point conversion run both times. The Bulldogs were good also stubborn.
Cushwa was coach from 1959-1972. Since 1972, the Bulldogs have employed only two head coaches ó Allen Brown and Benjie Brown, his son.
Salisbury hasn’t seen Thomasville since a 1995 confrontation that shook the state. Salisbury’s 1995 squad owns school records for offense (38.9 points per game) and defense (5.5). Those Hornets won a playoff game 64-0 for their seventh shutout. They had 1,000-yard backs in speedster Desmond Adams and 205-pound bull Andre Turner.
The Hornets faced Thomasville on Thanksgiving weekend in the third round of the playoffs. It was a Saturday night following a Friday rainout, and the 12-0 teams were the last unbeaten 2As in the state. Had the Hornets won that game, played in front of 7,500 fans at Cushwa, they would have won state.
Thomasville prevailed 14-6. The Bulldogs stopped Turner on fourth-and-goal with four minutes left.
Thomasville won state. Salisbury went straight downhill.
Over the next seven seasons, good coaches tried to reorganize and re-energize, but the Hornets won only 12 times. They lost 65.
Coach Joe Pinyan took over in 2003 and won seven games his first year.
The winning hasn’t stopped. Respect returned. Salisbury’s athletes are again as good as anyone’s. These Hornets were inches from OT against West Rowan.
Tonight, the Hornets return to Cushwa. Allen Brown is still the Bulldogs’ coach, just as he was in 1974 and 1995.
Common Sense, 17-1 last week and 89-14 overall, believes the Hornets are ready.
Salisbury 14, Thomasville 6What could be sweeter?
W. Montgomery 20, North 12A win means second place for the Cavs, but this will be a tough one on the road.
East 28, N. Iredell 13
Win No. 8. Nice season.
South 34, Statesville 14
Sounds like Harris and Mason are on the mend.
Carson 27, W. Iredell 21
Cougars usually beat the teams they should beat.
Brown 27, NW Cabarrus 14
One more SPC title.
Davie 34, Reagan 7
Finally, someone to pick on.Others: Albemarle 66, N. Moore 7; E. Montgomery 27, Chatham Central 21; S. Stanly 42, S. Davidson 14
Lexington 20, C. Davidson 14; E. Davidson 16, W. Davidson 13
Hickory Ridge 28, Concord 20; C. Cabarrus 26, Cox Mill 17; Robinson 22, Mt. Pleasant 14
Reynolds 28, W. Forsyth 23; Mt. Tabor 24, N. Davidson 14