It’s January, which means basketball season. But for Scott Young and Joe Pinyan, football season never seems to end.
Both of the state championship coaches are already thinking seven months ahead when 2011 practice officially begins.
There’s National Signing Day in a couple of weeks when both will be holding parties to salute their seniors moving on to the college ranks. There’s schedule openings to be filled.
At West Rowan, where the Falcons have won three straight state 3A championships, Young is busy supporting his players now involved in winter sports. On Saturday, he watched some of the basketball game against North Iredell, then headed over to Olin to watch the wrestling team go for a conference title against North.
Salisbury’s Pinyan, who won his first title in 2AA, was answering questions about his stars, Romar Morris and Darien Rankin. Both committed to North Carolina but Tennessee and Penn State visits were being talked about.
“They’re on their official visit at North Carolina today,” Pinyan said Saturday. “That’s where they’re going. It’s a done deal, as far as what they’ve told me.”
Both coaches were asked if they could repeat.
“When second semester starts, we’ve got to start working toward next year,” Young said. “We have a chance. We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then but I like the way our kids work.”
Pinyan, who shared the Rowan County Coach of the Year award with Young, is on the same wave length.
“Everybody’s real excited,” said Pinyan. “Now, we’ve got to see what we have to do to win a second one.”
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There has been some tweaking with next year’s schedules.
West dropped Central Cabarrus and Northwest Cabarrus, adding North Rowan and — ready for this? — Reidsville.
Yes, that Reidsville, the team that held the nation’s longest winning streak at 55 before losing last season. The Rams handed the title of longest winning streak to West, which now stands at 46. The two will play in Reidsville.
Young had an opening in the eighth week of the season and feels lucky to find such an intriguing opponent.
“Next year, it’s 11 games in 11 weeks,” Young said. “It was tough to find somebody to play in Week 8. They had an opening and we had an opening. They were excited about the potential to play us. I think it’s going to be a big-time matchup.”
Davie County dropped Salisbury (“I guess they were tired of beating us,” Pinyan laughed). The War Eagles will be replaced by Bessemer City.
“It was between us and West Davidson and they said we were closer,” said Pinyan, who was the only coach to play the other five county schools last year.
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Feb. 2 promises to be a busy day for Young and Pinyan. As many as 13 players could possibly sign on that day from those two title teams.
Young wouldn’t be surprised if seven of his Falcons sign between National Signing Day and Feb. 14.
The biggest name is defensive back Domonique Noble, who is expected to sign with Georgia Tech.
He also mentioned quarterback B.J. Sherrill, defensive backs Trey Mashore and Eric Cowan, defensive lineman Emmanuel Gbunblee, linebacker Quentin Sifford and tight end Patrick Hampton.
Cowan, Rowan County’s Defensive Player of the Year, took the SAT on Saturday and is expected to make his first visits. Word is, Appalachian State is one of the schools working on a package for Sherrill.
At Salisbury, the big question surrounds John Knox, a talented wishbone quarterback. Pinyan said Knox was leaning toward Charleston, a Division II school in West Virginia.
Speedster Morris and safety Rankin are Carolina Blue-bound. Kicker David Simons plans to walk on at Division III Randolph-Macon. Pinyan said tight end Riley Gallagher and defensive back Tre Jackson could go to Division III schools.
At Carson, Mark Woody will have a celebration for running back Shaun Warren (Western Carolina) and receiver Cody Clanton (Catawba).
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Speaking of Warren, who shared the county’s Offensive Player of the Year award with Sherrill, Pinyan wonders if he’ll be available to play in the East-West All-Star game in July. Pinyan’s the head coach of the West and he said the staff has already chosen 20 players with the notion of picking a total of 60, even though the team consists of only 32.
Why 60? Players drop off. Not many Division I signees participate in the game, instead going to college early. That’s why Pinyan knows he doesn’t have a chance at Rankin, Morris or Noble. When asked if Warren would be chosen, Pinyan said, “I’m sure he will be. But will he go to Western Carolina early or wait?”
The team will be announced on Feb. 26.
Coaches have to nominate players and Pinyan said there could possibly be a nice Rowan County flavor in the game. North Rowan sent in the name of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. West sent in several names. Pinyan will probably choose Knox, since he’s planning on running his wishbone offense. Woody nominated Warren.
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And finally, the Post would like to break this exclusive story. West Rowan has admitted to recruiting some future football players.
The Post did some investigative reporting and found out the stars of this new squad will be named Brody, Hampton and Parker.
As in Brody Young, Hampton Nixon and Parker Gentry Durant.
Gotcha.
The wives of Young, assistant Joe Nixon and principal Jamie Durant are all expecting boys. At least two other faculty members are also expecting boys.
“We’ve got a team coming to West Rowan in the spring and summer,” Young laughed.
They’ll be born with a championship spoon in their mouths.
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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com.