By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
In Scott Young’s world, Super Saturday is just part of a Super Schedule set up for the West Rowan Falcons in the fall.
After winning 46 straight games, — the nation’s longest winning streak — to go with three straight state championships, Young wants to see how his kids stack up against some of the country’s top programs. Earlier in the year, he got with a promotor who set up a visit to Mount Ulla from a three-time state champ in Florida: Cocoa High.
Cocoa would replace North Rowan on the schedule, so the Cavaliers became part of a doubleheader.
That fell through, but Super Saturday lives. The promotor set up South Pointe from Rock Hill, S.C. for the Falcons with North taking on University Christian from Florida.
So on Sept. 10, local fans will enjoy a doubleheader at West. North plays at 11 a.m., with West playing host to South Pointe at 4 p.m.
South Pointe is known for Jadeveon Clowney, one of the nation’s best defenders last season, who signed with Steven Spurrier and South Carolina.
“In their short history, they’ve been very, very good,” Young said of the Stallions, losers in last year’s state title game to Myrtle Beach. “It ought to be a big-time deal for everyone.”
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Speaking of West’s schedule, you’ve got South Pointe, but Mooresville is much improved. Davie was a 4A state finalist last year and Salisbury is the defending state 2AA champ.
And that’s the three games before South Pointe.
After three North Piedmont Conference games, the Falcons travel to 2A power Reidsville, who held the nation’s longest win streak at 38 until turning it over to West. Then, the final game of the year is at NPC rival West Iredell, who always seems to give West its most difficult game. The Warriors return practically all of their talented skill people.
“It’s a very, very scary schedule,” Young said.
And the toughest since Young took over in 1998. But like any coach who leads one of the nation’s top football programs, he can’t wait.
“We’d like to think it’s a very scary to them when they see West Rowan on the schedule,” Young said.
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Because of the success, West enters a busy summer with high aspirations.
West will take part in a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage sponsored by the Carolina Panthers on June 16. Then, it heads to Hoover, Ala., July 21-23 for a 7-on-7 with 31 of the other top programs in the country.
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Young was asked if the Hoover event had been canceled due to the devastating tornados that ripped through the state a month ago.
“Everything’s on according to plan,” Young said. “It’s pretty high profile.”
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A.L. Brown made sure that Young and Salisbury’s Joe Pinyan weren’t the only state championship coaches in the area. Wonder officials named Butler’s Mike Newsome head coach, replacing Ron Massey.
Together, the three combined to go 44-3 last season.
“Mike will do well,” said Young, who has worked in the Shrine Bowl and clinics with Newsome. “He’ll put in a new system and get the kids energized.”
Pinyan agreed.
“I think Mike’s a great guy. He’s all about doing things the right way and being a winner. Who knows? Maybe I can go down there and steal some ideas from him now that he’s closer.”
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Pinyan said defensive back Tion McCain, running back Dominique Dismuke and linbacker Kavari Hillie are attending some combines, including one in Williamston.
“It was good for them to see some competition down east,” Pinyan said.
The East already knows about the Hornets, considering Salisbury took down East finalist Northeastern 30-0 in the state final.
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And finally …
The tale of the tape: Young’s wife Diane, gave birth to their third child last week. Brady Foster Young weighed in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces while standing 23 inches. He’ll join recently born Hampton Nixon, Joe’s boy, who was 9 pounds, 2 ounces and stood 21 inches.
Rumor has it, they’re already being fitted for state championship rings.