Live from Mount Pleasant at Shelby

About 20 minutes before kickoff here at Blanton Stadium as Shelby will host Mount Pleasant in the 2AA West finals. The winner will take on the winner of Reidsville and Southern Vance next Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

Uniforms - The Tigers are in their gold (almost yellow) jerseys with white pants and helmets. The Golden Lions are in their black jerseys with black pants and blue helmets.

Great rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by SHS cheerleader Molly McKinney.

Mount Pleasant won the toss and elected to receive.

First quarter
MP will start the first drive on its own 16
Marc Williams and Lanston Tanyi sack MP QB Tye Hill on third down and SHS will take over at midfield after the punt.
Howard Thompson runs left on an option keeper for 30 yards on the Lions' first play from scrimmage to put SHS at the 20.
SHS now inside the MP 5 and goes up 6-0 on a 4-yard touchdown run by Donovan Gidney. Turner Almond's kick is good to make it 7-0 at 7:38.
MP has it on its second drive at the 30.
MP picks up first, first down on an 8-yard completion from Hill to Jason Talbert at 6:30 as the visitors have it at midfield.
Jonathan Hopper breaks up a pass downfield to force 4th down and MP's second punt of the quarter. SHS will start second drive at the 16 with 3:12 left.
Thompson finds WR Zacc Gullatte on a 34 yard pass to put SHS at the 50.
First quarter complete with SHS leading 7-0. The Lions will have the ball at the MP 34 as the second quarter begins.

Second quarter
Thompson finds Gullatte wide open down the right sideline for a 34-yard TD strike as Almond's kick makes it 14-0 at 11:53.

Quick take: SHS has done a solid job of mixing the run with a couple of effective passes in the early going - with good blocking as usual.

Aaron Briscoe causes Hill to fumble and Quevalas Murray recovers to give it back to Shelby at the MP 35. Thompson is quickly sacked by MP's Fred Heintz back behind midfield with 9:42 left.
MP forces a punt and will take over way back at its own 6 after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with 8:37 left in the half.
MP with a couple of first downs and is now at its own 30 with 6:22 left in the half.
MP with its longest pass of the game from Hill to Talbert for 23 yards as MP moves across midfield with 5:30 left.
Jose Sanchez with MP's longest rush of the game down to the 30. Sanchez follows with a run to the 23, setting up a 3rd and 1. Forte carries to pick up the first down inside the 20.
MP with a 4th and 8 at the SHS 17. Hill throws an incompletion and MP turns it over on downs at the 16 with 2:24 left in the half.
SHS backed up to the 12 with 1st and 15 with 2 minutes left in the half.
Gidney and Thompson with a couple of nice carries to get SHS to midfield with 1:17 left in the half.
After an illegal participation penalty, SHS runs out of time at the end of the half.
14-0 SHS leads at the half.

Key stats: Rushing - SHS: Gidney 5-46, Thompson 5-36. MP: Sanchez 11-45, Forte 8-35
Passing - SHS: Thompson 3-4, 74 yards. MP: Hill 3-6-0 35 yards.
Receiving - SHS: Z. Gullate 2-68.

Both teams with 8 first downs.
SHS rushes for 97, passes for 74 yards.
MP rushes for 71 yards, passes for 35 yards.
Hill's fumble was the only turnover of the half.

Second half about to start and SHS will have the ball.

Third quarter
MP's onside kick goes out of bounds and SHS will start near midfield.
SHS now inside the 30 with 10 minutes left in the quarter after a MP penalty.
SHS using its power running game to move down the field. Now down to the 17 with 6:50 left in the quarter.
With the ball positioned in the middle of the field, Almond nails a 32 yard field goal with 5:41 left to make it 17-0. SHS chewed up 6 minutes of clock on the first drive of the half.
MP forced to punt after a three-and-out and SHS will take over at its own 34 with 4:36 left.
After a grounding penalty, SHS forced to punt and MP will take over at its own 31.
Another quick possession and MP forced to punt again and SHS will take over at its own 30 with 1:11 left.
Third quarter ends with SHS leading 17-0. SHS with the ball at its own 37 with a 3rd and 2 when the quarter begins.



Fourth quarter
SHS will punt for the second straight possession and for the third time on the game and MP will take over at its own 46 with 10:44.
SHS' Jonathan Hopper picks off an MP pass with 10:18 left and brings it back across midfield. Hopper hit hard from the blindside and fumbles, MP recovers at its own 33 with a fresh set of downs.
MP moving the ball midway through the quarter and is now inside the SHS 35 with 7:45 left.
SHS' Corey Brooks (now with 11 tackles) makes two key stops to force a 4th and 2 with 6:00 left. Aaron Briscoe stops Forte on fourth down as MP turns it over on downs at the SHS 25.
Now 4:47 left and SHS with the ball at the 31 with 1st and 15.
Thompson keeps the clock moving with a first down run across midfield. SHS with the ball at the MP 40 with 3:27 left.
SHS now 1:05 away from its fourth straight championship berth

Final score, SHS 17, MP 0.

The Lions will likely play Reidsville, which is up big on Southern Vance, in the 2AA State Championship next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Raleigh.

Tonight's coverage (11/30)

I'll be blogging live from the 2AA West final between Shelby and Mount Pleasant tonight at Pearley Allen Field at Blanton Stadium. Also, check out www.shelbystar.com for my halftime and postgame video analysis, along with interactive reporter Kristy McSwain's video highlights of the game.

Photo editor Jeff Melton will be posting photo updates on his blog.

Proposed conference realignment for 2009-20013

From Phil Gardner's story posted on www.varsitync.com.

On Thursday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association revealed the first draft of conferences for the next statewide realignment, which will begin in 2009.

The draft calls for Hunter Huss and South Point to join a wacky nine-team class 3A conference that stretches across four counties. The Huskies and Red Raiders would join Charlotte Catholic, Harding and Waddell from Mecklenburg County, Marvin Ridge, Parkwood and Weddington from Union County, and Anson County High.

Meanwhile, Ashbrook, Forestview and North Gaston would join Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and R-S Central in a seven-team 3A league.

East Gaston, the lone Gaston County school remaining in class 4A for the next realignment, would join Charlotte schools South Mecklenburg, Olympic, Garinger, Myers Park and West Mecklenburg in a six-team 4A league.

Gaston County’s smallest schools would stay together under the current draft, as Bessemer City, Cherryville and Highland Tech would join all four Lincoln County schools, plus Chase, East Rutherford and Shelby in a monster 10-team 1A/2A combination conference.

The draft released Thursday was just that — a draft that could be (and likely will be) changed several times.

Local schools are required to react to the draft by attending the West meeting Jan. 24 at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory.

After that, the realignment committee will review proposals from various schools and draw up a second draft by February. The committee will finalize conferences in March, subject to final appeals.

4A CONFERENCE 12
South Mecklenburg
Olympic
Garinger
Myers Park
West Mecklenburg
East Gaston

3A CONFERENCE 12
Anson
Marvin Ridge
Parkwood
Weddington
Waddell, E.E.
Harding
Charlotte Catholic
Hunter Huss
South Point

3A CONFERENCE 13
North Gaston
Ashbrook
Forestview
Crest
Kings Mountain
Burns
R-S Central

2A CONFERENCE 12 (combination 1A/2A)
Shelby
East Rutherford
Chase
Lincolnton
East Lincoln
West Lincoln
North Lincoln
Bessemer City
Cherryville
Highland Tech

Game time - Pisgah at Shelby

Uniforms - Pisgah is in its white tops with red letters, numbers and trip with white pants with black helmets. Shelby is in its black tops with gold numbers and letters with black pants with old gold helmets.

The Pisgah side is near capacity and the Shelby side is full near the middle section and fans are still filtering in.

Pisgah won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Both teams with their own unique pregame entrances ... Shelby of course has its traditional pile up at the sideline. Pisgah runs in beside the cheerleaders. The cheerleaders carry a big, circular red with a large "P" in the middle. When the cheerleaders reach the 50 yard line, they run around in circles, then duck under the banner and come out.

First quarter
Big kickoff return by SHS Larry Raper, then a first down run by Raper as the Lions have moved down to the PHS 23 with 11:25 left in the first.

Shelby fails to pick up a fourth and seven at the 27 as QB Howard Thompson is sacked at 9:47 and Pisgah recovers the fumble to take over in SHS territory.

Pisgah fakes a punt and picks up a first down on a pass from Jarrod Conard to Josh Piurowksi.

Pisgah has moved inside the SHS 35, mostly with short passes from Tyler Jaynes to his receivers.

Jaynes picked off by Aaron Briscoe (tipped by Quevalas Murray), who brings it all the way back to the Pisgah 35 with 3:28 left.

Shelby's Raper goes around the right side from six yards to make it 6-0 at 1:17. Turner Almond's kick was good to make it 7-0.

Quick take - Shelby's defense has come up with big plays all year and Briscoe's pick and return was another one. Pisgah's defense had trouble stopping the Lions' speed on running plays after the interception.

Pisgah takes over at the 22 on its next drive.

First quarter complete with Shelby leading 7-0 and Pisgah with the ball at its own 40.

Second quarter
Pisgah has used the direct snap to running back Brad Bermudez for four-yard gains twice on this drive.

Lanston Tanyi and Corey Brooks sack Jaynes at 8:55 to force a 3rd and 20. On the third down play, Calvin Gullatte delivers a big hit on a PHS receiver to force fourth down at 8:37.

Short punt by Pisgah and Shelby takes over at the 50 at 8:23.

SHS fullback Donovan Gidney breaks loose down the right side for a 50-yard TD run at 7:35. Almond's kick makes it 14-0 at 7:35.

Quick take - Shelby's short field was set up by a short punt, which wasn't blocked, but was altered by the pressure of Corey Brooks. Even when he doesn't get his hands on the ball, Brooks finds a way to make a difference in a game.

Shelby's Roderick Blake picks off a Jaynes pass at 7:12 to set up a first and goal at the nine.

Gidney charges in from four yards out at 6:07. Almond's kick makes it 21-0 as the Lions have taken control of the game in the second quarter.

Pisgah with the ball at the Shelby 31 with 5:45 left in the half.

Face mask on Shelby negates a fumble recovery by Murray as Pisgah has it across midfield at 4:43.

After a Jonathan Hopper sack, Pisgah calls a timeout facing 4th and 16 with 1:53 left.

Jaynes completes a pass to Connard, who tries to lateral to Bermudez, but it results in a fumble and Shelby recovers and takes over at its own 33 with 1:32 left.

Gidney fumbles and gives it right back to Pisgah at the SHS 33 with 1:00 left.

Pisgah tries a 36 yarder, but Lanston Tanyi blocks the attempt. Shelby will take a knee with 10 seconds left. First half comes to a close with Shelby leading 21-0.

First half take - The interception by Briscoe seemed to turn the momentum of this game completely in Shelby's favor. Since that pick, the Bears have had a couple of solid drives, but Shelby's speed on defense and special teams has been too much for the visitors to handle. Gidney's 50 yard TD run was one of this most impressive carries of the year for Shelby.

A few key stats ...
Jaynes is 13-of-24 with two interceptions for 97 yards in the first half.
Gidney has rushed six times for 71 yards with 2 TD's for Shelby.
The Lions have 10 first downs to Pisgahs' four.
Pisgah has rushed for only 24 yards.

Third quarter
Pisgah starts with the ball at its own 35.

Shelby takes over at its own 32 with 9:40 left in the quarter.

Marc Williams rushes in from 68 yards at 9:28. Almond's kick fails as SHS leads 27-0.

Pisgah's fake punt doesn't work this time as Briscoe stops Drew Hall with a big tackle - setting up Marc Williams' 24 yard TD run. Shelby's touched the ball twice this half and Williams has scored on both plays. Almond's PAT was blocked. 33-0 SHS at 7:17

Jaynes has the Bears inside the SHS 15 with 4 minutes left in the third.

Jaynes connects with Connard on a fade pass to the left corner of the end zone to get Pisgah on the board. Victor Gamez PAT makes it 33-7 AT 1:25.

Larry Raper busts loose for an 80-yard TD run as Shelby goes up 40-7 after Almond's kick. 26 seconds left in the third.

After 3, Shelby 40, Pisgah 7

With the game well in hand, I'm going to head down to the stands and talk to a few fans about their impressions of the Lions' performance tonight.

"I'm not really all that surprised. Knowing what I know about Shelby and what I know about them, I figured we would be keyed up for this game and not looking ahead." - Shelby fan Jim Rose.

"I figured this would be a much tougher game with that group coming down from Pisgah. I guess we were ready for this team. I was really impressed with how our defense came to play." - Shelby fan Earl Fuller.

Fourth quarter
Pisgah scores a late TD to make it 40-14 with 1:10 left.
Final score - Shelby 40, Pisgah 14

The Lions will host Mount Pleasant in the West final next Friday at 7:30 p.m. Mount Pleasant defeated North Lincoln, 18-13 to advance.

Live from Pisgah at Shelby

Shelby fans before the game
Pisgah fans before the game

Live from the pressbox at Pearley Allen Field at Blanton Stadium about 25 minutes until kickoff. I talked to a few fans before the game to get their takes on the game and the tradition at the two schools ...
Former Shelby player Joey Famble (C/0 1997)
"I'm very excited. Every time we play Pisgah, it's a great game. We made the trip up there last year, and this time they have to come to the Lions' den. It's always a hardnosed battle. The key will be who has the best defense and we all know that's the Golden Lions!"

Former Pisgah player Brandon McGaha (C/0 2002)
"I love this program to death. The fans are a big part of Pisgah football. A lot of times we have more fans at away games than at home games. They love their football."

Longtime Pisgah fan Walt Leatherwood
"You can't beat it. I've been coming to games for 40 years. My son Frank finished up at Pisgah. We go everywhere. If there's a ballgame, we're going to be there."


Longtime Pisgah fan W
Longtime

Tonight's coverage (11/23)

I'll be posting live blog updates from the Pisgah at Shelby, third round 2AA State playoff game tonight at Pearley Allen Field and Blanton Stadium.

I plan on getting out to the stadium around 6 p.m. and posting some early posts and possibly some pictures of the fans as it should be a packed house on both sides.

We plan on doing some different things with The Star Car technology as well tonight ... The plan is for me to go down to the car at halftime and give a short video analysis at halftime and following the game.

Look for that video and more videos from the game by interactive reporter Kristy McSwain online at www.shelbystar.com

Welcome back Tom

Forgive the Braves homer in me for a post, but it's good to have Tom Glavine back in an Atlanta uniform ... presumably to close out his career where it started.

Looking forward to seeing him as the No. 3 starter behind Smoltz and Hudson. The Braves were definitely missing a solid arm in that 3 spot last year.

Here's a feature put together last year by the Lowell (Mass.) Sun about Glavine's formative years as a baseball and hockey player.

Crest at Mount Tabor updates

First quarter
Mount Tabor strikes first on a 6 yard pass from Donny McElveen to Lemar Wilson. McElveen hit six of his first six passes in the first quarter.
Score 7-0 Tabor with 10:20 left in the second quarter.

2nd quarter
Tabor turns it over on downs early in the 2nd, then gets a 23-yard run from Reggie Wilkins to move into Tabor territory.
Tabor forces a punt at 7:31
Set up by a 56-yard pass from McElveen to Wilson, McElveen sneaks in from the 1 to make it 14-0 at 5:24
Set up by a 24-yard run by quarterback Zac Halbert, Crest gets on the board with 3 minutes left in the half on a 1 yard run by Tosh Toms to make it 14-7 after Trever Austin's kick.
The two teams traded interceptions late in the half. Tabor cashed in on its pick by Shrine Bowler Ed Gainey as Hunter Furr rushed in from 77 yards out. The score stands at 21-7 at the half.

A few key stats ... Tabor's Hunter Furr has 13 rushes for 130 yards with one touchdown, while the quarterback Donny McElveen is an efficient 9-for-11 for 148 yards and one touchdown.
Tabor has ran 34 plays to Crest's 23.
Crest's biggest gain of the game was Halbert's 24-yard rush on a keeper to set up Toms' touchdown. Ryan Black has 30 yards on six carries, while Toms has 16 yards on five carries. Halbert is just 1-for-7 passing with one interception.

3rd quarter
Crest has taken the first possession of the half down to the Tabor 3. 4th and goal with 7:26 left.
Trever Austin misses a 20 yarder.. Tabor takes over at the 20
Tabor drives 80 yards to go up 27-7 on a sneak by McElveen. The kick failed with 2 seconds left in the quarter.

4th quarter
Halbert finds Reggie Wilkins on a 72-yard catch and run for a TD with 11:44 left. Austin's kick makes it 27-14.
Tabor puts together another long drive and Ed Gainey rushes in from short yardage. The kick fails after an unsportsmanlike penalty. 33-14 Tabor with 4:34 left.
Tabor tacks on another score after a Crest INT on a McElveen pass to Brandon Miller. 40-14 after the extra point.
Crest with the ball at its own 31 with 2:17 left.
Crest turns it over on downs at the Tabor 38. Tabor will take a knee and run out the clock.
Final score, Tabor 40, Crest 14

Live from Crest at Mount Tabor

Live from the pressbox at Mount Tabor High School. We're about one hour from kickoff here in Winston-Salem and the temperature is dropping ... it's 45 now with the forecast set to be in the high 30s by game time.

Crest is in its white tops with green numbers with green pants with gold helmets. Mount Tabor is in its blue tops with gold letters with gold pants and blue helmets.

The Crest band made the trip and the cheerleaders are on the sideline. There's already a pretty good Charger contingency in their seats on the visitors side. The teamline.cc broadcasting crew are setting up their stuff on the top of an RV beside the visitors stands.

Note: Mount Tabor assistant coach Chad Sapp (defensive backs) is the only current member of the Spartans coaching staff that was on the staff during the 1994 playoff thriller at Crest, won by the Chargers. Sapp was a student assistant and statistician that year for Tabor.

Tonight's coverage (11/16)

Pulled off at the Chik-Fil-A not too far from Mount Tabor High School, which hosts Crest tonight in the second round of the 4A football playoffs. The Crest teamline.cc broadcast crew pulled into the parking lot the same time we did ... they'll be broadcasting tonight from the top of an RV!

I'll be posting live updates from tonight's game here, while Star photographer Jeff Melton will have photo updates at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com/

Also, check out videos after the game by Interactive Reporter Kristy McSwain at www.shelbystar.com

For scores from around the area, visit the scrolling ticker at www.varsitync.com

Live from West Stokes at Shelby

About 20 minutes from kickoff here at Pearley Allen Field at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.

The Black and Gold "S" is painted at midfield, so you know it's playoff time at Shelby.

Shelby is in its black tops with black pants with gold helmets. West Stokes is in its white tops with gold pants with gold helmets. The winner of this game takes on the winner of North Surry (6-5) and West Henderson (4-6).

A couple quick notes: West Stokes QB Jonathan Adams has an ankle injury and may not start at QB. However, Adams, a solid all-around athlete, may play another offensive position.

Got word that South Meck (4A) was cited for an ineligible player and had to forfeit its first round playoff contest at Central Cabarrus.

Game time
West Stokes won the toss and deferred to the second half. Shelby will get the ball to start the game.

First quarter
Shelby has rolled out to a 28-0 lead with 4:23 left in the quarter.
Larry Raper has two touchdowns - a 57-yard rushing score and a 33-yard TD grab from Howard Thompson.
Jaurice Haynes has a 42 yard punt return for a score, while Marc Williams rumbled in from 38 yards out. Turner Almond is 4-for-4 on extra points.
SHS goes up 35-0 at 1:58 on a 1 yard run by Donovan Gidney. Almond's kick was good.
Second quarter

Second quarter
SHS goes up 47-0 at 6:59 on a 19 yard TD run by Williams and a 28-yard INT return by Jonathan Hopper.
First half ends with SHS leading 47-0 and obviously in complete control.
West Stokes blocked a punt near the end of the half and missed a 32-yard FG with nine seconds left.

Third quarter
SHS' Zacc Gullatte picks off a pass inside the 10 to stop WS longest drive of the game. Now 1:33 left in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter
WS gets on the board with a safety midway through the fourth. Now 47-2 with 7:07 left.
Shelby's Mario Finney rushes in from 30 yards out and Ben Greene's kick makes it 54-2 at 2:44.
Final 54-2, Shelby wins

Gabe Whisnant: Coverage tonight (11/9)

I will be blogging live from the 2AA first round playoff game between West Stokes and Shelby tonight at Pearley Allen Field at George Blanton Stadium. Check back to the blog through the night for updates.

I'll also try to post as many score updates as possible on Northwest Cabarrus at Burns, Kings Mountain at South Point and Crest at East Forsyth.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com/


After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

More quotes from GWU players and associate coach

A few quotes not used in the GWU basketball follow-up story that will appear in Friday's edition of The Star ...

Senior forward Thomas Sanders
On not letting the mystique of Rupp Arena affect the Bulldogs' play: "I think last year playing at UNC, Wisconsin, N.C. State and Wake helped us. I don’t think it bothered us like last year. We were more prepared mentally. "

On watching Kentucky play the night before against Central Arkansas: "We saw them and we know if we played smart and played with poise and confidence, we could beat them."

On the boost Wednesday's win could give the team: "Our confidence is sky high. We’re not scared to play anybody now. We know if we can beat Kentucky, we can definitely beat anybody in our conference. "

Sophomore guard Grayson Flittner
On the preparation for the game: "Credit the coaches. They gave us a scouting report and we executed it. We played with great poise and executed all night."

On the 14-0 run to start the game: "We took the crowd out right away. We’re a young group, and I think taking the crowd out really helped us. Every time they made a little run, we answered right back and never let the crowd in it."

On maintaining focus after the win: "This is a great confidence booster, but at the same time we have to stay level headed and humble. We need to take care of getting ready for North Greenville, then get ready for Connecticut or Buffalo."

On the new editions to the team: "We picked up great competitors in Aaron Linn and Nate Blank. Those guys are going to get after it. We need five solid basketball players out there, and that’s what happened."

Junior guard Aaron Linn

On the newcomers meshing with the returning players: "They got a lot of experience playing a tough schedule last year and they brought in a great recruiting class. We just wanted to come in and mesh with those guys. It all just came together when we needed it to."

On Grayson Flittner's performance: "Grayson is great with the ball in his hands. He's an excellent passer and shooter. When somebody like that gets on, you just have to get him the ball. He played a great overall game."

Associated head coach Chris Holtmann

On the early season strides: "We’re still learning about this group. We've got nine freshman and sophomores. We’re learning about what they can do. It’s fun because they want to get better and are fearless in their approach."

On the assistants interaction with the head coach: "Coach Scruggs has a great approach during the games. He’s real level-headed and even-keeled. The first thing for us is to prepare the team thoroughly for the opponent within our basic offense and defensive systems. During the game, its’ about making adjustments and substitutions. He’s (Scruggs) great in responding to the information he’s given.

On staying focused the rest of the season: "Appalachian State beating Michigan is a great parallel. It’s a reminder to us, because App. State is now in a dogfight in the Southern Conference. Two or three weeks after they beat Michigan, they lost to Wofford. Conference play is a different animal. What we’re playing for is winning our conference and getting position for the conference tournament. Beating Kentucky doesn’t mean you’re going to go in and beat Belmont."

Students celebrate GWU win

I’ve made the easy drive from Shelby to Boiling Springs plenty of times.

As soon as I left the office late Wednesday night, I knew this trip to Gardner-Webb would be one I would never forget.

I was right.

The Runnin' Bulldogs impressive 84-68 triumph over No. 20 Kentucky at the hoops’ mecca of Rupp Arena sent a burst of energy on a chilly night across the GWU campus. Students bundled up and filed out of their dorms and apartments following the upset – celebrating the biggest basketball win in the school’s history.

Around 12:30 a.m., I made it inside Paul Porter Arena where nearly 100 strong gathered - the chants and drums kept getting louder as I approached from Main Street.

But it didn’t end there.

The crowd moved and cheered in unison, picking up trumpeters and more students along the way. The route went down to the Clock Tower, through the new on-campus apartments, up College Ave. and to the front of the school on Main Street.

The student’s photo opportunity made for a much-needed pause … GWU police chief Barry Johnson had a Segway. I didn’t.

“You got to let kids be kids. It’s a well-behaved crowd, and we don’t expect any problems at all,” Johnson said. “It’s not everyday you knock off the No. 20 team in the nation. Go Bulldogs!”

The excited - and at the same time orderly - crowd would eventually make their way back to the dorms, but this is the type of win that will no doubt resonate through the season and beyond for the Bulldogs’ faithful.

“They were picking us 8^th in the Atlantic Sun and we upset Kentucky,” junior Brian Grant of Marietta, Ga. said. “Everybody is going to come out and support the ’Dogs now no matter what … it’s going to be huge.”

Huge … the perfect way to describe what happened Wednesday night in Lexington, Kentucky and Boiling Springs.

Live from Burns at Kings Mountain

About 20 minutes from kickoff here at John Gamble Stadium on Senior Night. Kings Mountain its black uniforms and black pants with black helmets. Burs is in its white tops with blue pants with blue helmets.

Follow the Crest at South Point game here http://blogs.gastongazette.com/PhillipGardner/Default.aspx

What's at stake: The top 3A seed from the Southwestern 2A/3A Conference for next Friday's State playoffs. The winner will get at least one home playoff game.

Awesome rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by KM student Jordan Page.

Burns won the toss and elected to receive.

First quarter
KM drives and scores on 2nd possession on an 18-yard run by Michael Roberts. Alex Randall's kick makes it 7-0 at 2:17.

Second quarter
KM goes up 14-0 on a 46-yard flea-flicker from Roberts to Neil Scott down the middle of the field. Marlon Whitesides took the initial hand off, then flipped back to Roberts, who threw to a wide open Scott. Randall's kick makes it 14-0 at 11:48.

Now 8:09 left in the half. Burns with the ball at the KM 23 with a 3rd and 17.

Burns pulls within seven at 14-7 at 7:16 on a 2-yard run by Varan Hamrick. Ethan Martin's kick was good. KM was hit with two long penalties on the scoring drive and now has 52 yards in penalties in the first half.

Roberts - now with 103 yards rushing - charges in from 3 yards out at 5:16. Randall's kick makes it 21-7.

Burns answers with four minute scoring drive as Keron Phelps hits Monterrio Merriweather on an 18-yard strike. Kick goes wide as its 21-13 KM leading at 1:55.

The two teams trade interceptions late in the half with Burns' coming deep in KM territory.

Halftime - KM 21, Burns 13

KM will get the ball to start the 3rd

Burns ties it at 21-21 on a 17-yard run by Phelps for TD, then a 2-point conversion pass from Phelps to Donta Hopper at 8:14.

Burns goes up 28-21 on a 49-yard rumble by Phelps.

KM answers on a 6 yard run by Joe Chambers. 28-28 at 1:41 of 3rd

Fourth quarter
KM goes back up on a 45 yarder by Randall. 31-28 at 11:49

Burns ties it at 31-31 with 8:26 left on a 27 yarder by Martin.

KM at the Burns 30 with a 3rd and 5 with 4:44 left.
KM still driving at the 30 with 3:52 left. KM calls timeout at 2:28, still has one left. Burns also with one timeout. Mounties with a 3rd and 11 at the 26 with the game tied 31-31.

Roberts throws an INT and Burns gets it back with 1:40 left near midfield.

Burns at the KM 23 with a 3rd and 13 with :32.7 left. A KM player is down on the ground injured and play is stopped.

Phelps hits Aldrick Watson on a 23 yard strike over the middle with 18.7 left. Martin's kick goes wide. Burns leads 37-31 with 18.7 left.

KM's got time for one more play at the Burns 38 with 5.3 seconds left.

Burns bats down a pass near the endzone at the horn and holds on for a 37-31 triumph.

Tonight's coverage (11/3)

I will be blogging live from the big Burns at Kings Mountain battle tonight at John Gamble Stadium. Check back to the blog through the night for updates.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com.

After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!