PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES NIX

BY JOE HABINASpecial to the Independent Tribune

KANNAPOLIS — The A.L.Brown Wonders football teamhas been sitting in the 3A clas-sification’s waiting room for thelast three years while a return tothe South Piedmont Conferencehas been imminent.

Coach Mike Newsome said histeam would never consider itselfa lame duck as it plays its finalseason in Class 4A, with the N.C.High School Athletic Associationmoving the squad back to 3A af-ter the 2016-17 academic year.

The Wonders, who won theBattle for the Bell last season,perceive the 2016 season as achance to settle some unfinishedbusiness against the MECKA 4Aconference, which has some ofthe fiercest big-school teams inthe state.

A.L. Brown is coming off a sea-son in which it posted its bestoverall record of its three yearsin 4A. And despite losing a bigchunk of its offensive produc-tion through the graduation ofits best skill-position players, theWonders feel they can still go outwith a bang.

“Our goals aren’t going tochange,” said Newsome. “Wewant to win the conference, getinto the playoffs with a good seedand make a run in the playoffs.With the talent in the conferencewe play in, we’re facing an up-hill battle. It’s hard to competeagainst schools twice our size.”

Three-time defending Class4AA state champion MallardCreek sets the standard for therest of the league, but teamssuch as Hough and Vance areconsistently competitive withthe Mighty Mavericks. And sowere the Wonders last year.

A.L. Brown suffered a 37-27loss to Mallard Creek, somewhatof a morale-boosting victory fora team looking to add a signaturevictory to its MECKA resume.

Should the Wonders make theimprint this season that theydesire, the change might haveto come through their defense,laced with eight returning start-ers that include a fast and veter-an-heavy secondary, which hasbeen one of the positions Mal-lard Creek has decimated oppo-nents with over the years.

Under new defensive coordi-nator Barry Lipscomb, the Won-ders will employ a new 4-2-5defense which will feature itssecondary.

Senior Steven Howie is mov-ing from outside linebacker tosafety, which will provide himthe latitude of roaming all overthe field. All-conference safetyCinsere Allison, Equarius Bald-win, and Nakohr Wise bolsterthe quality unit.

Although the linebacking andlinemen corps were decimatedby graduation, productive play-ers such as third year starting

linebacker Elijah Hall and line-men Najee Williams and SherrodSutton return.

“I play mostly offense, but thedefense gives me a lift every timeI go out there,” said senior re-ceiver Lewis Harris. “Every timethe offense runs our plays (atpractice), the defense is on it,and they don’t even know halfour plays.”

Brown’s receivers appear to bethe most experienced unit onoffense. Harris (301 yards) andBrandon Dry (four touchdowns)will help a new quarterback getacclimated.

Harris is a 6-foot-2 speedsterwho played in just seven gameslast year but still managed torank second on the team with301 yards. Dry made the most ofhis nine catches in 2015, finish-ing with a team-best four touch-down grabs.

Another player who couldfigure into the pass-catching

scheme is senior Sherrod Sut-ton. The 6-2, 225-pound is be-ing recruited as a linebacker– the Charlotte 49ers and Geor-gia State have offered – but lastseason showed the versatility tocatch three touchdowns.

“I do like offense,” Sutton saidwith a grin. “So if Coach New-some needs me to go over thereand make some plays, I will. Ijust think we have a chance tohave a special year.”

Entering the season, the re-placement for last year’s startingquarterback, Damon Johnson,replacement looks to be eitherCordarius Butler, the JV starterfor two years, or senior Zach Wil-liamson.

Both starting halfbacks need tobe replaced, and Ja’Querius Bostlooks to be a leading candidate.

The offensive line doesn’t havemuch depth, but Mason Goet-ting and Jeremy Davis are bothreturning starters.

While the defense is strong,the Wonders’ offense will sorelymiss some key players. In addi-tion to the loss of the dual threatJohnson, the team also saw thegraduations of Jalyn Cagle andSandon McCoy, who were twoof the best running backs in thecounty. For perspective, Caglewill play at Gardner-Webb thisseason, while McCoy is a first-year player at Army.

Bost is capable of having animpact, however.

Last season, despite being lim-ited to 33 carries in fill-in duty,Bost ranked third on the teamwith five rushing touchdowns.He finished his junior season byaveraging five yards per carry.

The versatile Howie also is acapable ball carrier, as he playedhalfback during a playoff gamewhen Cagle was injured lastseason. Howie said he wouldn’tmind getting some carries thisseason.

2 � SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE � www.independenttribune.comBATTLE FOR THE BELL

WONDERSFAST FACTSCOACH: Mike Newsome, sixth season(45-25)RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 5,defense 8CONFERENCE: MECKA 4A2015 RECORD: 10-3, 4-22015 POINTS SCORED PER GAME:

33.22015 POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME:

16.32016 SCHEDULE

Aug. 18 at ConcordAug. 26 SOUTH ROWANSept. 2 NORTHWEST CABARRUSSept. 9 at MooresvilleSept. 23 NORTH MECKLENBURGSept. 30 VANCEOct. 7 at Jay M. RobinsonOct. 14 at HoughOct. 21 MALLARD CREEKOct. 28 at West CharlotteNov. 4 at Hopewell

ON A HIGH NOTEWONDERS MAINTAIN STANDARDSIN FINAL SEASON IN CLASS 3A

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

Wonders coach Mike Newsome (white shirt) fires up his team before a game last season. A.L. Brown finished the2015 season with a 10-3 record.

BY C. JEMAL HORTONjhorton@independenttribune.com

CONCORD — Another groupof talented football players hascycled through the ConcordHigh School program.

In one fell swoop during theschool’s June graduation cere-monies, the Spiders lost a com-bined 20 years of varsity expe-rience when four-year startersMike Baker, Keenan Black,Carter Mozingo, Dez Scott andDrew Yoos walked across thestage.

Each was an all-conferenceperformer, and two of them– Black (offense) and Baker (de-fense) – were league players ofthe year. That group contrib-uted mightily to the Spiders’run to a third consecutive un-defeated South Piedmont titlegrab and the Class 3AA statesemifinals.

Now, as is usually expected ofhim, Spiders coach Glen Padgettmerely will be asked to makesomething similar happen.

The 2016 edition of the Spidershas its share of special players,as senior safety/receiver Ham-sah Nasirildeen and junior de-fensive tackle Rick Sandidgeare regarded among the best intheir respective classes.

But Padgett, now in his eighthseason at the helm, warns thatthis year’s team has several Con-cord varsity neophytes who stillare filling their way as Thurs-day’s Battle for the Bell againstrival A.L. Brown beckons.

“This is a great group of youngmen, and they’ve worked hardin practice -- we’ve just gotthose questions,” Padgett said.“And those questions aren’t go-ing to be answered in practice.What kids do in practice and,often times, what happens ingames are two different things.You find out how they respondto adversity versus an oppo-nent, especially the quality op-ponent we have (to open) thisyear. There’s no way for a kid

who’s never been in that envi-ronment to prepare for it.”

To be clear, though, no oneoutside Bailey Stadium is feel-ing sorry for Padgett’s Spiders.

Last year’s team that domi-nated the SPC and made an in-spired playoff run?

That Spider squad faced simi-lar questions after the loss ofthe entire offensive line andacclaimed running back RockyReid to graduation. But thingsworked out rather well, and abevy of players showed theywere winners and college-levelathletes.

This year’s team might havesimilar potential, though theoffense will be led by a youngsophomore quarterback: ei-ther Larkin Lancaster or JustinSmith.

Lancaster was Concord’s JVstarter last year and got a fewsnaps on the varsity. Smith,meanwhile, is a transfer fromEast Rowan, but he also mostlysaw JV action in 2015.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Lan-caster is a mobile, quick player,who throws the ball well on themove. Smith’s a rangy 6-2 and170 pounder who’s calm in thepocket and shows good touchon his throws, especially thedeep ball.

“They’re both very coach-able, they’ve worked hard, andthey have a good understand-ing of what we’re trying to do,”Padgett said. “It’s just a matterof getting better and makingthe right decision the majorityof the time.”

At running back, P.J. Hall willstart as the featured carrier– something he showed he canhandle after rushing for 1,484yards and 12 touchdowns a yearago.

Although Hall’s backfieldmate from last season, NickKelly, currently isn’t playingbecause of “a personnel mat-ter,” two newcomers will help:5-9, 210-pound Carson transferJay Wilkerson, as well as Malik

Brown, who Padgett said “is alegit sub-4.5 kid.”

The receiving corps is solid,really solid, led by the 6-foot-5,210-pound Nasirildeen. Otherlikely starting pass-catchersinclude juniors Zyoin Bogerand Antonio Campbell and 6-1 sophomore Ikym Hall, whosome say conjures memories of2013 Concord grad Alex Asbury.

Jourdain Heilig also will seetime at receiver.

Concord’s offensive line fea-tures three veterans, althougheach is at a new position. HollisMiller and Ben Holbrooks bothhave transitioned to guard,while junior Isaac Cochran goesfrom guard to center. LoganCress steps in at right tackle,while the left tackle spot be-longs to 6-6, 275-pound Chris-tian Ealey, a basketball playerwho hasn’t been on the gridironsince middle school.

Sandidge should have anotherbig year on the defensive line,and a pair of Millers — Nemo

and J.D. – will man the ends.In addition to running back,

Hall also should start at line-backer – he was all-conferencethere two years ago – and getsupport from promising play-ers Clint Bost and Ja’Nai Spratt.

The secondary could be thestrength of the defense, as Na-sirildeen and Rocco Dsouzamake for one of the hardest-hit-ting safety duos in the county,and Justin Nicholson and JalenMartin handle cornerback du-ties. Nick Santiago also will seetime at strong safety.

Boger and Landon Trott bothwill punting, and Trott will takecare of kickoffs, extra pointsand field goals.

Although making the Spiders’combination of talent and inex-perience gel in a timely fashionwill be a task, Padgett hasn’tlowered his standards for any ofthe players in his program.

“As a coach,” he said, “it’s achallenge. But the challenge isfun.”

SPIDERSFAST FACTSCOACH: Glen Padgett, eighth season(78-23); 19th overall (151-84)RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 5,defense 5CONFERENCE: South Piedmont 3A2015 RECORD: 13-2, 9-0 SPC2015 POINTS SCORED PER GAME:

30.52015 POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME:

13.9

2016 SCHEDULE

Aug. 18 A.L. BROWNAug. 26 ALBEMARLESSept. 2 EAST ROWANSept. 9 HICKORY RIDGESept. 16 at South RowanSept. 30 at Central CabarrusOct. 7 COX MILLOct. 14 at CarsonOct. 21 WEST ROWANOct. 28 at Northwest CabarrusNov. 4 at Jay M. Robinson

REPEAT THE FEAT?SPIDERS MUST GEL TO KEEP

LEAGUE STREAK ALIVE

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

Concord coach Glen Padgett celebrated with his players after the Spiders defeated A.L. Brown in the 2014 Battlefor the Bell game. Can the Spiders win back the Bell after losing it last year?

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INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE � www.independenttribune.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 � 3BATTLE FOR THE BELL

YEAR IN REVIEWConcord takesthe field againstKannapolisduring lastseason’s Battlefor the Bell atKannapolisMemorialStadium.Kannapolis wonthe game 26-15.

A.L. Brown getsfired up before

last year’s gamein Kannapolis.

A.L. Brownstudent Thomas

Watson takesa “selfie” of

himself and thestudent section

prior to thegame.

Concord’sHamsahNasirildeenhauls in a catchin last year’sBattle for theBell.

IT PHOTOGRAPHER

JAMES NIX TELLS THE

STORY OF LAST YEAR’S

GAME IN PICTURES

A.L. Brown players celebrate with the bell after defeatingConcord 26-15 in the annual cross-town grudge match. Thisyear’s game will be played on Aug. 18 in Concord.

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Kelly

BY C. JEMAL HORTONjhorton@independenttribune.com

CONCORD — After establishing him-self as one of the top high school de-fensive lineman in the state, earninga chance to play in one of the nation’sbiggest all-star games and having mul-tiple meetings with some of collegefootball’s most recognizable coaches,Rick Sandidge still perceives himself anoverachiever.

In Sandidge’s bespectacled eyes, he isovercoming the odds.

Despite his impressive size — 6 foot5, 275 pounds — and supreme athleticability, the Concord High School juniorstill doesn’t quite understand why morethan 20 of the nation’s top programswant him so badly.

“My parents are shocked, I know that,”Sandidge said. “They really didn’t thinkthis was going to happen. And I’m goingto be honest: I didn’t either.

“Since I was a little kid, I always want-ed to go to the NFL, but I really nevergot into the process of thinking aboutcollege. Now that so many of theseschools are showing interest in me, I’mlike, ‘Wow.’”

Sandidge has prompted a similar re-action from college recruiters: “Wow.”

During his sophomore campaign lastyear, Sandidge emerged as the mostheavily recruited player on a star-stud-ded Spiders team that went undefeatedin the SPC for a third consecutive sea-son and reached the Class 3AA statesemifinals.

Midway through the fall, North Caroli-na was the first school to offer Sandidgea scholarship. A few months later, Spi-ders head football coach Glen Padgettand defensive coordinator Matt Jenkinswere constantly getting calls about San-didge.

By the spring, Sandidge also held of-fers from schools such as Duke, Florida,

Florida State, Louisville, Michigan, N.C.State, Penn State, South Carolina, Syra-cuse, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and WestVirginia.

Then, this summer, the biggest of the

big-boy programs extended an invita-tion. The reigning national champions,the Alabama Crimson Tide, said they,too, wanted Sandidge.

Even for someone being pursued by

major programs, the scholarship offerfrom Alabama coach Nick Saban wasan eye-catcher.

“I was like, ‘Wow. The team that wonthe championship last year offeredme,’” Sandidge recalled. “But at thesame time, I have to keep my optionsopen. I have to remember: I’ve gotFlorida State, Florida, Michigan — allthose other schools. All those are greatschools. And although Alabama is spe-cial, I have to keep my choices open. Ican’t just automatically say, ‘Oh, it’s Ala-bama.’”

Sandidge hasn’t let his meteoric risechange him. His friends, he said, play abig part in that.

“My friends don’t treat me any differ-ently; they just treat me like … Rick,”Sandidge said.

Padgett and his staff have alwaysworked to keep their most highly re-cruited players ground, emphasizingteam in nearly every setting.

And then there’s Sandidge’s easygoingnature. Despite his mammoth size, he’sa bit of a teddy bear. The only hint oftoughness he shows is when he’s on thefootball field. Otherwise, he’s wearinghis glasses and trying to have fun.

“People recognize me more now, but Ithink it’s more because of my personal-ity,” Sandidge said. “People already likeme because I have a good personality.”

Sandidge’s exemplary way of han-dling his situation doesn’t at all sur-prise Padgett, who’s coached his shareof highly recruited players in his time.The Spiders coach believes Sandidge’senvironment has put him in positionto handle his position as a highly recog-nized recruit with aplomb.

“Young people seem to handle thesethings one or two ways,” Padgett said.“They handle them with the deer-in-

BY C. JEMAL HORTONjhorton@independenttribune.com

KANNAPOLIS – The people in Sher-rod Sutton’s inner circle have alwaysbelieved he was destined for greatness.

And despite Sutton’s chiseled 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame, tireless work rateand ability to cause bodily harm topeople running with footballs, thatpotential for greatness has never beenlimited to the gridiron.

While the A.L. Brown High Schoolsenior aspires to play big-time collegefootball and, quite possibly in the NFL,he also wants to leave a different kindof legacy as an athlete.

“I want to give back, especially to thehomeless people,” Sutton said. “I reallywould love to do that. It’s important tome. I think that’s what I’m meant to do— help people.”

Family members say Sutton has al-ways had a selfless spirit, but the line-backer/receiver had an experience lastmonth that he said forever changedhim.

On a steamy day in Concord, nearCorbin Avenue, Sutton was mowinggrass with some family and friendswhen a homeless man approachedand began sharing the story of howhe wound up on the streets. The morethan man spoke, the more intently Sut-ton listened.

“He started talking to us about howhe doesn’t have a home to go to,” Sut-ton recalled. “He was telling me how hehad everything, and now he has noth-ing. That stuck with me.”

So now, instead of focusing solely onfootball-related things such as formtackling and backpedaling, Suttonalso spends a great deal of mental en-ergy trying to make a difference off thefield.

On the field, he’s already doing quitewell.

Last season, from his outside line-backer spot, Sutton ranked fourth intackles (58) on a Wonders defense that

allowed just 16 points a game whilecompeting in the rough-and-tumbleMECKA 4A conference. He also addeda sack and displayed the athletic abilityto tie for the team lead with two inter-ceptions.

On offense, Sutton caught just seven

passes, however, three of those wentfor touchdowns, which gave him thesecond-highest total on the squad be-hind fellow senior Brandon Dry’s fourreceiving scores.

Those numbers — coupled with hisimpressive size, speed and strength –

helped make Sutton a recruiting target.In May, the Charlotte 49ers and GeorgiaState University offered scholarshipsto Sutton, and he’s currently receivinginterest from bigger programs, such asSouth Carolina and N.C. State.

Colleges are courting Sutton as a line-backer. And as much as he loves play-ing offense, he’s perfectly fine on thedefensive side of the ball if it lands himon the college campus he desires.

“Most schools see me as an outsidelinebacker or a middle linebacker,”Sutton said. “It really doesn’t matter, aslong as I can get on the field. Plus, I likedefense, too. I just like flying around,being relentless, just going crazy hit-ting people.”

And then, of course, he likes helpingpeople.

It is a character trait family membersnoticed in Sutton when he was young-er.

“He’s really humble,” said Kyrell Wil-liamson, Sutton’s first cousin and aformer Wonders standout linebacker.“Sherrod wants to help others. Hewants to see other people succeed.Even if people are succeeding morethan him, he’s not one to be jealous. Hebelieves everybody should be great. Hebelieves everybody should be treatedequally and feel important.

“He does it for his friends or peopleat school. He doesn’t have a lot, buthe gives as a teenager in high school.That’s how our family is — we like tohelp others out. It’s instilled in him.”

Caring about others, Williamson said,is why things such as the family unit areso important to Sutton.

For instance, while the two youngmen are cousins, Sutton refers to Wil-liamson as his brother. Those who donot really know the family history arenone the wiser, mainly because

Sutton and Williamson grew up likesiblings.

4 � SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 � 5INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE � www.independenttribune.com

THE GIVERA.L. BROWN’S SELFLESS

SUTTON WANTS TO MAKE A

DIFFERENCE OFF THE FIELD

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

A.L. Brown senior linebacker Sherrod Sutton will play linebacker and receiver for the Won-ders this season.

CONCORD — Concord High School seniorJustin Nicholson has the perfect personality tobe a defensive back: He has swagger. Plenty of it.

While Nicholson isn’t a braggart, he clearly be-lieves in his ability to defend anyone in the state.

And why not?Last season, Nicholson registered three inter-

ceptions, and he took two of those “picks” allthe way back for touchdowns. He also was greatin run support, finishing with 43 tackles on oneof the state’s stoutest defenses.

This season, Nicholson hopes to play an everbigger role for the Spiders, starting with theBattle for the Bell game this week.

A three-sport letterman for the Spiders (football,basketball and track), the 6-foot-1 Nicholson alsois looking to attract college recruiters this season.

One thing is certain: He definitely believes hewill make that happen.

What is your mindset going into theseason?

I want to end the season with six, seven (in-terceptions). I’m going to return three of them.I’m going to the house on three of them, atleast. And I want a (state championship). I knoweverybody wants one, but Concord deserves aring. We’ve been close way too many times thepast few years.

If you could have any super power,which one would you choose?

Super speed. You could go somewhere in theblink of an eye, and no one would see you. Soon the football field, I would be unstoppable.

What has been the best moment of yourfootball career?

The 2013 state championship game. It was beau-tiful, it was like a rush. I was in ninth grade, and Iknew I wasn’t going to get in the game, but I had

that feeling that, ‘I want to play football forever.’ Inwarmups, it was the best thing ever. I haven’t feltthat feeling since then, so I really feel like I need togo to states this year and have that feeling again.

Who will win the college football nation-al championship?

Bama. They always find a way to replace greatplayers.

What has been the lowest moment ofyour football career?

Crest (last year in the state semifinals). No oneexpected us to lose at all, but especially not thatbad (44-6). For them to come out here and beatus like that, it was terrible. From start to end.That will always stick with me. I thought thatwas going to be the year to get that (good) feel-ing one more time.

Who is the best player in CabarrusCounty – who is not on your team?

Javonte Misenheimer (from Jay M. Robinson).He’s my boy, and he’s going to cut up this sea-son. He’s going to do very well. But I can’t waitto guard him. I told him I don’t want to hear anyexcuses this year.

Who is your football role model?

Richard Sherman (of the Seattle Seahawks).He looks down people, and he does it in a low-key fashion – except for that one year, whenhe went crazy on TV, screaming, ‘I’m the bestcorner in the game.’

Who is your non-football role model?

My mom (Hillary). She plays a big part inmy life. She has a bunch of roles, and she doeseverything she can to make sure I’m on top of

CONTINUING A LEGACY: A.L. BROWN AT CONCORD

BATTLE FOR THE BELL 2016

Q&A: SPENDING TIME WITH … JUSTIN NICHOLSON

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

Concord’s Justin Nicholson is expected to be one of the two corner-backs in the South Piedmont 3A conference this season.

THE DREAMERONE OF NATION’S TOP JUNIORS, SANDIDGE EMBRACES NEWFOUND SUCCESS

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

Concord’s Rick Sandidge has been offered scholarships by more than 20 colleges, and thatlist could grow once teams are able to contact him directly in September.

Q&A: SPENDING TIME WITH … ELIJAH HALLKANNAPOLIS — As the middle child of a fam-

ily of five children, Elijah Hall is familiar withhaving to find his way. And that’s exactly whatthe senior defensive lineman has done duringhis A.L. Brown High School football career.

After what he considered to be a sub-parseason in 2014, Hall bounced back to becomeone of the best defensive players in the MECKA4A conference last year.

The 6-foot, 250-pounder was a force at times,finishing with 40 tackles and tying Steven How-ie for the team lead with seven tackles behindthe line of scrimmage. In addition, Hall was oneof the best players in the county at corrallingthe quarterback, as he had 10 sacks in 2015.

Hall said he doesn’t have any college scholar-ship offers at the moment, but he believes astrong season by the Wonders and another hard-working year for himself will change that soon.

What is your expectation going into thisseason?

To keep the bar high. I want to do better thanlast season.

Talk about that strong season you hadlast year. How did you do it?

I feel like it was all preparation. Coming off mysophomore year, I felt like I didn’t play well, andI wanted to do better. It seemed like people fromthe outside looking in felt like I wasn’t ready toplay. I felt like I had something to prove, and Itried to play that way every day.

What’s your favorite movie?

“Friday.” Every scene is funny to me.

If you were stranded on a desert islandand could only have three things, whatwould they be?

Water, a football and some cleats. I might as

well get some work in while I’m there.

Who’s your role model in football?

Melvin Ingram (linebacker) from the SanDiego Chargers. I feel like we play alike.

Who’s your non-football role model?

Floyd Mayweather. I like watching him fight.He always finds a way to win.

What’s your pre-game ritual?

To just pray. I try not to be tense or get toozoned in on one thing. I want to have fun. It is agame, at the end of the day.

How did you pick your jersey number?

In seventh grade, I thought I was a skill playerso I tried to get a low number. But I wasn’t a skillplayer, so the coach made me go with the line-men. I still tried to get the lowest number theyhad, and that was 54. In eighth grade, my mama(Natasha McCauley) said she liked seeing me in54, so I just kept that.

If you could have any kind of superpower, what would it be?

Speed would be everything. If I have superspeed I could run down anybody.

What has been your best moment infootball?

Winning The Bell back (from Concord) lastyear.

What has been your lowest moment infootball?

My freshman year against Weddington, play-ing JV, coming back from being down 21-0. Wecame back but we couldn’t finish.JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTRIBUNE.COM

A.L. Brown senior defensive lineman Elijah Hall registered 10 sacks lastseason and tallied seven tackles for loss.

See SANDIDGE, Page 6See SUTTON, Page 6

See NICHOLSON, Page 6 See HALL, Page 6

things. She helps me push throughthings and get through life. If I can be likeher, or at least half as good as she is, I’llbe OK in life.

Have you gotten any scholarshipoffers?

Not yet, but I’m going somewhere ona full ride. Somebody is going to recruitme. Point blank, hands down, I’m goingsomewhere.

Five seconds are left in the game,and your team trails by three pointswhile you’re at the 5-yard line athome. Do you kick the field goal forthe tie or go for the touchdown?

We’re going for the win, no doubt. I

don’t want to hold anything back. We’vefought all game, and we’re going to pushthrough and finish it. I don’t think any-body would stop us.

What’s the best thing about beinga defensive back?

The accomplishment of playing my role.If I can stop the guy in front of me, thenthe rest of my team can handle everythingelse. Hamsah (Nasirildeen) can stop therun, Rick (Sandidge) can stop the run. Ifyou get past those two, my God! So whenyou get to me, I’m OK. I’ve got things.

Ten years from now, Justin Nichol-son will be …

In the NFL! (Laughing) You can’t tell menothing! I don’t care what anybody says.I’m going to the NFL.

— C. Jemal Horton

Williamson’s father,Myron Williamson, andSutton’s mother, AliciaWilliamson, are brotherand sister. Sutton, whosefather is deceased, hasbeen raised by his motherand grandfather, KennethWilliamson, who helpedshape the way he views theworld today.

But when he neededsomeone closer to his ageto emulate, Sutton oftenlooked to Williamson, whois three years his senior.

“We were around eachother all the time,” saidWilliamson. “He stayed (atmy house), and I stayed (athis). He would always say,‘I’m watching you and do-ing what you’re doing,’ so Iknew I had to do the rightthing for him. That’s howclose we are.”

In many ways, Sutton istaking Williamson’s path togridiron success to greaterheights.

Williamson is a redshirtsophomorelinebackerwithgreat promise at Winston-Salem State University,one of the country’s mostrespected NCAA DivisionII programs. Last year, hemade a clutch interceptionto secure a fifth consecu-tive CIAA divisional cham-pionship for the Rams.

Sutton, who will moveto middle linebacker forthe Wonders this season,already possesses offersfrom a pair of Division Ischools, and more are ex-pected to follow suit.

Williamson certainlyexpects Sutton to attain ahigh level of success in hisfootball future.

“In his conference, hecan be the best,” William-son said. “He just has tostay focused and stay in thefilm room and study. Thesky’s the limit for him.”

Sutton also believes hewill make it. But that be-lief has nothing to do with

“swag” or anything super-ficial.

Besides Williamson, Sut-ton said he draws inspira-tion from his two favoriteNFL players: Blue-collardefensive stars Luke Kue-chly of the Carolina Pan-thers and J.J. Watt of theHouston Texans.

“With J.J. Watt, I saw hisE:60 (feature on ESPN)and how hard he worksand how disciplined he is,”Sutton said. “(Watt) saidhe goes to bed at 9 o’clock(p.m.). I said, ‘You’ve donemade it this far, and you’restill working like you’vegot something to prove?Wow!’”

As a result, Sutton hasadjusted his own bedtime,although not as drasticallyas Watt.

“A year ago, I reallydidn’t go to bed until, like,2 o’clock,” he said. “Butnow, I work around the 12-o’clock range.

“I want to do whateverI need to do to make itand make that differencein people’s lives. I’m will-ing to do anything: workhard, stay in my books andschool. Whatever it takes tobe a blessing for someone.”

6 � SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE � www.independenttribune.comBATTLE FOR THE BELL

SuttonFrom Page 5

the-headlights approach, whereit’s like, ‘Oh, my gosh! Wow!’ Orthey just kind of go with the flow.And Rick’s one of those kids whojust kind of goes with the flow.

“He’s enjoying the accolades,but at the same time, if you wereto talk to him and ask him whatthe most important thing is forhim right now, it’s to help thisteam to be successful,” Padgettcontinued. “And I think thatspeaks volumes for how he wasraised. I think that speaks vol-umes about, not just what kindof player, but what kind of youngman he is.”

And that certainly makes San-didge’s mother, Keshia, proud.

“Junior’s just kind of remainedhumbled through all this,” Kes-hia said of her son, who sharesa name with his father, Rick Sr.“I know it’s shocking for him,but he’s kind of a to-himself kid.

We’re definitely looking forwardto what this brings for him.”

But for as much attention asSandidge has gotten now, he stilllikely hasn’t seen the full extentof the intense college footballrecruiting game. That shouldchange come September, whencollege coaches can directly

contact Sandidge via phone calland text message.

Concord senior defensiveback/receiver Hamsah Nasiril-deen knows what that’s all about.Nasirildeen — who also holdsoffers from blue bloods such asAlabama, Florida State, Michi-gan and Notre Dame — has been

inundated with contact from re-cruiters in recent months.

And that fact that Sandidge’slist of accomplishments couldonly increase makes him moresusceptible to being blitzed bycollege coaches.

In June, Sandidge was invitedto the prestigious Under ArmourAll-American Future 50 combinein Orlando, Florida, a two-dayevent in December reserved forplayers ranked among the top50 11th-graders in the nation. Ifhe does well at the combine, hethen would receive an invita-tion to play in the Under ArmourAll-American Game as a senior.It is an accomplishment that amultitude of today’s NFL playersshare.

“That’s something I want re-ally badly,” Sandidge said. “Thatwould mean a lot, because thoseguys are the best of the best.”

Sandidge desperately wants totake his spot among the best ofthe best, and many believe hehas what it takes to get there.

Padgett said Sandidge’s physicalattributes are what attract col-lege scouts to him.

“Obviously, (his) height andlength and explosiveness and hismotor,” Padgett said. “He playshard every play. Those are thingsthat can be taught, but they canbe taught to an extent.

They have to be innate in a lotof cases to get to that elite level,and that’s where he is.”

But Sandidge doesn’t want toleave anything to chance. Hesaid he is working on being bothphysically and mentally preparedfor when he arrives at the nextlevel. He has a plan in place, andhe’s ready to put it into action.

“I want to be a dominant play-er,” he said. “I want to make suremy family is OK and make surethat I’ve done everything I’m ca-pable of doing before my careeris over. I want to keep myselfclean and stay away from stuffthat can get me in trouble.

“If I do those things, I think Ican accomplish a lot.”

SandidgeFrom Page 5

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTTRIBUNE.COM

A.L. Brown’s Sherrod Sutton(9) is a dual threat as areceiver and a linebacker.

JAMES NIX/JNIX@INDEPENDENTTTRIBUNE.COM

Concord’s Rick Sandidge (90) is drawing attention from some of the elitecollege programs in the nation.

Five seconds are left in the game,and your team trails by threepoints while you’re at the 5-yardline at home. Do you kick thefield goal for the tie or go for thetouchdown?

I’d go for the win. If you go overtime,you’re already down. Go for it while youhave the opportunity.

Who is the best player in Cabar-rus County – who is not on yourteam?

I would have to say Hamsah Nasirildeenfrom Concord.Watching his highlightsand seeing him play, he’s a good athlete.

What positions have you played?

I’ve played all across the defensivefront. My primary position is the threetechnique, defensive tackle. And I playoffensive left guard. I’m starting tolearn right guard right now.

Who will win the college nationalchampionship?

I’d have to say Alabama. They always

have a squad.

What famous actor would playyou in a movie about your life?

Pooch Hall (from the football-themedTV series “The Game”). I think we kindof favor each other and have the samelast name. And he’s a football actor.

What movie best represents yourlife?

“Hard Ball” (a film about a baseballteam comprised of disadvantagedyouths). I didn’t have it as bad as thosekids did, though.

What is your cookingspecialty in the kitchen?

Grilled cheese. That’s about all I canmake.

What is your favoritesubject in school?

History. To me, everything changes.You learn it so you won’t repeat it.

Five years from now,Elijah Hall will be ...

Hopefully, I will have a career in nurs-ing.

— Joe Habina

HallFrom Page 5

NicholsonFrom Page 5

“Somebody is going to recruit me. Point blank,hands down. I’m going somewhere.”

Justin NicholsonConcord Spiders

Make A DifferenceMake A Difference

Recycle!Recycle!

704-933-22221748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. Kannapolis, NC

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NO. NAME CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION

2 . . . . . . Steven Howie . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-2 . . . . . . . . 215. . . . . . LB/RB

3 . . . . . Damon Johnson . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . .QB

5 . . . . . . Cincere Allison. . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . .DB

6 . . . . . . .Brandon Dry . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . WR

7 . . . . . . . Jayln Cagle. . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 195. . . . . . . RB/S

8 . . . . . . Kaseim Black . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 170. . . . . . DB/HB

9 . . . . . . Sherrod Sutton . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 190. . . . . . WR/LB

10 . . . . . Shymere Scott . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 165. . . . . . DB/HB

11. . . . . . Zac Williamson . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . QB/DB

12 . . . . . Jordan Medley. . . . . . . . . FR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 185. . . . . . QB/DB

13 . . . . Cordarius Butler . . . . . . . . SO . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . QB/DB

17. . . . . . Casey Ritchie . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 160. . . . . . WR/DB

18 . . . . . . Lewis Harris . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 170. . . . . . . . WR

20 . . . . . . Nazae Knox . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 165. . . . . . . . .DB

21 . . . . . . Tyrek Cagle. . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-11 . . . . . . . .200 . . . . . RB/LB

22 . . . . . JaQuerius Bost . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 160. . . . . . . . .HB

23 . . . . . Malik Williams . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . .DB

25 . . . . . . Caleb Rose. . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . .200 . . . . . LB/RB

26 . . . . .Agustin Granillo . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 160. . . . . . . . .DB

27 . . . . . . Nakor Wise. . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 160. . . . . . . . .DB

28 . . . . . Kevon Jacobs . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . Punter

31 . . . . . Sandon McCoy . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-11 . . . . . . . . 210. . . . . . RB/LB

33 . . .Angelo Markantonakis . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . LB/TEs

34 . . . . Cameron Rodgers. . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . . 190. . . . . . LB/TE

41 . . . . . Marcus Bolick . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . . . . LB

42 . . . . . Ja-Don Miller . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 170. . . . . . . . . LB

43 . . . . . Nate Williams . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-9 . . . . . . . . 150. . . . . . . . . .K

44 . . . . . . Kaleb Hall . . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . DE/LS

51 . . . . Sabino Martinez . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 190. . . . . . LB/OL

54 . . . . . . Eligah Hall . . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . . 245. . . . . . DL/OL

56 . . . . Denzel Fitzgerald . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . . LB

58 . . . . Darell Fitzgerald . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175. . . . . . . . . LB

64 . . . . . Jeremy Davis . . . . . . . . . SO . . . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . . . 240 . . . . . . . . OL

66 . . . . . Martin Solano . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 5-7 . . . . . . . . 260 . . . . . . . . DL

70 . . . . .Mason Goetting . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 250 . . . . . . . . OL

71 . . . . . .Aaron Smith . . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 210. . . . . . OL/DL

72 . . . . Cameron Peters . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-2 . . . . . . . . 260 . . . . . . . . OL

73 . . . . . Evan Anderson . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-10 . . . . . . . . 230 . . . . . . . . OL

76 . . . . . Juan Morgan . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 290 . . . . . . . . OL

78 . . . . . Luis Carmona . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 250 . . . . . . . . OL

80 . . Dominique Washington . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . . . WR

81 . . . . Ernesto Auguilera. . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 5-11 . . . . . . . . 190. . . . . . TE/WB

82 . . . . . Jeremey Phifer . . . . . . . . JR . . . . . . . . 6-4 . . . . . . . . 180. . . . . . . . WR

83 . . . . . .Alex Hubbell . . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 210. . . . . . TE/DE

88 . . . . . Najee Williams. . . . . . . . . SO . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . .200 . . . . . . . . DE

90 . . . . .Dantrell Barkley . . . . . . . . SR . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . . . . . 275. . . . . . . . . DL

91 . . . . . . CC Huntley. . . . . . . . . . SO . . . . . . . . 5-11 . . . . . . . . 240 . . . . . . . . DL

Head coach: Mike Newsome

Assistant coaches: Todd Hagler, Jeff Brandon, Scott Jordan, Barry Merritt, Caleb Hughes,

Barry Lipscomb, Travis Billings, Sam Davis, Nick Entas, Chavis Maxwell, Tony McKinney, Chris

Duplisea

No. Name Height Weight Position Class

2 . . . . Hamsah Nasirildeen . . . . . . . 6-5. . . . . . . . 215 . . . . . . .WR/DB . . . . Senior

3 . . . . . . .Justin Smith . . . . . . . . . 6-2. . . . . . . . 170 . . . . . . . . QB . . . Sophomore

4 . . . . . . Rocco Dsouza . . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 185 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . . . .Junior

5 . . . . . . . . P.J. Hall . . . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 210 . . . . . . . RB/LB. . . . . Senior

6 . . . . . Antonio Campbell. . . . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 190 . . . . . . . . WR. . . . . . .Junior

7 . . . . . . . J. D. Miller . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 210 . . . . . . . . DE . . . . . . .Junior

8 . . . . . . .Landon Trott . . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . . . . 155 . . . . . . . K/DB . . . . . .Junior

9 . . . . . . Nick Santiago . . . . . . . . . 6-3. . . . . . . . 190 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . . . .Junior

10 . . . . . . .Ikym Hall . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 165 . . . . . . . . WR. . . Sophomore

11. . . . . . Jourdain Heilig . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175 . . . . . . . . WR. . . Sophomore

12 . . . . Larkin Lancaster . . . . . . . . 5-9. . . . . . . . 160 . . . . . . . . QB . . . Sophomore

13 . . . . . Ja’Nai Spratt . . . . . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 185 . . . . . . . . LB . . . . . . .Junior

14 . . . . . Joe Coleman . . . . . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 160 . . . . . . . . LB . . . . . . .Junior

15 . . . . . . Nemo Miller . . . . . . . . . 5-9. . . . . . . . 210 . . . . . . . . DE . . . . . . .Junior

18 . . . . . .Jalen Martin . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 180 . . . . . . DB . . . . Senior

19 . . . . Justin Nicholson . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 185 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . . . Senior

22 . . . . Domenic DeRosa . . . . . . . . 5-9. . . . . . . . 155 . . . . . . . . WR. . . . . . Senior

23 . . . . . . Zyoin Boger . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 185 . . . . . . .WR/DB . . . . .Junior

24 . . . . . Anthony Hunt . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 180 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . . . Senior

30 . . . . . Bobby Harris . . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . . . . 195 . . . . . . . . LB . . . . . . .Junior

31 . . . . . . L. J. Curry . . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 175 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . Freshman

33 . . . . . . Clint Bost . . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 195 . . . . . . . . LB . . . Sophomore

44 . . . . JeMonte Grissom. . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 175 . . . . . . . . DB . . . . . . .Junior

50 . . . . . .Sam Hartsell . . . . . . . . . 6-2. . . . . . . . 265 . . . . . . . . OL . . . Sophomore

51 . . . . . Marshall Eury . . . . . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 190 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . .Junior

52 . . . . . . Logan Cress . . . . . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 210 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

54 . . . . . Jon Lawrence . . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . . . . 220 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . . . .Junior

55 . . . . . . Hollis Miller . . . . . . . . . 6-4. . . . . . . 265. . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

56 . . . . . .Ian Bingham . . . . . . . . . 6-1 . . . . . . . . 270 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

58 . . . Frankie Lenyoun . . . . . . . 5-7 . . . . . . . . 235 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . . . Senior

59 . . . . . Anthony Flores . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . . . . 220 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . Freshman

60 . . . . . . J.P. Porter . . . . . . . . . . 6-4. . . . . . . . 270 . . . . . . . . OL . . . Sophomore

61 . . . . . Ben Holbrooks. . . . . . . . . 6-3. . . . . . . . 265 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

62 . . . . .Malik Alexander . . . . . . . . 5-9. . . . . . . . 220 . . . . . . . . DL . . . Sophomore

69 . Cameron Seniorackangast . . . . . 5-11. . . . . . . . 260 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

70 . . . . .Malcolm Rogers . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 250 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . . . Senior

71 . . . . . Josh Newkirk . . . . . . . . . 6-0. . . . . . . . 230 . . . . . . . . OL . . . Sophomore

72 . . . . . Christian Ealey . . . . . . . . 6-5. . . . . . . . 295 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . Senior

73 . . . . . . Sia Olomua. . . . . . . . . . 6-4. . . . . . . . 290 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . . . .Junior

74 . . . . . Isaac Cochran . . . . . . . . . 6-5. . . . . . . . 275 . . . . . . . . OL . . . . . . .Junior

77 . . . . . Louis Williams . . . . . . . . . 6-2. . . . . . . . 270 . . . . . . . . DL . . . . . . .Junior

80 . . . . . .Isaac Staton . . . . . . . . . 6-2. . . . . . . . 210 . . . . . . . . TE . . . . . . Senior

85 . . . . Donovan Spriggs . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . . . . 180 . . . . . . . . WR. . . . . . Senior

89 . . . . . Kasahn Glover. . . . . . . . . 5-9. . . . . . . . 155 . . . . . . . . WR. . . Sophomore

90 . . . . . Rick Sandidge . . . . . . . . . 6-5. . . . . . . . 275 . . . . . . . . DL . . . Sophomore

Head coach: Glen Padgett

Assistant coaches: Matt Jenkins, Tim Thomas, John Porter, Brad Faw, Steve Swayne, Jason

Porter, Jermaine “Hucky” Reid, Fred Merry, Preston Whitley, Howard Boyd, Jake Thomas, Jeff

Smith, Andre Reid and Doug Billups

2016 A.L. BROWN WONDERS

2016 CONCORD SPIDERS

INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE � www.independenttribune.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 � 7BATTLE FOR THE BELL

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