Grandview Eagles rock the county!

Jordan Lockhart gallops to the end zone

Call it what you will. The City Championship. The All-American City Classic. The Battle for the Golden Helmet. The 51st battle for middle school supremacy in Hickory was fought out last night at Frank Barger Stadium and this time it was the Grandview Eagles who came out on top.

The 26-6 victory for the Eagles was extra sweet because it meant that they would clinch at least a share of the league championship. But when Maiden knocked off archrival Mill Creek last night it meant that Grandview (6-1) stood alone at the top. After last week's games Grandview had been part of a 3-way tie at the top with Northview (6-2) and Mill Creek (5-2).

It's appropriate that Halloween is this week because it's downright scary that Hickory's middle school programs are beginning to dominate a league in which they used to be also-rans. The fact that both of Hickory's middle school programs have won the county championship outright in back-to-back seasons is a scary prospect for our local rivals.

Looking at the combined group of eighth graders from both schools one can see a bright future for the future Red Tornadoes at all positions but particularly in the trenches. Kyree Connor, JaSean Abernathy, Tyler Early and Montavious Mayfield of Grandview and Devontae Burch, Will McCarrick, Hunter Jones and Nathan Gibbs have the size, athleticism and aggressive tendencies that make good high school linemen.

The top skill position eighth graders from both schools include Jalen Thompson, Raheim Connelly, Zach Jarrett, Darius Malbon and Nick Guarino of Northview; Noah Kelly, Daniel Davis, Craig Ruff, Shaquille Smith, Jordan Lockhart and Tony Nguyen of Grandview.

Congratulations to Coach Todd Teague of Grandview and Coach Mike Mackie of Northview for all your hardwork. I also want to mention that both men have good staffs of assistants. The Grandview assistant coaches are Neil Lortz, Chris Smithey and Chris Hopper. Northview's assistants are JuJu Phillips, Sean Carson and Richard "Big Cat" Parker. All these guys do an outstanding job of developing Hickory's young talent and preparing them for Red Tornado football.

The biggest winner of all in the City Championship was the Hickory High football program. Believe that!

Eagles and Hawks for now, Red Tornadoes of the future

Eagles and Hawks taking care of business

Grandview's Daniel Davis hands off to Shaquille Smith

This time last season both of Hickory's middle schools were undefeated and headed towards a showdown for both the county and city championships. Northview ultimately won the 50th Annual All-American City Class to cap a 7-0 season. Grandview finished second in the league with a 6-1 record.

This season both teams have suffered a loss but are still in the thick of the championship race.

The Grandview Eagles wiped out the Jaguars of Jacobs Fork Middle at home by the score of 38-12. Shaquille Smith had another good game running ball as he racked up 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 11 carries (9.5 yards per carry). Joining in the scoring parade were Jordan Lockhart, Craig Ruff and Shakeed Washington. Quarterback Daniel Davis had a good day as well. He passed complete for three two-point conversions, twice to Ruff and once to Tony Nguyen.

Meanwhile, the Northview Hawks have bounced back nicely after having their 15-game winning streak snapped by Arndt a couple of weeks ago. Last Wednesday the Hawks inflicted a convincing 42-8 beatdown on the Riverbend Pirates. I don't have stats for them but Hawk tailback Corey Stinson, just a 7th-grader, has been running all over opponents this season. Yes, he is the younger brother of the JV's freshman phenom Casey Stinson. The win upped Northview's record to 5-1 overall and 4-1 against league opponents.

Grandview and Northview are both chasing undefeated Mill Creek for at least a share of the county title. Grandview's only loss this season was to the Green Knights. Northview can shake up the race this Wednesday when the Hawks host Mill Creek.

Northview's Zach Jarrett looks to pass

Grandview, Northview rolling right along

Grandview's Daniel Davis (#11) and Jordan Lockhart (#49)


The Grandview Eagles and Northview Hawks are the kings of the Catawba County middle school football world.

Last season the two Hickory High feeder schools rolled through their seasons undefeated and faced off in the All-American City Classic last October. The Hawks won a thriller and completed their season undefeated at 7-0. The Eagles, who had won the previous two Classics, settled for the runner-up spot and a 6-1 record.

This season both schools have picked up right where they left off last season. After yesterday's games the Hawks are 3-0 while the Eagles are 2-0. For more information on Hickory's middle school powerhouses, visit the middle school football page on TornadoPride.com.

Northview defeats Newton-Conover, 12-6

The Hawks went on the road for the first time this season and scored a crucial win over the Red Devils. Corey Stinson and Jalen Thompson scored for Northview to give the Hawks a 12-0. The Red Devils took advantage of a Hawk fumble to pull within a touchdown but a defensive stalemate ensued. Neither team was able to score in the second half. Coach Mike Mackie's team will face the Jacobs Fork Jaguars next Wednesday at Fred T. Foard's Tiger Stadium. The Hawks will look to increase their 10-game winning streak.

Grandview holds off Arndt, 12-6, in overtime

Coach Todd Teague's Eagles took on the Arndt Redskins at St. Stephens and came away with a hardfought overtime victory. The Eagles literally ate up the entire first quarter on their initial offensive possession. They eventually scored in the second quarter on a short run by Shaquille Smith. The Redskins managed to tie the score late in the game to send it into overtime. Grandview scored immediately and then held off the Redskin offense to clinch the win. The Eagles will be at home next Wednesday to host the Mill Creek Green Knights.