50 years in the past: Excellent season for Davie softball, grant 45-point recreation, enjoyable soccer season

A glance again at Davie sports activities 50 years in the past …

In 1976, Davie soccer performed lights-out protection, the slowpitch softball crew was absurdly dominant on the best way to an ideal season and, after all, Dwayne Grant was continually doing Superman issues on the hardwood.

After a heavy downpour on Friday night time, the homecoming soccer recreation was performed on Saturday night time, and the War Eagles bullied North Iredell 42-13. The Raiders closed a 14-0 hole to 14-13 within the second quarter, however Davie scored the ultimate 28 factors as Denny Howell broke an 80-yard landing run and completed with 124 yards and two TDs on 9 carries. Ron Bivins, Chris Holman, Carnell Jones and Sid Short had one TD every as Davie racked up 315 speeding yards. Short was 6 for six on additional level kicks.

Rain additionally compelled the subsequent recreation to be performed on a Saturday night time at residence, and the hero in a 3-0 win over South Rowan was Short, who drilled a 32-yard subject purpose within the second quarter. The co-hero was defensive again Alex Thompson, who intercepted two passes. A South punt solely traveled 12 yards to the South 20. After three incomplete passes, coach Joey Kennedy summoned his kicker, who got here by. Short missed two makes an attempt within the second half, however it didn’t matter on an excellent defensive night time for the War Eagles, who gave up simply 4 first downs and 54 yards and halted South’s five-game successful streak. South’s deepest penetration was the Davie 49, and Howell churned 25 instances for 82 yards. Zip Jones added seven carries for 31 yards as Davie compiled 187 yards and 12 first downs.

There have solely been 4 3-0 video games in Davie’s 70-year historical past, or 770 video games. The others: 3-0 loss to North Iredell in 1992, 3-0 win over North Forsyth in 2007 and 3-0 loss to Alexander Central in 2009.

In the autumn of 1976, Davie softball battered North Iredell 12-0 behind three hits every from Wanda Beal, Kathy Hutchens and Cindy Lanier. Jill Amos and Deanna Thomas blasted residence runs. Davie dismantled North Stanly 18-0 to clinch the NPC championship with a 9-0 file. The main hitters have been Thomas, Hutchens, Daphne Beck and Renae Jones.

There have been 12 entries within the senior membership golf event (55-up) at Hickory Hill. Ramey Kemp took the title with Clarence Ahlstrom ending second. Kemp’s two-day whole was 140.

Worth “Wink” Hendricks received a gap in a single at Hickory Hill.

In the Mocksville recreation singles tennis event, Jeff Wells beat Jack Pennington within the 35-over age group to win the title for the third 12 months in a row. Kevin Armbrecht beat David Fergusson to assert the 35-under bracket for the second straight 12 months. Twenty-six individuals participated, together with Sam Nichols (semifinalist in 35-over), Grady Day (semifinalist 35-over), Don Beam (semifinalist in 35-under) and Steve Walker (semifinalist in 35-under).

In the bi-conference championship recreation at Rich Park, Davie softball destroyed South Piedmont Conference champion Lexington 8-0. The high bats have been Thomas, Beal, Cindy F. Lanier and Beck.

Davie soccer traveled to North Rowan, and the Cavaliers have been merely higher in a 20-2 choice. North outgained Davie 336-126 and set the tone on fullback Mark Sturgis’ 61-yard TD run. Moments later, Ron Bivins’ cross was tipped on the line of scrimmage, picked off and returned 36 yards for a TD. Davie’s two factors got here late within the first half when North’s snapper despatched the ball over the punter. North downed it in the long run zone to slice the halftime margin to 14-2.

Craig Williams was the No. 1 general runner as Davie cross nation gained a three-team meet that concerned host Wilkes Central and Elkin. Davie received factors from William Chappell (second place), Dennis Presnell (fourth), Terry Whittaker (ninth) and Tim Prevette (tenth).

Ruth Davis captured the championship flight in a girls’s golf event at Hickory Hill. Among the highest finishers have been Precyous Sales (first in first flight), Hazel Kelly (first in second flight), Priscilla McCullough (first in third flight), Betty Foster (championship flight runner-up), Sally Crabb (second flight runner-up) and Beth Humphrey (third flight runner-up).

In the championship flight on the boys’s facet, Denny Creason and Tommy Fleming tied after 54 holes at 236, however Creason prevailed on the second gap of sudden demise. The first- and second-place finishers within the different flights: Ron Gantt (first flight champion at 239), Hoyt Pope (first flight runner-up at 247), Gene Stiller (second flight champion at 260), Dawson Strider (second flight runner-up at 267), Dick Nail (third flight champion at 255), Clarence Ahlstrom (third flight runner-up at 265), Jerry E. Hendrix (fourth flight champion at 285) and Bob Davis (fourth flight runner-up at 289).

Davie soccer ran the ball down Mooresville’s throat, 36-6, to clinch a share of first in division two of the NPC at 4-2. Halfback Greg Benson (34, 3 yards) and Bivins (40, 34 yards) scored two TDs every. Benson (17 carries, 96 yards) and Bivins (11 carries, 93 yards) mixed for 189 of Davie’s 401 speeding yards. Howell ran 20 yard for a rating and completed with 83 yards on 10 carries, and Jones punched in two two-point conversions as Davie dropped the Blue Devils to 1-7.

Davie softball did one thing unforgettable at North Gaston — successful 4-3 within the WNCHSAA championship recreation to cap a 12-0 season that noticed it pummel opponents by an combination 141-29. North Gaston, which got here in with one loss, matched Davie in hits 8-8. Davie survived regardless of making 4 errors. It was 3-3 earlier than Beck’s flyball was caught in foul floor within the outfield. Thomas, who paced Davie with two hits, tagged up from second, ran like she was racing after a missed bus and scored the successful run. While Thomas was named most respected participant, Davie received one hit from Beal, Tina Dyson, Beck, Cindy A. Lanier, Cindy F. Lanier and Jones. Coach Aileen Steelman’s seniors have been Donna Howard, Hutchens, Joy James and Kathy Spargo. The juniors have been Beal and Cindy A. Lanier. The sophomores have been Janet Allen, Beck, Jones, Cindy F. Lanier and Thomas, and the freshmen have been Amos and Kim Scott.

Davie cross nation was second out of seven when it hosted 81 runners. Davie’s high 5 have been Williams (fourth), Chappell (eighth), Presnell (ninth), Whittaker (twenty eighth) and Jay Daniel (thirty second). The War Eagles have been second out of 5 in a meet at Elkin. Davie’s high 5: Williams (second), Chappell (fourth), Presnell (eighth), Daniel (14th), Prevette (fifteenth).

Davie soccer accomplished 10 of 15 passes for 137 yards, rushed for 156 yards and picked up 15 first downs, however it wasn’t almost sufficient in a 24-10 loss to Perry Tuttle and North Davidson in Welcome. The Black Knights ran for 289 yards and clinched the NPC Division One crown at 7-0. Davie’s TD got here within the second quarter on Howell’s 7-yard run. The different factors got here within the third on Short’s 34-yard subject purpose.

Steelman was named NPC Coach of the Year, and three of her ladies made the all-conference crew: pitcher Cindy A. Lanier, shortstop Hutchens and outfielder Thomas.

The varsity Mocksville Rams beat the Pinebrook Packers within the common season, however coach Bill Tobin’s Packers toppled Mocksville 22-8 to assert their fourth little league soccer championship. Tony Martin led the blocking for Allen Crawford and Stanley Rhynhardt, who ran for 3 TDs. Pinebrook’s protection was anchored by Randy Carter, Tim Rhynhardt and Mark Walden. Keith Goins scored the one TD for the Rams, who have been coached by Tom Shuford and M.H. Groce. Their defensive standout was Keith Mason.

The JV Pinebrook Packers pulled off a three-peat by belting the Mocksville Patriots 28-0. Pinebrook’s standouts have been Dan Riddle, Kenny Riddle and Barry Reavis. The roster included Donald Blackwell, Eddie Hepler, Todd Calloway, Barry Holt, Randy Furguson, Jesse Mabe, Billy Holtmyer, Phillip Colbert, Chester Studevent, Chris Shore, Terry Starnes, Roy Allen, James Studevent, Russell McBride, Ronald Cope, Donald Hayes, Chris Jacobs, Chris Hicks and Jeff Spaugh. They have been coached by Ronald Boger, Tobin and Ronnie Beauchamp.

The North Davidson loss left a bitter style, however Davie soccer got here again with a vengeance, whipping East Rowan 32-6 at residence and dashing the Mustangs’ championship hopes. South Rowan gained the NPC’s division two at 5-2-1, a half-game over Davie (5-3) and East. It was a satisfying strategy to wrap up a high-quality 6-4 season.

“We were extremely let down after last week’s loss to North Davidson,” Kennedy mentioned. “We had to go out in style. We felt like this game proved who had the best team in the division. I’m not taking anything away from South Rowan, but everybody should play everybody else in the conference.” It’s noteworthy that South Rowan didn’t play North Davidson, the division one champion.

The War Eagles placed on a defensive clinic, holding East to 38 speeding yards and eight of 20 passing and intercepting 4 passes, together with a 29-yard pick-6 by Short. End Troy Bailey engineered a fierce cross rush. “I feel like we’ve got the best secondary in the conference,” Kennedy mentioned. “Sid Short and Alex Thompson, two seniors, ought to be all-conference.”

Howell scored the sport’s first factors a mere 84 seconds into the sport. Behind QB Bivins, fullback Howell and halfback Benson, Davie chewed up 258 of its 349 yards on the bottom. Bivins accomplished 5 of 6 passes for 61 yards, together with a TD to Mark Howard. Howell went for 73 yards on 11 carries and scored twice. Benson pounded out 54 yards on 11 carries. On a trick play, Steve Fleming fired a 30-yard TD to fellow finish Steve Hepler.

Tommy Eanes was a 6-1, 185-pound junior quarterback for the Elon Christians. When the Christians have been 8-0, they have been the state’s solely undefeated soccer crew and ranked No. 2 in NAIA.

Two War Eagles have been named all-conference in soccer: Carl White at offensive guard and Short at defensive again.

In the teaching debut for Buddy Lowery, Davie wrestling suffered a heartbreaking 36-32 loss to Salisbury. Ricky Shore (107 weight class), Jim Michael (140), Steve Grubb (169) and White (187) held up their finish of the cut price with pins. Davie fell brief, 42-27, to Central Davidson within the second match. It received pins from Shore, Michael, Grubb and White, and Danny Allen gained a choice at heavyweight.

Hutchens (22 factors), Thomas (17) and freshman Amos (12) outscored Mooresville by themselves as Davie ladies basketball breezed within the season opener, 73-49. Grant went for 30 and Kevin Wilson put up 20 because the Davie boys made coach Andy Royals a winner in his Davie debut, 76-61. Joe Etchison chipped in 10.

Grant was breathtaking in a 79-64 residence win over North Rowan, scoring a Davie file 44 factors to go together with 17 rebounds as he eclipsed his earlier file of 42. Wilson and Bivins added 18 and 10 factors, respectively. Four women cracked double figures because the War Eagles annihilated North Rowan 79-30. Sissy Crowell had 18, Hutchens 13, Amos 12 and Thomas 11.

Grant was in typical kind – 37 factors – because the Davie boys cruised previous South Iredell 84-66. Wilson (13), Bivins (13) and Etchison (11) additionally hit double figures. Hutchens had 19, however she couldn’t forestall the Davie ladies’ 55-54 loss to South Iredell. Crowell had 16 and Amos 12.

The unstoppable Grant set one other new file with 45 factors at North Stanly, however the night time was tarnished by an 87-77 loss. Wilson had 17. Hutchens (18) and Crowell (16) powered the Davie ladies to a 53-49 win over N. Stanly.

Hutchens (season-high 24) and Crowell (18 to match season excessive) had sensible nights because the Davie ladies defeated South Rowan 57-47. Grant piled up 26 factors, 12 rebounds and 7 assists because the Davie boys dispatched South Rowan 81-71. Wilson had 23 and Bivins 14 as each Davie squads headed into Christmas break with 6-2 data.