By Charles Curcio, Sports Editor
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 — More random football observations:
- South Stanly fans, you have a reason to have been angry all weekend long.
I know that referees are human and they make mistakes, but the ones at the South football game with Mt. Pleasant Friday night can now be officially blamed for the loss.
With 30 seconds left, South Stanly blocked a field goal that went into the endzone, which should have been ruled a touchback.
I spoke with South head coach Luke Little, who said that the school has received a letter from the head of officials for this region.
The letter stated that those officials have been suspended for two games and the entire 2008 playoffs for their actions on Friday night.
By rule, a blocked field goal that lands on the field of play is the same as a punt, according to my research.
If the blocked kick lands on the field and is touched in play by the defense who blocked it, the kicking team can be recovered like a punt but they can not advance the ball into the endzone.
The blocked kick in question did land in the endzone, which should have been a touchback and South should have had the ball at their 20-yard line with :30 left, meaning they likely would have run the clock out and won.
Unfortunately, that is all that can happen regarding the game, apparently, which is so patently unfair to the Bulls.
- I have been following several local high school football standouts in their college careers and I wanted to give you all some updates on their progress.
West Stanly fans enjoyed the athletic exploits of Quan Sturdivant for four years.
Now a starting linebacker at North Carolina, Sturdivant is tied for the team lead in tackles this season with 41.
He posted 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, in their 38-12 win over Connecticut this past Saturday.
The Tar Heels are now ranked 22nd in the nation, the first time that Carolina has been in the Top 25 since 2001.
Former Bulldog Keonte Davis has 22 tackles and eight solo stops for Lenoir-Rhyne this season. In five games, Davis has a sack as well and started at linebacker for the Bears for five of their six games.
Darrin Watkins, the former South Stanly standout, has eight catches for 55 yards this season for the 5-1 UNC Pembroke Braves.
Another Albemarle defensive player, EJ Branch, has 12 tackles and a fumble recovery in his sophomore season at Catawba.
If you have information on any football players from Stanly County that are playing in college, let me know.
It’s fun to follow our athletes as they compete in college.
Contact Charles Curcio at (704) 982-2121 ext. 12 or email at charles@stanlynewspress.com.
