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Posted: Sunday, Sep. 21, 2008

The real Ardrey Kell has arrived

By Langston Wertz Jr.
Published in: Langston Wertz Jr.

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It looks like the real Ardrey Kell has stood up. Returning a ton of talent from a 9-4 playoff team, the Knights didn't “get up” for a game with Mallard Creek, which was 1-10 last season. Mallard Creek, which looks like the ME-CA 7 conference favorite now, blew away Ardrey Kell 46-17 in the season opener. Since then, the Knights have won three in a row and are looking as strong as I thought they would. Next week, Ardrey Kell (3-1) visits Butler (4-0) in the Southwestern 4A conference opener for both teams. Looking at the schedule in August, I circled this as a game of the week. It should be.


Mallard Creek is for real. Each week delivers another impressive win for the 5-0 Mavericks. I'd say they have a real chance for an unbeaten regular season now. And the future looks good, too. The school's junior varsity, coached by former Harding assistant David Brooks, is 4-0 and has given up six points all season.


Charlotte Catholic (3-2) has never lost a Queen City conference game. Next week, the Cougars play host to Olympic (3-2) and will get their toughest test. Coach Barry Shuford has the Trojans playing inspired football after a slow start.


Took my son, Trey, to eat at a favorite haunt last week at Carowinds. Victory Christian tailback Mike Staton was our waiter. Nice kid. Friday night, he rushed for a school-record 275 yards in a 42-7 win against Eastern Randolph. He tied Butler's Gerrod Rivers (2001) for 19th best in county history.

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