Charlotte Observer Logo

Duo powers Porter Ridge | Charlotte Observer

×
  • E-edition
  • Customer Service
  • Advertise
  • Newsletters

    • News
    • Local
    • Crime
    • Databases
    • Education
    • Election
    • Politics
    • Nation/World
    • Special Reports
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Corrections
    • Columnists
    • Retro Charlotte
    • Your Schools
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Sports
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • That's Racin'
    • High Schools
    • College Sports
    • Charlotte Knights/MLB
    • Other Sports
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Inside the Panthers
    • Inside the NBA
    • Prep Insiders
    • Scott Fowler
    • Tom Sorensen
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • The North Carolina Influencer Series
    • RNC 2020
    • Business
    • Banking
    • Stocks Center
    • Top Workplaces
    • National Business
    • What's in Store
    • Development
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Living
    • Religion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Family
    • Home & Garden
    • CLT Style
    • Travel
    • Living Here Guide
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • I'll Bite
    • Kathleen Purvis
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Arts/Culture
    • Events
    • Movie News & Reviews
    • Restaurants
    • Music/Nightlife
    • Television
    • Books
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Rewards
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Kevin Siers
    • Letters
    • Submit an Op-ed
    • Submit a Letter
    • Viewpoint
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • O-Pinion
    • You Write The Caption
    • Taylor Batten
    • Peter St. Onge
  • Celebrations
  • Obituaries
  • TV Listings

  • Public Notices
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Virtual Career Fair
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
  • Place an ad
  • Mobile & Apps

  • MomsCharlotte
  • Carolina Bride Magazine
  • South Park Magazine

South Charlotte

Duo powers Porter Ridge

Andrew Stark

    ORDER REPRINT →

November 20, 2011 12:00 AM

Porter Ridge, 11-0, has dominated the Southern Carolina Conference this season and climbed to the No. 4 ranking in the Observer's Sweet 16.

The Pirates defeated Dudley 29-7 and hosted Mount Tabor in the third round of the state playoffs Friday. (This story was printed prior to that game.)

After losing just two games last year, the Pirates find themselves in a similar situation, advancing deep into the playoffs.

After a physical and sometimes chippy season finale against archrival Sun Valley, the Pirates wrapped up their second straight conference title.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Charlotte Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

Porter Ridge may be more talented and balanced than a season ago, and a big reason is the running-back duo of senior Najee Davis and junior Chris Duffy. Duffy, 5-feet-11-inches and 180 pounds, and Davis, 5-feet-7, 155 pounds, have different skills but work in tandem in the Pirates' backfield.

Duffy transferred back to Porter Ridge this year after catching 46 passes for 526 yards and 10 touchdowns as a Spartan receiver. Now, in the Pirates' backfield, he is the inside-the-tackle runner, looking for contact and gaining yards methodically.

"Najee is really fast and gets outside and beats people with his speed," Duffy said. "I try to take on the contact and grind out the two or three yards each time. We work well together and do feed off of each other."

"I am faster and a little more shiftier, but Chris is a lot stronger and runs harder," Davis said. "Where I try to run around the tackles and get to the outside, he is a downhill runner who likes the contact."

Both say they keep each other motivated.

Duffy has been named team player of the week five times and burst onto the scene with three touchdowns in the opening week. He has 110 carries for 846 yards and 16 touchdowns and eight receptions for 146 yards and another touchdown.

Davis has 151 carries for 836 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 14 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.

"Us running the ball takes a lot of pressure off of (quarterback Lee McNeil) and the rest of our offense," Davis said. "It is important that we are able to stay healthy and consistent the rest of the way."

Duffy said he is excited for the playoffs, which mean better teams and colder, more diverse weather. Along with his running mate, he said, he is ready to take on more of the load.

The Pirates have senior leaders at quarterback with McNeil, wide receiver Jordan Oakley and Davis at halfback. They also have an experienced offensive line.

The Pirates average 40 points a game and have scored at least 21 in every game but one.

"We are playing better teams who know it's one loss and their season is over," Duffy said. "Every game is physical and we are going to get their best. We have to be ready for that, stay focused and do what we have to do."

Duffy and Davis are running the ball well and both double as defensive backs. Davis has 12 tackles and an interception and Duffy has 17 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

"Coach (Blair Hardin) always says he will put the best 11 on the field at any one time, and going both ways lets us know he has confidence in both of us," Davis said. "We have to respond to that, step up and make sure we are ready for whatever we are asked to do."

  Comments  

Videos

Dogs can play at Canine Commons

South Charlotte parks burst with activity, with more to come

View More Video

Trending Stories

NBA players urge Zion Williamson to shut it down after bizarre injury during UNC game

February 21, 2019 09:11 AM

American Airlines adds more flights to popular destinations after Spirit enters CLT

February 20, 2019 05:30 PM

John Harris warned his father about legal red flags involving Bladen operative

February 20, 2019 02:13 PM

‘The Shoe Game.’ On UNC’s blowout Duke win, Zion Williamson and busted sneakers.

February 20, 2019 11:10 PM

Investors bombard gentrifying areas in Charlotte with offers. But experts urge caution

February 20, 2019 12:34 PM

things to do

Read Next

Art intimidation? Not in Fort Mill with Charlotte artist's public strokes.

South Charlotte

Art intimidation? Not in Fort Mill with Charlotte artist's public strokes.

By Stephanie Jadrnicek

    ORDER REPRINT →

June 18, 2018 05:50 PM

"Public art" by Charlotte painter Sharon Dowell is now on display at Gallery@LOOM located downtown at 120 Academy Street. LOOM will hold an art reception for Dowell’s exhibit 7 - 9 p.m. on August 11. Dowell will be there to discuss her work. Children’s art activities will take place next door.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Charlotte Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE SOUTH CHARLOTTE

What are those stickers on buildings in downtown Fort Mill? Scan and tap to find out.

South Charlotte

What are those stickers on buildings in downtown Fort Mill? Scan and tap to find out.

June 18, 2018 11:34 AM
To our readers

South Charlotte

To our readers

September 26, 2017 10:50 PM
X marks the spot on the road. But for what?

South Charlotte

X marks the spot on the road. But for what?

September 26, 2017 09:12 PM
Cancer survivor finds a reprieve in Pilates

South Charlotte

Cancer survivor finds a reprieve in Pilates

September 26, 2017 08:40 PM
This season’s finest: Independence golfer Parker Melting is a ‘one-woman’ team for Patriots

High School Sports

This season’s finest: Independence golfer Parker Melting is a ‘one-woman’ team for Patriots

September 26, 2017 09:31 PM
These baseball games are ageless... as long as you’re at least 45

South Charlotte

These baseball games are ageless... as long as you’re at least 45

September 26, 2017 09:11 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Charlotte Observer App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Photo Store
Advertising
  • Information
  • Place a Classified
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story