AG's Tough Defense

Josh Hunter and Andrell Tyson keep finding new ways to make themselves angry before stepping onto the football field.
But their scowls consistently keep smiles on the faces of Ayden-Grifton fans."To me, it's the only way I know how to play," Hunter said. "You've got to have that anger inside of you that makes you want to get to the ball. I think it helps a lot when you're playing defense."
Opposing quarterbacks would agree. The A-G senior defensive linemen have haunted signal-callers during their combined seven seasons of varsity play, and this year they've taken on a new responsibility — leadership.
It's the latter quality that Chargers coach Paul Cornwell is counting on most from Hunter and Tyson, and through the first two weeks of play the coach has liked what he's seen.
"They held it down last year for us, and now they're seniors and this is their chance to be on top," Cornwell said. "So far they've done a great job as kind of the anchors of our defense. If they're playing well then we've got a good chance, and if they're not then we're in trouble."
The Chargers (2-0) are coming off a shutout victory over Northside led by the efforts of Hunter and Tyson. Cornwell is hopeful he'll get a similar result from his squad tonight when it hosts cross-county rival North Pitt in a game that was moved up one day due to the forecast of heavy rain.
A-G rolled past NP by a 53-7 count last season in Bethel.
Sidenote- Josh finished 6th in the discus at the state track meet last year.
Courtesy of the Daily Reflector

AG Tracksters shine again

Quarterback Matt Dougherty threw a touchdown pass tonight to speedster Perseus Williams as the Ayden-Grifton Green Machine continues to roll. AG is now 2-0 . Great job...

Gatlin banned from Track and Field for 8 years

Sprinter Justin Gatlin received an eight-year ban from track and field Tuesday, avoiding a lifetime penalty in exchange for his cooperation with doping authorities and because an earlier positive drug test was deemed an honest mistake.
He will forfeit the world record he tied in May, when he ran the 100 meters in 9.77 seconds. At age 24, the lengthy ban is less than the maximum penalty, but could still knock Gatlin out of competition the rest of his life.
Gatlin tested positive in April for testosterone or other steroids, five years after his first positive test, which was for medicine to control attention-deficit disorder. Since that first test, Gatlin has positioned himself as a champion of drug-free competition in a sport dogged by scandal.

Bottom line... Don't do drugs

Leadville Trail 100 Miler

Congratulations to Joey Anderson of the Mangum Track Club for finishing the Leadville 100 miler. Joey finished in 29:50:40. Yes, you read that correctly. 29 hours. I also tip my hat to local runner Jeffrey Welsh of Greenville, NC. Jeffrey crossed the line in 22:57:35 and was 22nd in an overall completion field of 199 runners. Quite a feat and a great job...

South Central's XC Schedule

If you're interested in running any of the local races, you must contact me asap either by email or by phone. If you show up alone you will not be allowed to run. Coach D...
Local Runs are as follows:

DATE TEAMS SITE

Tu. 9/19 Conference “Kickoff” Race B. Lee
Tu. 9/26 SCHS, Rose, Washington, Conley (host) B. Lee
Sa. 9/30 ECU/Overton’s Invitational Lake Kristi
Th. 10/5 Bo Run B. Lee

All Tu. race times are 4:00 Walk times are 3:30.
We. races start at 5:00
Sat. races have various start times and will be announced

2006 Endowment Game. A.G.H.S. vs. Pamlico H.S.

Great job to Paul Cornwell and his staff in their first win of the season against the Pamlico Hurricanes by a score of 26-14. The Chargers are now 1-0. Keep up the good work...

Pamlico ...7 7 0 0—14
Ayden-Grifton ...14 6 6 0—26
Scoring summary
AG — Jeremy Hardy 10 run (run failed), 1st, 5:16.
P — Fraqwan Jones 1 run (kick good), 1st, 1:43.
AG — Jeremy Hardy 99 kick return (Jamal Hardy run), 1st, 1:26.
P — Tony Smith 12 run (kick good), 2nd, 7:31.
AG — Jeremy Hardy 27 run (run failed), 2nd, 4:24.
AG — Courtney Fuller 31 pass from Matt Dougherty, 3rd, 6:35.

Coach Janarde Cannon

Coach Cannon's work on the AG football team is evident. Great job. We are so proud of you and the coaching staff...

Jeremy Hardy

Jeremy had a spectacular evening scoring on three different occasions. The spotlight was on his 99 yard kickoff return that was run in pure Ayden-Grifton fashion. Jeremy run the hurdles for the AG track team. We knew that those hundreds of fence kicks he did during track season would come in handy one day...Great job Jeremy...

Jamal Hardy

Jamal Hardy started quarterback Friday night in Littlefield. He did a great job running the Charger offense. We look forward to seeing more of you this year. Awesome job...

Courtney Fuller and Matt Dougherty

Distance expert Matt Dougherty started quarterback in the second half and threw a 31 yard touchdown to Courtney (The Hurdler) Fuller in the end zone during the 3rd quarter. It was exciting to see these two hook up in action once again. Great job guys...

Joshua Hunter

Joshua Hunter had a great game playing both sides of the field. Josh placed 6th last year at the state track meet in the discus. Great job Josh...

Track Athletes shine in season opener

Our track blog will be used during the season to highlight the accomplishments of Ayden-Grifton athletes. We wish Paul Cornwell and his staff well during his second season at the helm of the Charger football program.

Pictured at right is Speedster Steven Vines as he breaks up a pass. Steven also had an interception during the second half. Steven runs sprints and hurdles for the AG track team. Great job...

Uwharrie Mountain Run 2007

I am placing this link here to stimulate interest in fielding a team that are Pitt County runners next year for the Uwharrie Mountain Run in February 2007. This will be open to both male and female participants and will include the 8,20 or 40 miler. You pick your poison. The registration begins online November 1st 2006. The race is normally full in less than a month. The website has all of the sordid details on elevation gain and descent. I completed the 40 miler last year. I have ran the 20 miler and the 8 miler as well. They are all great runs in a fantastic place. This is a great kickoff to track season.This team offer is open to anyone over 16 or as old or older than me...If there is any interest please contact me at Dufourj.eba@pitt.k12.nc.us


http://www.raceuwharrie.com/index.html

Cross Country-Individual fall 2006

There will be no Cross Country team again this year at AGHS. I have managed to get some of you that want to participate (that ran track)to do so as individuals. Our A.D. said we can run individually and that I can coach you. We CAN NOT start a team due to missing the deadline for starting a new sport. I am willing to meet you during the week and the weekends and to be at the meets as well. DH Conley, Farmville, and South Central all have meets that you can participate in. I will have the schedules next week and there may be some conflicts for some of you doing soccer. I need to know asap via email or by phone if anyone is interested. You will be responsible for getting yourself there and back. There will be no chance of qualifying for regionals or state. I thought I would let you know this first. This may be our test year to get the program some interest. I will consider taking all of the soccer team and a few ladies if we have any. Thanks and I hope I hear from some of you soon.
Coach D.

Smartwool Socks

I am posting the Smartwool sock site I talked about at the camp. The sock I wear is the Adrenaline lite mini crew. It can be purchased on the site but is much less expensive at the Bicycle Post in GVegas. I saw it today at the downtown store for $10.00.

http://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm

DH Conley XX Camp 2006

I just returned yesterday from the running camp put on by DH Conley's Head XX Coach Coleman Bailey. The camp was a week long and was in the Christmount Facility located in Black Mountain North Carolina. Also participating were runners from South Central HS led by Head Coach Scott Johnson and Farmville HS led by Head Coach Pat Greene. I assisted even though I had no runners at the camp. We did a variety of talks and there were plenty of runs each and every day. I was impressed by the tenacity of each and every one of the runners. The runners got the opportunity to go to Sliding Rock and to go white water rafting. All in all it was a good time for the runners to tune up for the upcoming XX season. As a runner, I just couldn't pass the opportunity to pass on what I have learned about mountain running and to be in the presence of such great athletes. Congratulations to South Central High School for setting new 5K course records this year. Sarge ran a blazing 24:02 and Kimberly set a new girls record with a 29:19. I wish all the schools and their athletes the best in their fall seasons.