Last regular season game next weekend vs. North Johnston

GO CHARGERS !!!!!!

AG vs. Princeton

The chance of someone finding something completely dry out in the elements on this rainy Friday night was about the same as Princeton winning this Carolina Conference football because of the play of Ayden-Grifton offensively and defensively.

Ayden-Grifton coach Paul Cornwell decided for the Chargers to be one of the few programs in eastern North Carolina to play its football game because he didn't want to push back the contest to Monday and set up short time to prepare for North Johnston with the conference championship at stake. Cornwell's team took the same approach it's used to win seven games in 10 tries.

"I am a pound-the-rock kind of guy," said Cornwell, whose team is 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Carolina Conference.

Josh Hunter and J.D. Strickland did most of the pounding between the tackles, combining for 101 yards primarily on dive plays like Strickland's that went for a 14-yard touchdown run to cap a 24-point second quarter.

Perseus Williams and Jeremy Hardy had the honors of taking sweep plays around the end, which both did effectively, including Williams' 44-yard run for Ayden-Grifton's first touchdown. Williams had what would have been a 70-yard TD run erased by a penalty, but he still gained 149 yards on just 10 carries.

Princeton (2-8, 0-4) finished the first half with minus-14 yards. The Bulldogs' longest play went for just 10 yards until tailback Gerrell Bogle broke through Ayden-Grifton's line of second-string defenders for an 81-yard gain. Jarvis Murphy made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Ayden-Grifton 15-yard line. Princeton ran three more plays and advanced the football to the 1, but time ran out and the Chargers' reserves kept the shutout — their third of the season — intact.

"They showed a lot of toughness to have that big stand there at the end," Cornwell said. "That's pride. That's not trying to give up the score. Those guys practice hard every day. They wanted to make a play when they were in the game."

Cornwell is looking for his athletes to make plays next weekd against North Johnston, which had its game at Spring Creek postponed until Monday. Next Friday night's ballgame in Kenly is a must-win for the Chargers if they want a share of the league title because they lost last week at North Duplin.

"Our goals are still in front of us," Cornwell said. "We've still got a chance to win a conference championship. We've got to take care of business and we may need some help. We've got to come out and fight. We did a pretty good job of that tonight. I hope next week we'll come out with the same intensity and hopefully get another win."

New hat...Show your colors proudly!!!

I ordered some hats that will make great Christmas presents. Look at the Aycock hat to get an idea. The top will say Ayden-Grifton and the bottom will say Track and Field. The middle will be a gold Chargers. They are for sale for $15.00. Get yours while they last. The camo is similar to the Realtree design.I just ordered them Friday. They should be here in 3 weeks. Just in time for Christmas...

Chargers lose in a close battle

The Chargers lost a close game tonight against North Duplin by the score of 16-7. The Chargers are home again next week.

Game tonight

Ayden-Grifton face North Duplin tonight at their place. I will have after game highlights first thing tomorrow...Go Chargers.

Matt Dougherty

LITTLEFIELD — Matt Dougherty has gone from wet behind the ears to a key piece of the Ayden-Grifton football team in just more than a year.

Putting on the pads for the first time as a sophomore, Dougherty has become one of the top quarterbacks in the Carolina 1-A Conference this season, and the junior seems to be improving more each week.


Ayden-Grifton quarterback Matt Dougherty has become a leader for the Charger offense in just his second season of playing football.


"Ever since I was little, I always wanted to play quarterback, so I would go out and throw the football and things like that," said Dougherty, who has thrown nine touchdown passes and run for another this season. "My favorite player was Troy Aikman and I really looked up to him, so it's pretty cool."

Dougherty admits his signal-calling is still a work in progress and he's got a ways to go before reaching the level of his football idol, but for now, the Chargers (6-2, 2-0 Carolina) would just be happy if he could continue his recent play as they travel to North Duplin tonight.

And why not? Dougherty's recent efforts have led A-G to consecutive conference wins since a disappointing nonconference loss against North Pitt three weeks ago. In those victories, the Charger offense has averaged 50 points.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves, but we are doing a whole lot better than we were doing," said Dougherty, who says the team has learned from the mistakes it made against NP.

The adjustment to football was eased by Dougherty's natural athleticism, which has allowed him to also play basketball, soccer, baseball and run track for A-G. Also helping Dougherty become accustomed to the quarterback position have been a host of experienced players, who Dougherty says have also made things easier with their ability to make plays.

Among the weapons Dougherty has at his disposal are receivers Courtney Fuller and Keith Jones along with running backs J.D. Strickland, Jeremy Hardy and Perseus Williams. An improved offensive line has also made a difference.

"The coaches were kind of on them, but they've really picked it up lately," Dougherty said of the offensive line. "The team has really helped me out and talked to me to give me confidence, and I appreciate that. The coaches have also helped a lot, and I'm really happy with the way they work with me."

Dougherty's technique has been the biggest focus of the coaches who have worked with him since last year, and he says he plans to attend a football camp this summer to assist with that as well. In the meantime, Dougherty is still hoping to perfect an aspect of his game that only he can control.

"I want to step up and be a leader like coach has been asking me to do all year," Dougherty said. "That's very important when you're a quarterback, and I think I can be one."

Sidenote-Matt was a member of our 16oo meter relay team that were the regional champions last year. He also ran the 800 meter run, the mile and the two mile in addition to the 1600 meter relay. Great job Matt. We wish you continued good luck this season and we are all looking forward to track this year...Coach D.
Brock Letchworth/The Daily Reflector

Ayden-Grifton squashes Spring Creek

The Ayden-Grifton Chargers improved to 2-0 in Carolina 1-A Conference play as they routed the Spring Creek Gators 57-0 on Friday night. "This was the most complete game on both sides of the ball that I've seen since I took over this program," Ayden-Grifton coach Paul Cornwell said. The Chargers won the coin toss, elected to receive and never looked back. Jeremy Hardy took the opening kickoff at the Gator 18 and raced 47 yards to the A-G 35-yard line immediately putting the Chargers in business. The Chargers would score on their second play from scrimmage when Matt Dougherty hit Keith Jones with a 22-yard touchdown pass. After a Spring Creek fumble, the Chargers would score on a J.D. Strickland 3-yard run making the score 14-0 and that would end the scoring for the first quarter. The second quarter was no different as A-G continued to dominate, scoring on each of its two possessions, making the score 28-0 at halftime. The second half was much of the same as A-G continued to pound the ball, and score at will. The Chargers scored on every possession except one. The Ayden-Grifton defense recovered four fumbles and had one interception. The Charger offense took advantage of the turnovers, mounting scoring drives after each. Six different Chargers scored on the night. "We've had our ups and downs this season, and we're beginning to gel. I'm proud of our coaching staff because they made a plan and the kids executed," Cornwell said. The Chargers had 419 yards of total offense, and their defense held the Gators to just 114 yards in their shutout effort. Ayden-Grifton (6-2, 2-0 Carolina) will go on the road to face North Duplin next Friday night. Courtesy of the Daily Reflector

Homecoming

Homecoming

Tim Cook as Mr. A.G.

Brit and Chelsea with their game faces on...

Are you ready for some football???

Ayden-Grifton vs Spring Creek

Be there under the lights tomorrow night to see homecoming. Game time is at 730 p.m.

Homecoming at Ayden-Grifton High School

Our team. Go Chargers!!!

Our principal Mr. Frazier

Part of our homecoming court

Varsity Cheerleaders

Spectators supporting AG athletics. Thanks...

The McLawhorn's supporting AG athletics

Our State representative Ms. Marion McLawhorn and her husband watching our parade. Thanks for your support.

Homecoming week....Go Chargers

AGHS Announces Homecoming Activities - Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 11:50
Ayden-Grifton High School’s homecoming football game this year will be Friday, October 13 against Spring Creek. Two key events are planned for the week that will build school pride and community spirit. On Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30, the town of Grifton will host the school’s 10th annual homecoming parade. Units will assemble north of Grifton School on Dawson Street. The parade will feature the Ayden-Grifton High School Marching Chargers, the fall athletic teams, and floats from various clubs and organizations. In addition, the community will have their first chance to see the 24 girls who have been elected to the 2006 homecoming court. Other clubs, schools, or organizations should contact the high school before Friday, October 6 if they would like to enter the parade.
The culmination of this year’s festivities will be at half time during Friday night’s football game when the 24 girls of the 2006 Ayden-Grifton High School Homecoming court take the field. Each class has elected six young ladies, and each lady will be escorted on to the field while the Ayden-Grifton High School band plays. After the girls have assembled, the Student Government Association will announce the princess from each class and the 2006 homecoming queen. The entire community is encouraged to support the school during this special week.

IHOP early in the a.m. Who says kids can't get up early?

Part of the AGHS football team enjoying some early morning fellowship Friday before their first conference game against rival Rosewood High School.
Go Chargers...

Chargers victorious again

Ayden-Grifton 43

Rosewood 21

GOLDSBORO — Ayden-Grifton won its first Carolina Conference football game on Friday night, whipping Rosewood 43-21.

The victory lifted the Chargers to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

Ayden-Grifton will play host to Spring Creek next Friday night.