One heck of a season, yes that’s what it was in 2023…Seems like it was only yesterday that we were getting set for The Return of those Friday Night Lights…Remember back in early August, it was the anticipation of a new season, and we were preparing for teams like Dudley and Grimsley to make extended runs in the NCHSAA football playoffs…
Well we had the right ideas in mind, and the city’s two top teams made their mark, and mark this down, 2023 was a successful season on the Guilford County/Greensboro home front…
From my standpoint, I have been at this now for well over thirty years, and I feel like I was able to gain more from this season, than maybe any other season that I have been a part of….In the past there have been celebrations, and their have been Banners to hoist in recognition of State Championships, but this season it seemed like we got closer to the situation, you know tighter with the core group of football followers, than we ever have before…
We were right there on the front line on those Friday nights…We knew the kids, and we knew their dads and moms, and in many cases their brothers and sisters….In so many ways, those of us who have a passion for these sports, are all in this together, as Brothers and Sisters…
Middle School, JV, and with the Varsity football teams, we were there to take it all in…We might have missed a big game, or maybe a large event gathering or two, but for the most part, our team was there at games that mattered the most….
A job well done by our local high school and lower school football teams this year…They made it fun for us to be there and be a part of this outstanding process of growth and development of the young people that we cover and follow throughout our community…
Fun, it was just real fun to be out there on the front lines on those Friday, Thursday, and Wednesday nights/days…..This old Turkey from GreensboroSports is in the oven, and he is DONE…It was fun, but we are pretty much DONE for 2023…These football memories will last a lifetime…And in seeing the family of Derrick Hicks last night, up there at Hickory, it makes me know we have made a difference and that our time is getting short on the football front, but we still have games to cover, and when you see a Sister or Brother, let them know that The Return of the Friday Nights Lights is just a few months away….
Now for the Saturday Morning Rewind for you…..
CLICK HERE for last night’s Friday Night Finish from GreensboroSports.com, coming in from the Dudley at Hickory football game…
CLICK HERE for the GreensboroSports Radio broadcast of last night’s Dudley Panthers-Hickory Tornadoes game, from GreensboroSports.com…
Video from Brian Hall with WFMY NEWS 2 Sports, from the Dudley-Hickory game…
.@DBoyzFootball WR @NasNewkirk with great TD catch last night getting one foot down while falling out of bounds. @DHS___Athletics pic.twitter.com/QAnh2iuFxk
— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) December 2, 2023
More highlights from Brian Hall on this game, calling it one of the best games he has ever covered…
highlights from one of the best HS Football Games I've ever covered. @HickoryFB 42 @DBoyzFootball 41 in @NCHSAA 3A West Regional Final. @WFMY #wfmysports @HickoryAD @DHS___Athletics pic.twitter.com/TQjpo1Mz2N
— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) December 2, 2023
CLICK HERE for Dudley at Hickory from Bryant Roche, at the Greensboro New and Record and from Greensboro.com/www.greensboro.com….Breakdown of the game, and thoughts on how it all came together, from Bryant Roche, at the N&R…
CLICK HERE for Jason Koon at the Hickory Record on last night’s Dudley-Hickory football battle…
Just a few thoughts from Jason Koon on Hickory’s Isaiah Lackey:Two weeks ago, against A.C. Reynolds, Isaiah Lackey looked gassed late in the game. Last week against West Henderson, he didn’t get dialed in until the second half. Glass said Lackey was healthy in both games, but it was the opposing defensive schemes that limited the 220-pound junior’s effectiveness.
He carried the load for the Red Tornadoes on Friday, piling up 172 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries. Brady Stober also found him on three screen passes on critical drive-extending plays throughout the game. Lackey turned all three of those receptions into first downs and one into a 42-yard stampede down the sideline, breaking tackles most of the way.
Lackey also threw for a touchdown – a five-yard strike to Deke Young to put Hickory up 29-21 in the third.
CLICK HERE for the Dudley-Hickory report from HS OT at WRALSportsFan.com….
CLICK HERE for Reidsville rolling over Shelby behind Al Lee’s five TD passes…From HS OT and WRALSportsFan.com….
CLICK HERE and I thought this was interesting and notable, with Tarboro headed to their 7th straight State Championship Game…from HS OT/WRALSportsFan.com….
Andy, thank you for the reporting you do on Dudley and the Greensboro area. It was a great journey with Drew , and we’ve met remarkable families along the way. Wish all the kids and families the best but especially the c/o 24! God bless & take care.
One heck of a ride, all the way through, including that late-night traffic tie-up around Statesville last night…
AD
Because The Panthers was scoring at a high rate this year. No one noticed the high number of missed extra points. I said in a competitive game this may bite them in a close game like Friday nights game. Well they missed 2 extra points and lost by 1. Clean this up over the summer because Dudley will be right back in the hunt in 2024. Great kids, great season. Go Panthers!!!
Great point Panther 83. The teams that win it all have talent at every position. Not trying to make the kicker feel bad because there is a kicking team just like other special “teams”. Many things can cause a missed kick. It has to be one of the most stressful jobs on the team to be a kicker. All eyes on you for 5 seconds. You put yourself out there every week. Kid you did your best and keep at it and you can be even better next year.
Every position on that field is important and can win or lose a game for you. That’s what makes team sports so interesting. Again the Dudley team lost this game and really you could look at many plays besides the kicks that are critical to winning.
Great run by Dudley this year! Grimsley and Dudley have very talented players at all positions but that is why players need to work just that much harder in the off season to make sure they are the best of the best next season when that critical moment comes they will be ready!
Thanks Gfan well said. I have to say that was one of the best High School football games I’ve seen in person in a while. Two talented teams going back and forth. With what Dudley has coming back next year. They will be back playing for a state title. Not sure what Fayetteville 71st has. But, I think the teams from the West bracket are battle tested. So I have Hickory winning 3A title for the first time in 27 years.