RALEIGH "2010 - Do It Again!"
That message was painted on the side of a van full of fans from Matthews Butler High in the Carter-Finley Stadium parking lot on Saturday.
Don't be surprised to see the same vehicle wheeling around next season with something like "2011 - Still In Heaven!" printed on the side.
The Bulldogs were that good in 2009, again on Saturday in a 44-0 romp over Wake Forest-Rolesville and there's no reason to assume they'll retreat very far in the near future.
With lots of depth and a cluster of talented juniors and sophomores, this Butler team did it, did it again and just may keep doing it in the NCHSAA football playoffs.
Coach Mike Newsome's Class 4-AA champs (16-0, 31 straight wins) listed more than 20 seniors on the roster Saturday, including standout running back Jahwan Edwards, but several juniors and sophomores played critical roles.
One was sophomore quarterback Riley Ferguson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder with obvious all-star tools. Another was sophomore back/receiver Channing Stribbling (6-0, 170), who kept the outmanned Cougars defense on edge throughout a wet, cold afternoon.
Defensively, the Bulldogs got impressive performances from sophomores Corwin White (6-3, 220), Grant Polofsky (6-0, 220) and Peter Kalambayi (6-3, 220).
Among the offensive interior linemen were juniors Nathan Woitovich (5-10, 190), Brandon McNeely (6-0, 220) and Alex Hinkle (6-0, 220), plus sophomore Joey Moody (6-1, 240).
Coach Reggie Lucas' Cap Eight Conference Cougars (14-2) were plenty game and had a season the players, school and community can cherish for years.
But like most of Butler's opponents the past two seasons, the task was overwhelming.
After a 35-28 win over Lenoir Hibriten in their fourth game, the Bulldogs were hardly challenged.
"They don't have any weak spots, none," Lucas said. "They were exactly what we saw on film all week - just a sound, good team."
Newsome, a tough guy wearing short pants amid folks in Eskimo attire, was moved to tears when discussing the work of Edwards and the rest of the senior class.
"It's been a wild ride all season, but this team showed that they're a resilient ... great group again today," Newsome said. "We try to teach life lessons more than winning championships. I couldn't be prouder of them. They're like my own kids."
Senior linebacker Stephan Amoah carried the state championship trophy to the locker room area. The hardware case back home may be getting crowded, but Newsome made it clear that the quest for a third straight title has already begun.
"We have to replace a lot of our defense, but the offense is so young that we know we have something to build on," Newsome said. "Winning breeds winning, and these younger guys have won.
"That's important. We knocked on the door a lot of years and for a long time against [Charlotte] Independence before we could break through. Now, though, we have some players who know what it's like to be in this situation. I think they'll want to keep it going."
Load the van.
--Carlton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/12/1904899/butler-has-look-of-a-dynasty.html#ixzz17ujcFgzC
That message was painted on the side of a van full of fans from Matthews Butler High in the Carter-Finley Stadium parking lot on Saturday.
Don't be surprised to see the same vehicle wheeling around next season with something like "2011 - Still In Heaven!" printed on the side.
The Bulldogs were that good in 2009, again on Saturday in a 44-0 romp over Wake Forest-Rolesville and there's no reason to assume they'll retreat very far in the near future.
With lots of depth and a cluster of talented juniors and sophomores, this Butler team did it, did it again and just may keep doing it in the NCHSAA football playoffs.
Coach Mike Newsome's Class 4-AA champs (16-0, 31 straight wins) listed more than 20 seniors on the roster Saturday, including standout running back Jahwan Edwards, but several juniors and sophomores played critical roles.
One was sophomore quarterback Riley Ferguson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder with obvious all-star tools. Another was sophomore back/receiver Channing Stribbling (6-0, 170), who kept the outmanned Cougars defense on edge throughout a wet, cold afternoon.
Defensively, the Bulldogs got impressive performances from sophomores Corwin White (6-3, 220), Grant Polofsky (6-0, 220) and Peter Kalambayi (6-3, 220).
Among the offensive interior linemen were juniors Nathan Woitovich (5-10, 190), Brandon McNeely (6-0, 220) and Alex Hinkle (6-0, 220), plus sophomore Joey Moody (6-1, 240).
Coach Reggie Lucas' Cap Eight Conference Cougars (14-2) were plenty game and had a season the players, school and community can cherish for years.
But like most of Butler's opponents the past two seasons, the task was overwhelming.
After a 35-28 win over Lenoir Hibriten in their fourth game, the Bulldogs were hardly challenged.
"They don't have any weak spots, none," Lucas said. "They were exactly what we saw on film all week - just a sound, good team."
Newsome, a tough guy wearing short pants amid folks in Eskimo attire, was moved to tears when discussing the work of Edwards and the rest of the senior class.
"It's been a wild ride all season, but this team showed that they're a resilient ... great group again today," Newsome said. "We try to teach life lessons more than winning championships. I couldn't be prouder of them. They're like my own kids."
Senior linebacker Stephan Amoah carried the state championship trophy to the locker room area. The hardware case back home may be getting crowded, but Newsome made it clear that the quest for a third straight title has already begun.
"We have to replace a lot of our defense, but the offense is so young that we know we have something to build on," Newsome said. "Winning breeds winning, and these younger guys have won.
"That's important. We knocked on the door a lot of years and for a long time against [Charlotte] Independence before we could break through. Now, though, we have some players who know what it's like to be in this situation. I think they'll want to keep it going."
Load the van.
--Carlton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/12/1904899/butler-has-look-of-a-dynasty.html#ixzz17ujcFgzC
Posts
26 comments:
nawwww ... 2 titles?
dynastys is a big word for only amateur sports writers
had williams played against vance it would have been a mallard creek 4aa title.
If you're going to start talking about dynasties, then you should start about an hour up the road in Mt. Ulla, where the Falcons have won 3 straight 3A titles and 46 games in a row. With a lot of talent returning next year, don't be surprised to see the Falcons as one of the favorites to win it all again next year. Scott Young has built a PROGRAM up in Mt. Ulla. While I give some props to Butler for their program, one shouldn't over look the Mighty Falcons!!
Funny how many of the listed Butler players as returnees are renting apartments in Butler's district but have homes in Rocky River and Indy's district. If that continues, you can guarantee a dynasty. Two different playing fields.
well dynasty refers to a team AND coaching staff. So if the coaching staff @ Mallard Creek was smarter and worthy of such title as "champion", then they wouldn't have kept Williams in an obvious win thus preventing him from injury. But i'd have a hard time getting the foot out of my mouth too if I were a MC fan after a season of trash talk and then still not getting it done.
West Rowan is a great program, nobody said they didn't have such. But 15 more straight wins and 1 extra straight state title doesn't exactly put WR in a completely different class as Butler. They are equally as dominant in my opinion.
Hmmmmm.....playing Sophmores. I wonder what MC would have been like against Vance if Sophmores would have been given more playing time during the season. Newsome and Butler get it. Build a program not a team.....
Anon at 4:37. It just means that West Rowan has done it longer, which is why I said the dynasty conversation should START with West Rowan. 15 more consecutive wins is 50% longer than Butler and the 3 state titles they have is 50% more than Butler. Not saying Butler isn't worthy of the "D" word, just saying that WR didn't have anyone mentioning the "D" word last year after they had 2 state titles and 30 consecutive wins. The current dynasty conversation starts in Mt. Ulla, followed by Butler.
Ladies and gentlemen: THE LOSER OF THE YEAR AWARD goes to the LeMay scam. That one will be hard to ever be topped.
Include player,daddy,Observer for publishing some stupid letter like anybody gave a rats behind.
Georgia may wait 2 years now and take Ferguson instead.
Forrest Gump "stupid is as stupid does" We have a winner ...
Listen stop making excuses for other teams butler is the best in their Divison
I believe MC with a Healthy Williams beats Butler this year.
As far as talent. MC is loaded with soph, and Jr's. What will stop them is Coaching. They have it all wrong at the creek. The players do not trust the coaches. I hope they learned from Newsome this year. Play your best players. Your players have to believe in you. If you tell them one thing and do another? You've already lost before the big game. Don't start a kid because he's a Sr. Play the best players. Now as a coach you have to sit back and take it like a man. From a team you could have beat. Karma's a %$^&&??? MC coaches have not had a conversation with the FB team as a group since the lost to VANCE???? I guess they still don't get it.
As a coach. Players have to trust me, and respect me as a Coach. If i don't trust my players. Why are they on my team? Build a program, not a team
Alright I'm just saying my opinion.. Everyone is tired of hearing about How butler is cheating and how MC and Indy will beat them next year and also how MC is the best team in the state.... Well face it butler is will be the best in the state until they are beaten... A real football program has back ups in everyone position aka Quarter Back.. As you could see MC didn't..And they got beat by a lousy vance team that butler has beaten twice by 20pts.
Butler has the make-up to become a dynasty and as for West Rowan They are one but a weak one.. Who have they face which is big? how about you face a Team like butler, MC, Porter Ridge, Richmond or even WC. If you can beat those teams than you deserve some credit
Good Job Butler!
Lets do it again next year!!
Hey Anon @ 8:17PM - I wouldn't say West Rowan didn't play anyone this year. They shut out 2 teams that played for state championships this year, one of which won a state title (Salisbury). They beat a 4-A team in Davie County 40-0 at Davie, which is a team that beat Porter Ridge, and then West beat Salisbury 28-0 in Mt. Ulla. They shut out 4-A Mooresville who beat West Charlotte. They also beat a Hibriten team that scored 28 points on Butler, with West holding Hibriten to 14 points. You should really do some homework before making silly comments like you did. Don't let the 3-A classification fool you. West Rowan had four All-State players last year, two of which were All-Americans in KP Parks and Chris Smith, now at Arkansas. This year, they have several D-1 players, one of which is Shrine Bowler Dominique Noble who is headed to GaTech. Could WR beat Butler? Who knows, but it would be a fun game to watch. They've been the best two teams in the state, regardless of classification the last two years.
.....and I'll take West Rowan's defense over anybody's in the state. They allowed a meager 7 points per game. Only Concord scored more than 14 points against them all season long.
Anonymous said...
As a coach. Players have to trust me, and respect me as a Coach. If i don't trust my players. Why are they on my team? Build a program, not a team
December 13, 2010 3:38 PM
Anonymous Responded....
Coach maybe I am reading this wrong but as an adult kids and players "trust" based on the way they are treated and communicated to in the beginning of the Coach & Player relationship. Every kid is different so I hope that one style of communication is not being used on all kids it is not that simple. It is easy to measure if they trust you ask yourself do they seek you out and want to be in your presence if not they do not trust you. Just my take..
Does Palmieri have his teaching credentials. I heard a few weeks ago that CMS would not be able to keep him employed. MC was VERY good this year but Butler is on a different level.
I agree. MC with a healthy Williams. Beats Butler all day.
Butler's 1st lost next year will be against Vance. Please stop with the Dynasty.
Vance Finally has a Coach that understands feeder program. Next door at James Martin they have the winningest Middle school program in the state of NC. In 9 years they have only lost 2 games. There Soph class better than Butlers.
quit with your middle school talk..no one really cares. And vance has only beat butler once in the past ten years
DYNASTY
WITH WHO? Lemay & Ferguson??????
OK.
Turn out the lights the partys over.
Butler Butler it was nice while it last.......I would not be surprise if Newsome jump ship like Knox.
NICE ARTICLE. If the person who wrote it was not from Carlton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer?????
Don't you have to do research before you write papers? One impact player returning on Defense. The teams are licking there chops to play Butler next year. It's not going to be pretty.
All of you guys are haters. Just because your teams suck and cant win back to back state championships... Good job Butler
MC AND Vance won't be anywhere next.. You guys always seem to talk up your guys team but your teams always seem to fall short and next year won't be any different
next year*
While I'm sure other teams are looking to beat the state champ, I don't think the boys are waiting with as much vigor and hate as the adults on this blog. EVERYONE loves and has faith in their team! Everyone doesn't show that love by showing hate to another. MC and Vance both had a great season-hands down!! They've done what so many said they couldn't. Sound familiar? For years Butler was said to be the underdog and could not pull it off! They've done it for two years in a row! We will see how next season goes, but I will not begin to put down another program that achieved so much just to try to make my self look good. Competition is a part of sports and is healthy. The negativity and hate is just ridiculous and old! Enjoy life, enjoy your kids. Happy Holidays!! :)
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