CAP-7 CONFERNCE
Nearing the end
Six seniors share their thoughts on Friday night's finales
This is it. It all comes down to this.
Four years of up-and-downs, field-long gassers and film study have lead up to now.
Afternoons lifting weights, summer workouts and all the practices between games, too.
And Every moment Friday will be a memory replayed for years to come.
So there's little surprise the seniors of the Leesville Road, Millbrook and Sanderson football teams will be a tad emotional when they take the field Friday night — their last assured home game of their careers.
For the Spartans, they also know Friday's contest with Broughton is not just the end of the season but — with the postseason out of reach — the end of their careers.
And the lights will never shine brighter than they do Friday for these 12th-graders. Their memories will take on that glazed effect like in a movie.
So what is on the minds of the Pride, Wildcats and Spartans as they approach their final days in uniform.
For Leesville, it's about tuning up for the playoffs, while Millbrook just wants to make sure it reaches the postseason. But for guys like Sanderson's Derrick Powell, it will be about cherishing his final walk through the stands and fans dressed in his home red jersey.
"This last game is going to be very hard," the senior said. "I have been playing for nine years, and I didn't think it was going to come to an end. I really didn't. The four years in high school really went by so fast."
This week NorthRaleighSports.com asked six area seniors to share their thoughts on their respective regular-season finales, and what they will remember long after their playing days are done.
Leesville Road — Thurston Cox
What does this last game mean to the Pride?
For us, we are 3-2 in the conference, we're trying to get going before we head into the playoffs. We want to set the tone for the playoffs. And playing WF-R, which is undefeated, that would be a real good way to get going. They have been our rivals for a couple years now. And the last few years, it's been for the conference title. This year, we are hoping to stop their undefeated season.
What are you going to miss most about Friday nights?
I will miss the fans and all the support we got from the parents and faculty. They have been so great to us.
I am also going to miss going to Manchester's after a win to watch WRAL or whatever channel our highlights are on.
Do you have a favorite Coach Green moment?
I think Coach Green started a thunderstorm one time. He got really mad during one practice.
How has your career at Leesville changed during these last four years?
Sophomore year, I wasn't even fully starting and then junior year I played behind Zach Greene.
But this year, I've been able to do a lot, and it's been great to really contribute.
Who's the guy who's improved the most in the past few years?
Josh Stanley. I have known him since I was eight years old. We played Pop Warner together. And this year, before he got hurt, I think he was playing perfect at quarterback He will be great next season.
How close are the seniors?
We are all good friends. But we try to mix with the sophomore and juniors.
How do you slow down WF-R?
We're going to try and not let Trea Jones get outside. They like that bucksweep, and we're going to try to contain him.
Injuries and illness have really hurt this team this year, how has it affected you guys?
Yeah it has. In fact, I just got healthy, I was out Monday and Tuesday. It just means everybody has to step up and fill in a spot.
Who's the most outgoing guy on this team?
Jonathan Diaz
Who's the Pride's vocal leader?
Brad Moody. He gives us a pep talk about the game. Plus, helps us pray before we take the field. He's a good leader."
Leesville Road — Dylan Edwards
How are you feeling entering Friday?
Emotions are high. This is our last game at home for sure. It's our senior night, against Wake Forest, and everyone expects it to be a big game. We know they are very good, and I'm really excited for it and I know a lot of the guys are, too. We want to end their perfect season, and give us some confidence heading into playoffs.
Because the Leesville/WF-R game has had so much riding on it in recent years, and because they are undefeated, this game does seem like a big deal.
It's like third or fourth round playoff match-up. This is the type of team we will be seeing in the playoffs — especially late.
I know they're going far in the playoffs, and hopefully we'll see them again.
Can you believe it is senior night already?
It has come on so quickly. It really does. Looking back, I can't believe we're in this position right now.
What are you going to miss most about Friday night football?
I really don't know what I'm going to do on Friday nights after this. I am really going to miss the atmosphere. Hearing the bands, hearing the Loonies. It really gets me going. I'm going to miss playing with all my boys on this team.
What are you going to miss about Coach Green? What will your remember about him?
Anything you do wrong, he'll make sure you know it. But he'll teach you.
He's really turned around our whole program. But he's more than a coach, he's a friend.
Which teammate has improved the most in the past four years?
Gordon Martin. He does big things for us, and is a big-time player. But back in freshman year, I don't think he played much. Now, I think he'll start both ways this week.
With the number of illnesses and injuries the Pride had — as well as the loss to Millbrook — how important was that bye week you just had?
Coming off that loss was really emotional I know I was upset for a couple days. To prepare for WF-R, we needed that two weeks.
Millbrook — Austin Merritt
What are the emotions heading into this final regular-season game?
I think it means a lot to us. Like Coach [Inscore] said in our huddle, it affects our seeding in the playoffs. If we lose this game, we finish next to last in the conference. That wasn't our goal at all to start the season. Plus, this might be the last game I play on this field, and I want to make sure it's a good one.
A week, a month, two months after the season, what are you going to remember from your senior year?
I am going to miss all my teammates. I love them. And I'm really going to miss playing football.
Proudest moment of your senior season?
Definitely beating Leesville because our class had never done that before.
What are you going to miss about football Friday nights?
I am going to miss how my adrenaline gets pumping right before the game. The crowd is all into it. The lights are on. And you know you are going to go out to war with your friends.
What are you going to remember about Coach Inscore?
I'm going to remember how hard he pushed us.
And I'll remember when I scored my touchdown against Northern Durham, he was the first coach to get out and congratulate me.
Which senior has come the farthest in last four years?
Marcus Plummer. As a sophomore, he was playing fullback for us, he was fumbling the ball a lot. But now, he is such a good defensive end for us.
Playing Enloe, with their running attack, as a linebacker, do you look forward to playing a team like that?
I like it. It means more tackles for me.
Who are some vocal leaders on this team?
Scott Gray for sure. And on defense, we have several guys, Justus Hoffmann, Feaster, myself.
You aren't in the playoffs for sure yet, so how big is this last game against Enloe?
Just like Coach Inscore said earlier, this is our first-round playoff game. We really need to play this our best.
Millbrook — Jarrick Feaster
Depending on how you guys play Friday, you can finish anywhere between second place and sixth. What do you think when you hear that?
We have to play hard just like we did against Leesville. We need to come out and click on all cylinders.
What are you going to miss about football Friday nights?
I am going to miss the whole atmosphere. The lights. Everybody screaming your name. It is just crazy.
What are you going to remember about Inscore?
Whenever I hear his name, I just think 'Coach 24/7.' He is the head coach even in school.
Does it feel like your football career at Millbrook has gone quickly?
Man, the football season just flies by. You have to have fun while its here because its gone in just a couple months.
Who is a leader for this team?
Scott [Gray] is just like a coach. He reminds me of Inscore.
When do you start thinking about Friday night's game?
Without question, I think about the game every single day.
Sanderson — Brandon McCain
What are your emotions going into Friday, your final high school game?
We're all ready to come out and play our hearts out. We know this is our last game, we know that we aren't making it to the playoffs. So we might as well go out playing as hard as we can and knock some people around.
What are your thoughts on your final week of high school football?
It kind of sank in yesterday when Coach Lewis was talking about 'This is the last Tuesday.' Then I pictured next week, and not going to to football. I'm going to miss walking out to the stadium Friday night. I just want to go out there and play as hard as I can. Put it all on the line, and try not to have any regrets.
In your eyes, how big is last week's win over Enloe?
I know it doesn't mean anything towards conference or playoffs, but it just meant something for us as a team.
We really came together and played well. We played like we should.
When you think of your high school career two or three years from now, what you will remember?
I am going to remember every one of these guys, who put in so much work, and even though we didn't have as much success as we wanted to, we will still have these friendships the rest of our lives.
Favorite moment playing at Sanderson?
It has to be the last play at New Bern, when they were going for two [to tie the game]. I hit them initially and everyone piles up on them.
Who has really improved the most in the past four years?
August Jones. When he came out, he was a little pee-wee freshman, and we didn't think he would be good. But he has really turned it around as a player.
What guy keeps this team loose?
It has to be Matt James. He jokes around a lot and he keeps everyone relaxed.
What is Coach Lewis like?
He is all about character. Whether we win or lose, it's about character for him. It's not just about doing well on the field, but doing well in life.
How we can apply the lessons from the field in life.
Will you get emotional at the end of Friday's game?
I get emotional during games, and I will probably shed a few tears.
Sanderson — Derrick Powell
What will you miss most about high school football?
Honestly, the practices. Coming in early in the morning for summer workouts.
When you look back to senior year, what will stick out?
The coaches and how hard they tried and how hard they pushed us. I mean our practices are real hard.
What is your favorite part about Friday? What gets you pumped up to play?
The band. And when the announcers starts saying "When the Spartans came down from the hill..." That's where it all starts.
How hard it is to concentrate Friday in school when you have a game that night?
Getting through third period is the hardest. That's when it all sets in.
What are you will remember most about Coach Lewis?
I will remember him talking about family. About us coming together. Working together as one instead of as individuals.
What will you remember about playing football? Did anything embarrassing ever happen to you?
I actually put on someone else's pants. Freshman year, one of my friends was late to practice, and I actually had his pants on instead of mine.
Who is the most improved in your class?
August Jones. He has really improved. As a freshman, he was tiny. He was shorter than I am. We called him 'Little Bit'
What will your emotions be heading into the Broughton game?
There will be a lot of different emotions. Sad, happy. Both. I'll be sad because it will be the last time I will be playing in that Sanderson jersey.
How nice was it to pull out a win against Enloe last week?
It was a boost of confidence, knowing we can still go out there and win games.
What would it mean to end the season on a two-game winning streak?
Honestly, a lot. I don't want to go out on a loss. For how hard we worked this year I don't think we deserve it.
