WAKEFIELD FOOTBALL
Wakefield receiver Nigel King — one of the most sought-after recruits in the state — plans to make his verbal commitment Friday, Dec. 18.
Wakefield's King
to announce college decision Friday
According to Wakefield assistant football coach Charles Johnson, highly recruited junior Nigel King plans to announce his verbal commitment Friday morning at the North Raleigh high school.
"He's made his decision, and I think it's a good choice for him," Johnson said earlier this week.
The coach added he and King discussed the choice at length this weekend.
Since receiving his first offer — LSU — in September, King has garnered several others including N.C. State, Louisville, Maryland and Colorado.
But Johnson conceded the Wolverine receiver will mostly likely choose between LSU and North Carolina.
Following his outsanding 2009 season, Millbrook junior Justus Hoffmann was named the Cap-7 Conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
Cap-7 announces
All-Conference
football honors
WF-R's Trea Jones receives
Player of the Year award
Two days after the Heisman trophy was awarded to the best running back on the best college team — Alabama's Mark Ingram — the Cap-7 Conference released it's awards Monday morning, including the league's Player of the Year honors.
And like the Heisman, the Cap-7 coaches also voted to award the best running back on the best team with the league's highest accolade.
After leading the Wake Forest-Rolesville football team to an undefeated regular-season, and its second straight 4-AA Eastern Regional appearance, Trea Jones was named the league's Player of the Year.
Senior Travis Carrington received the Ironman Award during last week's Wolverine football banquet, celebrating his hard work throughout his four-year career. In the future, the Ironman Award will be renamed the Travis Carrington Awards, said Wakefield head coach J.D. Dinwiddie.
Wakefield's Ironman
Senior Travis Carrington honored at Wolverine football banquet
Travis Carrington's senior season might have come to an end, but the Wakefield football player's legacy will live on long past his playing days.
At the Wolverines' football banquet at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh Dec. 3, the Wakefield coaching staff, led by J.D. Dinwiddie, presented Carrington with the Ironman Award for his inspiration and work ethic during his high school career.
Born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy, which affects the movement on his right side, Carrington played football all four years of high school, including on the varsity team his junior and senior seasons.
Wakefield running back Courtney Crews needed a moment to himself after watching Garner rally from a 10-point deficit to pull out a 21-17 victory over the Wolverines Friday night.
Fourth-quarter rally leads Garner over Wakefield
Although Juwan Moye's 56-yard scamper in the fourth quarter didn't reach the end zone, the Garner running back's fourth-down dash dealt a punch the Wakefield football team never recovered from Friday night.
The play essentially ignited the Trojans' late rally as Garner overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit, prevailing 21-17 in the 4-AA state playoff first-round match-up.
"That was a killer," Wakefield head coach J.D. Dinwiddie later said of Moye's run.
Why was the play so devastating? Because a defensive stop could have clinched a Wolverine victory.
Trailing 17-7, following consecutive Wakefield touchdown-scoring drives, Garner appeared, not just on the ropes, but set up for a knock-out blow.
With 15 days between its regular-season finale and Friday's playoff match-up at Garner, the Wakefield football team had an opportunity to heal some wounds. According to coach J.D. Dinwiddie, the Wolverines are "100 percent healthy," meaning David Gibson (from left), Will Butler and Connor Mitch will play against the Trojans.
Wolverines prep for throwdown with Trojans Friday
With one statement, Wakefield football coach J.D. Dinwiddie answered the majority of pressing questions facing the Wolverines heading into Friday's first-round state playoff match-up at Garner.
Asked what his squad's health concerns were entering their tussle with the Trojans, the coach explained, "We are 100 percent healthy right now."
Defensive tackle Will Butler — the squad's anchor — is back? Check. Wide receiver David Gibson, a summer standout, who missed the past two months with a seriously dislocated elbow? Check again — though he might be used sparingly. And what about freshman QB Connor Mitch? Yes, him, too.
Those additions to the active roster are great news as Wakefield looks to reverse a three-game losing stretch to end of the regular season, including a lackluster performance in a 34-14 loss to Broughton in their Oct. 30 finale.
Junior running back Denzel Brown cuts upfield during the Wolverines' 34-14 loss at Broughton Thursday.
Mangus, Caps
maul Wolverines
It wasn't hard to see — rather hear — the irony Thursday night as Wakefield coach J.D. Dinwiddie addressed his football team following its humbling 34-14 loss at Broughton.
Just moments after an error-laden Wakefield performance — the squad committed six turnovers and mustered just 112 total yards of offense — Kool and the Gang's 80's classic "Celebration" blared through the PA system at Broughton's Capital Stadium.
You know, "Celebrate good times, come on!" (If you don't know, then your parents probably do.)
But there were few good times to celebrate for the Wolverines, and Dinwiddie didn't sugarcoat Wakefield's effort in their regular-season finale.
For highlights from Wakefield's game against Enloe Friday night, click on the video above.
Enloe erases deficit, then Wakefield
Frustration is loosely defined as a “feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.”
The Wakefield football team has an alternate definition for this word — Friday night’s game.
This frustration was the result of a 38-10 loss to Enloe ruining both the Wolverines' Homecoming and Senior Night and dropping them to 6-4. Plus, the defeat almost certainly eliminates any chances at a conference title.
Adding to the discontent for Wakefield was the complete 180 degree flip suffered by the squad's offense. On the first play from scrimmage, junior running back Denzel Brown took a handoff and dashed 73 yards untouched for an easy score just 23 seconds into the game. The extra point by junior Niklas Sade gave Wakefield the early 7-0 lead.
Wake Forest-Rolesville running back Trea Jones scored on runs of 4, 5, 8 and 37 yards during Friday night's 47-0 win over Wakefield. All four of Jones' touchdowns came in the first half.
Jones, Cougars
clobber Wolverines
WF-R running back gains 168 yards, adds four touchdowns
Moments after watching Wake Forest-Rolesville running back Trea Jones dash in for his third of four first-half touchdowns in the Cougars' 47-0 pasting of Wakefield Friday, Wolverine coach J.D. Dinwiddie shook his head and offered the only conclusion a coach might have at that moment.
"We're getting taken to the wood shed right now," he shrugged.
And one can only assume the shed is located somewhere in the Cougars' end zone.
In a rivalry contest billed as featuring the Cap-7 Conference's top two teams, WF-R (8-0; 3-0) established itself as the league's unquestioned leader, gaining more than 500 yards of total offense and throttling the Wolverines (6-3) on the ground, and then through the air.
The Cougars scored on all four of its first-half possessions, each one capped by Jones, who scored from 8, 4, 37 and 5 yards out.
If Wakefield senior Michael Gubbins (front) and his teammates on the offensive line can hold back Wake Forest-Rolesville's pass rush, QB Patrick Johnstone (12) and RB Denzel Brown (32) should continue the Wolverines' offensive success Friday night.
WF-R, Wakefield battle for Cap-7 supremacy
At the beginning of the season, tonight's (Friday's) Wakefield/Wake Forest-Rolesville football match-up was just supposed to be another rivalry game.
Crosstown foes battling for local bragging rights. Something to hold over the loser for the next year — maybe longer. And conference-title implications were most likely an afterthought.
That was no slight to this year's teams, but more an indication of what both had lost.
With the Cougars graduating several stars from last year's squad, which advanced to the Eastern Regionals, including Terrell Hartsfield, Jake Kahut and Tim Hartman, WF-R was supposed to be revamping under a new coach, Reggie Lucas, at its home away from home at Heritage High.
Likewise, under second-year coach J.D. Dinwiddie, the Wolverines were coming off a 7-6 year, replacing its quarterback and three of its top four receivers, and still building toward the future.
But eight weeks into the season, the two north Wake County programs have cast aside those lowered expectations.
Junior wide receiver Nigel King (with ball) scored three touchdowns in the Wolverines' 35-32 win over Leesville Road Friday night. The victory gives Wakefield a 3-0 record in conference play.
King, Wolverines
battle past Pride
In the closing seconds of the Wakefield football team's 35-32 upset win over Leesville Road Friday night, the Pride's desperation heave fittingly fell in the hands of Wolverine standout Nigel King.
On a night when the junior receiver hauled in nine catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns, including a 38-yard TD in the third quarter — which resulted in the Wakefield student section serenading him with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" — King came up largest in the game's biggest moments. (And, yes, it was his birthday.)
"That's why we're glad we have him," said Wakefield coach J.D. Dinwiddie following the game. "If we need a big play, we have other guys who are capable. But when we need a momentum changer, Nigel's the guy who can get it done. And he did it tonight."
But it was more than a one-man show which held off a relentless Pride squad, led by a hobbled, yet gutsy QB Josh Stanley.
Trip Foreman (left) and Brandon Pittman have displayed a knack for making big plays this season, and both could play major roles in the outcome of Friday's contest between the Pride and Wolverines.
Wolverines, Pride duke it out Friday
Keep reading for an interesting
subplot to tonight's game
In the biggest Cap-7 Conference football game to date — Friday's Leesville Road (7-0) at Wakefield (5-2) match-up — Pride linebacker Brandon Pittman knows his defensive unit can't afford any breakdowns.
No miscues. No mental lapses. And no missteps, the junior explained.
"We know they have a ton of skill people, so we are really going to have to be disciplined," he said after practice Wednesday afternoon. "We can't have one person slip. We can't have someone out of position. Or that will bring our defense down."
Leesville receiver Gerroid Doughty — who may split time at defensive back — singled out the Wakefield's wideouts as an area of concern.
Wakefield junior Denzel Brown rushed for three touchdowns and more than 100 yards against Millbrook Friday night. The 5-2 Wolverines host undefeated Leesville Road Friday.
Wolverines throttle Millbrook Friday
Wakefield's 59 points most in school history, Dinwiddie said
It's hard to pinpoint exactly which Wolverines' highlight— and there were plenty to choose from in the Wakefield football team's 59-21 victory — spoiled Millbrook's homecoming festivities Friday night.
Was it Denzel Brown's 7-yard TD scamper less than two minutes into the game? Or maybe Michael Bailey's fumble recovery and touchdown just seven seconds later?
Either way, by the time freshman QB Connor Mitch hit Trip Foreman on a 7-yard TD pass midway through the first quarter, giving Wakefield a 21-0 lead, the Wolverines were officially — for the lack of a better term — a real party pooper.
And the Wolverines had help in dampening the celebration as Millbrook committed three turnovers in its first four possessions — all inside the Wildcats' territory.
Wakefield's Connor Mitch (left) and Millbrook's Trey McFarland might be first-year varsity starters, but the duo has shown all the poise and ability to be stars for their respective teams. Both quarterbacks have stellar defenses helping them ease into their new leadership positions.
Stellar defenses headline Wakefield/ Millbrook match-up
What a difference a year makes.
A season removed from having two of Wake County's most high-powered offenses, the Millbrook and Wakefield football teams enter Friday's match-up with a decidedly different look this fall. A more defensive look, for sure.
The Wolverines, allowing just 12.5 points a game, haven't surrendered more than two touchdowns in a game in a month.
Likewise, the Wildcats have flexed defensive muscle this fall, allowing more than 20 points just once.
Wolverines wreck Wildcats
The Wakefield JV football team knocked off Millbrook
51-0 Thursday, Oct. 1. For photos of the action, click
on the photograph above.
Wakefield QB Connor Mitch (10) threw two touchdowns passes in Friday night's 32-6 victory over Sanderson, kicking off the Wolverines' Cap-7 Conference schedule.
Wolverines stifle Sanderson 32-6
As Wakefield's Moises Ramirez watched his teammates jar loose a fumble just before halftime of Friday's 32-6 win over Sanderson, the senior's first thought wasn't to beat the Spartans to the recovery.
There were only maroon jerseys in the vicinity, so that wasn't really a worry.
Rather, Ramirez was hellbent on racing fellow defensive end Matt Yovanovich to the ball.
After watching Yovanovich record two touchdowns in as many weeks, Ramirez wanted to keep pace with his teammate.
"Honestly, I saw Matt, and I said to myself, 'Please don't get it, this one's mine,'" he recalled laughing. "My second thought was, 'Boy, this is a long run.'"
Continued ...
Six football games
not to miss
In no order of importance, here are the six conference games I believe each football fan should mark on his or her calendar. And there's good news, all six are slated for a different Friday night, so you won't have to miss any of them.
(In retrospect, I could have listed them chronologically, but where's the fun in that.)
When Wakefield and Sanderson are looking for a big defensive stop in Friday's Cap-7 Conference opener, don't be surprised to see Matt Yovanovich (left) and Brandon McCain be the players stepping up to make the play.
Spartans, Wolverines kick off conference schedule Friday
Wakefield senior Alex Starnes explained the intensity and excitement leading up to Friday night's Cap-7 Conference opener against Sanderson will begin well before kickoff.
In fact, for the Wolverines and their fans, it has already started.
"You could hear it in the school, starting Monday," the Wakefield wide receiver said. "It is like the entire school knows that conference [play] is starting up. And that we're playing Sanderson. It is a big deal. It is just a different vibe, you can just feel it. You can't put it into words, but you can definitely feel it."
Wolverines sink Pirates with four second-half TDs
It is said the best defense is a good offense, and perhaps Wakefield football coach J.D. Dinwiddie and his coaching staff took the expression to heart Friday night.
The Wolverines moved two of their defensive stalwarts — Terrance Scott and Josh Winstead — to the offensive side of the ball, and the pair helped Wakefield overcome a 7-0 halftime deficit and record a 28-7 victory over Durham Riverside.
Normally a safety, Scott led all rushers with 120 yards on the ground. Scott and fellow running back Mychal Jones did most of their damage running behind center Lawrence Keys and Winstead, a converted defensive lineman, playing his first game on the offensive line.
Wolverines fight,
but fall at Dudley
While a victory eluded the Wolverines at Greensboro Dudley Friday night — Wakefield lost 14-7 to the Panthers — head coach J.D. Dinwiddie got exactly what he hoped for against the defending 3-AA state champions: a chance to win late.
"If you are just a football fan in general, it was just a good football game," the second-year coach said of the Wolverines' first-ever meeting with Dudley. "Two teams going at it, and they are very talented. They're a very disciplined football team. But it was encouraging because we did have our chances to win the ball game. We just came up a little short."
In fact, Wakefield gave Dudley all it could handle, actually leading the Panthers 7-6 at halftime.
King's offer list
now includes Louisville, Maryland
A few days after receiving his first scholarship offer — from SEC power LSU — last week, Wakefield junior receiver Nigel King can add two more colleges to his list of potential suitors.
In recent days, the 6-foot-3, 194-pound Wolverine has received written offers from big-time college programs Louisville and Maryland, bringing his total to three.
But that number is sure to increase in the coming weeks for the highly sought-after receiver.
Wakefield junior Nigel King (center, No. 11) received his first official scholarship offer last week, hearing from SEC powerhouse Louisiana State University. King, who's missed the Wolverines' first three games with a hip injury, expects to make his debut Sept. 18 against Durham Riverside.
Wakefield's King receives first offer — from LSU
While walking to his first period class with friends Thursday morning, Wakefield junior Nigel King received a text message informing him to report to the Wolverines' football coaches office.
Head coach J.D. Dinwiddie and his staff had good news for the 6-foot-3 wide receiver: he had just received his first official scholarship offer. Though this moment wasn't unexpected, considering King's one of the most heralded recruits from North Carolina's 2011 class.
But the first school to extend an offer — Louisiana State University — was a complete surprise.
With his offensive line making sizable holes to run through Wakefield's Courtney Crews rushed for 95 yards in Friday's 30-13 win over Knightdale.
Run game powers Wakefield to win
For Wakefield offensive lineman Michael Gubbins, Friday night's 30-13 win over Knightdale didn't begin at kickoff, but rather in practice five days earlier.
"We did what's called a line charge on Monday, which consists of hitting the sled for about 45 minutes," the senior said. "It sucks when you're doing it. But I feel it was worth it. The payoff is now because I feel we dominated the line tonight."
The sled work was part of Wakefield head coach J.D. Dinwiddie's plan to rededicate the Wolverines to a more physical brand of football after a lackluster performance in last week's 28-14 loss at Holly Springs.
With changes to its block schemes, the addition of a tight end to most offensive formations and an emphasis on running the ball, the Wolverines came out and pounded the Knights physically. In fact, running backs Denzel Brown and Courtney Crews combined to rush for nearly 200 yards.
Wolverines versus Knights
The Wakefield football team's improved running game leads to a win over Knightdale Friday, Sept. 4. For photos of the action, click on the picture above.
Wolverines let
one slip away
The Wakefield football team came out firing at the start of both halves Friday night, but could not overcome a determined Holly Springs squad and a rainfall which alternated between steady and heavy for most of the night.
In the end, the Wolverines lost 28-14, and fell victim to sloppy play and soggy conditions.
On its first possession, Wakefield jumped out to a 7-0 lead as junior quarterback Patrick Johnstone hooked up with senior Mychal Jones for a 40-yard touchdown strike.
After getting the Wolverines off to a good start last week — posting a 31-7 win over Green Hope — junior QB Patrick Johnstone (12) should continue his development against Holly Springs Friday.
Wolverines look
to halt Holly Springs
Last year's Wakefield and Holly Springs football match-up featured one of the most jaw-dropping, wouldn't-have-believed-it-if-I-didn't-see-it-with-my-own-two-eyes plays in Wolverines' history.
Facing a 4th-and-32, down 21-20, with less than two minutes remaining, Wakefield's Mychal Jones pulled in a screen pass from Drew Wilkinson and zig-zagged his way 73 yards to the end zone. He seemingly dashed past every Golden Hawk defender while making his improbable dash.
52 weeks later, the play is still worth talking about.
But Wakefield head coach J.D. Dinwiddie said Tuesday he hopes the Wolverines can secure a victory without the theatrics Friday night.
Wolverines roll over Green Hope 31-7
After shaking off a little rust early on — and perhaps some jitters — the Wakefield football team ran like a well-oiled machine en route to a 31-7 victory over Green Hope in Friday night's season opener.
Both defenses were a major factor early, but when the Wolverines forced a Green Hope punt late in the first quarter, momentum swung in Wakefield's favor.
Trip Foreman returned the punt inside the 20-yard line, putting the Falcons' backs to the wall and the Wolverines in position to take an early lead.
Wakefield senior Travis Carrington — born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy — doesn't let the disorder slow him down. Having played football since the seventh grade, Carrington begins his senior year Friday night as one of the Wolverines' defensive ends. Carrington's determination and dedication have made him popular with both his coaches and teammates. Head coach J.D. Dinwiddie even said if he could choose just one captain, it would be Carrington.
'There is nothing quite like the
game of football'
Wakefield defensive end Travis Carrington can deliver an awfully good scouting report of himself.
It even includes a little visual aid for better understanding.
Asked about his pass rush technique after practice Monday afternoon, the senior dropped his shoulder pads in a corner outside the Wolverines' lockerroom, and positioned himself in front of his interviewer as if awaiting a snap.
Video: Highlights from Wakefield Jamboree
The Wolverines hosted their annual preseason scrimmage Friday night, Aug. 14, facing East Wake, Cary and Nash Central high schools. Here are highlights from the night's action.
Final tune-up
Matt Yovanovich and the Wolverines hosted the Wakefield Jamboree Aug. 14. It is their final exhibition before next week's season opener with Green Hope.
To see more of the action click on the photograph above.
Wolverines, say cheese
The Wolverines donned their uniforms for the first time this season during Saturday's picture day. Click on the photo to see some of the "action."
Although Wakefield lost several key offensive players to graduation last year, receivers Trip Foreman (left) and David Gibson appear ready to break out for the Wolverines this fall.
Wakefield restocks receiving corps
Last fall, Wakefield assistant football coach Charles Johnson — a former NFL wide receiver — bestowed a lofty nickname on the Wolverines' receivers and quarterback Drew Wilkinson: The Magnificent Seven.
Other members of the distinguish group included current Duke player Kevin Rojas, Jared Crabtree, Vann McDuffie, David Richardson, Nigel King and Alex Starnes.
Trip Foreman was added later to the cast — though the name stayed the same.
The octuplets helped Wakefield amass more than 2,500 yards through the air, becoming one of the most lethal offenses in the Triangle. Johnson went so far as to call last year's group "unstoppable."
Continued...
Sabb discusses senior year, WF-R and pancakes
One of the top returning offensive lineman in the Cap-7 Conference — if not the best — Wakefield's Michael Sabb talks about the Wolverines' upcoming season.
Click here to see what Sabb had to say.
Wakefield junior Will Butler shares his thoughts about the first few weeks of practice, the Wolverines and the Cap-7 Conference.
Click here to see what Butler had to say.
