Jeff Hamlin

As you might have noticed, Hillsborough Sports.com is a website that tries to tackle a lot of areas of Orange High and Cedar Ridge High sports on a daily basis. With the fall sports season starting Monday, we aim to have complete coverage of all sports at both high schools–via the written word or through radio broadcasts.

As with last year, we’re going to broadcast all of Orange High’s football games on the website. We’re also adding Cedar Ridge games, as well. The exact number of Red Wolves games depends on staffing, but we’re planning at least 7, starting with the East Chapel Hill game.

However, one question that frequently came up last season from various people was “How do I listen?”

There are several ways. First, there’s my (Jeff Hamlin) Spreaker channel. Simply go here. While you’re at my Spreaker page, please give it a Like. That way, not only will you support the website, but you will also be emailed whenever a broadcast starts. Thus, the process is made  much easier.

Secondly, go to the Hillsborough Sports Facebook page. That’s here. A link is placed every game 20 minutes before airtime. Also, there’s my own Facebook page which can be found here.

Then there’s something new for this year. The Hillsborough Sports You Tube page. Simply type in Jeff Hamlin or Hillsborough Sports on the YouTube search option. All games will be broadcast live on YouTube this year.

Also, all broadcasts can be heard on demand. That means if you went to the game, didn’t hear the broadcast, and heard your son or daughter make a great play, you can go back and listen to it through all of the means listed above.

Of course, life moves fast and so does technology. Other websites and channels have started televising games, something that was once forbidden by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. That hasn’t escaped my attention. I plan to take the website into a direction that will make televising various sports (not just football) live a reality.

It’s going to be a fun year. Stay tuned.

Kendall Whitted caught a touchdown pass while Ryan Sellers recovered two fumbles as Orange out scored South Granville two touchdowns to one in a 40-play scrimmage on Wednesday night in Creedmoor.

“Kendall can run and he has good hands as well,” said Coach Pat Moser. “He had a good inter squad scrimmage Saturday. We have good receivers. We just have to get them the ball.”

Payton Wilson also caught a long pass from starting quarterback Jackson Schmid and was downed at the one-yard line during one 10-play segment.

The scrimmage was divided into four 10-play segments for each team. The Vikings, under returning head coach Mike Hobgood after a brief tenure  at Leesville Road for one season, scored during the team’s 3rd segment. However, earlier in the sequence, Ryan Sellers recovered a fumble caused off a hard hit by linebacker Milton Purcell.

Schmid, Rodney Brooks and Brendan Huss all received time at quarterback. Cates threw Orange’s 2nd touchdown, a spiral to Cody Evans for a 63-yard hookup, the longest play of the night.

Coming off an inter squad scrimmage on Saturday, Coach Pat Moser said the biggest point of concern was the offensive lineman, which constantly revolved players at various positions. New center Tyson Wolter was the only one who stayed in the same spot the entire game. Former center Blake Taylor flipped from right tackle to left tackle regularly, as did first-year varsity tackle Brandon Carden.

“The offensive line is our biggest concern right now,” said Moser. “And it always is at this time of the year. They have to get their sea legs, so to speak. The speed of the game is something you can’t match in practice. When we’re blocking against tackling dummies or such…when we get in actual gameplay, it’s a shock to their system a little bit.”

Wilson, a junior linebacker who has received offers from N.C. State, Wake Forest, Est Carolina and Appalachian State, saw time at wide receiver and wingback.

The heralded return of Devondrez Moore, who returned to Orange last season after transferring to Northern Durham (though not in time to play), was worth waiting for. He made three tackles for loss.

Orange will have its final scrimmage of the season on Friday night against Eastern Alamance at Auman Stadium. They travel to Person for the season opener August 19th.

Kendall Whitted, Stone Edwards & Ryan Sellers talk S. Granville Scrimmage

Whitted scored one of Orange’s two touchdowns, while Sellers recovered two fumbles and Edwards had two sacks on Wednesday night.

There were three years when Pat Moser had time to fish. Not so coincidentally, it came when he wasn’t coaching football.

That changed when he took over at Orange in July 2009,

“I haven’t picked up a pole in years,” said Moser.

After this year, he’ll have time for it.

“I can’t wait,” said Moser.

Moser’s upcoming season at Orange will be his eighth. He says it will also be his last.

“My youngest son, Gray, is going to graduate next summer (from Orange),” said Moser. “I have enough sick days where I can retire June 30th. Right now, that’s the plan.”

Since 2012, Orange has gone 47-9 under Moser. They also captured the 2015 Big 8 Conference Championship after Southern Durham forfeited its final regular season win and four playoff games, including an appearance in the 3-AA state final, due to use of an ineligible player.

With Moser’s upcoming retirement, the Panthers aren’t losing a coach. They’re losing someone who revived a dormant program.

Orange didn’t have a winning season between 1993-2007. Dickie Schock led the Panthers to a 8-5 campaign in 2008, and its first playoff birth since 1991. Schock promptly left for Rocky Mount.

That’s when Orange turned to Moser, who had been out of coaching for three seasons. Moser had coached Graham to the 2000 1-A State Championship, and led them to the 1-A Eastern Regional championship the year before. However, by the time he arrived in Hillsborough, he hadn’t coached in three seasons because of Pancreatitis caused by a gall stone. Moser, who lost over 100 pounds during his three seasons away from coaching, thought long and hard before deciding to return.

Orange fans had felt big expectations from an incoming state championship coach before. In 1998, Mike Stewart, who had won captured two 4A state championships with Shelby Crest, arrived in Hillsborough when the Panthers were the only team in town, Northern Durham still ruled the PAC-6 conference and only 32 teams made the playoffs in each classification (Now it’s 64).

Stewart arrived with a swagger and an interview style that would have made Ric Flair proud. He left in 2001 after three forgettable seasons.

At first, it appeared Moser might follow the same pattern. His first two teams went 6-6 and 2-8. However, the final game of the 2009 season hinted at something bigger ahead when they won at Chapel Hill, dashing the Tigers’ playoff hopes on the final night of the season.

Moser’s former assistants at Graham, defensive coordinator Van Smith and offensive coordinator Mike McCauley, arrived in 2011 for another 6-6 season. Since then, they’ve won at least 11 games each of the last four seasons.

Moser’s final season will be unique. McCauley has taken over as Athletic Director for Earnie Price,who retired last month. So Moser will take over as offensive coordinator.

“I figure me calling plays is a fitting way for me to go out,” said Moser.

August 15th (MON)      vs. Eastern Alamance            HOME        4:30

August 17th (WED)       vs. Durham School of the Arts  HOME    4:30

August 18th (THU)       vs. Riverside                 HOME      4:30

August 22nd (MON)     at Eastern Alamance   AWAY    4:30

August 24th (WED)      vs. Orange                  HOME     4:30

August 25th (THU)      at Person                    AWAY     4:30

August 29th (MON)      at Northern Vance    AWAY    4:30

August 31st (WED)     vs. Southern Durham  HOME    4:30

September 1st (THU)  at Riverside           AWAY         4:30

September 6th (TUE) at Chapel Hill         AWAY          4:30

September 8th (THU) at Northwood       AWAY          4:30

September 12th (MON) vs. Webb             HOME         4:30

September 15th (THU)  at Voyager Academy AWAY  (at Rock Quarry)  4:00

September 19th (MON) at Orange            AWAY         4:30

September 21st (WED) vs. Northern Vance  HOME   4:30

September 22nd (THU) vs. Voyager Academy HOME 4:30

September 26th (MON) at Southern Durham  AWAY  4:30

September 28th (WED) vs. Chapel Hill              HOME  4:30

October 3rd  (MON)      vs. Northwood              HOME  4:30

October 5th  (WED)       at Webb                         AWAY  4:30

October 12th (WED)  Big 8 Conference Tournament  at Orange High (1:00)

September 9th  (FRI)   Leesville Road Twilight Invite               @Leesville Road              6:00 PM

September 20th (TUES) at Northwood & Southern Durham    @Northwood                    4:30 PM

September 24th (SAT)  at Greensboro Invitational                    @ Hagan State Park        9:00 AM

September 27th (TUE) at Chapel Hill & Southern Durham       @ Chapel Hill                     4:30 AM

October 1st         (SAT) at Wendy’s Invitational                           @McAlpine Park (Charlotte) 9:00 AM

October 4th        (TUE) vs. Webb & Southern Durham & Cedar Ridge HOME                    4:30

October 11th      (TUE) at Cedar Ridge, Webb & Southern Durham @ Cedar Ridge           4:30

October 19th     (WED) Big 8 Conference Championship Meet   @Chapel Hill High            4:00

October 29th    (SAT) 3A Regionals                                              TBA                                      TBA

November 5th  (SAT) 3A State Championships                          TBA                                     TBA

August 19th (FRI)     vs. Voyager Academy        HOME      4:30

August 22nd (MON) at Graham                           AWAY       4:30

August 24th (WED) at Cedar Ridge                     AWAY       4:30

August 30th (TUE) at Person                               AWAY      4:30

August 31st (WED) vs. Northern Vance              HOME     4:30

September 2nd (FRI) at Voyager Academy       AWAY      4:30

September 6th (TUE) at Southern Durham       AWAY      4:30

September 8th (THU) vs. Chapel Hill                 HOME      4:30

September 12th (MON) vs. Northwood              HOME     4:30

September 14th (WED) at Webb                          AWAY     4:30

September 15th (THU) vs. Person                      HOME     4:30

September 19th (MON) vs. Cedar Ridge            HOME     4:30

September 21st (WED) vs. East Chapel Hill       HOME    4:30

September 26th (MON) at Northern Vance      AWAY    4:30

September 28th (WED) vs. Southern Durham HOME     4:30

October 3rd        (MON) at Chapel Hill               AWAY    4:30

October 5th        (WED) at Northwood              AWAY     4:30

October 10th      (MON) vs. Webb                      HOME    4:30

October 12th   Big 8 Conference Tournament   at Orange 1:00

September 20th (TUES)  vs. Chapel Hill & Webb      HOME      4:30

September 27th (TUES)  at Northwood & Webb     @ Northwood 4:30

October 1st (SAT)            Wendy’s Invitational      @McAlpine Greenway Park, Charlotte  9AM

October 4th (TUES)         at Northwood & Southern Durham @ Northwood 4:30

October 11th (TUES)      vs. Orange, Webb & Southern Durham HOME  4:30

October 19th (WED)       Big 8 Conference Championship meet @Chapel Hill High School  4:00

October 29th (SAT)        3A Regionals        TBA     10AM

November 5th (SAT)    3A State Championships

August 11th (THUR)     at Jordan (scrimmage)      4:00 (V)   No JV

August 13th (SAT)        at East Chapel Hill (scrimmage) AWAY TBA   TBA

August 19-20th (FRI-SAT) at East Chapel Hill Tournament  AWAY

August 23rd (TUE)        vs. East Chapel Hill               HOME   5:00 (JV)  6:30 (V)

August 25th (THU)       vs. Bartlett Yancey                HOME   5:00 (JV)  6:30 (V)

August 29th (TUE)        vs. Carrboro                           HOME   5:00 (JV)  6:30 (V)

September 1st (THU)   vs. Orange                              HOME   5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 6th (TUE)  at Northern Vance                AWAY   5:00 (JV)   6:30  (V)

September 8th (THU) vs. Southern Durham            HOME  5:00 (JV)   6:30  (V)

September 12th (MON) at Eastern Alamance          AWAY   5:00 (JV)  6:30  (V)

September 13th (TUE) at Chapel Hill                        AWAY   5:00 (JV)  6:30  (V)

September 15th (THU) at Northwood                      AWAY    5:00 (JV) 6:30   (V)

September 20th (TUE) vs. Webb                              HOME   5:00 (JV)  6:30   (V)

September 27th (TUE) at Orange                             AWAY   5:00 (JV)  6:30   (V)

October 4th (TUE)       at Southern Durham            AWAY  5:00 (JV)  6:30    (V)

October 5th (WED)      at Carrboro                             AWAY 5:00 (JV)  6:30    (V)

October 6th (THU)      vs. Chapel Hill                        HOME 5:00 (JV)  6:30   (V)

October 11th (TUE)     vs. Northwood                      HOME 5:00 (JV)   6:30   (V)

October 13th (THU)    at Webb                                 AWAY  5:00 (JV)    6:30  (V)

August 13th (SAT)      at East Chapel Hill (Scrimmage)  AWAY       9:00AM

August 16th (TUE)     vs. Person                HOME             5:00 (JV)    6:30 (V)

August 18th (THU)    vs. High Point Weslyan HOME      5:00 (JV)    6:30 (V)

August 23rd (TUE)    at Graham                 AWAY            5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

August 24th (WED)   at Riverside               AWAY            5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

August 30th (TUE)   at Person                    AWAY            5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 1st (THU) at Cedar Ridge        AWAY             5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 6th (TUE) vs. Graham             HOME             5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 8th (THU) vs. Northern Vance HOME           5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 13th (TUE) at Southern Durham AWAY       5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 15th (THU) vs. Chapel Hill         HOME          5:00 (JV)   6:30 (V)

September 19th (MON) at Jordan                AWAY           5:00 (JV)  6:30 (V)

September 20th (TUE) vs. Northwood        HOME           5:00 (JV)  6:30 (V)

September 22nd (THU) at Webb                  AWAY           5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

September 27th (TUE) vs. Cedar Ridge      HOME            5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 3rd (MON)      vs. Jordan              HOME            5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 4th (TUE)       at Northern Vance  AWAY           5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 6th (THU)       vs. Southern Durham HOME      5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 11th (TUE)      at Chapel Hill           AWAY          5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 13th (THU)     at Northwood           AWAY          5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)

October 18th (TUE)     vs. Webb                   HOME          5:00 (JV) 6:30 (V)