Cedar Ridge Football

Though Cedar Ridge football went winless in the noncconference portion of its schedule, the Red Wolves are building a foundation for success in the future. One of the pillars is running back Isaiah McCambry, who has 275 rushing yards and a touchdown. Last week against Providence Grove in Lewisville, McCambry had a career-high 80 yards on 17 carries. Last season when Cedar Ridge fielded a junior varsity team, McCambry was the leading rushing for a squad that won five games. Cedar Ridge will go for its first varsity football win since 2017 on Friday night. You can hear the game on Hillsboroughsports.com with Tim Hackett live from Pittsboro starting at 6:55. 

Last season, the Cedar Ridge junior varsity football team had a joyous trip to Pittsboro. The Red Wolves handily defeated the Northwood Chargers. On Friday night, many of those same players who suited up that night for the Red Wolves will gear up for another journey to Pittsboro, this time as a varsity team, to face Northwood. It will the Big 8 Conference opener for Cedar Ridge. Junior Toby Holmes is one of the Cedar Ridge players hungry to taste victory for the first time at the varsity level. On Friday, he will get a chance. You can hear Cedar Ridge at Northwood live on Hillsboroughsports.com starting at 6:55 for the C&R Ski Outdoor pregame show with Tim Hackett live from Pittsboro. 

Rodney Brooks: After a year at Fort Union Military Academy, 2018 Orange graduate Rodney Brooks made his four-year college debut for Division II Livingstone last week. Brooks, who plays safety, had a tackle in the Bears’ 27-16 victory over Elizabeth City State University at Alumni Memorial Football Stadium in Salisbury. On Saturday, Livingstone improved to 3-0 with a 21-7 win over Allen University. Brooks was a safety, cornerback and quarterback for the Orange football team who was a member of three Big 8 Conference Champions from 2016-18. He also played right field for the Orange baseball team in 2017, which had a stunning run to the 3rd round of the 3A State Playoffs. Brooks’ high school athletic career ended after he suffered a torn ACL playing quarterback against Riverside in 2017.

Payton Wilson: Though he didn’t start, Wilson served as a reserve linebacker in N.C. State’s 34-23 win over Ball State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday night. Wilson made four tackles. Wilson, a redshirt freshman, has 16 tackles through four games.

Trent Gill: Against Ball State, Gill had limited punting duties for the Wolfpack since State scored 34 punts. Nonetheless, Gill had three punts for an average of 51 yards per boot. One was downed inside the 20-yard line. Gill also had six kickoffs, five of which went for touchbacks. Saturday’s game was the nonconference finale for N.C. State. They will start ACC play at Florida State next Saturday.

Keshawn Thompson: The FCS Campbell football team defeated Davidson 31-29 at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek. Thompson, a redshirt sophomore from Orange, assisted on three tackles. Campbell won off a 50-yard field goal from Colin Gary as time expired.

Jack Schmid: Schmid saw action for Division III Wheaton College on Saturday. The Thunder defeated Illinois Wesleyan 24-10 at McCully Stadium in Wheaton, IL. Wheaton is 2-0.

Natalie Chandler: The 2017 Orange graduate is a member of the UNC women’s soccer team. Chandler was named to the 2018-19 ACC Academic Honor Roll. Now a junior, Chandler played in UNC’s 8-0 victory over UNLV in the Duke Nike Classic at Koskinen Stadium in Durham. Chandler helped Orange to the 2nd round of the 3A State Playoffs in 2016 and 2017.

Kayla Hodges: The Elon women’s soccer team split two matches last week. The Phoenix defeated Hampton 8-0 at HU Soccer Complex in Hampton, VA on Sunday. Hodges started at wingback and was credited with a shot on goal. On Thursday, UNC Greensboro defeated the Phoenix 4-3 at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro. Again, Hodges started and had a shot on goal. Elon is 6-2-1. They will host UNC Wilmington in its Colonial Athletic Association opener on Thursday at Rudd Field in Elon.

Taylin Jean: The 2018 Cedar Ridge graduate posted her first clean sheet as Division II Limestone defeated Lander University at Saints Field in Gaffney, SC on Wednesday. Jean made five saves to post the shutout. On Saturday, Belmont Abbey defeated Limestone 4-0 at Alumni Field in Belmont, NC. It was the first time Limestone lost a Conference Carolinas match in over three years. Jean made seven saves in the loss. The Saints are 2-3, 0-1 in Conference Carolinas.

Jordan Rogers: William Peace University defeated Brevard College 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. The Pacers improved to 2-3-1. Rogers, a sophomore who graduated from Orange in 2018, started at wingback. On Tuesday, the Pacers played to a scoreless tie against Randolph College at Wildcat Stadium in Lynchburg, VA. Rogers, who has moved to the defensive backline, also started. Rogers has started all six of the Pacers matches this season.

Lionel Reid-Shaw: The Division III Dickinson men’s soccer team defeated Swarthmore 4-0 in its Centennial Conference opener in Swarthmore, PA on Saturday. The Red Devils ended a four-game losing streak. Reid-Shaw, a senior, started at centerback. It was his sixth game of the season. Dickinson is 3-4.

Lilli Henry: The 2017 Cedar Ridge graduate helped the Methodist volleyball team win its first match of the season on Saturday. The Monarchs defeated Regent University 3-0 at the Riddle Center in Fayetteville. Henry finished with 17 assists, four aces, three digs and one kill. On Tuesday, Roanoke College defeated Methodist 3-2 in Salem, VA. Against the Maroons, Henry had 22 assists and eleven digs. The Monarchs are now 1-8.

Bailey Lucas: On Friday, the Division III Meredith College volleyball team defeated Roanoke College 3-2 at the Cregger Center in Salem, VA. Lucas played one set for the Avenging Angels. Meredith is 6-5.

Bryse Wilson: As the Atlanta Braves are on the verge of a 2nd consecutive National League East Division Championship, Wilson was recalled to the Major Leagues on Friday. It’s Wilson’s sixth stint in Atlanta this year. The 21-year-old has a 7.20 ERA in 20 Major League innings this season. Wilson was named the Pitcher of the Year by the Gwinnett Stripers of the AAA International League last week. He helped the Stripers to the International League Southern Division championship. Wilson finished 10-7 with a 3.42 ERA this season in Gwinnett. After July 21, Wilson won six consecutive games to push Gwinnett past Durham in the International League standings. On Saturday, Atlanta clinched a playoff birth with a 10-1 win over the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park. Entering Sunday, the Braves’ magic number to win the division is four. Wilson completed the 2018 regular season on the Atlanta roster after starting the season with the Florida Fire Frogs of the Florida State League.

Payton Wilson: Wilson had three tackles as N.C. State’s football team fell to West Virginia 44-27 at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV on Saturday. Wilson also had his first college rushing attempt, running for nine yards on a fake punt to convert a 4th-and-4th in the final quarter. He didn’t start at linebacker as the Wolfpack dropped to 2-1.

Trent Gill: The former Cedar Ridge Red Wolf had three punts against West Virginia, averaging 49 yards per boot. His longest punt was 61 yards. Gill also had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter, leading to a Mountaineer touchdown. N.C. State will try to bounce back against Ball State at Carter-Finley Stadium next Saturday night.

Kayla Hodges: Hodges scored her first college goal in Elon’s 5-0 win over UNC Asheville at Rudd Field in Elon last Sunday. She headed in a cross sent in by Hannah Doherty to help the Phoenix surpass its win total from last seaon. Hodges had three shots against the Bulldogs. On Thursday, Hodges started at midfield in Elon’s 1-1 tie with Liberty. She fired a shot on net, which was stopped by Flames goalkeeper Melody Jayroe. Elon is 5-1-1 after finishing 3-10-4 in 2018.

Taylin Jean: The former Cedar Ridge goalkeeper not only earned her first college win for Division II Limestone, she also posted her first clean sheet. The Saints defeated Chowan 2-0 at Saints Field in Gaffney, S.C. on Saturday. Chowan only got one shot off in the match. Limestone is now 1-2. Jean has started all three of the Saints’ matches this season.

Brittany Daley: The Division III Greensboro women’s soccer team won its fifth straight game on Saturday, beating Marymount (VA) 5-0 at Pride Field in Greensboro. Daley started at centerback, her sixth start this season. Greensboro is 5-1.

Jordan Rogers: On Tuesday, Division III William Peace defeated Hollins 6-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. It was the Pacers’ first win of the season. Peace fired a whopping 44 shots. Rogers started at wingback. She has started all three of the Pacers’ matches. Peace is 1-2.

Lionel Reid-Shaw: On Saturday, the Division III Dickinson men’s soccer team lost to Catholic 1-0 in Carlisle, PA. Reid-Shaw entered the game as a reserve. On Wednesday, Reid-Shaw started at midfield as Messiah defeated the Red Devils 3-1 in Grantham, PA. Dickinson has dropped three straight and is 2-3.

Lili Henry: After a trip to Salem, VA was postponed last week because of Hurricane Dorian, the Division III Methodist volleyball team returned to action on Friday in Greenville, S.C. The Monarchs dropped two matches at Bob Jones University. The Monarchs lost 3-0 to Erskine. Henry had 21 assists against the Flying Fleet, along with four digs and one kill. Bob Jones defeated the Monarchs 3-0. Against the Bruins, Henry was credited with one ace, one kill and one assist. The Monarchs are 0-6.

Bailey Lucas: The Division III Meredith Avenging Angels volleyball team finished 1-2 during a tournament at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. On Friday, Meredith defeated Emory & Henry 3-0. On Saturday, Franklin & Marshall topped Meredith 3-1. In the nightcap, Marymount knocked off Meredith 3-1. Lucas played against Marymount and had 12 assists, one kill, two aces and ten digs.

Article by Tim Hackett

Silent in Sanford: Cedar Ridge Suffers Second-Straight Shutout at Hands of Southern Lee

Friday the 13^th with a full moon in full effect – Friday night seemed like a great night for a team named the Red Wolves to transfigure some meteorological magic into their first varsity football win in more than two years. Instead, the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves (0-3) were bewitched and bedeviled all evening on this, the unluckiest of evenings, by the Southern Lee Cavaliers (2-2), falling 44-0. It’s the second week in a row that Cedar Ridge failed to score a single point. 

It’s also the second week in a row that mistakes cost Cedar Ridge dearly. After they mostly shirked the responsibility for their turnovers and missed opportunities against Carrboro, Bartlett Yancey made the Red Wolves pay for their turnovers last week – and the Cavaliers did too. Cedar Ridge moved the ball to midfield on its opening possession, but quarterback Will Berger miscommunicated with his two tailbacks on an attempted handoff, and Southern Lee fell on the dropped change. A few plays later, the Cavaliers were in the end zone for the opening score. 

But Cedar Ridge didn’t waver. Berger rebounded to help spearhead a drive deep into Cavalier territory, but the drive stalled in the Southern Lee red zone when Torrean Hinton correctly elected to attempt to convert a fourth-and-medium rather than try a 35-yard field goal with an inexperienced kicker. The gamble failed, leaving Southern Lee the ball on their own 18-yard line. Two plays later, the Cavaliers were at the other 18-yard line, and a few plays after that, they were back in the end zone. 

Cedar Ridge never had another prolonged drive. On Cedar Ridge’s next three possessions, the Red Wolves punted. On Southern Lee’s next three drives, the Cavaliers found the end zone, and the home team headed to halftime on top 35-0. There was only more trouble in store after the break, as Zach Holmes had to scramble to recover a poor snap on a punt attempt, hustling after the loose ball and tossing it through the back of the end zone for a safety. The Red Wolves did force a trio of Southern Lee punts in the second half, but the Cavs were able to strike once more to switch on the running clock and seal the deal at 44-0. 

Southern Lee entered Friday night’s contest with a lot of questions. Could its defense, which surrendered more than 60 points two weeks ago against Pinecrest, get back in shape? Was its offense, which put up 47 in a rout of Northwood last week, for real? On this night, at least, the answer to both of those questions seemed to be yes. The Cavs’ defensive front bottled up Isaiah McCambry for the first time this year, while a loaded secondary rendered ineffective a passing attack that was without top wideout KJ Barnes. 

On the other side of the ball, Southern Lee showcased just what its new-era, modernized pseudo I-formation offense can do. Running backs Keshaun Mays and Nick Locklear were excellent up the middle, allowing for halfback Tanoah Lockley to ravage the Cedar Ridge perimeter defense with sweeps and pitch-based runs all evening – Lockley had four all-purpose touchdowns in the first half alone before Locklear added his in the second. 

For Torrean Hinton and Cedar Ridge it was another evening of finding the silver linings in the many clouds, literal and metaphorical, that covered the Sanford sky on Friday. The defense was solid, though not perfect in the second half, even if Southern Lee might have lifted its foot off the gas somewhat. The secondary was pretty solid even without Barnes and albeit against a team that doesn’t throw very much. Elijah Whitaker was excellent in the return game in Barnes’ absence, consistently giving the offense good and even great field position to work from. The highlight though for Cedar Ridge was easily the blocked field goal in the second half when someone reached up their right arm and redirected Daniel Pisano’s bid from about 34 yards away. The next step, once again, is learning from those moments and turning it into better, more consistent play in all phases. The Red Wolves will need to be much better next week than they have been the last two, but the good news is there are eight more chances for that first win in more than two years, and the next chance comes on the road next week against Providence Grove at 7 PM. 

Jackson Schmid: The Division III Wheaton Thunder football team started its season with a 38-0 win over Monmouth (Illinois) at Zorn Stadium in Monmoth, IL on Saturday. Schmid, who was the quarterback for an undefeated Orange team in 2016, is now a safety with the Thunder. He recorded a career high two tackles on Saturday. Schmid, a junior, played three games for the Thunder last season.

Payton Wilson: N.C. State defeated Western Carolina 49-0 at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. In his second college game, Wilson registered three tackles and a quarterback hit. He had six tackles in the season-opener against East Carolina last week.

Trent Gill: The 2017 Cedar Ridge graduate handled punting duties for N.C. State on Saturday. Gill had three punts for an 49.3 yard average. His longest punt was 58 yards, with two kicks inside the 20-yard line. Gill also had eight kickoffs with three touchbacks. The Wolfpack will take this week off, then return against Ball State on September 21.

Stone Edwards: After missing Vanderbilt’s season-opener against #3 Georgia on August 31st, the 2017 Orange graduate made his season-debut for the Commodores against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday. Edwards, who was listed as second-string defensive end on the Vanderbilt depth chart, wasn’t credited with a tackle. The Boilermakers defeated the Commodores 42-24.

Keshawn Thompson: The FCS Campbell Camels defeated Division II Shaw University 38-14 at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek on Saturday. Thompson was credited with two tackles. The Camels (1-1) return to action against Davidson on September 21.

Bryse Wilson: The day after making an appearance for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Wilson returned to the Gwinnett Stripers of the AAA International League the next day. On Saturday, Wilson got the start as the Columbus Clippers defeated the Stripers 5-4 in Game 4 of the Governor’s Cup Semifinals at Huntington Park. The Clippers clinched the series three games to one and advanced to face the Durham Bulls in the Governor’s Cup Finals. Wilson went six innings in a no-decision. He surrendered ten hits and three runs. Gwinnett led 4-3 in the middle of the eighth, but couldn’t hold on to the lead. Gwinnett ends the season after a club record 81 wins. Wilson, who could return to Atlanta before the regular season ends, was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher for the Stripers last week. He finished 10-7 with a 3.42 in 21 starts for the Stripers this season. In his final ten starts, Wilson went 7-1 with a 3.12 ERA with 59 strikeouts and 13 walks.

Madison Wardlow: After graduating as Cedar Ridge’s career leading scorer in women’s basketball, Wardlow has enrolled at Guilford Technical Community College, where she plans to continue her basketball career. Wardlow was the first Cedar Ridge player to score over 1,000 points, a mark she eclipsed in February against Southern Durham.

Kayla Hodges: For the fifth time in five games, Hodges started for the Elon women’s soccer team in a 3-1 win over Richmond at President’s Field in Richmond, VA on Thursday. Hodges wasn’t credited with a shot on goal. The Phoenix are now 4-1 after going 3-10-4 in 2018.

Taylin Jean: The 2018 Cedar Ridge graduate made her college debut for Division II Limestone women’s soccer team on Thursday. North Georgia defeated the Saints 4-1 at the UNG Soccer Complex in Dahlonega, GA. Jean got her first college start in net and made three saves. Jean was the Big 8 Goalkeeper of the year her final two seasons at Cedar Ridge.

Brittany Daley: The Division III Greensboro College women’s soccer team won its third straight game over Southern Virginia 4-0 in Buena Vista, VA on Saturday. Daley, a 2018 Cedar Ridge graduate, started at centerback. She has started all four of the Pride’s games this year, playing 90 minutes twice. Greensboro is 3-1.

Jordan Rogers: On Saturday, Rogers started for Division III William Peace University. Agnes Scott defeated the Pacers 1-0 in Decatur, GA. The Pacers are 0-2 and will try to pick up its first win of 2019 against Hollins University at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Tuesday.

Lionel Reid-Shaw: The Division III Dickinson men’s soccer team suffered its first loss against Lebanon Valley 2-0 on Saturday in Annville, PA. Reid-Shaw entered the game as a reserve and has played in all three of Dickinson’s games so far this season. The Red Devils are 2-1.

Bailey Lucas: The Division III Meredith College volleyball team went 1-2 in the Washington & Lee Invite at the Duchossois Center in Lexington, VA on Friday and Saturday. The Avenging Angels defeated Southern Virginia 3-2 on Friday. Lucas had one kill, 17 assists and two digs against the Knights. On Saturday, Gettysburg defeated Meredith 3-2. Lucas finished with 19 assists and six digs. Washington & Lee also knocked off Meredith 3-2. Lucas had three kills, 18 assists, and four digs. The Avenging Angels are now 4-2.

Article by Tim Hackett

Two weeks ago, Cedar Ridge High School fans saw something they hadn’t seen in nearly two years: a varsity Red Wolves football game. For a school that’s hoping to rebuild, revitalize and renew its football program, that was Step One. This week, Cedar Ridge was searching for success at Step Two: winning a varsity football game for the first time in exactly 750 days. 

But instead of Step Two, the Red Wolves (0-2) took a big step back, falling 42-0 to the Bartlett Yancey Buccaneers (3-0) Friday night in Hillsborough. After Cedar Ridge was unable to capitalize on seven Carrboro turnovers in the game two weeks ago, the Buccaneers showcased how to convert mistakes into points – five of the six Bartlett Yancey touchdowns came immediately off Cedar Ridge turnovers, and the sixth came courtesy of a muffed snap that the Buccaneer defense fell on in the end zone. 

The Red Wolves began their first Friday night game of the season with a three-and-out but quickly got back on offense as KJ Barnes soared to pick off a pass from Chase Johnson, the senior quarterback’s first giveaway this season. But just a couple of plays later, Cedar Ridge quarterback returned the favor with an undercooked pass down the right sideline that Shahiem Boyd nabbed, and the Buccaneers converted that into a 22-yard touchdown run by standout junior running back Michael Slade, who was averaging 12 yards per carry heading into Friday. Berger’s muffed snap led to the defensive score and a 12-0 lead for the visitors early in the second quarter, and before Cedar Ridge could escape the shadows of its own goal posts Boyd picked off Berger again to set up the Buccaneers inside the red zone and allow Johnson to scamper in on a QB keeper for a 20-0 lead. 

That’s when the wheels came off for the Red Wolves. After that touchdown, Miles Jefferson kicked off for the visitors and KJ Barnes received it. But somewhere during the return he coughed the ball up and Bartlett Yancey recovered it. A few plays later, Johnson found Boyd for a score. After that touchdown, Miles Jefferson kicked off for the visitors and Jaikel Gibbs received it. But somewhere during the return he coughed the ball up and Bartlett Yancey recovered it. The next play, veteran back Jacob Scales took it to the house for a score. After that touchdown, Miles Jefferson kicked off for the visitors and Elijah Whitaker received it. But somewhere during the return he coughed the ball up and Bartlett Yancey recovered it. A few plays later, Johnson hit Davon Lipscomb for a touchdown and the Buccaneers had a 42-0 lead. Three virtually identical plays with three identical outcomes: treasure buried in the end zone, unearthed by the Buccaneers. 

Something changed for Cedar Ridge after halftime. Sure, the visitors were able to coast somewhat with a massive lead the Red Wolves never threatened to reduce, but the Buccaneers played their starters, including Johnson, for the entire third quarter and much of the fourth. Sure, he mercy rule running clock went into effect after halftime, meaning neither team had to run nearly as many plays, but the Red Wolves still shut out Bartlett Yancey after the break. After a slow start, Isaiah McCambry had a strong second half on both sides of the ball, proving the week one suspicion that he is someone Cedar Ridge can build around. Braxton Mergenthal was a tackling force and clearly showed himself as the best defensive player wearing the dark uniform. And though they benefitted from more than a few Buccaneer drops in the second half, the Cedar Ridge secondary also improved as the game went on. Still, after a frustrating loss to Carrboro and this lackluster loss to Bartlett Yancey sandwiching the team’s only bye week, new head coach Torrean Hinton must turn the page quickly as his team gets set to head to Sanford to face Southern Lee for the first of three straight road games next week.

Third-year Bartlett Yancey head coach Jason Brumfield said this summer his main goal was to win more games than last year. After a 3-8 campaign a season ago, the Buccaneers seem primed to plunder one their most prosperous seasons in recent history. As for Cedar Ridge, their quest for their first varsity win since August 2017 will have to wait at least another week.