J. Mike Blake
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Mattamuskeet's 'Heroes of Hyde County' return football to the Road Less Traveled
Mattamuskeet went four seasons without football. When it returned this year as an 8-man version of the sport, it was a challenge to complete the season.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, 8-man football, football, Mattamuskeet Lakers
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Blake: Forfeits shouldn't tank two teams' seasons
Jack Britt did not benefit from a single South View forfeit, but South View's nine matches that it forfeited kept the Bucs from making the playoffs due to low RPI and the NCHSAA's no leapfrogging rule.
Tags: volleyball, J. Mike Blake, South View Tigers, Jack Britt Buccaneers
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Steeped in history but free from its pressure, Independence's 'Big I' brand of football returns
Independence won seven straight titles and 109 straight games in the early 2000s, but not since 2015 have the Patriots had as good of a year as the one they're starting.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Independence Patriots, football
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Blake: After accident, homecoming cuts through the mixed emotions of Western Harnett's Ian Bristow
For Bristow, the same ambivalence he has towards football was also there when he found out at the pep rally earlier that day that he was the homecoming king. But slowly that ambivalence gave way to accepting the good.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Western Harnett Eagles
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Blake: At Union High, participation decline caused by more than the pandemic
When graduates leave a rural area for college, there's now an expectancy that few will return, settling down elsewhere to find jobs, get married, and start families. Today's rural kids are tomorrow's suburban dwellers.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Union Spartans, participation, football, girls' soccer
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Blake: What sport could be 'next' in the NCHSAA? A look at 11 contenders
We take a look at field hockey, gymnastics, bowling, girls flag football, 8-man football, esports, slow-pitch softball, lacrosse sixes, stunt, boys volleyball, and beach/sand volleyball.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, NC High School Athletic Association, 8-man football, esports, field hockey, gymnastics, boys' lacrosse, girls' lacrosse, softball, stunt, volleyball
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Blake: Joke on 6-4 all you want, bigger things are at stake at Douglas Byrd
Last year alone, the varsity programs of football, boys soccer, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, and softball went a combined 2-103. Football had one of the two wins. Now you see why 2-0 would've been huge, yet 1-1 -- even if you found the final score humorous -- is nothing to be ashamed of either.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Douglas Byrd Eagles, football
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Blake: Under one name, Montgomery Central identity starting to take form at last
It has taken time to give the Montgomery Central name its own program identity. But it does, and it didn't need a 10-win season to bring it about.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Montgomery Central Timberwolves, football
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'Things are changing around here' -- the power of positivity in one of NC's toughest counties to win
But this isn't a story about championships. It's about addressing the unique challenges that come inside the county, and meeting kids where they are.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, Overhills Jaguars, football
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Blake: A quick fix needed for football postponed game policy
There is no mechanism by which both schools can say "Hey, we didn't make it to halftime and these make-up options don't work for us, so let's agree to just cancel it." They're not allowed to agree to go their separate ways.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, football, rules changes
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Blake: Few towns can compare to Whiteville, the baseball capital of NC
What Kinston is to boys basketball and Tarboro is to football, so too is Whiteville to baseball. Whiteville has about 5,300 residents but 12 players who have been drafted.
Tags: J. Mike Blake, baseball, Whiteville Wolfpack
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Blake: The wall behind Pinecrest baseball's special season
Hewitt paid tribute to Robert Woolard's memory in fitting fashion: a stadium upgrade. The left field wall was raised six feet -- in honor of Woolard's No. 6 jersey from his playing days -- and is now dubbed "Woolard Wall."
Tags: J. Mike Blake, baseball, Pinecrest Patriots
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About this Blog:
J. Mike Blake has covered high school sports in North Carolina for more than a decade. After starting at HighSchoolOT.com when the site launched in 2008, Blake spent several years with The News & Observer and its affiliate papers. Blake now brings his expertise back to HighSchoolOT.com. Follow J. Mike on Twitter @JMBPreps.
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Girls SoccerNo. 4 Hough girls soccer wins 2024 "Battle of Huskies" with No. 22 Heritage -
FootballOrange grad Payton Wilson drafted in the third round by the Steelers
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FootballThese football players from North Carolina could be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft
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Football Recruiting12 N.C. prospects make 247Sports' national Top 247 rankings, including 3 in the top 13
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FootballFormer West Meck player Delmar Glaze picked by the Raiders in the third round
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Girls LacrosseUnion Pines' girls lacrosse team finishes regular season undefeated with win at Middle Creek
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Boys LacrosseTop Play: Ben Horton scores in 6th overtime to lift Broughton past Athens Drive in boys lacrosse
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SoftballWillow Spring softball holds off Cleveland, wins 17th game of the season
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FootballMyers Park alum Drake Maye drafted by the Patriots at No. 3 overall
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Football2023-24 HighSchoolOT Honors ballot
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FootballThe history of first round NFL Draft picks from North Carolina
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WrestlingParticipants now inbounds with one point of contact in high school wrestling
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BaseballNo. 1 Burns plays long ball, remains unbeaten following win over Draughn
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Football
Top returning NCHSAA football stat leaders in 2024: 2A Sacks & Takeaways -
High School SportsNCHSAA announces spring state championship dates, locations; Soccer moving to Mecklenburg County
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Girls SoccerSarah Funderburk: We played with great energy tonight
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Girls SoccerHighlights: Hough sneaks past Heritage with second half tally
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Boys LacrosseTop Play: Ben Horton scores in 6th overtime to lift Broughton past Athens Drive in boys lacrosse
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Football RecruitingMeet Christian Freeman, a high upside 2027 RB at Southeast Raleigh
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Football RecruitingAll-GNRC rusher Damonte Garner wants to build off big junior year with Southeast Raleigh
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Football Recruiting2026 EDGE Keysaun Eleazer reacts to his first 2 offers, shares offseason plan
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FootballSoutheast Raleigh coach Edwin Campbell talks Bulldogs' trajectory at 2024 spring ball
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BaseballHighlights: McGowan and Toney go yard in Burns' win over Draughn
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BaseballMarshall McGowan: Our preparation this week had us ready for the moment offensively
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SoftballJaime Kylis: Our team does a great job focusing on winning the day
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SoftballHighlights: Five-run third helps North Duplin softball to big win over Rosewood
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BaseballHighlights: Top of the order packs punch in Morehead's win over Rockingham County
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BaseballKaleb Houchins: Our players are itching to get back to postseason baseball
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Boys LacrosseHighlights: Big opening quarter helps Providence Day ease past Ravenscroft
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SoftballHighlights: Horrell's home run, Curry's dominant pitching help lead Laney to victory
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