East Wilkes enjoys role of giant killer

By: Mason Linker | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: November 18, 2009

East Wilkes pulled a shocker last week by ousting East Surry in the first round of the NCHSAA 1-AA football playoffs.

And Coach Monty Chipman is hoping that his team has a few more tricks and can pull an even bigger upset Friday at Hendersonville. East Wilkes (7-5) is seeded No. 11 in the West bracket; Hendersonville (10-2) is No. 3.

"I told them Monday they ought to be proud to be in the second round," Chipman said. "But there are a lot of people supporting us, and we have to forget about it and play Hendersonville.

"I have told them all along, when they play four quarters, they can play with anyone. And there is a lot of stake now. There are a lot of good seniors I have coached since they were freshmen, and I don't want them to put their pads and helmets up and call it done."

In Class 1-A openers last week, Mount Airy and Elkin did more than survive. Both won in blowouts. No. 1-seeded Mount Airy, 12-0 and the defending state champion, will be at home Friday against No. 9 West Columbus (6-6), and No. 2 Elkin (10-2) will be at home against No. 10 North Duplin (5-7).

East Wilkes and its dangerous offense, keyed by Aaron Bauguess and senior quarterback Micah Bryan, probably will have to score in bunches to stop Hendersonville and its triple-option offense led by quarterback Ben Walgenbach. In a 47-23 win over Madison last week, the Bearcats had three 100-yard rushers and a total of 437 rushing yards.

"They can carry the mail," Chipman said. "They have a quarterback that can throw the ball. They are like us on offense, and at times, they can score lots of points. If they are clicking, it will be hard to shut them down. I am just hoping to play good defense and give our offense the opportunity to stay on the field.

"When we keep the ball moving in a physical game, that's how we like to play."

West Columbus will be Mount Airy's second straight opponent from Eastern North Carolina.

"They are athletic," Coach Kelly Holder of Mount Airy said. "All these Eastern teams are athletic. They all have kids that can run, and it looks like they are definitely a formidable opponent."

West Columbus jumped ahead of North Stokes early last week before winning 35-14. Mount Airy hammered Goldsboro Rosewood 52-0. Holder said that West crowds the line of scrimmage on defense, is very aggressive and runs a Double-Wing offense.

"They run Wing-T plays with a lot of powers and sweep out of it," Holder said. "And now and then, they will throw a trap in there to catch you off guard with the fullback."

Elkin ran over Monroe Union 52-0 last week, and Coach Richard Grissom said that North Duplin should be a more challenging opponent.

"They are a lot better than what we saw last week," Grissom said. "Not athlete-wise, but their quarterback and their halfback are good players. The quarterback throws the ball pretty good, but I'm real impressed with their running game.

"They have always been that way. They are very physical. I think that's the way it will be, so it ought to be a good ballgame."

mlinker@wsjournal.com.

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Thursday: Area teams 2-A and 2-AA.