Hibriten Outruns South, Wins Caldwell Cup By Dan O’Neal

SAWMILLS, NC (September 7, 2018) — I begin with the typical “duh” statement, in pro football, it is the Lombardi Trophy for the Super Bowl winner. Having seen it this at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio recently, have to say “nice piece of hardware”. In professional hockey, it is known as the Stanley Cup. In Stanly County, NC, it is also known as the “Stanly Cup” sponsored by the local newspaper there.

Here in Caldwell County, sponsored by the Lenoir News Topic, it is simply called the Caldwell Cup, presented to the high school who goes 2-0 among the high schools in Caldwell County. Since Hibriten defeated West Caldwell in the season opener and South Caldwell this past Friday, 56-12, the Topic’s Sports Aficianado Bryant Lilley presented the hardware to the 2018 winner after the game.

One feature with regard to the Spartans this season; their offense is moving the football with better efficiency. They gained 340 total yards from scrimmage, topped by Quarterback Jason Martin’s strikes of 77 and 48 yards to Austin Raynor along with Avery Raynor and Isaiah Kirby rushing for 44 and 45 yards respectively. The defense managed early to sack Panthers quarterback Jaylen Scott for an eleven-yard loss and hold star tailback McKinley Witherspoon to eight yards on his first five carries.

Note, there is a valid reason for Hibriten winning the NCHSAA 2AA State championship., McKinley Witherspoon. After he began with futility, he regained form at the 3:16 mark of the second period, scoring the first of his three touchdowns. Witherspoon finished the contest with 138 yards along with Marqwone Jones with 113 yards. Hibriten opened the scoring match with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Skylin? Thomas after recovering a Spartans’ fumble. Fumbles have been a “bugaboo” for the Spartans at this stage of the season.

“Our offense is now a two-headed monster. We know we can move the ball in the air and on the ground. We still have a few things to work on with regard to our defense and turnovers. Hibriten is a fast and solid team and I’m proud of our guys effort tonight” commented South head coach Marc Kirkpatrick.

South continues with its non-conference schedule as they host the R-S Central Hilltoppers. It is likely that the game will be played in mid-week as most of North Carolina is bracing itself for Hurricane Florence. It is suggested that you follow the school calendar, or the Caldwell Journal as Mark will post such information with rescheduling and time of kickoff.