All tagged Football

Spartan Uprising: Central Davidson Football Roars to a Dominant Start in 2025

Spartan Uprising: Central Davidson Football Roars to a Dominant Start in 2025

Thomas Martin
sports

The 2025 schedule has seen the Spartans navigate tough non-conference matchups, including a hard-fought 20-17 victory over rival North Davidson and a narrow one-point loss to Eastern Alamance (31-32) that serves as the team's only blemish. With a 5-1 record and a 2-0 lead overall in the conference, Central Davidson has set a high bar for itself. The team is now focused on maintaining its dominant trajectory through the rest of the conference schedule, with sights set firmly on a deep playoff run. The Spartan Uprising is well underway, and the Central Davidson community is rallying behind a team that is delivering a memorable season of high-stakes football.

A New Calling: When Our Purpose Is to Lift, Not to Judge

A New Calling: When Our Purpose Is to Lift, Not to Judge

Thomas Martin
uplift, life

I've had to accept that not everyone is rooting for me. When you’re trying to build a different life than the one you lived 10 or 15 years ago, some people will test you. They will try to pull you back into the person you used to be. But the truth is, their lack of support is not the point, you have to face adversity; it’s not chess or checkers, it’s called realization. We are living in a time and age where we have to reach down and pick each other up. The world is too heavy to carry alone. We have a shared responsibility to lift others, to offer encouragement, and to build a community based on support, not competition. My goal here at Davidson Local is simple, to get involved in my community. It’s the right thing to do. I see people in the community every day that might need a few words of encouragement or just a hug. I get it. I just want people to know that I am everyday people.

Deems May: A Career of Grit and Community

Deems May: A Career of Grit and Community

Thomas Martin
football, sports

May's professional journey began when he was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 1992 NFL Draft with the 174th overall pick. He spent five seasons with the Chargers, from 1992 to 1996, establishing himself as a reliable player. After his time in San Diego, he moved to the Seattle Seahawks, where he played for three seasons from 1997 to 1999. Over his eight-season career, May's professional stats as a tight end included 26 receptions, 238 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown. While these stats may not be flashy, they reflect a player who was a crucial part of his team, often contributing through blocking and special teams, roles that are vital to a team's success but aren't always reflected in the stat sheet.

Lexington Yellow Jackets: A Bye Week to Build on Momentum

Lexington Yellow Jackets: A Bye Week to Build on Momentum

Thomas Martin
Football, Lexington

he buzz around Lexington Senior High School is palpable. The Yellow Jackets football team, fresh off a hard-fought 14-0 victory against long-time rival Thomasville High School, is using its bye week not for rest, but for refinement. This isn't a team hitting the brakes; it's a team putting its foot on the gas, using this crucial break in the schedule to sharpen its tools and solidify its identity. With a promising 2-1 record, the Yellow Jackets are showing that this season is about more than just a few wins—it’s about building a foundation for success.

A New Rhythm: The Journey of Lexington's Ty Holmes

A New Rhythm: The Journey of Lexington's Ty Holmes

Thomas Martin
Football

Holmes’s time at East Carolina was defined by a culture of winning. He played a key role in the team's back-to-back championships, a feat accomplished right after star running back Chris Johnson left for the NFL. "It was a wonderful time," he recalls, but the true highlight for him was playing against some of the best athletes in the country. He remembers competing against NFL stars such as Alshon Jeffery, Jadeveon Clowney, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Mallett, Cam Chancellor, Ryan Williams, and Russell Wilson just to name a few. Holmes holds those experiences in high regard and extends his best wishes to all his former teammates and opponents.

Still Making Plays: Catching Up with Former Thomasville Football Star Bud Ray

Still Making Plays: Catching Up with Former Thomasville Football Star Bud Ray

Thomas Martin
football, Thomasville

Ray was a standout multi-sport athlete at Thomasville High, excelling in football, basketball, and track. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was also a stellar student, graduating in the top 10 of his class with an impressive 3.9 GPA. For Ray, this academic excellence wasn't just a personal goal; it was a non-negotiable expectation set by his parents. "Education was always a must in our household," he states, crediting his mother and father for instilling in him the seriousness of his studies. This foundation of discipline and dedication would prove invaluable in the years to come.

The Unwavering Passion of Dr. Ray Horton and the Legacy of the Class of 1995

The Unwavering Passion of Dr. Ray Horton and the Legacy of the Class of 1995

Thomas Martin
Appreciation

When he took on the role of head coach at Lexington Middle School, his message was simple and direct: "execute, dominate, and always talk with your pads and not your mouth." His practices were not for the faint of heart. I can still vividly recall the drills that defined our first week of organized football: the Oklahoma, the belt-line drill, and the county fair drill. But my personal favorite was the "bull in the ring," a drill that was as much a life lesson as it was a football exercise. It taught us to keep our heads on a swivel at all times, a metaphor for the constant awareness and readiness required in life.

The Legacy of a Leader: Remembering Coach Chris Deal

The Legacy of a Leader: Remembering Coach Chris Deal

Thomas Martin
Appreciation

Coach Deal’s vision was about more than just winning games; it was about molding us into men of character. He invested in us not just as football players, but as student-athletes. He would find ways to secure funding for each player to attend different football camps, ensuring we were always competing on a high level, both on the field and in the classroom. His daily message was a simple, yet powerful, one: "Face adversity and have faith." He preached this gospel daily, making it the bedrock of our mentality.

Gridiron Fever is Building: Davidson Local's "The Huddle" is Ready for High School Football Kickoff!

Gridiron Fever is Building: Davidson Local's "The Huddle" is Ready for High School Football Kickoff!

Thomas Martin
sports, football

This year, "The Huddle" is ready to take you closer to the action than ever before. We're not just reporting scores; we're immersing ourselves in the heart of the game. Our team will be bringing you live coverage from the sidelines, capturing the raw emotion, the crucial plays, and the unforgettable moments as they happen. Imagine being able to follow your favorite team's drive, cheer on a game-winning touchdown, or witness a crucial defensive stop, all in real-time, right there with Davidson Local.

Yellow Jackets Scrimmage Strong, Assistant Coach Clodfelter Preaches Preparation

Yellow Jackets Scrimmage Strong, Assistant Coach Clodfelter Preaches Preparation

Thomas Martin
sports, football

The Yellow Jackets showed impressive early form in their recent scrimmage, demonstrating a strong offensive and defensive presence that has fans optimistic for the season. Despite the promising display, Assistant Coach Clodfelter was quick to temper expectations, emphasizing the critical role of continued preparation. "This was a good start," Clodfelter stated, "but success in the regular season will hinge entirely on our dedication to daily practice and meticulous game planning. We need to preach preparation every single day."