NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Alexander Central Cougars

By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A. Head coach: Butch Carter (111-84, 16 years; 7-5 at Alexander Central, 1 year). Last season’s records: 7-5 overall; 3-4 in North Piedmont 3A-4A, fifth place. Last season’s results: Watauga, W 46-35; at S. Caldwell, W 54-7; Bandys, W 75-32; at Ashe County, W 82-42; at S. IREDELL, L 27-55; N. IREDELL, W 55-8; …

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: Red Hawks ranked No. 4 in country in preseason poll

HobbsDailyReport.com HICKORY – Catawba Valley Community College’s women’s volleyball team closed last season ranked No. 4 in the country and is starting in the same position in this year’s first rankings. The Red Hawks — who have home scrimmages on Thursday at the Tarlton Complex — are No. 4 in a poll released Wednesday by the National Junior College Athletic …

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Lenoir-Rhyne’s progress pleases head coach

HobbsDailyReport.com HICKORY – After completing the eighth day of fall camp, Lenoir-Rhyne University head football coach Mike Kellar called Wednesday’s practice the best of the season and one of the best in his tenure with the Bears. “I like the direction we are heading,” Kellar said. “I think any coach in America on August 16 would be lying if they …

CRAWDADS: Downed by the Suns, ending 6-game win streak

HobbsDailyReport.com HICKORY – The Hickory Crawdads’ six-game win streak is over but they’re still in first place heading into Thursday night’s home game. Hagerstown (Md.) toppled Hickory 6-3 at L.P. Frans with 1,525 watching on Wednesday night and trimmed the Crawdads’ lead in South Atlantic League (SAL) Northern Division baseball to two games. Hickory is 58-64 overall and atop the …