NORTHWESTERN FOOTHILLS 2A ROUNDUP: Hibriten rolls by South Caldwell, extends win streak to 20

McKinney scores school-record 5 times but Cherryville still nips Draughn   Editor’s note: Game stories on Bunker Hill, East Burke and Fred T. Foard will be posted separately on the website. HobbsDailyReport.com Hibriten High ran its win streak to 20 straight games, beating South Caldwell 56-12 on the road as running back McKinley Witherspoon ran for three TDs on Friday …

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Benfield’s 5 TDs spark Freedom’s blowout of East Burke

HobbsDailyReport.com ICARD – Freedom High quarterback Jayden Birchfield had a hand in five touchdowns on Monday night as the visiting Patriots cruised by East Burke 55-13, extending their win streak in Fat Friday games to nine. Birchfield’s scores included a 58-yard TD pass to Desmond Caldwell to open the scoring in a game postponed by rain and lightning from Friday. …

NCHSAA HALL OF FAME: Video from Wednesday’s session includes Freedom’s Marsha Crump

HobbsDailyReport.com CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) greeted the next class for its Hall of Fame on Wednesday. See the video, including details and comments from inductee Marsha Crump, a Hickory native who is one of the top girls’ varsity basketball coaches in state history at Freedom. Crump coaches five Patriots teams to state title …

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Burke County’s 4 schools using new helmet that helps detect head injuries

HobbsDailyReport.com MORGANTON – Burke County’s high school football teams this year have a new tool that helps coaches with the impact of hits on players – a helmet by Riddell that alerts the coaches and trainers about possible concussions. The teams at Draughn, East Burke, Freedom and Patton are equipped with the helmets, the school system said in a press …

NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Freedom Patriots

By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com FREEDOM PATRIOTS Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A. Head coach: Luke Little (87-56, 11 years; 0-0 at Freedom, first year). Last season’s records: 7-5 overall; 4-3 Northwestern 3A-4A, tied for third place. Last season’s results: Shelby, L 7-14; at Draughn, W 41-6; E. Burke, W 48-8; at Patton, W 31-14; ST. STEPHENS, W 36-0; at HICKORY, W 35-30; ALEXANDER …