One (more) and done: NC’s longest tenured football coach sets record on opening night

Friday’s Ravenscroft and Granville Central game made North Carolina history as soon as the opening kickoff was sent skyward. At that moment, Ravens head coach Ned Gonet began his 42nd regular season as head coach at the Raleigh school.

Gonet is the state’s longest-tenured football head coach at one school. Last season, Gonet tied previous Charlotte Catholic coach Jim Oddo, who led the Cougars for 41 seasons (1973-2014). Oddo died in 2021.

Ravenscroft earned a 65-34 win Friday. Gonet, who will retire as coach at this season’s conclusion, will host his final home opener Friday when the Ravens welcome the North Wake Saints.

Cleveland County duel simmers

Kings Mountain’s 28-26 thriller over county rival and reigning N.C. 2A state champion Shelby re-affirms Cleveland County will be a hotbed for prospective 2A and 3A state title contenders.

Among non-conference games, Burns (Lawndale) will visit Crest (Boiling Springs) and Kings Mountain on August 26 and September 2, respectively. Crest will host Shelby on September 2.

There, too, are the October 28 regular season conference finales — Kings Mountain at Crest (Big South 3A) and Shelby at Burns (Southern Piedmont 2A).

Early separation

Charlotte schools Mallard Creek and Butler staked their competitive positions with statement wins over traditionally strong rivals over the weekend. Mallard Creek upended Myers Park 21-3, while Butler shut out West Charlotte 27-0.

“Our defense really came to play,” Mavericks’ head coach Kennedy Tinsley said following their win. His team spotted the Mustangs a 3-0 lead and then put the clamps on the Myers Park attack.

The Mavericks might need that sort of offense over the next few weeks. Mallard Creek travels to Buford (Ga.) next Friday, then has road games against South Pointe and Gaffney. All three of those teams are state title contenders, and Gaffney is the defending South Carolina 5A champion.

Richmond streak ends

Richmond’s home loss to Mount Tabor of Winston-Salem on Friday marked the Raiders’ first season-opening loss since 1985.

Since the fall of 1985, there have been seven U.S. presidents and six N.C. governors.

Dr. Julian Carter, a 1989 Richmond graduate and current Richmond County Schools Associate Superintendent, was in ninth grade. Thus, he had not arrived as a student on the (grades 10-12) Richmond Senior campus in the fall of 1985.

A baker’s dozen: Games to watch

Game Of The Week

East Forsyth at Rolesville

Other Games To Watch

Asheville at Kings Mountain

Burns at Crest

Charlotte Catholic at Hickory Ridge

East Burke at Freedom

East Surry at Mount Airy

Harding at West Charlotte

Jack Britt at Terry Sanford

Kinston at Green Central

Rose at Cleveland

Scotland at Hoggard

Southeast Guilford at Dudley

Weddington at Providence Day