By Brian Pitts
Davie Enterprise Record
West Rowan’s football team graduated considerable firepower from its second straight 3A championship team, including all-universe tailback K.P. Parks.
Parks (Virginia) set state single-season records with 3,794 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns. His 10,895 career rushing yards rank third all time in the country. He set national records for career carries (1,370) and 100-yard rushing games (55).
But six more 2009 seniors earned scholarships - Chris Smith (Arkansas), Jon Crucitti (Army), Eli Goodson (Catawba), Timmy Pangburn (Catawba), Josh Poe (Johnson C. Smith) and Rodney Cline (Catawba).
All those stars are gone, yet the West expectations are the same. The Falcons are the preseason No. 1 team in Class 3-A because superior talent remains and numerous talented players have transferred in from East Rowan, North Rowan, North Iredell and Carson. The transfers will join six returning starters on offense and five on defense.
“You can’t replace the players we lost,” coach Scott Young said, trying his best to control out-of-control expectations. “They’re some of the best players to ever play around here, nationally even with K.P. Parks’ numbers. You can’t replace those guys. You’ve got to build on what you’ve got.”
West will be Davie’s third opponent in 2010 and the first home foe after away games against Alexander Central and Page.
The Falcons have been a model of consistency. They’ve won 76 of 85 games while bagging six straight North Piedmont Conference titles ...