Harding High School - Acorn Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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WESTERN 4A CHAMPIONS 1987 was a fine year for the Harding Ram football team. The talented Rams notched their second undefeated regu- lar season in three seasons and third consecutive Tri- County championship enroute to the North Carolina 4A State Championship game. After winning an unprecedently fourteen straight games, the Ram state championship hopes were dashed by a strong Garner Trojan team be- hind the dynamic running of All-American Anthony Bar- bour. Even though the season ended with a disappointing loss, 1987 was an exciting, successful season, and it will long be remembered by play- ers and fans alike. The tone for the '87 season was set in the season opener with a strong showing against Independence. The huge Pa- triot team tried to outman the smaller Rams, but the scrappy Pam team shutout the Patriots 28-O. The following weeks saw the same type strategy used against Harding, but quick- ness and aggressiveness pre- vailed. After close victories over East lvleck Q6-31 and Olympic Q13-7l and solid wins over Crest and arch-rival West Charlotte, West Mecklen- burg's undefeated indians came to Harding to unseat the defending champs in what was billed as the Game of the Year . On this night, however, the Rams, after a scoreless first half, were not to be de- nied. The Ffams turned to their patented hook and lateral play to open up a lead in the third quarter and the Pam defense shut out the Indians for a tough 24-O win. After slaughtering East Gaston 61-7 to cap the undefeated season the Rams turned their attention to the State Playoffs. Playoff compe- tition was extremely tough, and in the opening round the Rams were faced into a re- match with Independence. This game was the seasons thriller. The Rams were down by 17 points with nine minutes remaining, but battled back from the deficit to escape with a 34-32 heartstopper. Tough victories followed over Gasto- nia Ashbrook, lvlorganton Freedom, and Greensboro Grimsley before reaching the Championship round against Garner. Offensively, the Rams were paced by quarterback Ed Lawing and fullback Jona- than Byers. Lawing finished the season with an impressive 25 touchdowns while complet- ing 5404, of his passes for 2543 yards. Byers was named the Tri-County Player of the Year as he powered his way to 1642 yards. The offensive line was bolstered by All-Conference performer Sam Pressley and the intelligent junior Mark Lat- timore. Darrin Hart, Anthony Rice, and Joey Huffstetler had outstanding years at their receiver positions. Pamball was the name of the game on defense, and the Rams earned a reputation as the city's best. Quickness and aggressiveness were the keys in allowing opponents an aver- age of only nine points per game. Channel 3 Player of the Year Jeff Wilson seemed to be the soul of the Ram His sixteen sacks and eight tackles for losses were une- qualled in Charlotte. Darrell Gray anchored the line at the nose, and newcomer Steven Byers improved every week. Outside linebacker Vincent Guy and strong safety Redd Cole were the big play makers on the perimeter, while the middle was manned by tough linebackers Mike Barbour and Vernon Hunter. 1987 is one that ended on a low note for the spirited Rams, but their lofty accomplish- ments, inspiring teamwork, and positive attitude will not soon be forgotten by the school and community. The old adage, lt's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game, is surely appli- cable to the '87 Rams be- cause these Pams really played the game! 1987 was a season that all could be proud of, and one that every coach, player, and fan shall cherish for a long time. Varsity Football 97

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Anthony Rice receives the touch- down pass to add six points to the Jonathan Byers powers over the op' scoreboard Once again Hardmgs ponents defense He was an unstop- game is right on the money pable force for the Rams offense ,Q SCOREBOARD HARDING 28 Independence O HARDlNG 36 West Char, 7 i HARDING 20 Myers Park 6 HARDlNG 22 Garinger 6 HARDING 6 East Meek. 3 1-1ARDlNG 57 Crest 6 HARDlNG 15 Olympic 7 HARDlNG 24 We-st Meck. O HARDlNG 31 North Meek O HARDING 61 East Gaston 7 Play-offs HARDlNG 34 Independence 32 HARDING 14 Freedom 7 HARDING 18 Ashbook 14 HARDlNG 16 Grimsley 7 State Championship HARDING 21 Garner 40 Bi-7 12 QHSQIBQYBEEQY 4 F5968 53,8 3533 UQ f??lf?W'E nw?3if3ii32+L2af5a24at3 1st row - 43 Justin Audrey, 8 Tarris Jones, 24 Damon Bullock, 22 Edward T. Smith, 23 Anthony James, 10 Shawn Moore, 25 Dexter Booker, 34 David Petty, 33 Dywane Hill, 81 Antonio Brown, 2nd row - Willie Love, 40 Shawn Springs, 82 Jeff Wilson, 7 Vincent Guy, 80 Donald Walker, 20 Wendell Weathers, 84 Chris Rhyne, 15 Ed Lawing, 68 Rodney Mumford, 67 Ronnie Jenkins, 63 Anthony Ellison, 52 Antonio Townsend, 3rd row - Coach Tommy Knotts, Coach Tim Gillespie, 32 Rodrick Cole, 48 Drayford Potts, 51 Terry Staton, 3 Darrin Hart, 59 Osco Jackson, 85 Jermaine Covington, 83 Champ Harris,3O Jonathan Byers, 44 Leroy Johnson, 55 Terrence Holmes, 66 Vernon Hunter, 64 Bill Baker, Coach Bill Geller, Coach Bill Height, 4th row - 42 Michael Barbour, 62 Jeff Bright, 72 Steven Byers, 12 Tracy Helms, 57 Mark Lattimore, 11 Robert Johnson, 89 Anthony Rice, 78 Daryl Gray, 77 Shaft Hunter, 31 Joey Huffstetler Jeff Wilson and Vincent Guy crush Anthony Barbour. They were two key defensive players. 96 Varsity Football lo sz ni A

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THE QUEST T0 BE THE BEST Some of our varsity teams most promising players lie just below at the junior varsity lev- el. These young athletes are constantly up against the same sort of opposition older athletes are up against. This is an advantage to the younger players. Those who move up to the varsity level have pre- viously experienced the pres- sureg they know what is to be expected in order to play a good game. lvlore importantly, they know what it is to win and to lose because the best times are not the triumphs, but the struggles. This year our J.V. players X 3 -uf 1- G PH A R 'Q El lf. i '.. r I- And here we see it - two points in the making, But who made the shot? Michael Crawley and Dino Cornelius focus on what this guy has to say. On the other hand. Marlowe Lotharp is more concerned with whatever is in the bottle. 98 Lookout have had a tough season, find- ing it hard to be consistent in their attempt to play effective basketball. Where the team excels in some areas, it may lack in others. This is a set- back that the coach and his players wish to correct and set forward. Under some circumstances, in their quest to be the best, the junior Rams showed defi- nite signs of big potential. They've shown their oppo- nents that they are a team to be reckoned with even when the chips are down. No matter who wins the game, their op- ponents know that these boys aren't to be taken for granted. Although the J.V, players have much to learn, on the contrary, they also have much to offer. Learning fundamental ball control, complimenting team coordination, and lend- ing their own personal tech- niques to the games, these players will be the welcomed assisters, ball handlers, and stars of future varsity teams. From this standpoint, it is clear that the coach, and those loyal to Ram ball will be steady on the lookout for those hot pros- pects. v -