2026 5a Contenders

Chargerpride

Redshirt
Dec 15, 2025
6
5
3
Let’s come at this from a different angle…

I don’t think you guys are acknowledging just how much Hamrick meant to your team (again, still a good team without him) but he was quite literally dominant.

Looking at the 3 best 5a teams in the West (and arguably the state), Hamrick represented a significantly larger part of the offense than the SP or Hickory QB’s.

Hamrick accounted for 64% of your total yards and 56% of your TD’s (offensive)

SP’s QB accounted for 29% and 34% respectively.

Hickory’s QB accounted for 53% and 35%

I’m simply stating that the kid was overly impressive and you WILL miss him in 2026. Don’t care how loaded you think you are for next year.
Help me understand this...because it never makes sense to me when someone uses stats in this manner. Ok....assuming your information is correct and Hamrick accounted for 64% of the total yards and 56% of the offensive TD's, are we to wipe out any chance of someone else making those same yards and TD's? Using your line of thinking, not one of those yards or TDs could have been made by someone else? Let's say Brock Melton is under center....Brock would not have carried or passed the ball for a single yard.....EVER, or would have not scored a single TD? Maybe, a different QB brings in a WHOLE different wrinkle. Those Indy teams of the 2000's didn't stop being Indy when Chris Leak left for Florida.

And unfortunately for anyone that is not a Charger, besides Tommy Knots, Mark Barnes is the best high school football coach I have seen in NC since I started watching in the early 80s. Heck, he won the 2015 state championship for Crest and wasn't even coaching the team.

There are lies, d@mn lies, and statistics.
 

rivers17

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2025
31
11
8
Help me understand this...because it never makes sense to me when someone uses stats in this manner. Ok....assuming your information is correct and Hamrick accounted for 64% of the total yards and 56% of the offensive TD's, are we to wipe out any chance of someone else making those same yards and TD's? Using your line of thinking, not one of those yards or TDs could have been made by someone else? Let's say Brock Melton is under center....Brock would not have carried or passed the ball for a single yard.....EVER, or would have not scored a single TD? Maybe, a different QB brings in a WHOLE different wrinkle. Those Indy teams of the 2000's didn't stop being Indy when Chris Leak left for Florida.

And unfortunately for anyone that is not a Charger, besides Tommy Knots, Mark Barnes is the best high school football coach I have seen in NC since I started watching in the early 80s. Heck, he won the 2015 state championship for Crest and wasn't even coaching the team.

There are lies, d@mn lies, and statistics.
You certainly don’t wipe out any probability that another player could have had similar production. I’m saying he was a statistical anomaly. He led you in rushing for a reason. Didn’t he win 5a player of the year? Yeah those types of guys are everywhere. How many D1 Quarterbacks have y’all had in the last 10 years?

Sure, another player (Qb) could change the look of your offense….I guess…

But he was your stud. You will replace him with another good player and have a great team again next year, I’m sure.

Regardless, you don’t beat SP at SP in the playoffs without him.

Where is my support Hawkbill or Deboer??
 
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rivers17

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2025
31
11
8
Help me understand this...because it never makes sense to me when someone uses stats in this manner. Ok....assuming your information is correct and Hamrick accounted for 64% of the total yards and 56% of the offensive TD's, are we to wipe out any chance of someone else making those same yards and TD's? Using your line of thinking, not one of those yards or TDs could have been made by someone else? Let's say Brock Melton is under center....Brock would not have carried or passed the ball for a single yard.....EVER, or would have not scored a single TD? Maybe, a different QB brings in a WHOLE different wrinkle. Those Indy teams of the 2000's didn't stop being Indy when Chris Leak left for Florida.

And unfortunately for anyone that is not a Charger, besides Tommy Knots, Mark Barnes is the best high school football coach I have seen in NC since I started watching in the early 80s. Heck, he won the 2015 state championship for Crest and wasn't even coaching the team.

There are lies, d@mn lies, and statistics.
And your point on Chris Leak was a good one. Joe Cox started after him. Yeah he went to UGA. That’s not a knock to Knotts - probably the best to ever do it in the NCHSAA.
 
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TheRockShow

Redshirt
Jan 15, 2026
43
28
18
5A Contender ... SP Red Raiders. Top team this year in 5A and only need to replace a few cogs in the Bid Red Machine. QB able to learn the system....watch out he will be nasty and the rising Junior class is STRONG.
 
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crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
5A Contender ... SP Red Raiders. Top team this year in 5A and only need to replace a few cogs in the Bid Red Machine. QB able to learn the system....watch out he will be nasty and the rising Junior class is STRONG.
Cracking Up Lol GIF by HULU
 

crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
Honest question.... how hard was it to find a picture with 3 Crest guys and no transfers in it? Did you crop them out? It’s ok...this is a safe space.
Don’t be ignorant dude. Just bow down to your champion. I know it hurts. But. It’s good for you in the end.
 

crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
So does Crest 😂😂
They salty brother. They know the end is near. Stuart Cramer in the not to distant future will be the KING of Gaston County. Once those Belmont kids see a real offense it’s over. Keep the pressure on them.

All of them have Napoleon complexes. All of them.

I love poking them.
eye chicken GIF by happydog
 
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TheRockShow

Redshirt
Jan 15, 2026
43
28
18
They salty brother. They know the end is near. Stuart Cramer in the not to distant future will be the KING of Gaston County. Once those Belmont kids see a real offense it’s over. Keep the pressure on them.

All of them have Napoleon complexes. All of them.

I love poking them.
eye chicken GIF by happydog
KING???? SMDH

"Real Offense"?.... like the one that spits out 1000 yard rushers in its sleep. You can hate this Big Red Machine all you want.... but it is going to keep rolling on and over competition....FACT

IF a kid wants to transfer to Crest, Cramer, or Sister Mary's for the Blind.... so what, they probably couldnt play for us anyway.
 

Stormsurge1

Senior
Oct 21, 2025
375
616
93
KING???? SMDH

"Real Offense"?.... like the one that spits out 1000 yard rushers in its sleep. You can hate this Big Red Machine all you want.... but it is going to keep rolling on and over competition....FACT

IF a kid wants to transfer to Crest, Cramer, or Sister Mary's for the Blind.... so what, they probably couldnt play for us anyway.
That’s funny…your best offensive weapon played at Holbrook. Your best returning lineman played at Mt Holly. Your future QB still lives in Mount Holly, but keep putting out the narrative you only win with born and breed Belmont kids.
 

OGcrestman

Freshman
Oct 12, 2025
35
50
18
Didn’t look like it rolled over Crest very well last year. 21 whole points in 2 games. More of the same to come. 7>4.
 
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crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
That’s funny…your best offensive weapon played at Holbrook. Your best returning lineman played at Mt Holly. Your future QB still lives in Mount Holly, but keep putting out the narrative you only win with born and breed Belmont kids.
They all lie man. We know they get transfers and they know it. But no offensive skill player is going there to flourish. That system betas teams that aren't disciplined. A disciplined defense shuts that crap down!!!!!

They had a defensive end leave and come to Crest and immediately started getting scholarship offers. He was wearing them out in that playoff game too..
 
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DeBoer31

Joined Jun 19, 2015
Jun 19, 2015
1,055
896
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You certainly don’t wipe out any probability that another player could have had similar production. I’m saying he was a statistical anomaly. He led you in rushing for a reason. Didn’t he win 5a player of the year? Yeah those types of guys are everywhere. How many D1 Quarterbacks have y’all had in the last 10 years?

Sure, another player (Qb) could change the look of your offense….I guess…

But he was your stud. You will replace him with another good player and have a great team again next year, I’m sure.

Regardless, you don’t beat SP at SP in the playoffs without him.

Where is my support Hawkbill or Deboer??
I don't agree with you. I have heard Melton is better than Hamrick. Hawkbill sounds like the standard fan - he will probably agree. Melton might've made it tougher to beat Crest than the other qb. One thing is for sure though....I would respect the title won more if it were Melton behind center this year.
 

Hawkbill

Redshirt
Jan 13, 2026
26
13
3
They salty brother. They know the end is near. Stuart Cramer in the not to distant future will be the KING of Gaston County. Once those Belmont kids see a real offense it’s over. Keep the pressure on them.

All of them have Napoleon complexes. All of them.

I love poking them.
eye chicken GIF by happydog
This is the same guy or two .... all from SC. It's funny....They are so far away from knowing what real football is they think they have to prod Crest people to "get fired up" to play SP. They don't understand.. and you are playing right into and along with them. Basically SC dads are making you their B.
They just need to worry about St. Cramer beating teams with 100% male teams and continue pretending they are good at football until they are actually decent.
 

Hawkbill

Redshirt
Jan 13, 2026
26
13
3
They all lie man. We know they get transfers and they know it. But no offensive skill player is going there to flourish. That system betas teams that aren't disciplined. A disciplined defense shuts that crap down!!!!!

They had a defensive end leave and come to Crest and immediately started getting scholarship offers. He was wearing them out in that playoff game too..
SP has had one transfer that has actually played. Nobody recruited him. Wouldn't matter if he or 10 other guys played that position...if you haven't noticed before nobody has ever done badly at that position. You roll out of bed and run for 1700-1800 yards.
Oh... so Crest has been undisciplined on defense more years than not in their history... including when Barnes was there prior?
 

DeBoer31

Joined Jun 19, 2015
Jun 19, 2015
1,055
896
113
They salty brother. They know the end is near. Stuart Cramer in the not to distant future will be the KING of Gaston County. Once those Belmont kids see a real offense it’s over. Keep the pressure on them.

All of them have Napoleon complexes. All of them.

I love poking them.
eye chicken GIF by happydog
I'm not salty. I like seeing good football. I will watch a Crest team (recruited or not) all day long. I will not go wtach SC play for same reasons like I don't go watch Middle School football.
 

crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
I'm not salty. I like seeing good football. I will watch a Crest team (recruited or not) all day long. I will not go wtach SC play for same reasons like I don't go watch Middle School football.
You of all people know I'm just going on. Got nothing but respect for South Point and I have always said that. They've handed us many a butt whoopins... We consider SP part of Cleveland County football wise...

Everyone stay safe if the weather comes in. It's fun going on with you all..
 

DeBoer31

Joined Jun 19, 2015
Jun 19, 2015
1,055
896
113
That’s funny…your best offensive weapon played at Holbrook. Your best returning lineman played at Mt Holly. Your future QB still lives in Mount Holly, but keep putting out the narrative you only win with born and breed Belmont kids.
and exactly where are SC lines? Nobody want to bring up where more than half the starters in baseball were legit recruited and some moved and some didn't....but all recruited to come there.
Doesn't matter. SC sucks historically vs. peers and now that yall are playing in the rec leagues you strut around like you own the place. Good luck with Burns in any sport. They may have something to say about it.
What is SC's record vs. SP in football? In Baseball? Lions don't worry about Lambs.
 

DeBoer31

Joined Jun 19, 2015
Jun 19, 2015
1,055
896
113
You of all people know I'm just going on. Got nothing but respect for South Point and I have always said that. They've handed us many a butt whoopins...
I know you do...but some others - I worry about??? Things will continue between our two wonderful groups in big boy football action.
 

Stormsurge1

Senior
Oct 21, 2025
375
616
93
I'm not salty. I like seeing good football. I will watch a Crest team (recruited or not) all day long. I will not go wtach SC play for same reasons like I don't go watch Middle School football.
Since we don’t play you anymore you don’t have to watch the bad football or even talk about it. Do yourself a favor and never bring it up again, might provide some peace in your life.
 

Stormsurge1

Senior
Oct 21, 2025
375
616
93
and exactly where are SC lines? Nobody want to bring up where more than half the starters in baseball were legit recruited and some moved and some didn't....but all recruited to come there.
Doesn't matter. SC sucks historically vs. peers and now that yall are playing in the rec leagues you strut around like you own the place. Good luck with Burns in any sport. They may have something to say about it.
What is SC's record vs. SP in football? In Baseball? Lions don't worry about Lambs.
Again good luck with the continued success for the Big Red. You guys do it cleaner and better than anyone around, if you don’t believe me just ask Hawkbill or Rockshow.
 

BoltsUp

Freshman
Oct 8, 2025
46
98
18
and exactly where are SC lines? Nobody want to bring up where more than half the starters in baseball were legit recruited and some moved and some didn't....but all recruited to come there.
Doesn't matter. SC sucks historically vs. peers and now that yall are playing in the rec leagues you strut around like you own the place. Good luck with Burns in any sport. They may have something to say about it.
What is SC's record vs. SP in football? In Baseball? Lions don't worry about Lambs.
"half the starters in baseball were legit recruited..."

I am not sure that is the string you want to pull especially when your MVP last year was a senior transfer and arguably the best pitcher and hitter on a 4th place finishing team. If I was you I would be happy I had him and not throw many stones in that glass house. How about players that transferred to Belmont Middle so they can slide into SP, or do they not meet the threshold of "recruiting"? The thing is, nobody cares. Let kids do what is best for them, but don't come one here acting like SP is pure as the driven snow.

At the end of the day, some SP fans are pissed that SC even exists and spend many hours trying to tear down SC success. Ill say it again, go back and see who is constantly bringing SC into every conversation, much like adding the SC baseball team to your negative tirade inside a Football 5A contender thread, but you cant miss any opportunity to expand your narrative. If I wanted this much negative spin and propaganda I would turn on MSNBC instead.

Let SC go. I know you miss us and long for the old days, but just try not thinking about us for a week and see how that feels. You may like it.
 

TheRockShow

Redshirt
Jan 15, 2026
43
28
18
Again good luck with the continued success for the Big Red. You guys do it cleaner and better than anyone around, if you don’t believe me just ask Hawkbill or Rockshow.
We are THE STANDARD in this area...FACT. That is not changing. Hate to break it to you Surge.....most of us dont think about Cramer. Why should we? Dont let DeHawkbill see this.... but Cramer has gotten better....but lets dont go pretending like Cramer has arrived.
 

Stormsurge1

Senior
Oct 21, 2025
375
616
93
We are THE STANDARD in this area...FACT. That is not changing. Hate to break it to you Surge.....most of us dont think about Cramer. Why should we? Dont let DeHawkbill see this.... but Cramer has gotten better....but lets dont go pretending like Cramer has arrived.
SP is the standard and I have never argued that. Will that change, that remains to be seen. I don’t think you should think about Cramer, no concern of yours (not in the same conference or on the schedule). DeHawkbill that is funny. Cramer had one good year and we will see if they continue to build off of that. I personally think they will because they have the right coach now. Can’t take away Cramers history, but it isn’t this coaches history. He has arrived and I hope he isn’t going anywhere. Again SP is the standard and SC is going to try and become that standard but let’s not try to compare a school that has been in existence since 1969 to a school that has been in existence since 2013 and has its first new football coach since the inception of the school. Let’s just see if he can keep winning, 9-3 is a good start.
 
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rivers17

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2025
31
11
8

I don't agree with you. I have heard Melton is better than Hamrick. Hawkbill sounds like the standard fan - he will probably agree. Melton might've made it tougher to beat Crest than the other qb. One thing is for sure though....I would respect the title won more if it were Melton behind center this year.
Wait a second….now I’m confused. Not that it matters, and it wasn’t the point of the thread….but you think Crest beats you at home with their backup QB?
 

rams10

All-American
Dec 2, 2011
6,117
5,047
113
and exactly where are SC lines? Nobody want to bring up where more than half the starters in baseball were legit recruited and some moved and some didn't....but all recruited to come there.
Doesn't matter. SC sucks historically vs. peers and now that yall are playing in the rec leagues you strut around like you own the place. Good luck with Burns in any sport. They may have something to say about it.
What is SC's record vs. SP in football? In Baseball? Lions don't worry about Lambs.

You act like they went to the state championship in 4a or something.
 

Stormsurge1

Senior
Oct 21, 2025
375
616
93
You act like they went to the state championship in 4a or something.
We definitely didn’t. Congratulations on Reidsville winning this year. Heck of a team, and I’m sure you guys will continue to be tough. I have read a lot of posters on here question the talent of 4A football this year. How do you think Reidsville would have faired in 5A this year? Do you think they could have played with teams like Crest, SP, Hickory, and Robinson? Of course Crest is head and shoulders the best but those others had very good years. Just wondering your thoughts.
 

beamer24

All-American
Jul 16, 2009
7,966
7,200
113
We definitely didn’t. Congratulations on Reidsville winning this year. Heck of a team, and I’m sure you guys will continue to be tough. I have read a lot of posters on here question the talent of 4A football this year. How do you think Reidsville would have faired in 5A this year? Do you think they could have played with teams like Crest, SP, Hickory, and Robinson? Of course Crest is head and shoulders the best but those others had very good years. Just wondering your thoughts.
Reidsville could've played with them. Doubt they would win 5A but Neal and Harrison would still have been a problem for those teams.
 

rams10

All-American
Dec 2, 2011
6,117
5,047
113
We definitely didn’t. Congratulations on Reidsville winning this year. Heck of a team, and I’m sure you guys will continue to be tough. I have read a lot of posters on here question the talent of 4A football this year. How do you think Reidsville would have faired in 5A this year? Do you think they could have played with teams like Crest, SP, Hickory, and Robinson? Of course Crest is head and shoulders the best but those others had very good years. Just wondering your thoughts.

I wasn’t coming down on Stuart Cramer. He just made it seem like 4a is weak.
I think we could win 5a, we definitely had the talent to do so. Crest would be the favorites of course. Sp would worry me a little because of their offense. But honestly think we would be the 2nd best team in 5. Don’t forget we had northern guilford dead to rights and made a qb change.
 

DeBoer31

Joined Jun 19, 2015
Jun 19, 2015
1,055
896
113
"half the starters in baseball were legit recruited..."

I am not sure that is the string you want to pull especially when your MVP last year was a senior transfer and arguably the best pitcher and hitter on a 4th place finishing team. If I was you I would be happy I had him and not throw many stones in that glass house. How about players that transferred to Belmont Middle so they can slide into SP, or do they not meet the threshold of "recruiting"? The thing is, nobody cares. Let kids do what is best for them, but don't come one here acting like SP is pure as the driven snow.

At the end of the day, some SP fans are pissed that SC even exists and spend many hours trying to tear down SC success. Ill say it again, go back and see who is constantly bringing SC into every conversation, much like adding the SC baseball team to your negative tirade inside a Football 5A contender thread, but you cant miss any opportunity to expand your narrative. If I wanted this much negative spin and propaganda I would turn on MSNBC instead.

Let SC go. I know you miss us and long for the old days, but just try not thinking about us for a week and see how that feels. You may like it.
I'm not bringing up SC in any conversation. You keep coming on 5a boards looking for approval or someone to claim legitimacy. Nobody will be doing that because you won't schedule them. Won't schedule SP, Crest, Ashbrook .... you won't even schedule HH to play football. Back to the Cuga league and board where you belong.
 

BoltsUp

Freshman
Oct 8, 2025
46
98
18
I'm not bringing up SC in any conversation. You keep coming on 5a boards looking for approval or someone to claim legitimacy. Nobody will be doing that because you won't schedule them. Won't schedule SP, Crest, Ashbrook .... you won't even schedule HH to play football. Back to the Cuga league and board where you belong.
I’ll give it to you. You almost went 124 hours without bashing SC, SC schedule, or the conference SC plays in.

I don’t understand how you claim not to bring up SC when anyone can do a quick search and see otherwise, if they care to do so.

Keep up the good fight, if you say it enough times someone may even agree with you.
 

Chargerpride

Redshirt
Dec 15, 2025
6
5
3
I don't agree with you. I have heard Melton is better than Hamrick. Hawkbill sounds like the standard fan - he will probably agree. Melton might've made it tougher to beat Crest than the other qb. One thing is for sure though....I would respect the title won more if it were Melton behind center this year.
You would "respect the title won more if it were Melton behind center this year....?" I can take that a couple of ways, you would have liked to have seen what Crest would have done with Melton behind center, or....OR....there is not chance on God's green earth that Crest wins without Hamrick behind center. Does anyone realize that AC Reynolds was 2-3 with Hamrick behinds center before the hurricane hit and sent Hamrick down the mountain to Crest?!?! Hamrick was a great QB for Crest, no doubt about it, but he had horses (pun intended) to run with that helped make Eli, become Eli. Go pull the records since 1993...Crest does not rebuild, they reload. A bad year at Crest is 7-3.
 

crestrulz

All-American
Oct 18, 2003
32,683
9,602
101
You would "respect the title won more if it were Melton behind center this year....?" I can take that a couple of ways, you would have liked to have seen what Crest would have done with Melton behind center, or....OR....there is not chance on God's green earth that Crest wins without Hamrick behind center. Does anyone realize that AC Reynolds was 2-3 with Hamrick behinds center before the hurricane hit and sent Hamrick down the mountain to Crest?!?! Hamrick was a great QB for Crest, no doubt about it, but he had horses (pun intended) to run with that helped make Eli, become Eli. Go pull the records since 1993...Crest does not rebuild, they reload. A bad year at Crest is 7-3.
That guy is clownish sometimes.