Hoggard-New Hanover Rivalry

[portcity FB]

Tonight, New Hanover visits Hoggard for the area’s best rivalry game.

The series is tied at 30 wins apiece, but this rivalry is different from most that are this evenly matched. Rather than trading wins year after year, the series has been defined by long stretches of dominance.

New Hanover began playing football in the 1920s, while Hoggard played its first season in 1967. The two schools did not meet that year. The rivalry officially began in 1968, and they have played every season since.

From 1968 through 1996, New Hanover dominated the series, going 23–6. Much of that success came under legendary coach Joe Miller, with New Hanover putting together winning streaks of nine games and five games during that stretch.

Then came the Scott Braswell era at Hoggard.

Braswell's teams flipped the rivalry, winning their first 15 games against New Hanover. By the end of his tenure following the 1996 season, his Hoggard teams had gone 17–3 against New Hanover.

Craig Underwood then took over at Hoggard and has gone 7–4 against New Hanover from 2015–2025, with Hoggard winning the last three meetings.


Hoggard will be a significant favorite tonight, and with a win they will hold the all-time series lead for the first time.

21 of the games have been decided by one score.

New Hanover vs. Hoggard.

30–30.

 

[Vik-Val 86]

I’m not from area but definitely looks like a very good rival. As they say throw out the record books for good rivals. But you know more than I do about this game. Looking forward to hear the results with this game.

 

[Powidz]

Did they play each other non conference back in the bulk of the 1970s, when Hoggard for whatever reason was in the conference with all the Fayetteville schools.

 

[portcity FB]

Did they play each other non conference back in the bulk of the 1970s, when Hoggard for whatever reason was in the conference with all the Fayetteville schools.

It looks like they played a lot of the same teams but I think they were in different conferences. Looks like they were in the same conference around 1980 season. NH played Laney in 1976 and Hoggard didn't have their first game against Laney until 1979.

 

[portcity FB]

NH- All Time record- 556-420-24 (Dated back to the 1933 season)
Joe Miller 136-61-1
Leon Brogden 110-70-13
Kevin Motsinger 73-43

Hoggard- All Time record- 414-253-3
Scott Braswell 165-52
Craig Underwood 116-32
Ray Durham 47-45

 

[portcity FB]

NH- All Time record- 556-420-24 (Dated back to the 1933 season)
Joe Miller 136-61-1
Leon Brogden 110-70-13
Kevin Motsinger 73-43

Hoggard- All Time record- 414-253-3
Scott Braswell 165-52
Craig Underwood 116-32
Ray Durham 47-45

 

[Powidz]

For sure Hoggard was in the Fayetteville conference for many years in the 70s. Their last year in the conference was 1978-1979 school year. Hoggard was always damn good but there was usually someone from Fayetteville just a notch better. I do remember controversy one year in that Hoggard went unbeaten but did have one tie that year. They were voted out of the playoffs. My only question is did Hoggard and NH meet annually as non conference foes in the 70s. For sure though Hoggard was in the conference with Fayetteville teams, thats how I know a bit about Hoggard as Im a Fayetteville guy.

 

[portcity FB]

They played every year so they must have been non conference games.
In 1974 Hoggard went 9-0-1 with a tie to Sanford (7-7). Hoggard had 5 shut outs that year and only gave up 50 points. Only 1 team from each conference made the playoffs and Sanford was 9-0-1 as well, and the 4A defending champion so they got the go. They lost in the finals that year to Ashbrook 13-12. Hoggard may have been the best team in the state in 1974 and did not make the playoffs.

 

[portcity FB]

Hoggard 42
NH 0

This was also the halftime score. Hoggard backups played the whole second half and played NH to a 0-0 tie. NH dressed 33 players for the game. I have never seen their numbers this low.

 

[CatScratchFever23]

Highschool football is nearly all about coaching. NH selected a coach two years ago that had been with the program for 17ish years. So far the results have not been good. Hopefully he will turn things around but he will have to do it with a small enrollment. I think they are running at about 1300 right now.

 

[portcity FB]

Highschool football is nearly all about coaching. NH selected a coach two years ago that had been with the program for 17ish years. So far the results have not been good. Hopefully he will turn things around but he will have to do it with a small enrollment. I think they are running at about 1300 right now.

I agree with you. NH enrollment is in decline and no new growth in their current districts. I can see redistricting coming soon. NH just isn't the good football coaching opportunity it used to be. I have posted for years that NH was living on transfers. When coach Little got to Laney he did a great job keeping those kids there. That was the beginning of the drop. Then Ashley kids stop transferring at the same rate and now they are where they are. I always pull for NH and Laney to be good. That makes for good football in the area.