KD Cotton of West Charlotte entered the Bank of America stadium with a different jersey number on Wednesday afternoon of the one he wore while becoming one of the best secondary school players in the region.
Cotton was at the home of Carolina Panthers to participate in a media day for a double-head in August, when West Charlotte plays the Grimsley High School from Greensboro and Hough will play South Pointe High Hill Hill Hill Hill In the classic of the annual high school to continue to pound the high school.
The KD Cotton of West Charlotte answers the media questions during the Caroline Panthers on Wednesday continues to beat the classic media at the Bank of America Stadium on May 7, 2025
A large contingent of local media was there, with representatives of Belk, who is a sponsor presenting the event, and the coach of the Panthers Dave Canales, who managed a ceremonial currency flip to determine the home team.
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And Cotton wanted to use this big scene to honor his Sale Daye teammate, who returns this fall after a series of surgeries and a great fear of health. So, instead of bringing his usual n ° 9 to the event, Cotton wore the number 7 of Daye.
“He has gone through a lot, guy,” said Cotton. “He had to undergo an entire operation, in fact a pile of surgeries, and was just in and outside the hospital. I just wanted to honor it today. What he lived was inspiring. I know that last season, we would always say:” Let him do it for sin. “”
Daye was a budding star at West Charlotte in the first year two years ago and was to start last season. But the Lions coach Sam Greiner said that his annex broke before the start of the 2024 season and that there were complications with his intestine after that. DAYE went from 160 to around 100 pounds, said Greine.
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“We didn’t know what was wrong with him,” said Greiner. “He lost all his second year.”
Daye sat on the sidelines and watched as many games as possible, including when West Charlotte Beat the seventy-twisted high school students from Fayetteville last December To win his first state championship since 1995.
Greiner said: “When he returned from surgery, he is never healthy. They have done three other surgeries. He was finally out. Now he measures 6 feet, 175 pounds.”
West Charlotte coach Sam Greiner speaks with the media during the Caroline Panthers media day on Wednesday at the Bank of America stadium on May 7, 2025
DAYE will start at the corner of Lions when West Charlotte opened the season against Grimsley at the Bank of America Stadium in Keep Stamp Classic. He was also so impressive during spring training sessions that colleges are starting to recruit Daye, who will be junior in the fall.
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He obtained his first university offer this week, from Howard, and surprised his mother with the news.
Ohio State and North Carolina began to recruit him after watching her in training on Wednesday.
“He’s a special player,” said Greiner, “and it’s remarkable what God can do for someone.”
Play on the big stage
The Samari Matthews of Hough (on the left) and I Zavien Cu exit de South points to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, continue to beat the media at the Bank of America Stadium on May 7, 2025
There was a theme that emerged from the four coaches and four players present at the media event on Wednesday: everyone was really excited to have a chance to play on a real NFL field.
“It’s amazing, just incredible,” said Hough Samari Matthews corner half a big academic recruit. “Growing up, looking at the panthers, and as, Cam Newton was here, Ted Ginn, and all. It is a childhood dream and I am here with some of my close friends. Everyone knows each other and I go against one of my best friends (South points) I zavian cute. We played 7 on 7 together, my boy.”
Greensboro Grimsley QB Faizon Brandon at Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, continue media day at the Bank of America Stadium on May 7, 2025
Faizon Brandon de Grimsley, NC MR. Football in title and recruit n ° 1 in the statesaid he couldn’t wait until the match day in August.
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“I think it’s really cool. This is something that I have never done before,” said Brandon, who signed up in Tennessee. “I think it will be very great to be here and play. I never thought I could do it in high school. ”
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During the press conference, the Panthers organized a drawing of the ceremony to determine which school, in each match, would be designated as the home team.
This team could choose its uniform color.
Greensboro Grimsley coach Darryl Brown looks while the caroline panthers coach Dave Canales is drawing a lot of ceremonies during media day for Keep Martem Lycée Classique on Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Canales managed the draw, but the South Pointe coach, Bobby Collins, did not like the result and asked for domination, pretending not to understand the rules.
Hough was the winner and the Huskies will wear gray uniforms, said coach Deshawn Baker.
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▪ West Charlotte won the draw for the second double -header match with Grimsley, a match that will correspond to two NC title champions. Greiner said the Lions will wear a new black uniform that has been ordered. It was good with Grimsley coach Darryl Brown, who said he would have chosen to wear white, if he won the draw, anyway.
Faced with his former team
The South Pointe coach, Bobby Collins, was the first coach of Hough. Collins resulted in it from 2010 to 2013. His last two Huskies teams were 19-5 and Hough has not had a losing season since.
Collins played at university with the current Hough Baker coach. Collins was a senior offensive line at SC State when Baker came in the first year. Baker was going to become the first rusher of all time n ° 2 of the school and the player of the year of the sports conference in the East 2006.
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Now, the former teammates will compete on a very large scene.
“The link is very special,” said Collins. “It’s going to be an exciting (game), but when you are in Rock Hill, it’s just a different place when it comes to football. It’s Football City USA. We brought out guys from the NFL (Rock Hill) and fortunately for us, so we are excited for the city. We also played 4 O’Clock and to sell the stadium before 8 O’Clock. Great and great experience for everyone to come and watch us play. »»
Do you want to go?
The Lycée 2025 football classic will take place at the Bank of America stadium on Friday August 22.
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The regional powers Hough and South point will play at 4 p.m., followed by a state champions clash in the title of NC when West Charlotte plays Grimsley at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $ 8 and are good for both games. They are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
▪ Hough had a 12-2 file last season and should again be a candidate for the title. South Pointe was 11-3 last season and reached the semi-finals of the state.
▪ West Charlotte (13-2) and Grimsley (16-0) return most of their starters last season. Grimsley is classified n ° 16 on a national scale in the pre-season poll “Way Too Early” of Sports illustration. Hough and West Charlotte are both in the top 3 The observer’s Sweet 16 regional survey.
