Thinking big picture

Fall sports season is rolling around, even though it's still oppressively hot outside.

This time of year, I always begin to wonder: Which team, or teams, has the best shot of bringing a state championship back to Iredell County. [Fall has been particularly good to us here lately.]

KEEP AN EYE ON THEM: Three-time county runner of the year Alexa Van Epern returns for her senior season to lead a talented Lake Norman girls cross country team. Kaitlyn Ferguson and rising sophomores Jenny Gallagher and Rebecca Roman all finished inside the top 40 at last year's state championship meet, paving the way to the Wildcats' fourth-place finish. A note of interest: State champion Asheville Roberson graduated its two best runners, both of whom placed in the top five at the state meet.


QUEST FOR 3: Lake Norman's boys soccer team and Mooresville's boys cross country team will be pursuing a third consecutive state title. Both have immense voids to fill. Lake Norman graduated forward Matt Foxx, midfielder Ryan Mertes and defender Matt Gwilt, all of whom were named all-state last year, when the Wildcats capped back-to-back undefeated seasons with a second straight 3A state championship. Mooresville lost Patrick Campbell and Nathan Craig, who are now going to be running at North Carolina State and Brigham Young, respectively. If I had to pick which team I thought had the better chance to extend the streak, I'd take Mooresville because of the Blue Devils' stockpile of developing distance runners.

DIG THIS: North Iredell's volleyball team could be scary good. The Raiders will have one of the best front lines in the area -- perhaps region or state -- in outside hitter Molly Rhyne and middle blocker Taylor Clendenin. The duo helped the Raiders earn a piece of the 2007 North Piedmont Conference title. They shared it with eventual 3A state runner-up West Iredell. The Warriors graduated three marquee starters from that squad, opening the door for North Iredell to make a run at the state title this season. For the Raiders to become a legitimate championship contender, I believe three things must happen: (1.) There has to be a commitment to great defense, because a potent offense will only take you so far; (2.) They need to cultivate a pin-point accurate setter to replace Anna Wells, who graduated; and (3.) There must be confidence amongst teammates that they're good enough to go all the way, and a determination to see it through.

Football is in the air

The N.C. High School Athletic Association set an Aug. 1 date for the first official day of high school football practice.

That means we're a week away, folks.

Opening night is just around the corner, too. The season kicks off Aug. 22.

I love it. Nothing gets my blood pumping in this profession quite like Friday night football.

Wednesday night's East-West All-Star football game in Greensboro only increased my anticipation.

Let the countdown begin.

Black and gold suits Rucker

Quan Rucker elected to play football for Wake Forest once his high school career is over at West Iredell High School.

The receiver has given the university a verbal commitment. (More on this story can be found in Wednesday's edition of the R&L).

"Wake Forest was high on his list," West Iredell coach Mark Weycker said.

Higher than Clemson, Illinois, North Carolina State and Virginia, just to name a few. Those schools pursued his services, too.

I think this is a great decision by an athlete I have a lot of respect for. Wake Forest is a fine academic institution with a football program on the rise. The Demon Deacons are 20-7 over the last two seasons, which includes an 11-3 mark in 2006, when they won the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

It always pleases me to see good things happen for good people, and Rucker is definitely one of those. If you've ever had the fortune of speaking to the young man, you know what I'm talking about. He's very grounded, a yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am, type of guy.

In addition to his tremendous athletic skill set -- he is a three-sport athlete at West Iredell -- Rucker will bring a good work ethic and strong leadership qualities to Wake Forest.

Those attributes have to be valued as much as his big-play ability, which keyed West Iredell's come-from-behind win over North Piedmont Conference champion West Rowan last season. After falling behind 12-0 midway through the third quarter, Rucker hauled in a slant pass from Jared Thompson, split two defenders and took it the rest of the way for a 72-yard touchdown. The Warriors' 20-18 win over West Rowan was the Falcons' only regular season loss.

Yes indeed, Wake Forest will be getting an all-around talent.

That's for sure.