Coble honors Northern Guilford football

December 20, 2012

For immediate release

(Washington, DC)---Amidst talk of fiscal cliffs and raising taxes,
U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) took time away from House proceedings to
honor a high school football team in his district that just won its
third straight state championship. On Wednesday, Congressman Coble
entered a congratulatory statement in the Congressional Record to mark
Northern Guilford High School’s third consecutive state football
title.

“We discuss so many items on Capitol Hill that are negative,” Rep.
Coble noted, “so it is always nice to talk about positive
accomplishments. Nothing is more positive than discussing how
successful the Nighthawks have been during the past three seasons. I
wanted all of my colleagues to know about the tremendous
accomplishments of the Northern Guilford football team.”

The complete statement entered into the Congressional Record, the
daily official journal of House and Senate proceedings is below:

Mr. Speaker, There is an old saying that goes, the “third time is a
charm.” In the case of the football team at Northern Guilford High
School, the new expression should be, the “third time is
perfection.” That is because this football team, located in the
Sixth District of North Carolina, just won its third straight state
high school football championship. This time, however, the title
capped a perfect 15-0 season.

On December 1, 2012, the Nighthawks of Northern Guilford High School
defeated Charlotte Catholic 64-26 to capture its third consecutive
NCHSAA Class 3-AA championship. Senior T.J. Logan led the way by
rushing for an unbelievable 510 yards and scoring eight touchdowns.
This was the third straight title for longtime Head Coach Johnny
Roscoe. In 2010, Northern Guilford went 14-2 to win the first
championship. In 2011, the Nighthawks completed a 14-1 season to
secure its second straight title. This year, no one stopped the
Nighthawks on the way to a 15-0 season that culminated in their third
crown in three years.

What is left for Northern Guilford to accomplish following this
three-year run? I’m sure Coach Roscoe, always the perfectionist,
could point to many areas for improvement during the season and the
title contest. But it is hard to argue against perfection. I think Ed
Hardin, the outstanding sports columnist for the (Greensboro) News &
Record stated it best: “We might never see anything like this again
in these parts,” Hardin wrote, “and in the coming years we’ll
look back and debate about this team. Was it the best we ever saw? Was
the remarkably talented (T.J.) Logan the best player we ever produced
in Guilford County? You could make that argument. The game played out
like the season. Fast start, confounding moments and then
brilliance.”

That brilliance was a team effort all the way and led by Coach Roscoe,
who has been around football for four decades. Coach Roscoe was ably
assisted by Brian Thomas, Ben Hepler, Richard Burton, Todd Sharp, Lee
Meekins, Chris Vaughan, Chris Harris, and Justin Davis. All of these
coaches will tell you that the Nighthawks’ perfect season was also
due to the fine efforts provided by Team Trainer Justin Ollis,
Assistant Trainer Valerie Smith, Team Physician Kirstin Shepperson and
Team Managers Jenna Livingston, Sydney Monroe, Taylor Phillips, Ashlyn
Thomas, and Mercedes Wiglesworth, along with Ball Boy Britt Thomas.

Every one of the 2012 champion Nighthawks can take pride in the
completion of this perfect season. They include: Tre Purcell, C.J.
Freeman, Brett Welch, Cameron Harris, Mook Reynolds, Robert Willcox,
T.J. Logan, AJ Love, Nick Jones, Austin Coltrane, Justin Wallace,
Daniel Kelly, Matt Page, Burney Sindab, Tucker Hord, Molick Scott,
Chris Ripberger, Malik Parker, Matthew McGarry, Max Maynard, Rory
Bergen, Bernard Sindab, T.J. Ruff, Josh Parker, Johnny Loflin, Jacob
King, Ryan Johnston, Nick Fryer, Mason Monroe, TyShawn Reese, Austin
Simmons, Josh Covington, Max Klietsch, Dylan Hakala, Trey French, Eric
Hong, Josh Steele, Kamen Smith, Chris Forlano, Trevor McKee, Steven
Branz, Jalen Hollins, Malik Hampton-Prioleau, Andrew Keen, John
Wagoner, Tristen Simmons, Alex Hasler, Carlos Williams, Terrell
Headen, Bret Unkel, and Duncan Taylordean.

A winning season also requires support from school administrators and
leaders and Northern Guilford has a winning team there, too.
Congratulations are appropriate for Principal Will Laine, Assistant
Principals Doug Foutty and Travis Ward, and Athletic Director Brian
Thomas. All can take pride in three straight state championships.

Last, but far from least, we have to mention Nighthawk Nation. I am
sure that everyone associated with the football team will tell you
that Northern Guilford’s formidable fan base spurred them on to
victory. No doubt that the students, parents, faculty, staff, and
supporters of Northern Guilford football are beaming with pride
following a third state championship.

The seniors on this team will move on to their next adventures. For
the returning Nighthawks, I am sure they have already begun their
dreams of four in a row. If that happens, I plan to be back here again
next year offering my own congratulations. For now, on behalf of the
citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate and
thank the football team at Northern Guilford High School for showing
us how perfection can be achieved. The third time is a charm indeed.