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Football locals up for AP all-state, Coach of the Year
Dec. 24, 2001 - Several area players are nominated for the Associated Press all-state team.
Two coaches Lincolnton’s Scott Cloninger and East Lincoln Jim Ruark, are up for AP high school coach of the year.
Lincolnton linebacker Charlie Stroup, running back Damien Forney and tight end Rafael Corella along with West Lincoln kicker Chris Halubka have been selected as candidates for
the team. Member sports writers will vote for certain number of players for each position.
Here are the players and coaches’ achievements
CHARLIE STROUP, Lincolnton, LB, Sr., 5-8, 180 — Led team with
139 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries. Named defensive player of the year by The Gaston Gazette.
CHRIS HALUBKA, West Lincoln, PK/P, Sr., 5-11, 165 — Kicked 10 field goals, including a 56- and 57-yarder in win against Cherryville.
The 57-yarder tied for the fourth-longest in state history Conference's player of the year. Had 160 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions — returning one for a
touchdown — on defense.
RAFAEL CORELLA, Lincolnton, TE, Sr., 5-11, 185 — Caught 28 passes for 604 yards and nine touchdowns.
DAMIEN FORNEY, Lincolnton, RB, Sr., 5-10, 190 — Rushed for 1,390 yards and 19 touchdowns. Named offensive player of the year in the
Class 2-A Midwest Conference.
SCOTT CLONINGER, Lincolnton — Led team from 0-2 start to an 11-4 finish and the Class 2-A state semifinals.
Led Wolves to first win against Shelby since 1967 and led the team to its second consecutive playoff appearance after failing to reach
the postseason the previous three seasons. Named coach of the year by The Gaston Gazette.
JIM RUARK, East Lincoln — First-year coach led team to 5-6
record and first round of the playoffs in an adversity-filled season that included death of a player and a court case that delayed the Class 3-A state playoffs and
nearly removed East Lincoln from the field.
Backup quarterback Travis Conrad died in September from injuries sustained in a car wreck, forcing the postponement of that week's game.
Ruark encouraged players to unite and camp out in the locker room for several nights. Team responded by winning three games in eight days, paving way to the playoffs.
Team had lost 23 seniors and much of its coaching staff from last season.
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