THE VIEW FROM HERE

The magic of Friday night lights

by KELLEN HOLTZMAN / NWO

I know there are many more important things in life than football, and I understand football is not for everyone. I didn’t play the sport competitively growing up, nor did my high school even have a football team.

Maybe that’s part of the reason why I’ve been so fascinated by high school football throughout my career as a community journalist. Without looking at a calendar, my biological clock is now telling me “it’s time.” College football and the NFL don’t kick into full swing until September, but I can feel the impending magic of Friday night lights in the air.

The Northwest Guilford and Northern Guilford varsity teams both open the season this Friday (Aug. 18) at home and since I haven’t yet experienced a regular season game at either school, I’m anxious to see what makes this part of the state and Guilford County unique when it comes to high school football.

Quarterback

from p. 27

Junior Alexander Marsh got some valuable experience last year at quarterback when starter Jack Mercer was sidelined with an injury, but the Nighthawks have also welcomed sophomore Jaxson Kemp up from JV.

Their top targets will include King, Muse, Micah Smith and Chris Armstrong.

Fall sports season is

taken by the Chargers.

So, I know about Logan and Allen, and that former head football coach Johnny Roscoe built Northern’s football program into a 3A powerhouse (the school has since moved up to the 4A division).

But what am I most looking forward to this season?

I’m intrigued by Northwest Vikings’ senior quarterback Tanner Ballou telling me last week that the Vikings might have the best football atmosphere in the county. And head coach Chris Rusiewicz informed me the school is set to debut new special effects lighting at the school’s R. L. Billings football stadium.

Richmond and Scotland County high schools have long boasted two of the most passionate fan bases in the state, and at least in my lifetime, Charlotte and its suburbs have had some of the very best teams, often receiving national recognition with elite players.

What is football in northwest and northern Guilford County all about?

Although I’ve never seen the Nighthawks play a regular season football game, as a reporter in Henderson (Vance County), I witnessed former Northern Guilford star athlete T.J. Logan dominate the 2013 N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A track and field championships at N.C. A&T, sweeping both the 100- and 200-meter races and collecting another gold in the 4x100 relay. Logan was nothing short of prolific as a Northern running back and went on to have a stellar career at UNCChapel Hill before being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, four years after fivetime NFL Pro Bowl selection Keenan Allen, another former Nighthawk, was

“We definitely have a really fun fanbase,” Tanner said. “It’s awesome to come to our games.”

Say no more, Tanner. I’m ready to find out for myself.

A few years ago, I wrote about how much Roanoke Rapids High athletics meant to the local community there in Halifax County, particularly after losing a fall football season to COVID-19 in 2020. Roanoke Rapids is a city where the fire department’s trucks are painted with the same scheme as the high school’s white, black and gold colors. Other public vehicles around town are emblazoned with the school’s Yellow Jacket logo.

A counter cliché to this sports madness I’m fawning over posits that it’s “just a game, after all.”

Technically that’s true, and it’s a reasonable approach to the ultimate outcome of a competition.

But sometimes, it’s much more than a game. It’s about coming together as a community and rooting for the home team, win or lose. It’s about a way of life.

Here’s to high school football.

„ AUTO SALES & SERVICES

„ YARD SALE

GARAGE SALE. Sat., Aug. 19, 7am-1pm.

7783 Newhaven Dr., Oak Ridge. Household items, men’s/women’s clothing, lots of books, sports equipment, furniture & more!!

NEED HELP?

Call (336) 644-7035, ext.

gen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across

„ HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

A-ACTION AIR. Air conditioning check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750

Cleaning

„

FLOORING

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING

Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

(336) 891-3876

EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING

Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com. (336) 595-2873

GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700

965-7955

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002

„ HOMECARE AVAILABLE

SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300

„ SAVE THE DATE

STOKESDALE COMMUNITY CHOIR resumes practice Monday, August 28, 9:30-11:30am at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Ch. Rd., Stokesdale. Contact Sondra at (336) 453-8017 to join.

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family-owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223

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Decorating

EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411

Electrical

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192

336.554.5007

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES

“Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223

LOW-COST GARAGE DOORS. Repair and sales. 35 years exp. (336) 207-1003

Why move when you can improve? licensed general contractors construction well pumps ● plumbing ● foundations sagging floors...and much more!

One call fixes all!

643-1184

CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931 continued on p. 36

„ HOME SERVICES

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE

“We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314 Ltsmeng16@gmail.com

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance

A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707

„ HOME SERVICES

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282

GUTTERS /

„ HOME SERVICES

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 34 years. (336) 362-5860

DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com.

GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216

DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354

„ HOME SERVICES

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174.

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC.

Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764

Masonry

GRADING / HAULING

H&L GRADING, LLC No job too tough or too small. Call us first! We are a full-service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/Operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience. Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains, portable sawmill and much more. We also do custom roughcut lumber. Call owner/operator Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867

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BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS, LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647

MEDLIN'S LANDSCAPING. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 817-3036

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE

Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157

INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456.

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086

STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490

R C LAWN CARE. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 231-9599

NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your decorative concrete needs. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete poured finishes as well. Also offering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing stamped look like new again! (336) 399-1474 or (336) 595-4654

CONCRETE COATINGS

Flake Epoxy Systems

Garage Floor and Concrete Resurfacing

Decorative Concrete Overlays

Stamped Concrete Rejuvenation

Eric Sauls, Owner ● (336) 970-3543

Call for your free estimate

COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen –or anything else you would like! Call (336) 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470

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„ HOME SERVICES

PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.

Certified Mold Inspections

Certified Mold Remediation

Crawl Space Vapor Barriers

Crawl Space Cleaning

Insulation/Foam Board Sealing

Basement Moisture Issues locally based in Stokesdale ● (336) 937-4983 northstarmoisture@gmail.com www.northstarmoisture.com

Check out our Business & Real Estate section in this week's issue.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

BEK Paint Co.

Residential & Commercial

David & Judy Long, owners (336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

• References Available

• Licensed & Insured

• All Work Guaranteed

LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR , 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186

„ HOME SERVICES

PLUMBING

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

POOLS

COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts; free estimates! (336) 327-5122

PRESSURE WASHING

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856

PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350

„ HOME SERVICES

RENOVATION WORKS, INC.

New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

Services, INC

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 41 years exp. (336) 215-6122 or (336) 362-6343

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC

N.C. general contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the right price. Free est. Please call (336) 362-7469

„ HOME SERVICES

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981

We DISASSEMBLE and RECONSTRUCT old log buildings, cabins and tobacco barns. If you have a log structure and don’t want it, we will remove it for you! If you want to relocate it, we can do that too! We also construct pole barns/buildings. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

Roofing

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Certified for 50year non-prorated shingle warranties. Call (336) 268-1908

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC commitments

Call

(336)

40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191 WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 215-6122 or (336) 362-6343

PREMIER ROOFING. Commercial/residential. Providing service for all of your roofing needs. Locally owned. Please call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

Check in with your neighbors: www.facebook.com/northwestobserver

„ MISC. SERVICES

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906

„ MISC. SERVICES

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR

Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.

BOAT N RV STORAGE. $70/$100 monthly. Located on Brigham Rd., Greensboro, near Pleasant Ridge Road. Call (336) 663-3051

„ PETS /ANIMAL SVCS.

Use HAPPY JACK® KENNEL DIP ® as an area spray to control deer ticks, fleas, stable flies, & mosquitoes where they breed. Biodegradable. At Tractor Supply ® www.happyjackinc.com

„ REAL ESTATE HOME FOR SALE

OPEN HOUSE: Sun., Aug. 20 • 2-4pm locally owned & operated

6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 643-9963

(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

„ MISC. FOR SALE

NEW PARK MODEL with loft at Carolina Marina. Fully furnished, TV in built-in cabinet on covered deck, 2 boat decks with covered lifts, electric golf cart, 2017 18' Sweetwater pontoon. $275,000. Call Sally, (336) 207-2575

„ MISC. WANTED

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155

Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, bikes, and other gas-powered items. (336) 491-1565.

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328

„ PETS /ANIMAL SVCS.

GOLDEN SHEEPADOODLES. Reserve your puppy today! Six weeks old. Will be ready to go to their fur-ever home Aug. 5. Please call (336) 906-6691 to schedule a meeting to see these beautiful babies!