The Duke Blue Devil’s secured a spot in the ACC Championship game with their thrilling 27-25 win over North Carolina. The football game was one for the ages and culminated in Duke’s first-ever 10 win season. While Tarheel fans are dismayed by this development, I have reason to cheer.
Two of my former U.S. History students, Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney, played prominent roles in the Duke victory. These two gifted student-athletes have the entire Monroe High community beaming with Redhawk pride. It has been a thrill watching them compete all season. While Jamison and Issac’s names are relatively new to those that follow college football, many who know them from their high school days are not surprised by their success. Their athletic abilities on the football field and basketball court has never been in doubt. What makes the two men even bigger stars is that at Monroe High they always put student before athlete when it came to academic achievement. They were two of my best history students. In my classroom, they never once let their athletic development get in the way of their educational goals. This is why I believe they were exceptional role models at Monroe High.
Their success is in large part due to the support of their parents and their high school coach, Johnny Sowell. I have learned a lot over the years from Coach Sowell about building relationships and inspiring student athletes. It is no surprise that the Monroe High football team finds itself again competing for a chance to win an elusive state football title. A victory against Parkwood High this week will get them into the title game on December 13th in Chapel Hill. It is my hope that Monroe High, and Coach Sowell, will add a football state championship to the basketball state title Jamison and Issac helped the school win in 2010.
Until then, there will be plenty of Redhawks in attendance as Duke takes on Florida State for the ACC title in Charlotte. This is as close to a homecoming as one can get. The excitement in the stands will be electric come December 7th. While I cannot wait to see how Jamison, Issac and the Blue Devils perform, they are already legitimate heroes to the Monroe High community. Go Redhawks!
Best Score: Finally, a Duke-Carolina football game for the ages (Luke DeCock)