[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NORTHERN NIGHTHAWKS RULE NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying that the ``third 
time's the charm,'' and that can be applied to Northern Guilford High 
School, located in the Sixth District of North Carolina, for winning 
our state's 3-AA State Football Championship in only its third year of 
existence. The Northern Nighthawks celebrated their first state title 
when their opponent, Boling Springs Crest, missed a game-tying extra 
point with 15 seconds remaining, allowing Northern Guilford to escape 
with a thrilling 21-20 victory.
  Northern Guilford survived two second-half goal line stands to 
capture the state crown. ``It was like something you see in a movie,'' 
Nighthawks senior quarterback Rocco Scarfone told the (Greensboro) News 
& Record. ``They could make a movie off this game. It was just surreal 
how it happened. I couldn't believe it.''
  One reason it all happened, Mr. Speaker, was the dedication of all 
involved in the football program and that included the fans and the 
band. The Northern Nighthawks made it difficult for any team to defeat 
them this season, thanks in large part to the more than 3,000 fans who 
packed in to see every home game this past season on the way to a 14-2 
record. Many also traveled to distant away games. The team band was 
also an important part of their championship season, and was 
affectionately known as the 12th man. Nighthawk Nation followed their 
team throughout the playoff run, often traveling more than an hour to 
get to each game.
  The Nighthawks were lead by captains Maurice Harris, Alan Hart, Rocco 
Scarfone, and Stephen Machanic. Along with their teammates Tre' 
Purcell, Mohamed Khellah, Austin Hoke, Daniel Downing, TJ Logan, Justin 
Wallace, Nick Jones, Mark Mitchell, Shaheen Lashani, Shaquille Fields, 
Max Heavner, Burney Sindab, Scooter Mooney, Chris Ripberger, Austin 
Cooper, Robert Willcox, Rory Bergen, Kyle Wilhelm, Bernard Sindab, TJ 
Ruff, Austin Coltrane, Alex Hasler, Trevon Cooper, Earl Smith, 
WadeWilliam Churchill, Jordan Williams, Trevor Mckee, Austin Simmons, 
Ryan Johnston, Bob Hicks, Drew Milot, Max Klietsch, Colin Beairsto, 
Kamen Smith, Chris Forlano, Sam Parker, Jacob Roberts, Eric Hayes, 
Brian Iddings, Garrison O'Bryant, Taylor Rumley, Carlos Williams, Josh 
Moore and Kris Gafford.
  Of course, Northern Guilford could not have achieved its state 
championship without an outstanding coaching staff led by Head Coach 
Johnny Roscoe and his assistant coaches Brian Thomas, Todd Sharp, 
Richard Burton, JR Troutman, Ben Hepler, Dovonte Edwards, Chris 
Shaffer, Justin Davis, and Justin Ollis. Others who were also 
instrumental in the championship included Jane Roscoe (Mrs. Coach), 
Kirstin Shepperson (Team Physician), Jan Wyrick (Women's Order 
Director), Team Managers Chelsea Ray, Taylor Phillips, Sydney Monroe, 
and Mercedes Wigglesworth, along with film editor Jenna Livingston. 
Male Manager Perry Johnson and Ball Boy Britt Thomas also contributed 
to the title.
  Congratulations are also warranted for all of those who supported the 
football program at Northern Guilford High School. Principal Will 
Laine, Assistant Principals Doug Foutty, Angela Graves and Kris 
Vecchione, and Athletic Director Brian Thomas all can take pride in the 
state title.
  Again on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North 
Carolina, we congratulate Northern Guilford High School football team, 
along with the faculty, staff and excellent fans for their championship 
season. This team will be remembered for many years as football fans 
will say, ``remember when the Northern Nighthawks made the saying `the 
third time's the charm' come true.''

                          ____________________