By TODD GIBSON CoachesAid.com North Carolina content coordinator
Our Hot List this week includes a star receiver who led his team to victory by coming up with a huge play on defense Also making his weekly appearance is a running back chasing a rushing record. And another RB who this past week cracked the 5,000-yard career mark. Here is our weekly star search:
Nigel King, WR, Wakefield: King had a huge night on offense for Wakefield in its 35-32 upset win over previously unbeaten Leesville Road, but the junior may have saved the day with his defense. After catching three TD passes, King intercepted a Pride pass as time expired in helping the Wolverines grab a share of the Cap Seven lead. King had scoring receptions of 8, 37 and 39 yards. Wakefield and Wake Forest-Rolesville meet on Friday for the outright conference lead.
Kevin Parks, RB, West Rowan: What a shock to find Parks on our list – not really, this is his Hot List-leading fifth appearance. All the senior did this past week was rush for an astounding 356 yards on only 24 carries with two TDs in a 69-14 romp over China Grove Carson. The 3A No. 1 Falcons are unbeaten thanks in large part to Parks' 1,913 yards rushing in eight games.
David Gurganus, QB, Princeton: The Triangle's leading passer was at it again this past week in guiding his team to a 48-20 win over Spring Creek. Gurganus, a senior, completed 20 of 29 passes for 236 yards and five TDs. His scoring passes covered 4, 21, 27, 21 and 16 yards. Gurganus, who is averaging nearly 300 yards passing per game, helped the Bulldogs snap a two-game losing skid.
Travis Riley, RB, Kannapolis A.L. Brown: The junior made mincemeat of the visiting Cox Mill defense in a 61-7 win for the Wonders. Riley ran for 212 yards and four TDs on Friday on just 13 carries. Riley, who was scheduled to make a visit to Wake Forest this past Saturday, will be one of the most highly sought-after backs in the state.
Marquise Williams, QB, Mallard Creek: Williams also will be a top prize next year when he is a senior, but as a junior he is turning heads both with his ability to pass and run. In his team's 27-7 win over Vance Williams, he showed his power running with 153 yards on 18 carries and three TDs (all on the ground).
Ian Bosley, RB, South Granville: Bosley moved into an elite group on Friday after rushing for 257 yards in South Granville's 55-7 win over Carrboro. The elusive senior became just the 37th player in North Carolina history to rush for more than 5,000 yards. Bosley, who helped the Vikings end a three-game skid, now has 5,218 career yards. If he keeps up his current pace, Bosley will finish in the top 20 among all-time rushers in the state.
Shannon Peppers, RB, Northwood: Peppers has been a one-man wrecking crew in leading 2A No. 8 Northwood to an 8-0 record. The Chargers’ senior ran for three scores and caught another one in his team's 53-8 win over Granville Central. Peppers tallied 113 yards rushing on just eight carries. Two weeks ago he rushed for 162 yards, scored two TDs and had two sacks in a key 22-15 win over Triton.
Joey Papay, RB, Asheville Reynolds: Reynolds improved to 5-2 on the season, thanks in large part to Papay's 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns in a 26-16 win over Shelby Crest. It was the Chargers’ second straight loss, knocking them from our 3A Top 10.
Quinn Billerman, QB, Ravenscroft: Billerman only attempted nine passes, but he made the most of his tosses in a 57-26 Ravenscroft win over Wake Christian. The junior connected on eight of those passes for 240 yards and three TDs. His scoring throws covered 49, 72 and 34 yards. Billerman added a 19-yard scoring run as well.
Warren Scott, RB, Southern Guilford: Scott continues his impressive final season at Southern Guilford, leading the Storm to a 34-0 win over Southwest Randolph. Scott gashed the Cougars for 134 yard rushing on just seven attempts. One of the Triad's leading rushers, Scott had scoring runs of 25, 32 and 56 yards.
Hot List leaders: Kevin Parks, RB, West Rowan (5); Marquise Williams, QB, Mallard (3)
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