Saturday, February 15, 2025

NFL, College spotlight: New Hanover’s Ramone Simpson keys win for N.C. Central; Laney’s Mike Sheehan guides Catawba

Coming off a 31-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, the Chicago Bears are now 0-3 for the second consecutive season. While opportunities have been few and far between through three weeks for placekicker Connor Barth, the Wilmington native notched his first field goal of the year, a 34-yard kick, to put Chicago on the board midway through the second quarter. He converted both points after attempts in the setback.

Connor Barth. Photo courtesy- www.chicagobears.com
Connor Barth. Photo courtesy- www.chicagobears.com

On the year, Barth is 1-for-2 on field goals, connecting on all six-point after tries for the Bears, who open division play against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday, Oct. 2.

In the college ranks, local standouts continue to serve as impact players through the various levels. New Hanover alum Ramone Simpson highlights week four of the season with 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a win for N.C. Central. Below is a list of area standouts and their updated stats.

New Hanover

  • Caleb Fuller, Appalachian State: Appalachian State (2-2) walked away with a high-scoring 45-38 win over Akron (2-2) at Infocision Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

Fuller earned the start at defensive end within the Mountaineers 3-4 defense. He finished with two tackles and one sack. Through four games, Fuller has six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two quarterback hurries.

Appalachian State opens Sun Belt Conference play next Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. Kickoff is at noon. The American Sports Network and ESPN3 will have the telecast.

  • Ramone Simpson, North Carolina Central: North Carolina Central University amassed 401 yards of total offense and forced the Spartans to settle for three red-zone field goals during a 34-31 victory over Norfolk State University in both teams’ conference opener on Saturday in William “Dick” Price Stadium.

Sophomore running back Ramone Simpson topped North Carolina Central’s 205-yard ground attack with a game-high 97 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. The Wilmington native also caught five passes for 49 yards.

In four games this season, Simpson has 38 rushes for 176 yards and two scores.

Ramone Simpson. Photo courtesy-
Ramone Simpson. Photo courtesy-

North Carolina Central improved to 1-1 in conference and 2-2 overall. The Eagles visit Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Hoggard

  • Terry Caldwell, Ole Miss: The Rebels scored the first 45 points of the game as Ole Miss dominated Georgia 45-14 Saturday afternoon in front of 65,843 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Caldwell saw limited action for the Rebels and did not get into the state column during the matchup featuring a pair of top-25 teams. With the win, Ole Miss jumped from No. 21 to No. 16 in the country.  Caldwell is second on the team with 24 tackles to go along with one forced fumble.

Ole Miss concludes a four-game home stand with the Memphis Tigers on Saturday, Oct 1.

  • Julius Reynolds, North Carolina A&T: North Carolina A&T had the week off a try to take lessons learned from a setback against Tulsa into conference play. The Aggies face Hampton live on ESNPU at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, at Aggie Stadium for their league

Reynolds is fifth on the team with 13 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.

  • Hunter Louthan, Davidson College: Davidson fell in its Pioneer Football League opener at Valparaiso, 24-20, on Saturday. Louthan had two catches for 12 yards for the Wildcats. On the year, the true freshman from Hoggard has five receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown.

    Hunter Louthan. Photo courtesy- @hlouthan.
    Hunter Louthan. Photo courtesy- @hlouthan.

Davidson returns home Saturday, Oct. 1, for a homecoming game showdown with Stetson. Kickoff from Richardson Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.

  • Harrison Smith, Randolph Macon: Randolph-Macon has concluded its non-conference schedule and the Yellow Jackets open ODAC play on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Shenandoah. Smith has three catches for 35 yards through three games.

Laney

  • Mike Sheehan, Catawba: Catawba snapped a five-game losing streak to Wingate, rolling to a 48-26 win in South Atlantic Conference football action on Saturday afternoon at Belk Stadium. The Catawba defense created seven turnovers that led to 34 points in the rout that saw the Indians improve to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the SAC.

 Sheehan led the offense with four total touchdowns as he ran for two scores and threw for two.  He completed 13-of-19 passes for 229 yards. He also rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries.

The senior from Laney now has seven total touchdowns on the year to go along with 144 yards rushing. Sheehan has completed 68-of-155 attempts for 717 passing yards, with three interceptions and three touchdowns. 

  • Larry Williams, Oklahoma State: 16 Baylor held on to beat Oklahoma State 35-24 on Saturday night in the weather-delayed Big 12 opener for both teams.

Williams made his fourth start at right guard for the Cowboys, who dropped to 2-2 overall. The Laney alum and junior college transfer helped the offensive line push as Oklahoma State rushed for 213 yards.

The Cowboys host No. 21 Texas on Saturday, Oct. 1, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ashley

  • Alex Highsmith, UNC-Charlotte: The Charlotte 49ers (1-3) fell on the road at Temple (2-2), 48-20 in a game played at Lincoln Financial Field, which is home to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Highsmith recorded two tackles in the game. The redshirt freshman has four total tackles this season.

The 49ers return to action when they play Old Dominion in their Conference USA opener at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 6 pm.

More sports from Port City Daily

Laney’s Tamera Young sinks 16 points, helps propel Chicago Sky to WNBA semifinals

Wilmington Sports Week Podcast, Sept. 25-Oct. 1

SCOREBOARD: Caroline Cahill continues strong play on the golf course; Laney, Coastal Christian soccer post shutouts; Wilmington Christian volleyball remains consistent

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