Another trip to Asheville

It seems like every year Gaston County has a shot at a state title, one team has to make a trip to Asheville on a cold night.

That’s been the case recently, anyway.

Ashbrook and South Point both beat Asheville one week before winning state championships. Now, North Gaston will see if it can do the same.

The sixth-seeded Wildcats (11-2) will travel to face fourth-seeded Asheville (11-2) Friday at 7:30 for the right to meet the East’s representative for the 3A state title.

North Gaston certainly has recent history on its side — so much, in fact, that a superstitious fan might have hoped for such a matchup.

In 2002, Ashbrook went on the road to beat Asheville 22-19 in overtime on a cold night for the 3AA West title. Many recall that weekend for the wintry precipitation that fell across much of the state. Somehow, the Asheville area wasn’t as bad as the Piedmont and the Cougars were able to host their game as scheduled.

South Point’s game at Winston-Salem Carver that weekend was pushed back to Sunday because of bad road and field conditions. Some refer to that game as the “Mud Bowl” because when Carver officials plowed the snow off the field, they also plowed off the grass. South Point lost 27-6 and some Red Raiders fans are still bitter.

Back to the point, Ashbrook went on to beat Greensboro Dudley 19-18 the following week for the 3AA state title.

The next year, South Point traveled to Asheville for what became probably the most memorable game in my seven seasons covering high school football. Not only was I covering the most dominant team I’ve ever covered, but the field was covered in snow — and the white stuff was still falling.

The weather didn’t bother South Point, which won the game 57-10 before beating Northeast Guilford 27-10 in Chapel Hill the next week for the state title.

Gaston County’s last trip to Asheville didn’t turn out so well. Hunter Huss’ 2005 team lost to the Cougars 35-7 in the third round of 2005.

But Gaston County still holds a 3-1 playoff record against Asheville (South Point had the other win in 1994), and North Gaston has full intentions of making it 4-1.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843 or pgardner(at)gastongazette.com.