Lincolnton's Cunningham a fan favorite on and off the field

Lincolnton had just defeated Thomasville to reach the state title game, and most of the players had worked their way to the field house.

Not Michael Cunningham.

Always a fan favorite, Cunningham was still on the field, shaking hands, hugging friends and receiving congratulations on another superb game.

“Everybody likes to be around him,” head coach Scott Cloninger said. “He’s friendly, he’s happy, he’s got a smile on his face. Kids love him.”

Cunningham has an energetic game to match his outgoing personality, and that’s one reason he’s honored as the Gazette’s area defensive player of the year for a second consecutive time today.

The 6-foot, 210-pound senior linebacker was the most consistent defender and biggest playmaker for a team that reached the 2A state championship.

“I’m like an engine. I keep on going,” Cunningham said. “Without the engine, you wouldn’t have a car.”

Cunningham logged 111 tackles, including a team-high 21 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He broke up seven passes and had two sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

“He’s just a special player,” Cloninger said. “We’re not the same team when he’s not on the field. In that state championship game after his kickoff return, he missed a few plays because of cramping and we were no where near the same defensive team when he’s not on the field.”

In addition to the kickoff return, Cunningham made eight tackles, including at least two of the touchdown-saving variety, and recovered a fumble. But Lincolnton lost the game 39-36, and Cunningham said he’ll never completely get over it.

“Every day, I wake up and I get mad and sad that we can’t replay that, but I know my team fought hard to the end,” Cunningham said. “We never gave up at one point in that game.”