In late July, as the football coaches prepared for the upcoming football season, they considered the fact that the two-time championship team had lost 16 seniors, and that this season would be a rebuilding year. Little did they know this team would rebuild faster and stronger than expected. Hampered by a lack of preseason scrimmages because of rain-outs, it took the 2006 Cougars a few games to hit their stride. But when they did, they were fierce! Juniors stepped up as starters, seniors performed as leaders, and the fire that fueled their trip to the state title game in Raleigh was lit. The Observer nicknamed them “The Comeback Cougars” because of their inclination to be behind at the half, only to come back fighting to win. Coach Jim Oddo was quoted as saying: “…these kids kept squeezing by. The kids just kept playing hard. That’s all you can ask.”

Early in the season, CCHS didn’t even appear in the Observer’s “Sweet Sixteen”. They were considered small-sized by Varsity standards and five of the starters on the offensive line were juniors. By December, they were in the top 5, had won the Queen City 3A/4A Conference title, and took the Western Region title after receiving the number 1 seed in the state playoffs. Senior Ben Herlocker finished the season with 2,577 yards and 36 touchdowns, both of which are second-place records in Mecklenburg County history, earning 359 of those yards and 6 of those touchdowns in a single game (tying the county mark). He was named the Observer’s Player of the Week following the first playoff game and was selected for North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team. Senior offensive lineman Henry Lawson also earned honors by being named to the NCPreps All-State team. Junior Jeff Levasseaur was named Cougar MVP Defensive player in the state title game against Eastern Randolph, and Ben Herlocker was named Cougar MVP Offensive player. Other noteworthy players include starting seniors Connor Gavigan, Chris Grady, Keith Poutier, Richard Siskey, Joey Connors, Matt O’Shields, J.P. Witt, Jeremy Armstrong, Matt Sidari, Walker Ferebee & Josh Farmer, starting juniors Christian Culicerto,Ty Gile, Kyle Goddard, Ryan Kula, Jimmy Eichorn, Robby Eichorn, Jake Beeman, Joey Ready, RJ Sweeney, Wes Stringfield, Brent Levins, Chris Schlaff, starting sophomore Tucker Windle, and junior kicker Robert Herford. We also send congratulations to Coach Oddo, who was named a Panther’s Coach of the Week!

PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

Thank you!