By Langston Wertz Jr. CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Before Davidson Day beat the Hickory Hawks 55-6 Thursday night at Hough High School, the teams gathered at midfield to pray for Patriots junior receiver Daekwon Camp, who recently found out he had a form of cancer.
Davidson Day coach Chad Grier said Camp was diagnosed with a tumor in his neck last week, but that tests showed that the cancer had not spread. Doctors plan to remove the tumor next Wednesday, an operation they hope leaves Camp cancer free.
Davidson Day QB Sam Hartman, who entered the game as the nation’s leading passer, threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns Friday Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times
“We laid hands on him and prayed before the game,” Grier said, his voice cracking. “We had done it in practice this week, too. I’m a big believer in that.. I’m praying that he gets out of there clean next week and we get him back before the season is over.”
Once the game got going, Hickory had a quick drive, running the ball right at Davidson Day (2-1), ranked No. 9 in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll. Hickory took a surprise 6-0 lead. But after that, Davidson Day got rolling.
The Patriots got two blocked punts, which were covered in the end zone by two defensive lineman -- 6-foot-4, 300-pound Bryan Rogers and 6-4, 250-pound Jack Carter.
Davidson Day junior quarterback Sam Hartman, a Wake Forest recruit who came into the game as the nation’s leading passer, completed 18-of-23 attempts for 270 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, Hartman has 1,331 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in three games.
His top receiver, sophomore Nolan Groulx, caught eight passes for 150 yards and a touchdown Thursday.
“Our goal,” Grier said, “is to play our best game in November (during the playoffs). We’ve gotten better each week. All the skill guys are new except for the quarterback. Nolan was the 9th grade backup last year. He’s terrific, not your normal sophomore, but we’ve got all new parts. Our front seven is pretty good. I think we’re on the right track, and if we stay healthy, we’ve got as good a shot (at a state championship) as anybody.”
Before Davidson Day beat the Hickory Hawks 55-6 Thursday night at Hough High School, the teams gathered at midfield to pray for Patriots junior receiver Daekwon Camp, who recently found out he had a form of cancer.
Davidson Day coach Chad Grier said Camp was diagnosed with a tumor in his neck last week, but that tests showed that the cancer had not spread. Doctors plan to remove the tumor next Wednesday, an operation they hope leaves Camp cancer free.
Davidson Day QB Sam Hartman, who entered the game as the nation’s leading passer, threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns Friday Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times
“We laid hands on him and prayed before the game,” Grier said, his voice cracking. “We had done it in practice this week, too. I’m a big believer in that.. I’m praying that he gets out of there clean next week and we get him back before the season is over.”
Once the game got going, Hickory had a quick drive, running the ball right at Davidson Day (2-1), ranked No. 9 in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll. Hickory took a surprise 6-0 lead. But after that, Davidson Day got rolling.
The Patriots got two blocked punts, which were covered in the end zone by two defensive lineman -- 6-foot-4, 300-pound Bryan Rogers and 6-4, 250-pound Jack Carter.
Davidson Day junior quarterback Sam Hartman, a Wake Forest recruit who came into the game as the nation’s leading passer, completed 18-of-23 attempts for 270 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, Hartman has 1,331 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in three games.
His top receiver, sophomore Nolan Groulx, caught eight passes for 150 yards and a touchdown Thursday.
“Our goal,” Grier said, “is to play our best game in November (during the playoffs). We’ve gotten better each week. All the skill guys are new except for the quarterback. Nolan was the 9th grade backup last year. He’s terrific, not your normal sophomore, but we’ve got all new parts. Our front seven is pretty good. I think we’re on the right track, and if we stay healthy, we’ve got as good a shot (at a state championship) as anybody.”
