Latin sends coach Larry McNulty into retirement with state title
By Tim Donelli
Correspondent
Winning two NCISAA state championships in the final two seasons of coaching is a pretty good way to retire.
After 32 years of coaching Charlotte Latin football and a change-of-mind retirement five years ago, Latin football coach Larry McNulty, finally retired from coaching following Friday night’s 33-0 victory over Charlotte Country Day in the NCISAA Division II championship game. McNulty and the Hawks also won the state championship last season.
Latin scored all of its points in the first half, which was followed by a surprising scoreless second half. The game was basically settled early when the Hawks scored on their first two possessions.
On Latin’s first offensive possession, senior running back Demarkes Stradford rushed for an 18-yard touchdown. On the first play of the next possession, Stradford scampered downfield for a 63-yard touchdown, and the Hawks led 13-0 with just five minutes gone in the first quarter.
Records: Country Day is 7-6. Latin is 9-4
Three who mattered
Stradford (Latin): The Harvard commit ended Friday’s championship game with 159 yards on 21 carries and three rushing touchdowns.
Defense (Latin): Shut out the Buccaneers while holding Country Day to only 223 total yards.
Martin Sumichrast (Latin): Hawks quarterback rushed 14 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He also went 7-of-16 for 120 yards passing.
Quoting
“I’ve been coaching for 47 years and 32 here at Latin. It’s time.” -- McNulty, on his retirement.
Observations
▪ Through three quarters, only Stradford and Sumichrast ran the ball for Latin.
▪ Stradford finished with nine rushing touchdowns against Country Day in two games this season.
▪ Latin forced three Country Day turnovers. Linebackers Britt Fuller and Walker Finke each recovered a fumble while Andrew Sumichrast picked off a Buccaneers pass.
▪ Country Day’s Stephen Lostetter had an interception for the Bucs’ lone takeaway.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ Latin beat Country Day 48-30 in the regular season at home on October 27.
▪ Latin beat Wake Christian Academy in the quarterfinals 30-7 at home and won 27-16 in Fayetteville over Trinity Christian in the semifinals to land in Friday’s championship final.
By Tim Donelli
Correspondent
Winning two NCISAA state championships in the final two seasons of coaching is a pretty good way to retire.
After 32 years of coaching Charlotte Latin football and a change-of-mind retirement five years ago, Latin football coach Larry McNulty, finally retired from coaching following Friday night’s 33-0 victory over Charlotte Country Day in the NCISAA Division II championship game. McNulty and the Hawks also won the state championship last season.
Latin scored all of its points in the first half, which was followed by a surprising scoreless second half. The game was basically settled early when the Hawks scored on their first two possessions.
On Latin’s first offensive possession, senior running back Demarkes Stradford rushed for an 18-yard touchdown. On the first play of the next possession, Stradford scampered downfield for a 63-yard touchdown, and the Hawks led 13-0 with just five minutes gone in the first quarter.
Records: Country Day is 7-6. Latin is 9-4
Three who mattered
Stradford (Latin): The Harvard commit ended Friday’s championship game with 159 yards on 21 carries and three rushing touchdowns.
Defense (Latin): Shut out the Buccaneers while holding Country Day to only 223 total yards.
Martin Sumichrast (Latin): Hawks quarterback rushed 14 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He also went 7-of-16 for 120 yards passing.
Quoting
“I’ve been coaching for 47 years and 32 here at Latin. It’s time.” -- McNulty, on his retirement.
Observations
▪ Through three quarters, only Stradford and Sumichrast ran the ball for Latin.
▪ Stradford finished with nine rushing touchdowns against Country Day in two games this season.
▪ Latin forced three Country Day turnovers. Linebackers Britt Fuller and Walker Finke each recovered a fumble while Andrew Sumichrast picked off a Buccaneers pass.
▪ Country Day’s Stephen Lostetter had an interception for the Bucs’ lone takeaway.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ Latin beat Country Day 48-30 in the regular season at home on October 27.
▪ Latin beat Wake Christian Academy in the quarterfinals 30-7 at home and won 27-16 in Fayetteville over Trinity Christian in the semifinals to land in Friday’s championship final.
