Huddle Up: 68 & 16

Photo courtesy of US Presswire

CHAPEL HILL—68 points. 16 years. These are two notorious statistics sticking in many Tar Heel minds this week. Let’s be honest, Carolina no doubt wishes these numbers weren’t flying around like popcorn at a movie theater on Friday night. Bu they are.

And who can blame Carolina for using these troubling digits as fodder for motivation? The ACC opener on the road against Georgia Tech could very well be a must-win for the Tar Heels, though Coach Fedora stops short of labeling it one.

And if UNC wants to emerge victorious on Saturday, the team will have to shrug off the dreaded 68 and 16.

68: Last year’s tally for Georgia Tech against the Tar Heels. The Yellow Jackets came to town and completely dismantled the Tar Heel defense in an effort that was so demoralizing that most of the Carolina fans could barely hold down their lunches. What was worse, quarterback Bryn Renner and company put up an impressive 50 points on the scoreboard, a number that should always be good enough to walk out a winner, but not on this regrettable day.

16: The years gone by since the Tar Heels last got out of Atlanta with a win over Georgia Tech. This one is hard to fathom, but true. The venue in downtown Atlanta is an underrated tough place to play. Renner said as much to the media on Monday. Couple that with the fact that Head Coach Paul Johnson’s squad is a tough out for any team given their tricky triple option attack, and you have somewhat of an explanation as to the disastrous slide on the road in this series.

Let’s not forget that the Tar Heels had an even more severe road losing streak versus the Virginia Cavaliers, deemed the “Charlottesville Curse,” before snapping that one in 2010.

Here’s hoping a determined, focused UNC squad puts a stop to this streak on Saturday and in doing so, stays atop the Coastal Division title chase.

‹

The Grid: Playoffs - Opening Round

We’ve reached the playoffs in high school football, and three of our area schools will be looking to get past the first round under the lights tonight and take the first step to a state championship.

Scouting Report: Radio Analyst & Former Pitt QB Pat Bostick

WCHL's Matt Oakes had the chance to chat with Pittsburgh color commentator and former Panther quarterback Pat Bostick.

The Grid: Southern Durham @ Orange

An undefeated season and a conference title will be on the line under the lights Friday night.

The Grid: Week 11

This week, we’ll have a double dose of high school football action on WCHL, 97.9 FM with live broadcasts on both Thursday and Friday night, Halloween.

The Grid: Week Ten

Week ten of high school football action on WCHL features another Big 8 battle as 6-2 Chapel Hill continues its tough gauntlet of games by welcoming 6-2 Cardinal Gibbons to town.

The Grid: Week Nine

Week nine of high school football action on WCHL features another Big 8 conference showdown as 6-1 Chapel Hill travels to Hillsborough to take on 7-0 Orange.

Scouting Report: A Chat With GT Coach Paul Johnson

WCHL's Matt Oakes caught up with Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket head coach Paul Johnson to discuss the state of GT football, the parity in the ACC, the triple-option offense and his matchup with the Tar Heels this weekend in Chapel Hill.

The Grid: Week Eight

Week eight of high school football action on WCHL features a battle for Hillsborough bragging rights between the undefeated Orange Panthers, 6-0 on the season, and the 2-4 Cedar Ridge Red Wolves.

The Grid: Week Seven

We’ve already passed the midway point of the high school football season.

Scouting Report: A Chat with VT Coach Frank Beamer

WCHL’s Matt Oakes caught up with legendary Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer this week. The two discussed the competitiveness and depth in the ACC,  how to replace injured Hokie freshman running back Shai McKenzie and of course, previewed what Coach Beamer is calling a ‘must-win matchup’ with UNC this weekend. ***Listen to the […]

›