The newspaper industry provided me a four-decade career experiencing inspiration, dedication and just plain fun. The start of my career covering the Chargers, college, high school sports and Olympic athletes came full circle with Don Coryell’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction on August 5 in Canton, Ohio. I helped Hall of Famer Dan Fouts with research on Coryell’s remarkable record of first-time Pro Bowlers with the SAN DIEGO Chargers and Cardinal for Fouts’ presentation to the voters
PHOTO (News & Observer): Durham Jordan junior Amareon Blue is a productive running back mature beyond his years.
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By TOM SHANAHAN
DURHAM — Morgan State assistant football coach Moses Ware scouted Jordan High’s game last week from the sidelines. He focused on two Falcons in the trenches, both on the offensive line’s left side.
One was Matt McDonald, a 6-foot-4, 270-pounder committed to Morgan State. Ware also attended to evaluate Tyler Clark, a 6-3, 280-pounder. Both can deliver physical blocks. Both can get outside to stretch plays.
“They’re my dawgs,” said Jordan junior running back Amareon Blue, who has amassed 1,320 yards, 26 touchdowns and 172 points through eight games. “I appreciate them so much.”
McDonald and Clark can open a big hole, but Ware also noticed Amareon only needed a sliver and he’s a Blue Blur. On Jordan’s first snap, Blue gained 50 yards behind McDonald and Clark. On the second snap, Blue once again saw a hole to run through and hit it fast to score from five yards out.
“He’s a mature player,” Ware said. “You don’t see that. A lot of young running backs dance with their feet. He sees the hole and hits it before it closes. A lot of backs don’t learn that until college.”
In other words, Blue likely won’t spend his freshman year in 2025 with coaches yelling in his ear, “RUN NORTH-SOUTH!”
Read the remainder of my News & Observer story.
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Previous weekly features this season:
— October 20, Durham Jordan’s Amarion Blue, junior gaining attention
— October 13, Garner’s Isaiah Dawson, Richmond commit
— October 6, Cardinal Gibbons’ Whitt Newbauer, Furman commit
— September 29, Fuquay-Varina’s Malcolm Ziglar, North Carolina commit
— September 22, Wake Forest’s Zane Williams, North Carolina State commit
— September 15, South Garner’s Nnamdi Ogboko, Georgia commit
— September 8, Southeast Raleigh’s Chase Robinson, underrated prospect.
— September 1, Southern Durham’s Isaiah Campbell, 30-plus offers.
— August 25, Rolesville’s Isiah Jones, committed to NC State
— August 18, Millbrook’s Mason Fortune, underrated prospect.
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Click here for my story on the 1962 Rose Bowl and Segregation awarded first place by the Football Writers Association of America. I tell untold stories on Michigan State’s leading role and the true pioneers of college football integration. Click here to read a summary.
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THE RIGHT THING TO DO
The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s
Foreword by Ruffin McNeill
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Click here to purchase Raye of Light.
RAYE OF LIGHT
Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the 1ntegration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans
Foreword by Tony Dungy
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