Wake Forest’s grand slam of Williams brothers

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…

Continue ReadingWake Forest’s grand slam of Williams brothers

My N&O story: An old high school splits into a new rivalry

Photo: Rolesville High takes the field earlier this year. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report *** By TOM SHANAHAN Wake Forest-Rolesville High School opened in 1941. For the next seven decades, one campus sufficiently served two communities. But those were simpler times. By the 21st century, the Triangle’s rapid and sprawling growth required splitting into separate, 2,000-plus student campuses. The hyphen was dropped to open Rolesville High in 2013. The original campus took a shorter name, Wake Forest High.…

Continue ReadingMy N&O story: An old high school splits into a new rivalry

My N&O story: Wake Forest football a family affair

PHOTO: Wake Forest High's Nigel Lucas doubled up on offense and defense by switching from quarterback. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN Kavon Simmons pulled off a feat this season few quarterbacks have managed in high school football history. The Wake Forest High sophomore unseated his coach’s son for the starting job. That sounds like a dramatic tale, worthy of a Morgan Freeman voiceover accompanied by dramatic background music. But this is not one of those…

Continue ReadingMy N&O story: Wake Forest football a family affair