Pharoah McKever excels in debut for NC State

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — NC State redshirt freshman Pharoah McKever had an impressive debut over the weekend for the NC State football team. We made the trip to Raleigh in order to catch up with the former football standout for the South Columbus Stallions. NC State beat Old Dominion 46-34.

Click the play video icon above to see our story on McKever.

It took awhile for NC State head football coach Dave Doeren to put McKever into a game, but once McKever ran onto the field on Saturday, it seemed like he never left.

“Coach told me last week that because Old Dominion throws the ball a lot that I’ll be in more for the speed package,” McKever told WWAY. “I just have to take advantage of the opportunity. I practiced well this past week, and I executed out there on the field tonight. It was very exciting and satisfying to play. Not playing ball for a year and a half and to come out in my first game, to play as well as I did was nice.”

“Fresh legs are big and once it became a game where they were going to throw, Pharoah was in,” Doeren said. “He’s a great pass rusher and we get him inside on the 3 technique at times and he’s tough to guard at 6’7″. He’s got great range and quickness.”

McKever had two solo tackles against Old Dominion. One turned out to be a five yard loss for the Monarchs. McKever also picked up a quarterback hurry.

NC State is now 2-0 on the season. They’ll face South Florida on the road on Saturday.

Click the play video icon above to see our story on McKever.

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Note: Mike Sheehan is a Laney grad. Nick Napolitano is a West Brunswick grad.

ROCK HILL, SC (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf Players of the Week for games the first week of the season. Catawba quarterback Mike Sheehan was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Wingate defensive end Nick Napolitano was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Bulldog kicker also Patrick Smith picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Sheehan, a sophomore from Wilmington, N.C., completed 92 percent of his passes to lead the Indians to the 35-7 win over Davidson on Sept. 6. He connected on 12-of-13 attempts for 174 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 13.4 yards per strike, including a long of 40 yards. On the ground, Sheehan racked up 56 yards. The honor marks his first Offensive Player of the Week nod this season.

Napolitano, a senior from Shallotte, N.C., totaled six tackles, three tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and two forced fumbles in Wingate’s 38-10 win over Limestone on Sept. 8. His tackles for loss resulted in 21 yards for the Wingate defense, as his two sacks dropped the Saints back 19 yards. Napolitano’s forced fumble in the third quarter resulted in one of two touchdowns for the Bulldog defense. The honor marks his first Defensive Player of the Week plaudit this season.

Smith, a redshirt-senior from Hickory, N.C., was a perfect 5-for-5 on his PATs and nailed a 25 yard field goal in Wingate’s win over the Saints. His field goal came in the second quarter to get the Bulldogs on the board. The award is his first Special Teams Player of the Week selection this season.

Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Tanner Wright (Brevard), De’Andre Thomas (Carson-Newman), Miles Freeman (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Lawrence Pittman (Wingate).

Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Michael Gruber (Brevard), Eric Cain (Carson-Newman), Jamal Lackey (Catawba) and Chris Shaffer (Lenoir-Rhyne).

Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Garrett Nestor (Brevard), Dimitri Holmes (Mars Hill) and Justin Houston (Tusculum).

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Follow our sports on Twitter at @WWAYSports

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PHOENIX (WWAY) — Wilmington’s Jonathan Cooper made his NFL regular season debut on Monday for the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona edged San Diego 18-17.

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Monday High School Scoreboard

VOLLEYBALL
CAPE FEAR ACADEMY 3 – WEST BLADEN 0
SOUTH COLUMBUS 3 – LAKE VIEW 0
JACKSONVILLE 3 – DIXON 1
EAST DUPLIN 3 – JAMES KENAN 0
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER TRINITY CHRISTIAN 4 – JACKSONVILLE 2