South All-Stars (from left) Davontae Edwards of South Charleston, Jonathon Horn of Hurricane, Tyler Harris of SC and Derek Tucker of Hurricane have bonded at North-South training camp, a far cry from the bitter feelings that ensued from the brawl at the end of their playoff game last November.
MIKHAIL GORBACHEV used perestroika and glasnost to provide tranquility in the old Soviet Union.
Within the Kanawha Valley, it seems all we need is a North-South Football Classic, some pizza and a little Chinese takeout.
If you were in the Valley late last year, you undoubtedly remember the unrest. There was a brawl between players at the end of the Hurricane-South Charleston Class AAA football playoff game, won by SC on Nov. 19 at Laidley Field.
The fight prompted the suspension of five SC players and precipitated a lengthy legal battle that made its way to the state Supreme Court. The Black Eagles, who subsequently defeated Brooke with four of those players, then had to forfeit to the Bruins. SC was denied a chance to play in the finals and capture its third straight title.
It was a local story. It was a national story. And now, according to two South all-stars from Hurricane and two from South Charleston, it is no story.
At West Virginia State University, within the fold of South practices, there was a peace accord. The Cold War is over.
"We've crushed it," said Hurricane linebacker Jonathan Horn. "It's done."
Thankfully. And it was accomplished in a manner from which political leaders worldwide could learn.
"It's been a great experience," said SC linebacker Davontae Edwards. "[Hurricane's Horn, Tyler Pate and Derek Tucker] are great kids. We get along. We hung out the other night."
Insert ear perk here.
"We sat down and talked," Edwards continued. "We talked about everything. We talked about the fight - what really went down. We apologized. It was really a great time. We are developing a good friendship."
Edwards expanded on the peace process.
"We were on the same floor, so we all just met in one room," Edwards said. "It was the room of Shayne Justice from Capital. Capital [players] were like, 'Let's see what's going on.' They wanted to know. So we just talked about it. We ordered pizza and Chinese food.
"We just sat down and ate and talked. It was just a big misunderstanding. We didn't sing Kumbaya, but it was all right. It was good team bonding time."
"It's been a great time," said SC quarterback Tyler Harris. "Actually, I stayed with Horn last night. Me, him and Tucker. We're having a great bonding time. We clicked the first day we got here. We let each other know what was really up and how we really felt about each other."
"I mean, it was just, 'Hey, I'm sorry. Now, let's roll.' "
If only the leaders in Libya, Syria and Yemen could resolve differences as well.
"We don't hold grudges," Harris said. "We can move forward. We don't have to hold grudges against each other. This [North-South game] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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'Cold War' is over for SC, Hurricane stars
MIKHAIL GORBACHEV used perestroika and glasnost to provide tranquility in the old Soviet Union.
Within the Kanawha Valley, it seems all we need is a North-South Football Classic, some pizza and a little Chinese takeout.
If you were in the Valley late last year, you undoubtedly remember the unrest. There was a brawl between players at the end of the Hurricane-South Charleston Class AAA football playoff game, won by SC on Nov. 19 at Laidley Field.
The fight prompted the suspension of five SC players and precipitated a lengthy legal battle that made its way to the state Supreme Court. The Black Eagles, who subsequently defeated Brooke with four of those players, then had to forfeit to the Bruins. SC was denied a chance to play in the finals and capture its third straight title.
It was a local story. It was a national story. And now, according to two South all-stars from Hurricane and two from South Charleston, it is no story.
At West Virginia State University, within the fold of South practices, there was a peace accord. The Cold War is over.
"We've crushed it," said Hurricane linebacker Jonathan Horn. "It's done."
Thankfully. And it was accomplished in a manner from which political leaders worldwide could learn.
"It's been a great experience," said SC linebacker Davontae Edwards. "[Hurricane's Horn, Tyler Pate and Derek Tucker] are great kids. We get along. We hung out the other night."
Insert ear perk here.
"We sat down and talked," Edwards continued. "We talked about everything. We talked about the fight - what really went down. We apologized. It was really a great time. We are developing a good friendship."
Edwards expanded on the peace process.
"We were on the same floor, so we all just met in one room," Edwards said. "It was the room of Shayne Justice from Capital. Capital [players] were like, 'Let's see what's going on.' They wanted to know. So we just talked about it. We ordered pizza and Chinese food.
"We just sat down and ate and talked. It was just a big misunderstanding. We didn't sing Kumbaya, but it was all right. It was good team bonding time."
"It's been a great time," said SC quarterback Tyler Harris. "Actually, I stayed with Horn last night. Me, him and Tucker. We're having a great bonding time. We clicked the first day we got here. We let each other know what was really up and how we really felt about each other."
"I mean, it was just, 'Hey, I'm sorry. Now, let's roll.' "
If only the leaders in Libya, Syria and Yemen could resolve differences as well.
"We don't hold grudges," Harris said. "We can move forward. We don't have to hold grudges against each other. This [North-South game] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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MIKHAIL GORBACHEV used perestroika and glasnost to provide tranquility in the old Soviet Union.
Within the Kanawha Valley, it seems all we need is a North-South Football Classic, some pizza and a little Chinese takeout.
If you were in the Valley late last year, you undoubtedly remember the unrest. There was a brawl between players at the end of the Hurricane-South Charleston Class AAA football playoff game, won by SC on Nov. 19 at Laidley Field.
The fight prompted the suspension of five SC players and precipitated a lengthy legal battle that made its way to the state Supreme Court. The Black Eagles, who subsequently defeated Brooke with four of those players, then had to forfeit to the Bruins. SC was denied a chance to play in the finals and capture its third straight title.
It was a local story. It was a national story. And now, according to two South all-stars from Hurricane and two from South Charleston, it is no story.
At West Virginia State University, within the fold of South practices, there was a peace accord. The Cold War is over.
"We've crushed it," said Hurricane linebacker Jonathan Horn. "It's done."
Thankfully. And it was accomplished in a manner from which political leaders worldwide could learn.
"It's been a great experience," said SC linebacker Davontae Edwards. "[Hurricane's Horn, Tyler Pate and Derek Tucker] are great kids. We get along. We hung out the other night."
Insert ear perk here.
"We sat down and talked," Edwards continued. "We talked about everything. We talked about the fight - what really went down. We apologized. It was really a great time. We are developing a good friendship."
Edwards expanded on the peace process.
"We were on the same floor, so we all just met in one room," Edwards said. "It was the room of Shayne Justice from Capital. Capital [players] were like, 'Let's see what's going on.' They wanted to know. So we just talked about it. We ordered pizza and Chinese food.
"We just sat down and ate and talked. It was just a big misunderstanding. We didn't sing Kumbaya, but it was all right. It was good team bonding time."
"It's been a great time," said SC quarterback Tyler Harris. "Actually, I stayed with Horn last night. Me, him and Tucker. We're having a great bonding time. We clicked the first day we got here. We let each other know what was really up and how we really felt about each other."
"I mean, it was just, 'Hey, I'm sorry. Now, let's roll.' "
If only the leaders in Libya, Syria and Yemen could resolve differences as well.
"We don't hold grudges," Harris said. "We can move forward. We don't have to hold grudges against each other. This [North-South game] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Heck, I might have a job with Horn one day. I don't want to hold a grudge. It might be, 'Hey Horn, I need a job!' Everything is working out really good."
The way the situation was handled by the players is impressive. Neat, yes, but the manner also showed a high level of maturity. It's something of which the families and schools can be proud.
"The first day we got here, they came right up to us and asked for Hurricane stickers," Tucker said. "We were glad to give them. We have South Charleston stickers and put them on our helmets."
"All friends. Well, brothers now."
Does it get any better than this?
"They're getting along good," said South coach Eddie Souk. "[The November brawl] isn't an issue. They eat together. They're running around together. It isn't a big deal."
What is a big deal, however, is how the players put the brawl to rest. It's a very big deal to those in the Valley who experienced the nastiness last November and December.
For those with lingering bitter feelings, take note.
"Me and Tyler [Harris] have been hanging out the whole time," Horn said. "We all have. It's just one big team now. It's like it never happened."
Unfortunately, the brawl happened. Thankfully, the North-South experience did as well. Tucker acknowledged that. And then he smiled.
"We're going golfing after the week's over," he said.
Indeed, the Cold War is over.
Been crushed.
Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle.
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
'Cold War' is over for SC, Hurricane stars
MIKHAIL GORBACHEV used perestroika and glasnost to provide tranquility in the old Soviet Union.
Within the Kanawha Valley, it seems all we need is a North-South Football Classic, some pizza and a little Chinese takeout.
If you were in the Valley late last year, you undoubtedly remember the unrest. There was a brawl between players at the end of the Hurricane-South Charleston Class AAA football playoff game, won by SC on Nov. 19 at Laidley Field.
The fight prompted the suspension of five SC players and precipitated a lengthy legal battle that made its way to the state Supreme Court. The Black Eagles, who subsequently defeated Brooke with four of those players, then had to forfeit to the Bruins. SC was denied a chance to play in the finals and capture its third straight title.
It was a local story. It was a national story. And now, according to two South all-stars from Hurricane and two from South Charleston, it is no story.
At West Virginia State University, within the fold of South practices, there was a peace accord. The Cold War is over.
"We've crushed it," said Hurricane linebacker Jonathan Horn. "It's done."
Thankfully. And it was accomplished in a manner from which political leaders worldwide could learn.
"It's been a great experience," said SC linebacker Davontae Edwards. "[Hurricane's Horn, Tyler Pate and Derek Tucker] are great kids. We get along. We hung out the other night."
Insert ear perk here.
"We sat down and talked," Edwards continued. "We talked about everything. We talked about the fight - what really went down. We apologized. It was really a great time. We are developing a good friendship."
Edwards expanded on the peace process.
"We were on the same floor, so we all just met in one room," Edwards said. "It was the room of Shayne Justice from Capital. Capital [players] were like, 'Let's see what's going on.' They wanted to know. So we just talked about it. We ordered pizza and Chinese food.
"We just sat down and ate and talked. It was just a big misunderstanding. We didn't sing Kumbaya, but it was all right. It was good team bonding time."
"It's been a great time," said SC quarterback Tyler Harris. "Actually, I stayed with Horn last night. Me, him and Tucker. We're having a great bonding time. We clicked the first day we got here. We let each other know what was really up and how we really felt about each other."
"I mean, it was just, 'Hey, I'm sorry. Now, let's roll.' "
If only the leaders in Libya, Syria and Yemen could resolve differences as well.
"We don't hold grudges," Harris said. "We can move forward. We don't have to hold grudges against each other. This [North-South game] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
