Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - As the nights become cooler and the mornings become crisper, it is an indication that Fall sports seasons are ending and playoffs are beginning. Football and soccer have a few more weeks of regular season left, as cross country, tennis, and volleyball are well into the postseason. The Ironmen and Lady Ironmen teams have had busy schedules as they focus on end-of-season tournaments, meets, and playoffs. This past week included some intense and scary moments, an extreme demonstration of both sportsmanship and camaraderie, along with the usual ups and downs of athletic competition.
Monday night, October 12, 2026, began as just another normal soccer match between the Ironmen and the Burns Bulldogs in Rudisill Stadium. Its ending would be anything other than normal. Burns held a 4-0 lead at halftime and, by midway through the second half, had stretched it to 6-0. At the 18:07 mark, things abruptly changed. A player from each team went down from non-contact injuries. The Cherryville player suffered a more serious injury, requiring EMS treatment and transportation to the hospital. Players from both teams knelt on the field as their teammates were being treated. Due to privacy rules regarding medical issues and injuries during high school competition, no further details may be reported. Officials met with coaches and team captains at midfield and, obviously, decided to forgo the final 18:07 of the match. Shortly after the official end of the match, the Bulldogs, in an exemplary show of sportsmanship, invited the Ironmen onto the field to gather in a circle of prayer for the affected players.
There is a worn-out cliché’ that gets tossed around often, “somethings are bigger than the game”, in this case it was appropriate. Young men who just moments earlier had spent over an hour battling it out on the field were now locked arm in arm, no longer opposing competitors but brothers supporting one another. Emotionally scarred and confused, they bonded for a few moments, supporting one another, no longer worried about the game's outcome. Their only concern now was for their injured brothers and the well-being of their opponents. Each team demonstrated a snapshot of the character and bonds taught in high school athletics, which extend far beyond the field of competition and into life.
Cherryville 2, Shelby 2: The Ironmen returned to the pitch on October 14 in Shelby as they faced off against the Golden Lions. This match was a battle to a draw. Although not a win, it was not a loss either, and this was a much-needed outcome for Cherryville after Monday night’s on-field events. Melvin Dominguez led Cherryville with 1 assist, Cole Kelly scored 2 goals, and Ethan Johnsen made 20 saves and gave up 2 goals against. Next up for the Ironmen will be a conference match on Monday, October 19, at Stuart Cramer and a non-conference match on Thursday, October 22, at Avery County.
The Gaston County Cross Country Championship was held on October 13, 2026, in Gastonia, NC. Cherryville continued their productive season, with both teams finishing in the top half among the 10 Gaston County teams, and 5 runners earning All-County recognition. Geovanny Martinez, Mason Powers, Bryson Yarbro, Clara Skamarock, and Laighna Snider earned All-County honors. The Ironmen and Lady Ironmen both finished in 4th place. It has been a season marked by challenges, including a smaller number of participants, minor injuries, and scheduling conflicts with other sports. Yet, they have risen to the occasion time and time again. The teams will continue their impressive season on October 20 in Shelby, NC, at the Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A Conference meet.
Cherryville Cross Country All-County Runners: Geovanny Martinez, Mason Powers, Bryson Yarbro, Clara Skamarock, and Laighna Snider.
Ironmen: The team results: 1st Forestview 49 points, 2nd South Point 60 points, 3rd Stuart Cramer 75 points, 4th Cherryville 89 points, 5th Ashbrook 135 points, 6th East Gaston 137 points, 7th Highland Tech 141 points, and 8th Bessemer City 232 points. Individual finishes: 7th Geovanny Martinez 20:52.98 – 7points, 14th Mason Powers 21:26.03 – 12 points, 15th Bryson Yarbro 21:31.77 – 13 points, 29th Dylan Hughes 23:40.85 – 26 points, 36th Charlie Morgan 24:04.64 – 31 points, 56th Isaiah Champion 25:41.13 – 42 points, and 65th Phoenix Poulter 27:05.48 – 46 points.
Cross Country at Forestview High School - Gastonia, NC - September 1, 2026
Lady Ironmen: The team results: 1st Forestview 30 points, 2nd South Point 50 points, 3rd Highland Tech 82 points, 4th Cherryville 87 points, 5th Ashbrook 127 points. Individual finishes: 6th Clara Skamarock 24:14.95 – 6 points, 12th Laighna Snider 26:01.21 – 12 points, 32nd Lydia Skamarock 31:22.77 – 22 points, 33rd Ella Rayfield 31:28.40 – 23 points, 35th Ava Jones 31:37.28 – 24 points, 41st Grace Brown 34:53.47 – 26 points, and 47th Myla Parnell 37:01.75 – 29 points.
The Lady Ironmen began their NCHSAA 2A State Playoff run this week. On October 12, they hosted Cornerstone Charter in the opening round. Cherryville won the match with a score of 8-1 to advance to the second round on October 14 against Eno River Academy at Fairview Park in Hillsborough, NC. There were no available individual results from the first round.
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Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
Lady Ironmen Tennis | Donna Lavery Tennis Court | October 12, 2026
(use the above arrows to scroll through the photo gallery)
The second round did not go as well, as the Lady Ironmen lost 7-2. They finished the season with a record of 6-6. Results of the second round were: Dahlia Kisala (ERA) defeated Morgan Wray 6-1/6-0, Clara Sanford (ERA) defeated Laney Spangler 6-2/6-0, Sadie Davies-Payne (ERA) defeated Laney Jones 6-2/6-4, Meg Brinkman (ERA) defeated Bailey Bryant 6-1/6-0, and Natalie Harkins (ERA) defeated Maddie Avery 6-0/6-0. In doubles, Dahlia Kisala/Sadie Davies-Payne (ERA) defeated Morgan/Wray/Laney Jones 8-4, and Clara Sanford/Meg Brinkman (ERA) defeated Laney Spangler/Bailey Bryant 8-6. The scores of the two Cherryville victories were not available.
The Lady Ironmen played in the Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A Conference tournament and the NCHSAA State playoffs this week. Both matches were on the road. Unfortunately for Cherryville, they lost in the first round of each, finishing their season at 6-16.
Cherryville High School Volleyball vs East Gaston - East Gaston High School - Mount Holly, NC - September 24, 2026
Stuart Cramer 3 Cherryville 0 – October 12, 2026 - SPC Tournament: The first set was back and forth in the early going, before Stuart Cramer opened a 10-point lead midway through the set. Cherryville cut into the lead several times, only to fall short as the Lady Storm won 25-16. The second set went the way of Stuart Cramer from the beginning. Cherryville again cut into the lead several times, but each time the Storm answered. The set ended in favor of Stuart Cramer 25-7. The Lady Ironmen gave it their all in the third and final set. This one came down to the wire. It was a very close battle from the beginning. Cramer held a 4-point lead until the Lady Ironmen tied it at 8-8. The Lady Storm went back ahead by 5 points, and Cherryville responded by cutting it to a lead of 1 point at 15-14. Again, Cramer answered and went back in front by 7, and Cherryville chipped away to come to within 2. Cramer then closed out the set 25-20 and took the match.
Bradford Preparatory School 3 Cherryville 1 – October 17, 2026 – NCHSSA 2A Playoffs: The Lady Ironmen opened the NCHSAA 2A playoffs on the road in Charlotte, NC, against Bradford Preparatory School. Bradford Prep advanced to the second round by defeating Cherryville 3-1. There was no available information for the set results. This concludes the Lady Ironmen’s season.
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