Saturday, October 31, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The Cherryville Ironmen received all treats and no tricks on October 30, 2026, as they swatted the visiting Yellow Jackets of Bessemer City 57-16 in the regular season finale. The Cherryville New Years Shooters continued their tradition of firing black powder muskets after each Ironmen score and, on this night, there were plenty of shots fired. Folklore states that the black powder fired by centuries-old muskets will ward off evil spirits and bad luck. A perfect combination for this Halloween weekend, and it certainly seemed to work in this game.
The two schools, located approximately 15 miles apart, comprise the longest continuous rivalry in Gaston County. The two teams first squared off in 1930, when Cherryville was then known as the Cherries. The two have faced each other every year since 1979. For several years, they played twice in the same season. The rivalry is tied 37-37-2, underscoring how seriously these two teams take bragging rights.
In a pregame ceremony, senior football members were recognized in their final regular-season home game. The fourteen senior football players are: JJ McElhaney, Korey Makupson, Elijah Proctor, Enijahe Whitworth, Jackson Heavner, Holden Walker, Ben Kronts, Landry Pruitt, Cole Kelly, Jordan Gill, Landon Ewing, Zach Deaton, Caden Morris, and Josue Varela.
Senior Night - Cherryville Ironmen vs Bessemer City Yellow Jackets - Rudisill Stadium, Cherryville, NC - October 30th, 2026
Rusty Wise (WNN)
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Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
Cherryville High School Vs. Bessemer City High School Football - Rudisill Stadium - Cherryville, NC - October 30, 2026
2006 Cherryville Ironmen Football Team - Cherryville Ironmen vs Bessemer City Yellow Jackets - Rudisill Stadium, Cherryville, NC - October 30th, 2026
Rusty Wise (WNN)
Also recognized during halftime on this night were senior band members and the record-setting 2006 Ironmen football team. Senior band students are: Desma Chappell, Hunter Huffman, Charles Morgan, Gabriel Patterson, and Ella Rayfield. The 2006 Ironmen team was the first to win a playoff game since the original “Ironmen” team of 1934, which broke a 72-year drought. They also advanced to the third round of the state playoffs. Sloan Britton, a member of the 2006 team, was asked to share his thoughts on what that season means to him 20 years later. “I would say it means even more now, 20 years later. When you’re young, you’re caught up in the moment. You’re focused on Friday nights, the competition, the excitement, and everything that comes with playing the game. You don’t always realize just how special those memories are. I would like to tell the current group. You have plenty of time for tomorrow. But these nights are going fast, and there are only so many of these nights left.”
Cherryville put the game away early by scoring 23 points in less than four minutes to open the game. They had a little help from the Yellow Jackets as they fumbled on the first play of their first two drives. The Ironmen turned the second Bessemer City fumble into a touchdown on a wildcat run by JJ McElhaney. Things quickly went downhill for the cross-county rival as the punt on their next possession was blocked out of the end zone, resulting in a safety. It got even worse for the visitors as the ensuing free kick was returned 59 yards by Jackson Heavner for a touchdown. As if things couldn’t get any worse, the returner for the Jackets touched the ball on the kickoff, and Enijahe Whitworth recovered it for Cherryville. Jayden Adams put Cherryville up 23-0 after scoring on a 21-yard quarterback keeper. Adams closed out the quarter scoring on another quarterback keeper, this one from 20 yards and a 30-0 Cherryville lead. Early in the second quarter, Jackson Heavner scored on a pass from Adams from 20 yards. A few drives later, a long 25-yard pass to Korey Makupson set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Jackson Heavner and a 44-0 Cherryville lead. Just before the end of the half, Bessemer City intercepted a Jayden Adams pass, and Coryon Gaines returned it 65 yards to the Ironmen 2-yard line. Quarterback Adrian Tolbert ran in from 2 yards, and CJ Hill added the 2-point conversion to make the halftime score 44-8.
Due to the Ironmen leading by more than 35 points, the rest of the game was played with a running clock. Korey Makupson scored on an 8-yard run, pushing the lead to 50-8. Jackson Heavner intercepted a Tolbert pass, and then one play later ran 29 yards for a score. Cherryville was now ahead 57-8. Adrian Tolbert scored on another quarterback keeper for Bessemer City, and a successful two-point conversion made the final score 57-16.
It was a big night for Jackson Heavner. He scored 4 total touchdowns, one on a punt return, two rushing, and one receiving. His 184 yards rushing placed him over 1000 yards in the season in only 6 games. Jayden Adams also had a good night. He threw for 134 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also rushed for 2 touchdowns. As a team, Cherryville finished with 134 yards passing and 249 yards rushing. The Ironmen have won 5 games this season by 27 or more points. This is due in part to the work in the trenches from the offensive and defensive lines. The guys who do all the dirty work to help the players in the skill positions succeed. Cherryville finishes the regular season at 6-4 and will now set their sights on preparing for the playoffs.
WNN’s Rusty Wise interviewed Coach Bowman, several staff members, and players after the game. It was a big night and a big win. The real season will now begin, and those interviewed discussed this game and the upcoming playoffs.
Ashley Marshall – Trainer: She has been with Cherryville for 1 ½ years but will be leaving at the end of the season to take a position at a school closer to her home in Albemarle. She discussed her favorite part of being a trainer and the hardest part as well. “Watching the guys succeed, them getting the wins, and helping them back when they are at their lowest. Leaving all the relationships I have made here, and the kids, is going to be the hardest part of leaving.”
Head Coach Patrick Bowman: His thoughts on the game: “Like we talked about last week, big rivalry game for us. A lot of emotion in it. I thought we came out and played pretty well. Obviously, some stuff we got to get better at with the playoffs coming. Overall, proud of our guys for the work they put in and coming out with a victory.” He praised his playmakers and the offensive and defensive linemen. “Like we talk about every week, lucky to have a lot of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. He (Heavner) had a big night tonight. I know we talked about him having 1,000 yards, but people don’t realize the kid has only played six games, so couldn’t be more proud of him. Excited, he is back, healthy, and to see how far we can take this thing in the playoffs. 55 and 33 are brothers, so big brother and little brother; I thought they had a good night. Like I said, a lot of playmakers. We’re good up front, a lot of experience. It’s senior night, and I’ve been with all these guys since I got here. I couldn’t be more proud of them; they completely bought in. We’re excited for the postseason. It all starts up front. Coach Manning does a great job with these guys. They come to work every day; they’re truly excited to practice every day. They’re probably our most energy group day in and day out. Couldn’t be more proud, like I said, they work extremely hard, and like we talk about it starts with these guys, and they’re doing a great job.”
#5 Jackson Heavner: He talked about how it felt to retain the belt in the rivalry, getting over 1,000 yards on the season, and preparing for the playoffs. “All these years, you know, we finally tied it up. You know I didn’t get to play them last year, so this one is a little more personal. Holding this belt means a lot on my senior night here at Rudisill Stadium. You know, I’ve been doing this since I was a sophomore, so another season, more yards, my career yards you know, I’m coming for that record- so you know it feels great. Now we got to get more technical; we got to clean up a lot of things just so we can go farther, cause we’ve got a great chance here, so we’re going to prepare way harder and go way harder in practice, and we have to do that to win every single day to win on Fridays.”
#77 Caden Morris: He discussed playing as a lineman, the big win, and preparing for playoffs. “It feels amazing, like I know we don’t get the spotlight at all, but we have to make the blocks and everything for the running back, quarterback, receivers, and everything. That was amazing; it was good, A big rivalry. We’ve got to practice hard, get the blocks right, get everything right in practice.”
#33 Ryder Carrigan: He talked about how it felt winning a big rivalry game, and what they need to work on in preparation for a playoff run. “Feeling great. Good to come out and beat a rival, especially this bad; feels great. Yes sir, we (the linemen) do a lot for our team. Prepare for the playoffs by practicing, getting closer with our team. Probably just work on getting quicker up front, and that’ll help us out a lot.”
Linemen Coach Will Puckett: He discussed mentally preparing players to play on the offensive and defensive line and how they would be preparing for their playoff opponents. “It starts Monday. We start off by working on individual sets, then move into whatever game plan we have for that week. Keep working the individual stuff.” He was asked to talk about the Carrigan brothers having a good night. “Absolutely, that’s the brother duo right there. Ryder is doing well as a freshman; he’s still learning a lot, but he’s getting in there, grinding, and working hard. We work hard in the trenches. We work on blocking scheme, making sure they know where to go, what to do, and, no matter what, giving 100% maximum effort every play, no matter what.” What will playoff preparation look like? “We’re going to take it day by day and work hard on everything we can, and we’re going to go work the sled, work the chute, work on our offensive schemes and just keep on perfecting what we’ve started”
It’s playoff time in the city, or more appropriately, the ‘Ville. The Ironmen will open their state playoff run at home on November 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm in Rudisill Stadium. Cherryville is the number 12 seed in the West and will host the number 21 seed, Elkin High School Bucking Elks of the Mountain Valley 2A/3A/4A conference. Expectations are running high for the Ironmen to make a deep playoff run with one of their most talented and successful teams in several years. Coach Bowman will make sure they focus on one game at a time; in the playoffs, no team can be overlooked.
Several school records are within reach, giving players even more incentive to give their all. The current team is comprised of many seniors, and they are not ready to see their high school careers end just yet. The goal is to still be playing in December; that quest begins November 6th at home.
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