Thirteen Teams

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The following are the Thirteen Most Memorable Teams in Currituck Knights History. Included are 10 "Good" Teams as well as 3 "Bad" Teams, plus additional honorable or dishonorable mentions. 

The Good

1989-

Coming off the surprising strong 1988 season, expectations were quite high for the ’89 Knights. A mere conference championship wasn’t enough for Currituck this time, people wanted to win it all and topple North Edgecombe in the East. Hence, the Knights opened 1989 with a number two preseason ranking.  To begin the season, the Knights had a test that was perhaps the stiffest Currituck ever faced in the regular season till that point: the 4A Northeastern Eagles. 1989 would be the first time the Knights faced Northeastern, and in a true David-Goliath matchup, Currituck toppled the Eagles 28-20. The hero of the game was junior fullback Jeff Owens who scored three times, en route to victory. By beating Northeastern, Currituck showed 1989 was to be their year. After an open week, Currituck blasted rival Camden 32-6 behind two more scores from Owens. Currituck moved to three and oh the next week by shutting out Edenton 30-0, giving up only one first down, and that was on a penalty. Currituck then ended non-conference play by doubling up Roanoke Rapids 42-21. Conference play however would pose zero challenge for Currituck. The Knights opened it up by blasting Perquimans 40-7. After another bye week, CCHS steamrolled Gates County 56-0! After a 38-6 drubbing over Camden, Currituck posted another shutout, this time of Northampton-West, 28-0. To end the season, Currituck came en force and annihilated the Manteo Redskins. Darrell Everette started things out with a 74 yard run on the first play, and it was all Knights from there, ending in a 66-0 beat down . It is to this day, the biggest blow out in the Knights-Redskins rivalry. With an undefeated season and an Albemarle conference crown in hand, Currituck hosted Chocowinty in the first round. It was no contest as Everette scored three times in a 56-6 destruction.  In round two, Currituck managed to top the offense in the Manteo game, putting up 67 on Swansboro. Once again, Everette found the end zone three times. In the sectional game, Currituck, for the first time all year, trailed Orlando Whitaker, Milton Shaw and North Edgecombe. But, in the end the powerful Knights were way too much for the Warriors pasting them 52-22. After the Warriors’ initial score, Currituck scored seven straight times. In the Eastern Regional Final, Southwest Onslow was unable to stop the Knights either despite the game being in Jacksonville, as Currituck won the east with a 44-14 win. In the State Finals, #1 Currituck, called the best team to come out of Eastern North Carolina in 15 years, had to travel all the way to #2 Swain, a 500 mile journey. On a cold, muddy, and soaking wet field, Swain (12-2), lead by future Heisman Trophy runner up Heath Shuler, knocked off the Knights 35-14 to repeat as state champs. Awards and accolades were many for the '89 Knights, including an East-West All Star Game player, two All East selections, and the area player of the year.

Some Highlights from the Playoffs are found Here:

1980-

Entering 1980, the Knights had all the pieces in place for a solid year. Coming off a 5-5 season, with many key players back like John Smith, Julius and Johnnie Sampson and Steve Mullin, the Knights added two new tailbacks, Senior Ryland Lindsey and junior Andre Hansbury. Meanwhile, Coach Bob Sapp entered his 3rd season at the helm of the Knights. To open the season, Currituck had a date with 3A Plymouth. Lead my two touchdown catches by Steve Mullen, and a solid D, the Knights started off the year strong by toppling the Vikings 13-6. Currituck followed that up with another 3A squad from Williamston. A tough contest ensued, but in a defensive struggle, it was the Tigers who would prevail doing so with an 8-2 victory over CCHS.  In week three, it was the traditional Currituck-Camden bloodbath. The Knights would take it, 35-12 behind 2 scores each for Lindsey and Hansbury. The next week, defense again was on display in a 6-0 Currituck shut out of the Rams of Northampton County. By now, Currituck was ranked, and would face off against the Pirates of Perquimans. Behind four scores from Lindsey, the Knights won 35-12. Then, in a battle against rival Manteo, Currituck once again was in the winning column 25-6. Now ranked number eight, the Knights defense, encouraged by the return of senior linebacker Julius Sampson stopped Gates County 12-0. When Camden met up with the Knights for the second time however, the Bruins would step up and upset their rivals to the east 27-20. The loss while shocking got Currituck re-focused. The Knights would then proceed to dismantle Murfreesboro 33-6 to get back on the winning track. The 7th win gave the Knights a new school record for wins. But Currituck was nowhere near finished. In the season finale, Currituck cruised past Gumberry 39-8. Coupled with the Camden loss to Perquimans gave Currituck the Albemarle crown and a playoff date with Gaston in round one. That game would be all Knights, as Currituck advanced to round two of the 2A playoffs with a easy 35-0 victory. In round two, Currituck would gain a date with the Fuquay-Varina Bengals who were undefeated at 11 - 0. The Bengals provided CCHS with a tough challenge, and the two battled to a zero-zero tie throughout the entire game. However, with 29 seconds to go, Ryland Lindsey plunged across the goal line for a 7-0 lead. That would hold up, as Currituck took a thriller to advance to the Eastern Regional Final for the first time. Like 1989, it would be Southwest Onslow whom the Knights had the honor of facing. In the game, both sides battled it out, but in the end, it would be Currituck who narrowly prevailed 14-13 over the number one ranked Stallions, to gain an opportunity to play for the AA state title. Due to heavy Eastern rains, the game, initially scheduled to be played at Southwest, was moved to Richlands High. The winning margin would be provided on a "trick" play. Currituck lined up with wide outs to each side. John Smith took the snap as the wideout to the left, Steve Mullen took 2 quick steps backwards. Smith purposely bounced the pass to the wideout which appeared to the defense as an incomplete pass but was actually a lateral. Meanwhile, the defense stops and the other receiver, George Harris, ran a deep post and was wide open for the 44 yard TD pass from Mullen, who then kicked the extra point to provide the victory margin. Afterwards, Southwest adopted the play, and called it "The Currituck Play". Like 1989 also, Currituck would be forced to make a long journey west to Sylva, North Carolina to take on the Sylva Webster Golden Eagles. Led by Eric Streater, the Golden Eagles would run all over the Knights, pass over the Knights and thoroughly dominated Currituck, 49-7 to win the State AA Title. The Knights thus finished the season 11-3, its best season ever.

1985

-Like everyone else in the area, Currituck entered the 1985 campaign facing major losses. Among them included a starting quarterback in Vernon Owens, a kid who was on both the 1st team offensive and defensive All Albemarle teams in Walter Denby, and the school's career rushing leader in Ryan Patterson, who had garnered nearly 4,000 yards on the ground in three seasons. Luckily for Currituck, junior Billy Powell was ready and willing to carry the load out of the tailback positions. At QB, meanwhile, the Knights turned to receiver Travis Saunders who had been expected to take over the quarterback role since the previous season. Going into the 1985 season, Currituck, the defending conference champs were picked to win the Albemarle title once again. To open the year, the Knights traveled to Norfolk, to play Norfolk Catholic in a 11 AM Saturday contest. NC was lead by Defensive Tackle Cecil Gray, a future NFL player. On a hot day, with temperatures into the 90s, Currituck and Norfolk Catholic just could not score despite chances and the game finished with a 6-6 tie after Norfolk's extra point attempt in the forth quarter missed. In week two, Currituck got its traditional rivalry game against the Camden Bruins. Billy Powell scored early for the Knights who clung to a 6-0 lead for three quarters. Currituck exploded for 20 unanswered in the 4th, however, to put away Camden 26-0 for their first win of the season. Next up for the Knights came a young 2A Edenton-Holmes team with Jay Swicegood in his first year as head coach. CCHS played a typical game, rushing the ball, shutting down the Aces and scoring, to knock off Edenton 21-0. Currituck, 2-0-1 then began conference play, by traveling to Murfreesboro. It was a long travel for some Knights, as some Currituck residents had evacuated the county in face of Hurricane Gloria on Thursday night. However, the storm passed and all the Currituck players showed up on time, though one had to drive from Raleigh to do so. Against the winless Raiders, the Knights fumbled inside their own five to begin the game and gave up a touchdown, Murfreesboro's first TD of the season. After settling down, CCHS came out strong late in the game to win 26-13. Currituck hosted Perquimans the next week, and once again, it was a defense struggle. Neither team was able to score in the first three quarters, but the Knights came up big at last, scoring twice down the stretch to shutout the Pirates 14-0. Billy Powell carried Currituck with 249 yards on the ground, a career high, and then school record. Despite the low score, the two teams would combine for 665 yards of offense in the game, yet Currituck come out of it 4-0-1. Following Perquimins on the schedule was winless Weldon. By this point, Currituck was ranked number 6 in 1A across the state. The Knights did not mess around and accomplished what they were supposed to by burying the Chargers 32-0. After an early blocked punt that gave Weldon good position, Currituck came up with an interception and then after a nine yard Weldon punt, Currituck scored. After that, the Knights just built their lead until the team was 5-0-1. Homecoming came next for the Knights against 2-4 Gates County. Although the Knights scored first, Gates controlled the 1st half and went into the locker up up 14-7. A score to begin the 3rd out Currituck back ahead, but Gates quickly countered on the kickoff return. After a huge Travis Saunders run, Billy Powell punched it in, to put the Knights up for good, and Currituck edged Gates 26-20. After the game, Currituck moved up to 3rd in the 1A poll. Currituck then traveled to Camden for the conference battle between the two schools. Mixing in some big plays, the Knights moved away from their ground it down their throats offense, scoring on a pass, end around and long run en route to a 29-14 victory on Camden's homecoming. The next Friday feautred a battle of 5-0 Albemarle records as # 9 Northampton West came to Barco to take on the second ranked Knights. On the line, meanwhile was a share of the conference crown. For NH-West, it was their first year in the Albemarle Conference, and already they had torn up the other schools. Yet, Currituck played the conference's Knight in shining armor, defending the conference honor with a 24-16 victory. Currituck opened up strong quickly going up 12-0. The two squads then traded scores, and it was 18-8. Currituck then held on late, for the win. All four Knights scores were Billy Powell rushes. With the win, Currituck sealed the conference due to Manteo's loss to Perquimans. To end the year, Currituck traveled to Manteo to battle the Redskins. Despite being down over the previous week, Manteo fought hard, but Currituck came up with a 7-6 win on a 3rd quarter fourth down run by Billy Powell on the drive after Manteo scored. The defenses held firm, and Currituck finished the regular season with an undefeated 9-0-1 record. In round one of the playoffs, Currituck rolled over Belhaven Wilikinson 43-14. In the second round, hwoever, the Knights met their match with the Pirates of Bath. Having to go to Bath, Currituck came up short. the Pirates scored on their first possession, but would fail to score again. Yet, they dominated the Knights in the 1st half. Currituck came back with score in the 3rd, but missed on the two point conversion, but the Knights could not get into the end zone again. Thus ended a 10-1-1 season, with a disappointing loss in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

2013

 -The seeds of Currituck's epic 2013 began on the defensive front of 2011. When Coach Wheeler decided to two-platoon, a number of critical roles were quickly filled up a crop of younger talents, sophomores such as Dakwon Foreman and Tyler Schuster in the secondary and sophomore Josh Garrett and freshman Chris Stefanack at linebacker. The next step forward for the Knights occurred in the midst of struggle in 2012. With an offense lacking an ideal tailback and spurting, the Currituck coaching staff ambitiously opted to install a midseason switch, flipping from the I to a spread overnight. In the switch's aftermath, which sent Schuster to QB, Currituck's offense improved and with a full season to work in the summer of 2013, the Knights were ready to take flight. The ultimate test came right away: week one, on Roanoke Island, against the team the Knights just could not defeat: Manteo. After the game was called off late on Friday afternoon while the Currituck buses were rolling, the Knights braved Saturday August traffic to engage the Redskins in a  way they hadn't since 2008, with the score was stagnant at 0 deep into the 4th. Then, Currituck began a drive that ended with the athletic Foreman outjumping two adversaries in the endzone for the game's first---and only---score with just 4:15 left on the clock. With that---and a subsequent Foreman interception, Schuster fumble and Schuster interception---Currituck won against Manteo for only the 2nd time in the post-Donnie Simpson era and got to embrace the notion of 1-0. In week 2, Currituck and Camden renewed their rivalry in Barco. In a battle of backs and wills, the sides traded scores. After going down by a point midway through the 3rd, Currituck's junior tailback Charles Nichols dashed off a fifty plus yard score that pushed the Knights ahead. Both teams would score again, but Currituck would survive, stuffing Camden from inside their own 20 in the final minutes to walk out with the Byrd Bowl Trophy in hand. Week three proved to be a bit less of a struggle. With Gates County back on the schedule for the first time since 2008, Currituck was able to relive a historic Albemarle Conference rivalry that had since become dormant. Just as dormant was Gates' offense. Currituck's, however, thrived and the Knights rolled to a 38-8 victory. Currituck's spread was particularly effective, as Tyler Schuster threw four touchdowns, three of which were sent into the hands of Fred Huff, both of whom tied Currituck records, dating back to 1996 and 1989 respectively. In week four, Currituck continued its rivalry tour, topping First Flight 27-14 in a nonconference matchup. Once again Tyler Schuster was the star, with 201 total yards, three total touchdowns and two interceptions. At 4-0, Currituck was off to a fast start, only to met their gravest challenge in the regular season in years: 3A power Wilson Hunt, who rode up 64 to take on the Knights. It was the ultimate test for the Knights: if they could compete with the Warriors, then the team surely could be a force in the 2A ranks. Soon enough, Currituck knew the answer. Despite a savage beating, including a concussion to Schuster, Currituck rallied. With Fred Huff returning to QB duties for the first time since 2012, the Knights brought the ball all the way into Hunt territory when the clock expired. The final was a 33-25 defeat, but in the moment it was clear that Currituck was as competitive with anyone. The biggest downside, of course, was the injury to Schuster, who was ruled out for the forthcoming Pasquotank game. With Huff still under center, Currituck once again employed the spread the devastating effect with an athletic QB. Stepping up to the moment, Huff directed the Knights to fifteen crucial points in quick secession within a two minute fourth quarter span to fend off the Panthers. In all, Huff accounted for five touchdowns and a trio of two point conversions and perfectly utilized his myriad of receivers. With Currituck at 5-1, the next step was a tough road game in Edenton against the powerful Aces. Hopes that Schuster might return proved optimistic, and much like was the case in 2011, the athletic Edenton defense was able to corral Currituck's weapons and turn on the speed themselves with superstar Xavionne Long, whose key 59 yard third quarter punt return broke Currituck hearts. Unable to keep up, Edenton quickly piled on the scores, and came away with a devastating 43-13 win. The loss put Edenton in prime position atop the conference, and set Currituck in a potentially calamitous spot. Fortunately, a bye week was ahead. Could Currituck recover and keep the dream season alive? The answer, at least in the first week back, was a resounding yes. On homecoming against Bertie, Currituck reveled in a 46-0 win, with a healthy Schuster going 4-4 for 4 touchdowns and all of the Knights' pieces contributing, including NT Bennie Lindsey who undoubtedly was a factor in the Bertie center plopping the ball errantly on eleven separate occasions. After a shutout of First Flight in rather nondescript fashion---the Nighthawks barely managed 100 yards---Currituck was set up for its latest monumental showdown: a Saturday Night game against the Northeastern Eagles, who had beaten Edenton and now looked to lock up the conference. No one could have ever expected what came next. Currituck opened up with the ball and the lead. With Northeastern, confident on their superior ability, playing man coverage and zero safeties, Currituck took advantage. First, Schuster found Fred Huff for the big play 51 yards. Then, Schuster hit Omar Dupree for a ten yard score. Thereafter, Currituck struck again on a 21 yard score to Foreman. Northeastern came right back: they were too good not to. On their next series, the Eagles scored. That, for now, was all: the Eagles certainly got their yards, but no scores, highlighted by two missed field goals. But in the second half, the game quickly changed. Within a minute, the game was tied. Then came 70 yards on two plays: a punt return, a pass and in sum a NHS advantage. Next came a typical Ge'Dari Liverman 80- yard punt return. All of a sudden it was 28-14, and Currituck looked dead. Looks, of course, are not everything. The Eagles muffed a punt. Currituck recovered. Then River Gwaltney caught a touchdown. Northeastern went 4 and out. Schuster threw a pick. Northeastern fumbled, inside the ten at that. After Schuster pushed across a ground TD, the defining moment came: a fake field goal Fred Huff around the left side, aiming for the corner and in---a stunningly successful two points! It was one of the grandest, if heart-stopping moments in school history, one that pushed Currituck was ahead with 3:51 to go.  Northeastern tried one more strike-to no avail. Currituck had vanquished Northeastern and was now again tied for first. And with that result, the moniker the "Cardiac Knights" was born. One week later, the intrigue, excitement and breathtaking ability returned again to Barco. If Currituck won, they would win a share of their first title in 23 years. The road, in comparison to Northeastern or Edenton, was the toughest: Hertford County, the fourth place occupant. The first item to arrive at Knights Stadium: a lot of yards. Twice, Tyler Schuster threw slants to Foreman. And twice Foreman outraced Bears defenders…to the tune of 98 and 99 yards. It was improbable and fact. In total, Foreman set the NCHSAA record for yards with 360. He caught 11 balls. And Schuster himself passed for over 400, records everywhere. With Currituck ahead by six, Hertford got the ball. It was late in the 4th. The Bears advanced. They advance more. Suddenly, Currituck had heels on and in the endzone as Hertford County got to the four. Then they went further. A pass to the left corner went incomplete with a mere second left. Lastly, Hertford QB Ryan Weaver faked a handoff and rushed right. Cut off from getting the edge he stopped and surged forward: where he was met and missed by diving Knights, then hit head on by Nigel Powell, Josh Garrett and others and driven back. It was over. Currituck was the champions (albeit tri-co champions) of the Northeastern Coastal Conference. But the euphoria as electric as ever could not last. As a #2 seed by virtue of being in the 2AA side of the 2A split, Currituck was set to host East Duplin, a dangerous low seed from a good conference with great playoff history. Seeds went quickly out the window a duel emerged. Despite more high profile weapons, and numerous players with extensive playoff experience, Currituck's star was junior back Charles Nichols who rolled up over 100 critical yards. When East Duplin's last second field goal attempt failed, Currituck moved on. In playoff week two, Kinston came to town. At first, the game, in the words of the Daily Advance, "appeared to give Knight fans a stress-free night compared to the past three weeks." Currituck took the lead, 14-0, and then retained an advantage into the fourth quarter. Them came the seemingly weekly rendition "the big play," a Schuster pass to Foreman. Using his ability to avoid tackles and then turn on the burners, Foreman caught a ball for a first down then jetted nearly sixty more to once again give the Knights a 14 point cushion. Kinston responded and soon the Vikings got the ball with one more shot as the clock dwindled. Kinston got a first down, then another, another and one more. All of a sudden, with the Knights against the wall, the magic of the season ensued and a failed Kinston snap caused enough yardage and time problems so the clock ran out, leaving the Kinston QB walking away in disappoint and swarms of Currituck faithful on the field in celebration. For the first time since 1989, Currituck was going to practice on Thanksgiving, a goal of every school in the state. Alas, despite hosting the third round game, the result was similar to that of 2011, when a physical, speedy, deep and talented river town team pummeled the Knights. On a cold Friday, there would be no heart attack, just a quick snuff out as Little Washington put it on the Knights. Nevertheless, in winning the conference title and going 3 deep for the second time in 3 seasons, Currituck confirmed its presence as school people needed to account for in Eastern High School Football.

2011

In the run up to the 2011 season, the Currituck Knights players were a hungry, yet confident group. The core of the team had their varsity origins in the 2009 defeat in Raleigh against Cardinal Gibbons, and during the '10 season, rushing sensation Marquise Grizzle broke out with a 1600 yard plus, 22 total TD effort. Yet, in the pre-season polls, Currituck was selected to finish dead last in the Northeastern Coastal Conference, and pre-season player of the year awards was issued to Pasquotank tailback Jaquan Respess not Grizzle. Nevertheless, in week one, the eager Knights were unable to overcome a top ten 1A Manteo, falling 48-24, despite being competitive early. As a result of the loss, Currituck switched to a two-platoon system and shifted the defense from its traditional 3-3 stack look to a 4 front. Week two was scheduled to be against Camden, yet in the first of many times during the season, rain altered plans. Hurricane Irene blew through the region, causing the game against Camden first to be moved up from Friday to Thursday, but then delayed entirely. Fortunately, both teams held a week four open spot in their schedules, allowing the game to be re-scheduled. Given the unexpected "off" week, Currituck had more time to implement changes, but also more time to sit ideal and think about Manteo. Thus, when the undermanned Perquimans Pirates came to town on September 2nd, the Knights exploded on both sides of the ball. Squaring off against the Pirates, a longtime rival for the first time since 2004, Currituck put up a school record 75 points in a 75-6 thrashing. Grizzle went for over 300 yards and 6 TDs in little more than a half, and FB Shane Gubbs added a 100 plus yard effort, and five different Knights scored. With their first victory in hand, Currituck entered the Byrd Bowl against Camden, in Thursday Night Lights. That day, Currituck seized back the trophy, lost in 2010, with a 60-25 drubbing of the Bruins, the worst margin in the series' long history. Once again, Grizzle added 300 plus yards, and scored 7 times. The next week the rains returned and the Knights played on a sloppy rain soaked field in Barco against Pasquotank. In the contest, the Currituck D shut down Respess early, though the Preseason Player of the Year eventually went over 100, finishing with 123 and 2 scores for the Panthers. But that was child's play compared to Grizzle, who shattered his own school record with a 357 yard, 6 TD game. A year after being blasted in Elizabeth City, the tables were turned on Pasquotank, as Currituck opened NCC play with a victory for the first time since 2007. The next week, the Knights returned to rain soaked conditions when Southeast Halifax arrived in Barco. This time though the rain pelted the field in waves, turning the surface into a nearly all mud setting. The result was the inability for the offense to extend long runs, as multiple times Currituck rushers, especially Grizzle, would turn to break off a run only to slip in the inhibiting setup. As such, Currituck failed to run up a sizable margin, and settled for brown covered jerseys and a 18-6 victory over the visitors from Southeast. But a win is a win, and Currituck now had 4 of them in a row. Next up for Currituck was the biggest challenge yet: Hertford County. The Bears were historically dominant against Currituck, the Knights had last secured a victory way back in 1996, which was before staring linebacker Chris Stefenak's birth (although Stefenak missed the Hertford game with an injury). Most importantly, with only 2 3A squads in the conference, the winner of the head to head would likely host the home playoff game in November. Thus, for Currituck, with dreams of a run, beating Hertford was quite important. Despite this, Hertford was still big, fast, and strong, despite having lost a number of their skill players from the previous seasons. Early on, both sides held their own, battling to a scoreless draw in the first quarter. But after the Bears struck first, things looked down for the Knights. Hertford was stuffing the box, and their speed was preventing Currituck from getting to the edges. On defense meanwhile, the Bears continued to drive and only the end of the half prevented another TD. Then came the weather. Early in the third, Currituck had HCHS backed up to a third and twenty. Just before the play, lightning, which had flashed in the distance reached the stadium in Ahoskie, causing a delay. In the locker room, Currituck players were lose, dancing and singing. Outside, Currituck coaches fretted. With all the time, what trick play was the Bears going to devise to reach the elusive first down marker? And moreover, were we going to resume the game today? Currituck sure didn't want it called---but nor did it want to pack up for home only to have to come back to Ahoskie on Monday to finish. Finally, the lightning subsided, after over an hour, and the game resumed. Hertford came out and ran a nondescript play, punted and soon Marquise Grizzle and Shane Gubbs were driving the Knights into the end zone. As the fourth dawned, Currituck remained down one, 7-6. Yet, this was the time for flashy Marquise. On the quarter's second play, Grizzle raced to the right on a signature sweep play, got the corner and headed upfield outracing every Bear in a beauty of a 68 yard scoring run. With that, the Knights kicked into gear, adding two more before the conclusion. With a 28-7 victory, Currituck was tops on the 3A side in the conference, and had its first ever win in Hertford County. Next, the Knights traveled to Bertie, another school who had a history of thrashing Currituck. But on this night in Windsor, it was the Marquise Grizzle show. Currituck's star sliced his way, or in the words of the writer for the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald, "Grizzle sizzled", to a 455, 7 TD rushing performance, school records, including a 99 yarder. Currituck put away Bertie 54-28, its first win in Windsor, and now Currituck has six straight victories. However, the magic of the season soon came to a halt. The next week, Currituck's game with Northeastern received high billing, both from the Daily Advance and from state sites such as NCPreps.com. Yet, the Eagles defense was strong, fast, and tough, and effectively did what Hertford had planned to do. Grizzle was stymied for just 100+ yards, and Currituck couldn't match the Eagles passing game. However, Currituck didn't quit, and outdid the Eagles in the second half. In the end, though the Knights suffered  their first loss in Barco all season. While Northeastern was expected to be good, the Knights' next opponent Edenton was a bit of a shock. In 2010, the Knights easily dispatched the Aces. Now, however, Edenton was hot, unbeaten, firing on all cylinders and ready for some payback. In Edenton, the Aces scored first and didn't stop. Meanwhile, they spied Grizzle the whole night and contained him, with Currituck's lone chance fizzled when Grizzle was forced out of bounds after a thirty plus run just before the half. After that, Grizzle was removed with a bum ankle, and Currituck was unable to sustain an offensive output, being shutout for the first time all season. With the defeat, and Northeastern's win over Pasquotank, Currituck dropped out of contention for the Conference Championship, meaning that long drought continued. Regardless, the Knights focus was returned for the final week, because that was Senior Night, but more importantly, that's when the hated First Flight Nighthawks came to town. It was no secret the schools hated each other, and on this October night, years of Currituck frustration unloaded on FFHS all at once. Currituck scored early, and often, hanging a sixty spot offensively (in 3 quarters), while pushing it all to contain the FF offense, and preserve the shutout. This was proudly done, and Currituck finished a fine season with the 60-0 destruction of First Flight. Overall, nine different Knights rushed for 476 yards and 8 TDs, as five different Seniors (Grizzle, Gubbs, Midgett, Harvey, and Smith) found their way to the end zone. Currituck thus finished the year 7-3, its best posting since '07, and was 3rd in the Northeastern Coastal Conference. Yet, though Currituck didn't know it-the season was just starting. The next week, the Knights hosted their first playoff game since 2003 as little Washington arrived in town. Ironically enough, in the preseason Edenton scrimmage Currituck had gone up against the Pam Pack, in what was viewed by the Currituck staff as a possible playoff affair. Now, that came to fruition, on a windy night. Indeed it was so windy that the opening kickoff hit the sky and blew back enabling a Currituck recovery. Soon after things fell into place in a 30-6 win. Next up was South Brunswick, and since Currituck was the 2 seed, and SB the 3, the Cougars had to head to Barco. The result was a wild 48-42 OT win for the Knights, a game in which Currituck scored first, trailed, surged forward, trailed again, rallied, and won. Twice the Cougars had 14 point leads, twice Currituck responded. Grizzle had six scores, four rushing, a crucial kickoff return that inspired the Knights in the second half, and threw for another. And when he scored after three straight rushes in OT, the Knights stormed the field. Currituck had advanced to the 3rd round for the first time since '89, up next though was the Havelock juggernaut. Havelock in 2011 was dominant. And now they awaited the Knights. In a game billed for Garrett Crowe's arm against Marquise Grizzle's legs, it would the the superior all around Ram squad the prevailed. Havelock's spread offense was too strong and despite 43 carries from Grizzle, a stunning display of durability, the quick ability for the Rams to score overcame all. Currituck never folded, but couldn't quite pull back into it, falling 62-36 to the Rams. The 36 though was the most any school would score on Havelock all season, and Currituck finished a proud 9-4, resurgent and viable once again.

2019

The 2019 Currituck Knights entered the season with lots of promise. The Knights returned a veteran core from a playoff team, including star QB Jayden Calloway and nearly the entire offensive line. Therefore, expectations, goals, and aspirations for the 2019 Knights team were high. Currituck began the season strong, with victories over rivals Manteo and Camden. After having travel plans disrupted by Hurricane Dorian, the Knights' week three trip across the border to Hickory wound up being played on a Tuesday. Currituck was unable to prevail in this contest, and failed to even score a point. The next week, the Knights were handily vanquished in Edenton. Suddenly the team's record was 2-2, an outcome that, in the past, had sunk previous Knights teams. However, in an unusual turn of the schedule, Currituck returned to Barco for four consecutive home games. Drawing on the home crowds, the Knights would post a 3-1 record during this stretch, thereby restoring the possibility of a great season. In the first game, Currituck welcomed Columbia for the first meeting of these schools since the JP Knapp era. Playing with just 14 players, Columbia was overmatched as Currituck posted the first of a trio of 40+ point offensive outputs. In the second game, Currituck played Bruton High School out of Williamsburg. Only the second public high school from the Commonwealth of Virginia to visit Barco for a regular season game, Currituck sent their guests home early with a running clock due to a 48-0 win. In the third game, Currituck won the 20th meeting of Pasquotank and Currituck, 44-0 to open Northeastern Coastal Conference play. After those three non-competitive wins, Currituck welcomed Northeastern to Knights Stadium. Coming of a rare NCC loss, and without their QB, Northeastern-Currituck became a vital game in the conference standings. In a far cry from the prior three games, Currituck's offense was shut down by the Eagles. Currituck's defense also played well, but the Eagles had just enough to hold onto a 14-7 victory to reassert themselves in the Northeastern Coastal Conference. With the loss, it was Currituck's turn to proclaim its claim to spot atop the conference, as the Knights went into Ahoskie and pummeled the first place Hertford County Bears 45-27 to create a three way tie, and evoke shades of 2013. With the win over Hertford, the final two weeks of the season turned into a) score ealry and b) scoreboard watch across the conference. Currituck easily dispatched Bertie in Barco and First Flight in Kill Devil Hills to secure its first place status. Northeastern and Hertford also both cruised to wins, and the three way split decision was finalized. With its first conference championship since 2013, Currituck won the draw over Hertford County for the conference's top automatic qualifer in the 2AA NCHSAA State Playoffs (Due to smaller size, Northeastern ended in the 2A bracket). Seeded #5, Currituck ensured its first home playoff game sicne 2013 and was paired with St. Paul's High School out of Robeson County. The Knights would not have a return of traditional Friday night high school, though, because due to an impending storm, the 1st Round game was advanced to Thursday night. Although close early, Currituck expanded the lead around the halfs, and at one point held double digit leads, including as much as 20 points with 6 minutes to go. But, St. Paul's climbed back into the contest with two late scores to bring the margin to one score, however, they never had the ball with a chance to tie. With the win, the Knights advanced back into the 2nd round for the third time in the decade. Unfortunately, on Friday night, North Lenoir lost lost its lead and the game to #4 seed South Granville, which forced the Knights into a second round road trip. In the first 2nd round road trip for the Knights since 1988, Currituck scored on the Vikings first in Creedmoor, and went into the half with a 7-6 advantage. Later, after trailing for mere minutes, Currituck also held a 13-12 lead. As the Knights reached the goalline for a third time, the ball came loose and went out of the back of the end zone for a turnover. That was enough for South Granville to run down the field and get the go-ahead score + 2. Although both teams had chances to score again in the 4th quarter, no change to the scoreboard occurred and the Knights season came to an abrupt end. Despite the finish, Currituck accomplished numerous goals in 2019: 9 wins, a conference championship, a second round playoff trip, going further than the year before, and 5 defensive shutouts, which sets the new school record. 

2007

In the summer of 2007, the Currituck Knights were ready to work. Filled with a strong core of Senior leaders who had suffered though much defeat during their three year tenure with the program, Currituck was fired up and ready to go. Then in June, senior Ethan Gallop was tragically killed in a car crash. Gallop’s death would rally the team further, and the Knights would dedicated ’07 to #22, “E”. Winning for “E” give Currituck more motivation to work just a bit harder that August to prepare of the ’07 season. At the end of August, Currituck traveled down to Manteo to battle the Redskins who had blown Currituck out of the water in ’06 en route to a state championship appearance. This time however, it was Knight time. On the opening drive, CCHS put up a field goal by Daniel Hines, and that margin would hold, as Currituck beat Manteo for the first time since 2000, 3-0. In week two, the Knights kept it going beating Gates 24-6. Next for the Knights was the Byrd Bowl. Like Manteo, CCHS’ Seniors had a long standing determination to beat the Bruins. This they did, edging Camden 22-14 in a typical, hard fought, Camden-Currituck showdown. Proudly, the Knights Seniors were able to hoist the Byrd Bowl trophy in the air. In week four, Atlantic Shores (VA) came to Barco.  Atlantic Shores star wide out, Steven Pledger (who would later go to Oklahoma for basketball) was ejected at the game’s beginning. That was a clear sign of how the game would shape up for Atlantic Shores, and in the end, Currituck had to let up on the Seahawks in a 40-0 beat down. Now, 4-0, Currituck opened up conference play with a home date with Pasquotank. The Knights started strong and despite an injury to Tackle Alex Brown, knocked off the Panthers 31-14. The fifth win gave the Knights their winningest season in the 2000s. Currituck continued its home schedule the following week as Pamlico County came to town. Down 24-7 with the 3rd quarter over, CCHS got one untimed down due to a Pamlico penalty. After breaking through with a score on the untimed down, the Knights would go on to score 21 unanswered points, 14 in the 4th quarter, to win the game 28-24. Antwan Woodley scored the go ahead TD on the play call "38 W Fly". After catching the pass, Woodley cut back as soon as he got the ball and weaved his way through the defense and into the end zone to move the Knights to 6-0. With non-conference play officially over, Currituck got its hardest test yet, the Hertford County Bears. The Knights hung tough with a monster Bear team through the first half, trailing only 22-7. Then Currituck came out and scored twice in the 3rs Quarter to pull within two, 22-20. Unfortunately, it was then that things unraveled for the Knights, as Hertford ripped off 27 unanswered points to defeat CCHS 49-20. Things got no easier for Currituck, as the next week they had to travel to Bertie and an even better Falcons team. Behind two touchdown passes  for Desmond Williams, Bertie shut out Currituck 34-0. The loss dropped Currituck to 6-2 and eliminated the Knights from the conference crown race and an automatic playoff berth. Homecoming was up on the docket for Currituck against the Eagles of Northeastern. Coming out in new black jerseys with names on the back, Northeastern gave the Knights a tough fight before CCHS returned to its winning ways, topping Northeastern 28-13. Currituck then traveled to Edenton, to battle Edenton-Holmes. On a rainy night, the Knights held off Edenton for a 30-20 win, to run their record to 8-2, and tie the 1996 team for most wins since 1990. Currituck wrapped up the season with a Saturday senior night date with the First Flight Nighthawks. FFHS went up early 6-0, but Currituck came back to score twenty unanswered and put away their rivals, 20-6, to gain win number nine and wrap up an at large playoff berth. The first round game pitted the 10th seed Knights against the 7th seeded Greensboro Dudley High. Dudley would down Currituck 34-10 in an anti-climatic game, before Dudley would go on to win the 3AA State Title both in 2007 and again in 2008.

1990

The 1990 Currituck Knights had both high expectations and a strong talent pool. Following the state title run of 1989, the ’90 squad returned such starters as running back Mike Gallop and fullback  Jeff Owens. Despite losing key stars like 1600 yard rusher Darrell Everette, All Area Player of the Year Charles Lee, and All East 2nd Teamer Corey Barrow, the 1990 Knights were eager and ready to prove their preseason number four ranking in the East wrong. First up for the Knights though was an 4A Northeastern team that was angry over having lost to Currituck in 1989. The Eagles team that showed up in 1990 clearly indicated that, and they handed Donnie Simpson his worst loss to that point at Currituck, a 45-0 beat down. Facing rival Camden the next week, Currituck rebounded with a 22-0 blanking of the Bruins despite 160 penalty yards on a rainy, muggy summer night. Currituck then added its second win with a 42-27 victory at Edenton. Up 20-0 at the half, the Aces mounted a huge comeback to within seven in the fourth. Then, Jeff Owens scored his fourth TD to give the Knights the win.  With Owens putting up a monster performance, it was time for the other Knights leader, Mike Gallop to carry the load. And Gallop wouldn’t disappoint, galloping for a school record 286 to lead Currituck past Roanoke Rapids 33-21. Next for Currituck was Albemarle play. Going for their 3rd Title, the Knights as a whole did not disappoint either, crushing Perquimans 40-6, with Mike Gallop starting things off with a touchdown on the opening kickoff. With the win in hand, Currituck moved forward to faced Weldon. After not fielding a varsity team in 1989, the Chargers were no better in ’90. CCHS would blast Weldon 54-14. Against the Knights, Gates County provided a no stronger opponent, and was easily dispatched 50-12 for Currituck's sixth straight win, behind the running of junior Eric Ferebee who had over 200 yards. When Camden came to Barco the following Friday, the Knights trailed 8-7 early, but would end up easily winning 35-8. In Gumberry the succeeding week, Currituck clinched its 3rd straight Albemarle crown, defeating Northampton-West 22-15. Against Manteo in the season finale, the Knights once again were tested, but they found a way to win as usual, pulling out a 14-6 victory from the Redskins. This left Currituck 9-1 on the season, and 22-2 in its last two seasons. However, in the playoffs, the Knights would taste only bitter disappointment. After 9 straight wins, the Knights season abruptly ended, after getting shutting out by a surprising Creswell Tiger squad 33-0 in the first round of the playoffs. In all, the Knights 31-6 record from 1988-90 would be the 13th best in state over the 3 year period.

1988

Entering 1988, the Knights had nowhere to go but up.  1987 had been a rough year, but the Knights had essentially been playing a varsity schedule with JV players. Now those Freshman and Sophomores were Sophomores and Juniors, a year older, with some varsity under the belt, and with much more confidence. Nevertheless, expectations for Currituck were not great, most hoped for a .500 record with some looking ahead already to 1989. Currituck players though, were looking right where they ought to have: the 1988 season. Among the changes that Donnie Simpson brought to Barco in 1988 was to run the wishbone offense, a change from the I formation of previous seasons. Currituck opened up the ’88 year with a new team on the schedule: Roanoke Rapids. The Yellow Jackets were added late after Murfreesboro, a conference opponent in previous seasons ended its existence by being consolidated into the new Hertford County High School. The new opponent meant little to Currituck despite Roanoke Rapids being a larger 2A school, and the Knights quickly opened up the season with a win, 34-6 over RR. In week two, the Knights hosted Norfolk Catholic. Once again, NC posted little challenge for CCHS, as evidenced by the 46-6 final. For Currituck, Mike Gallop led the way with 86 yards and a Touchdown. In week three, Currituck battled Camden in the annual non-conference tilt. For the first time in 1988, the Knights faced a challenge, but held on to a 13-12 halftime lead, to beat the Bruins 20-12. Now 3-0, Currituck battled next the Aces of Edenton. Hoping for their first win over Edenton since 1985, it did not quite happen for CCHS who suffered their first loss of the year, 13-9. Next up for Currituck came the conference opener with the Perquimans Pirates. The Knights would post their fourth victory, a 12-0 shutout. At this point, Currituck was vaulted to number 5 in the new 1A East poll, as the Knights traveled to Weldon to battle conference basement dweller Weldon High. There was one loss for the Knights, as starting Quarterback Charles Lee was suspended for the season. But as expected, CCHS posted their fifth win, a 33-6 victory over the one win Chargers. Corey Barrow, now starting at quarterback rushed for three scores in the victory. The 5-1 Knights now had a major test the following week against the Red Barons off Gates County. And it sure would be a test, as the Barons would defeat the Knights 26-18, who controlled the ball and the clock throughout the contest. This left CCHS with a must win game against who else but the Camden Bruins. In this do-or-die contest, it was the Knights who prevailed posting a 28-16 win over their rivals. That left Currituck in the thick of the conference race, ith a upcoming game against Northampton-West. In the game, Darrell Everette opened up matters with a kickoff return for a score, and the Knights would hold on, in a close contest, 13-7 over the Hurricanes. The win meant Currituck would win the conference if it could only beat Manteo the next week, due to the Knights having won the head-to-head contest with Perquimans. For the second straight week, Darrell Everette would provide a key role; intercepting a pass and taking it all the way back for a score, as Currituck shutout Manteo 15-0. With the win came the Albemarle Conference Title for the first time since 1985. In the playoffs, Currituck hosted the no. 4 team from the Tobacco Belt Conference, Creswell. As expected from such a match-up, Creswell posted little challenge as the Knights posted their second shutout in a row, 34-0 to advance to round two. It was here that the Knights luck run out. North Edgecombe, Currituck’s opponent, featured a solid quarterback in Orlando Whitaker, and would edge the Knights 21-12. Whitaker would throw for 160 yards and two scores against Currituck in the contest. Nevertheless, Currituck finished a strong 9-3, with a great basis for 1989.

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1996-

After a 4-6 1995, the Currituck Knights entered ’96 with plenty of returning starters including Quarterback Jesse Jones and Wide Receiver Ken Simmons. The non-conference schedule of the Knights offered some good indications to see truly how good CCHS might be. In the season opener, Currituck faced off against the defending 1A State Champion Williamson Tigers. Coming out throwing-unusual for a Currituck team, the Knights upended the Tigers 25-19, to start of the year on a strong note. In week two, the Knights rolled over Northside-Pinetown 41-8, including putting up 22 in the opening quarter. Week three marked a historic event in Knights history. For the first time and thus far the only time in Currituck history, CCHS was able to topple the Bears of Hertford County behind 154 receiving yards for wideout Ken Simmons. In week four, the Knights met rival Camden, and handed the Bruins their first loss, 20-7. Jesse Jones threw a huge fourth down touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to ice the game for the 4-0 Knights. CCHS made it 5-0 with a 48-22 defeat of Northampton-West the next week with a mix of passing and running. Unfortunately, the Knights would not be able to pick up their sixth win just yet, as Currituck was foiled by 4A squad Northeastern in a narrow manner 27-24. But, Currituck rebounded for a 39-19 victory over the Trojans of Southeast Hailfax behind 200 plus yards from running back Christian Burton. The Knights followed that up by defeated rival Manteo to move to 7-1, and moving into the top ten, at number nine in 2A. But, that ranking would end quickly at the hands of a 57-34 loss to the Plymouth Vikings. Vikings back Jay Collins scored five times in the Plymouth win. Rebounding from the tough loss, Currituck pounded a Roanoke Rapids team that only had one win since 1992, 56-7. The win set up a showdown with Edenton for the final Northeastern Conference playoff berth, the second year it came down to Edenton-Currituck. Alas, for the 1996 Knights just like their ’95 predecessors, they would fall, 34-14, after leading 14-0. This left Currituck, at 8-3, out of the playoffs.

Honorable Mention: 

1984 Knights- The 1984 team fulfilled Coach Simpson's three year plan to re-vitalize Currituck from when he took over as head coach. The team won the Albemarle Conference Championship- Coach Simpson's first at Currituck, and the first for the Knights since 1980. The '84 Knights opened up poorly, losing to North Edgecombe, Bertie and Gates County, but proceeded to go unbeaten in conference play. They would beat Wake Forest Rolesville in the playoffs, before bowing out to Wallace Rose-Hill, finishing the season ranked number 8 in 2A in the state. Ryan Patterson rushed for over 1500 yards in his Senior season to led the Knights.

2023 Knights - The 2023 Knights began the season with some uncertainly. Although Currituck posted a winning record and appeared in the playoffs in 2022, the Knights had a new QB, Devin Duke, for 2023. Duke's inexperience showed in week 1, as the Knights lost convincingly to Norfolk Academy. Currituck rebounded with wins over out of area schools like Deep Creek and South Central, wins over traditional rivals Camden, Manteo, and First Flight, and rare win at Edenton, mixed in with defeats against conference heavyweights Hertford and Northeastern. In the playoffs, the Knights edged South Johnston in Barco, before being ousted in round two at Wilson Fike. Duke ultimately had 5 games of 100+ yards passing and 3 games of 200+ yards, including a 252 yard, 4 TD performance against Manteo. His best receiver was his brother Damon, who finished #13 in North Carolina in receiving yardage with 1,1188 and 20 receiving TDs. Of particular note: he tallied every yard of the Manteo game, and in the back to back Manteo and Edenton games had 498 yards and 7 TDs.

1978 Knights- In Bob Sapp's first season, the Knights won the conference champion on the strength of a three way tie however. Currituck would lose in the second round of the playoffs.  

1976 Inaugural Knights- This team won the automatic playoff berth but was bounced on a failed two point conversion against Weldon.

The Bad

2008: With the 2007 season Currituck looked to have turned the corner. Although they lost their coach and many key players, the '08 Knights was filled with talent. Unfortunately, they were not filled with the extra edge which allows teams to win ball games. The result was a complete failure of a season, where a team that looked to be playoff bound wound up with a dismal 1-9 record. The expectations were great, and the team in the end could not live up to them at all. (For more on the 2008 season click here).

2001- The 2001 Knights was the first team in twenty years not to be coached by Donnie Simpson. Despite having many players who were part of a 2000 JV Conference Championship, the '01 Knights just did not have what it took to win. From new coach Thomas Gardner on down, 2001 was just dreadful as was the result: 0-11, in which Currituck was barely competitive. Not a great showing in the first year of a new league that included a defending state champ (Bertie) as well as two other major new conference foes (Hertford and Northeastern).

2004- 2004 was Coach Rich Dombroski's first year. Coach D found a program that was short on morale and bad in attitude. A Major overhaul was needed. Currituck hit rock bottom in year one finishing 0-11 again for the second time in four seasons, as the Knights weeded up those who felt entitled and got used to a new offense-the spread. 2004 was so bad that Currituck even lost to First Flight, a brand new school. Yet, it was not all in vain. Those young freshman who came in with Coach D would be the stable of 2007.

Dishonorable Mention: 

1981 Knights-After going to the state title game the year before Currituck lost a tremendous amount of talent as well as Coach Bob Sapp. However, running back Andre Hansburry and Lineman Johnnie Sampson-both major players on the '80 squad-were among those who returned for CCHS. A season opening win over Williamston gave everyone high hopes, but they quickly faded as Currituck would win only three more times during the season, included a sweep of dismal Gates County. The season ended on a high note however with a stunning 3-0 upset of Camden, denying the Bruins a playoff spot.

1986 Knights-Going into 1986 the Knights were coming off two straight conferred titles, and returned eight seniors including star tailback Billy Powell. Expectations were quite high for the Knights, who looked deep towards a run in the playoffs. However, Powell suffered shoulder problems throughout the year and missed several contests as the Knights fell to a 5-5 regular season record and a first round playoff exit.

2014 Knights - With key weapons and playoff experience back from 2013, the Knights had visions of back to back winning seasons for the first time since the 1990s, notwithstanding the fact the Knights had a new QB. Back to back wins over Manteo and at Camden to start the year enhanced this perception. However, a crucial interception against Gates in week 3 effectively served as the beginning of the end for this season of Currituck football. Despite a seemingly cleansing beat down of First Flight in week four, the Knights proceeded to lose four in a row and six of the last seven to miss the playoffs by one game.