The following are the top 25 players to have faced Currituck since 1976 (through 2010), as judged by both game impact, season/career numbers and where they went to after their high school days.
1. Heath Shuler- Swain County High
When he graduated from Swain County in 1991, Heath Shuler was one of the best High School football players to have ever played in the state of North Carolina. In his career, Shuler would throw for over 7000 yards and score over 100 touchdowns, which at his graduation were second and first in state history, respectively. Shuler also went out having captured back-to-back-to-back 1A state titles. One of the first major prep stars to leave North Carolina, Shuler would go on to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. At Tennesse, Shuler would start in 1992 and 1993, and the latter season would be his finest. In 1993, Shuler made such an impact, that he would finish as the runner up for the Heisman Trophy. After leaving Tennessee early (due to the committment for the 1994 season of high school senior Peyton Manning), Shuler would be selected by the Washington Redskins third overall in the NFL Draft. One of the biggest busts in NFL history, Shuler would play for the Skins and start only eighteen games before finishing his career with the New Orleans Saints. in 2006, Shuler re-entered public life by winning election to the US House of Representatives. In 1989, Shuler's Maroon Devils beat Currituck in the 1A Title game, with Shuler coming making all the key plays, including throwing a 45 yard TD pass just 28 seconds in the game.
2. Eric Streater-Sylva-Webster High
The youngest of the three Streater brothers (his eldest Jimmy was a star at Tennessee and the middle Steve played for North Carolina), Eric Streater was the star for the 1980 Sylva Webster Golden Eagles. Playing qauterback and defenive back, Streater lead Sylva Webster to the '80 AA state title game. In the contest, he would decimated Currituck, scoring a touchdown on SW's first possession, and later adding 108 passing yards, 94 rushing yards and 2 interceptions. After high school, Streater would follow his brother Steve's footsteps by playing at UNC. A receiver, he caught 37 passes for 601 yards and four touchdowns in his senior year and had 12 career touchdowns. Streater would breifly play for the Tampa Bay Bucsm hauling in two touchdowns in 1987.
3. Jacque Lewis-Northeastern
The number three prospect in the state of North Carolina his senior season, Jacque Lewis dominated the Northeastern North Carolina area his junior and senior seasons. An all state selection and the Big East Conference player of the year in 2000, Lewis rushed for 5,077 yards and scored 70 touchdowns in his career. Currituck was not spared at all from Lewis, who ran for 160 and 3 touchdowns against the Knights in 1999, then went for 247 in 2000. After committing to UNC-Chapel Hill, Lewis would beat out Clinton HS graduate Willie Parker (who now plays for the Steelers) for the starting job, leading the Heels in rushing in 2002. Although he would try out for the Tampa Bay Bucs, Lewis never made it out of the preseason, and briefly played in NFL Europe.
4. Milton Shaw-North Edgecombe
The 1991 AP NC Player of the Year, Milton Shaw was a stud running back for North Edgecombe High School. Running for over 6,000 yards and 64 scores in his career for the Warriors, Shaw and the North Edgecombe would face Currituck twice, in 1989 and again in the 1991 playoffs. In '89, Shaw would carry North Edgecombe's squad with a 235 yard, 3 score performance, albiet in a loss. Later, 1991, an injured Shaw managed just 116 yards and a touchdown, but this time the Warriors were victorious. By the end of his career, Shaw had set the NCHSAA record for most consecutive 100 yard games and was an East-West All Star. Highly recruited, he would end up playing for Winston-Salem State.
5. Timmy Cofield- Murfreesboro
A running back and linebacker for Murfreesboro High, Timmy Cofield played the Knights during Albemarle Conference games. In 1980, Cofield produced the Raiders only score against Currituck. Despite being heavily recruited, Cofield would stay close to home, going to Elizabeth City State where he was a star. An All Central pick his junior and star years, Cofield would get signed as a undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Cheifs. With KC, Cofield was an all rookie selection who knocked Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Jim Kelly out of games that season. Later playing for the Jets, Bills and in Canada (where he was an All Star), he finished his NFL career with 9.5 sacks and was the winner of the 1988 NFL's Strongest Man Competition.
6. Cecil Gray-Norfolk Catholic
A Defensive Lineman for Norfolk Catholic, Gray was so good that when he left, it was labeled as the end of the "Cecil Gray era". Against Currituck, Gray withstood the running of Billy Powell and a tempature in the 90s on a sunny afternoon to help Catholic tie Currituck 6-6. It was the Knights only non win during the regular season. After high school, Gray played for UNC, and then was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1990 Draft. Playing with Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Arizona, Gray ended up starting fourteen NFL games.
7. Emmanuel Davis- Manteo
The leader of the Manteo 2006 Eastern Regional Championship team, Emmanuel Davis left no doubt he was one of the best in the area. Playing at qauterback and safety, Davis was fast and had little fear of contact. He rushed for 1,590 yards and 28 touchdowns, threw 691 yards and nine TDs and had eight interceptions as an all-state selection in 2006, and Manteo scored 41 points per game yielded just 5.75 points per game that year, Against the Knights in 2006, Davis passed for 56 yards and a touchdown, ran for 54, and had eight tackles in a 46-3 Redskin rout. Davis would commit to East Carolina, where he was the co-leader for interceptions with four in 2008 and was an All-CUSA selection in 2009.
8. DaRonte McNeil- Northeastern
Along with Davis, McNeil also dominated the area in 2006. A power runner, McNeil had 3,029 yards and 34 touchdowns in '06 and 8,229 yards and 98 touchdowns for his career. A four time All NCC player, McNeil also was the 2005 and 2006 Northeastern Coastal Conference Player of the Year. After originally committing to East Carolina, McNeil would end up transferring to Elizabeth City State where he started in 2009.
9. Pernell Griffin-Williamston
Griffin was a starter on the 1995 Williamston state title team. In 1996, Griffin's Tigers were upset by Currituck. Neverthless, Griffin was an all state defensive tackle and an honorable mention all American in 1996. An attendee of East Carolina, Griffin had a school record 24 tackles against Wake Forest, was a freshman All American, All CUSA 1st Team member three years in a row and preseason defensive player of the year in 2001. Griffin left ECU near the top of their career tackles list and was a 2001 fourth team Sporting News All American.
10. D'Brian Hudgins-Williamston
The leader, at defensive back and running back of the 1999 Williamston Tigers that went undefeated and won the 1A State Title, Hudgins had a monster year. In the title game itself, he went off for 317 yards and four TDs to win the game MVP. Hudgins' whose team easily beat the 4-6 Knights in '99, would orginally commit to ECU before transferring to North Carolina A&T.
11. Carlos Brown- Northeastern
Another Eagle running back, Brown was part of a two headed Northeastern rushing attack in 1990 and 1991, before starting in 1992. He ran for over 2000 career yards and over 20 touchdowns and was an East-West All Star for the Eagles as well as Big East Player of the Year. Against Currituck in three games, he ran for 290 yards and two touchdowns, though in two of the games he only played in the 1st half, all Eagle blowouts. Brown would go on to play linebacker for East Carolina, and was a starter for the Pirates in 1996 and was a ECAC Division I-A All-Star Team selection.
12. Antonio Vaughan- Hertford County
The starting quarterback for the Bears in 2008 and 2009 as well as a defensive back, Vaughan lead Hertford over Currituck twice. In 2008, Vaughan as a junior captured the Northeastern Coastal Conference Player of the year Award and helped to seal Currituck's fate with a 93 yard interception return for a score. In 2009, Vaughan lead Hertford to a 10-0 record with 1,333 yards rushing, 857 passing and 31 total TDs to go along with 4 interceptions when he broke his leg. In a rout of the Knights, Vaughan throw for over 100 yards, ran for over 100 yards and scored three touchdowns. He was a 2009 Shrine Bowl selection and is heavily recruited at the moment.
13. Ricky Krainiak-Camden
The 2008 Daily Advance All Are Player of the Year, Krainiak was Camden's quarterback during the Bruins big 2008 campaign. Previously, Krainiak had also been a running back for Camden. Indeed, it was Krainiak who made most everything happen for Camden in 2008, passing and running for over 1000 yards each and adding 34 touchdowns. Among his exploits was single handedly winning the Byrd Bowl over the Knights with his swift running skills. A star basketball player as well, Krainiak is now playing hoops for Campbell.
14. Travis Bond- Bertie
One of the top 25 players in North Carolina and top 25 offensive lineman in the country, Travis Bond was one of the most recruited players to come out of Northeast North Carolina. A four year starter for the Falcons, he earned a Shrine Bowl nod, as well as 3A All State honors. Bond was one of the key reasons for Bertie and future ODU running back Desmond Williams' successes in 2007 that included a 34-0 rout of Currituck. The 6'7 also helped stuff the Knights in 2008, including knocking quarterback Shane Tew out of the game with a concussion with a hit that sent Tew into the Knights bench. After deciding to attend UNC, Bond would start by the end of the season for the Tar Heels.
15. Joel McClenney Perquimans
One of North Carolina's most prolific rushers, McClenney finished his senior season at Perquimans with an incredible 2850 yard season, which is in the top 15 for NC high school single season rushing marks. A Shrine Bowl selection, McClenney was recruited by several top NC colleges. However, he would end up playing for Elizabeth City State. Against the Knights he won three times and in 1999 had 174 yards and three touchdowns for the Pirates.
16. Tydreke Powell- Herford County
One of North Carolina and America's top Defensive Tackles, Powell was an all state selection twice, a Shrine Bowl player and an All American his senior year. A three year stater, he was NCC defensive player of the year in 2006. That year Powell had over 100 tackles and 13 sacks for the Bears and had 11 in 2005. a UNC player, Powell has played in his first two seasons at Defensive Tackle.
17. Nick Hamm First Flight
The star tailback for the FFHS Nighthawks, Nick Hamm had a monster 2298 rushing yard season in 2009. In addation, Hamm scored 23 touchdowns including six kickoff returns. Hamm posted a 3-0 record against the Knights in his two years starting including being a key part of the 83 point outburst in the final game of 2009. Hamm was named to the 2A NCpreps All State team, and is attempting to play college ball as a walk on at Air Force.
18. Orlando Whitaker- North Edgecombe
A three time All Tobacco Belt player, a 1A All State Quarterback, and the leader of the North Edgecombe Warriors, Whitaker threw for over 5000 career yards and 65 touchdowns. Twice in a row Whitaker faced over against Currituck, with mixed results for North Edgecombe. In 1988, Whitaker threw for 160 yards and accounted for three TDs in a Warrior playoff win. In 1989, the Knights pressured Whitaker all night en route to eliminating the Warriors from the playoffs. Whitaker would go on to sign with East Carolina.
Tie 19. Bigbie Brothers-Camden
Scott Bigbie was Camden's QB during the 1986 season. He lead Camden to an upset of Currituck in the non-conference contest in which he scored twice including the game winner and had over 100 passing yards. In the second Currituck-Camden game, Scott tossed for 100 plus yardsagain and scored a touchdown. His brother Shuan Bigbie started for Camden in '86 as well as in 1987 and 1988. He was an All Albemarle Conference running back and quarterback for the Bruins who in 1987, rushed for 170 yards and a score against Currituck, but the Knights won 14-13. In the earlier contest, Shaun threw a TD pass and had a key interception. In 1988, he ran for 120 yards and scored twice during a loss on Currituck's homecoming, while earlier in '88 he ran for 80 yards and a touchdown. In that 1986 second game, Shaun had 69 rushing yards and a Touchdown for Camden.
21. Tawian Everette- Hertford County
A Hertford running back, Tawian Everette torched the Knights for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a 1993 win. Everette would go on to play for Winston Salem State, where as a linebacker was named to the 1st Team All CIAA squad in 1997.
22. Damion Linson- Plymouth
Although just a freshman and sophomore the last time the Plymouth Vikings met and defeated the Currituck Knights, Linson was a key contributor at the point. An all state wide out, Linson would finish his Viking career with an North Carolina record 60 career TDs and 4,451 yards. After Plymouth, Linson would attend Central Michigan where he would led the Chippawas in yards three years in a row including setting a MAC Championship game record with 191 yards in CMU's 2006 championship. Linson left CMU third all-time in receiving yards (2,279) and touchdown receptions (17). He eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens but did not make the team.
23. Jason Horton - Hertford County
Horton was a member of the 1996 Hertford squad that lost to Currituck. Although he didn't play Currituck the next year, as a senior Horton would intercept 13 passes for Hertford, one short of the state record, and was named to the All State team. He would sign with UNC, then transfer to NC A&T. Eventually Horton would play in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers.
Tie 24 Joe Holmes and CJ Bailey- Manteo
Holmes was a key member of the early 1980s Manteo team. In '83, he managed just 73 yards but two touchdowns against Currituck. In 1984, a year he ran for over 1200 yards, Holmes was botteled up by the Knights D for only 49 yards in a loss. After attending Chowan, Holmes finished at East Carolina where he played Defensive Tackle for the '89 Pirates.
Bailey was the Redskins running back and linebacker at the end of the 2000s. A 2009 NCpreps All State LB, Bailey rushed for just over 2000 yards and 27 TDs (25 rushing) as well as had 137 tackles. He ran for 187 yards and two scores in a win over Currituck, and had 12 tackles. In 2008, Bailey ran for over 1400 yards, had 17 TDs and had 151 tackles. Against the '08 Knights he managed 96 yards a touchdown and 12 tackles.
-Bonus- Top 5 Opposing Coaches
The following is a list of the top 5 Coaches to face Currituck.
1. Boyce Deitz, Swain- Deitz won 5 State Titles at Swain, had the field named after him and is a member of the Western NC Sports Hall of Fame
2. Charles Howell, Sylva-Webster-A five time state champ winner in football with over 300 wins, Howell also won 2 state baseball titles. He has been inducted into every major NC hall of fame
3. Raymond Cobb, North Edgecombe/SouthWest Edgecombe- Cobb has won nearly 300 games as well as 2 1A championships in his career. In 2009, SW Edgecombe was undefeated and advanced to the 2AA Eastern Regional Finals.
4. Harold Robinson, Williamston- Robinson coached Williamston from 1979-2003, where he won 2 1A Titles, 231 games and muerous coaching awards. Today, he is the Director of High School Relations for East Carolina Football
5. Scott Jones, Camden-A fixture at Camden since the early 1990s, Jones has giving the Bruins a stable regime and they have been a constant winner. Jones is the longest tenured coach currently in Northeastern NC.