Freedom's Khris Gardin (7) sprints toward the end zone for a touchdown that put his Patriots ahead 21-7 just after halftime against rival East Burke on Fat Friday XXXIX in September 2012 in Icard. Also pictured is Cavalier freshman defensive back Brandon Clark. The 2012 game is still the only (non-season opening) meeting in the rivalry in which both teams entered with undefeated records.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: A capsule look back at each game in the Fat Friday football series, which pitted the county’s two high schools, Freedom and East Burke, to end the regular season about this time of year in early November each season from 1974 until 2008.)
GAME 1 — 10/25/74
FREEDOM 8, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Jug Wilson; East Burke — Danny Williams
Key players: Freedom — Mark Farris, Sonny Rutherford, Steve Corpening, Dwight Hemphill, Tony Carswell, Lee Hester, Mark Miller; East Burke — Larry Huffman, Billy Boughman, Mike Harris, Tim Robinson, Roger Martin, Tim Clay, Greg Clontz, Bobby Burns
GAME 2 — 11/8/75
FREEDOM 9, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Jug Wilson; East Burke — Danny Williams
Key players: Freedom — Bruce Gidney, Charles "Shine" Fleming, Steve Martin, Earl Kanipe, Sonny Rutherford, Jim Martin; East Burke — Jerry Moses, Frank Dillingham, Eddie Stephens, John Micol, Jimmy Coffey
GAME 3 — 11/5/76
FREEDOM 14, EAST BURKE 9
Coaches: Freedom — Jug Wilson; East Burke — Danny Williams
Key players: Freedom — Eric Patterson, Earl Kanipe, Darren Wilson, Ronnie Davis; East Burke — Eddie Stephens, Tim Rhoney, Darryl Sigmon, Jerry Hyde, Rick Watson
GAME 4 — 11/4/77
EAST BURKE 14, FREEDOM 13
Coaches: East Burke — Danny Williams; Freedom — Jug Wilson
Key players: East Burke — Ken Brinkley, Tony Grady, Eddie Mask, Terry Connelly, Teddy Rhoney, Mark Tilley; Freedom — Bobby Michaux, Darryl Avery, Darren Wilson, Mark Ervin
GAME 5 — 11/3/78
EAST BURKE 7, FREEDOM 6
Coaches: East Burke — Danny Williams; Freedom — Jug Wilson
Key players: East Burke — Scott Martin, Mark Tilley, Mike Teague, Eddie Mull, Calvin Crapps, Jerry Baker, Mike Buff, Dave Sain; Freedom — James Davis, Darryl Avery, Darren Wilson, Chuck Horton, Mark Ervin
GAME 6 — 11/9/79
EAST BURKE 15, FREEDOM 8
Coaches: East Burke — Danny Williams; Freedom — Jug Wilson
Key players: East Burke — Chris Johnson, Mark Isenhour, Jeff Biddix, Jeff Shook, David Hull, Neil Shatley, Mike Buff, Eddie Mull; Freedom — Tracey Corpening, Dennis Clay, Kelly Jones, Maury Michaux, Darryl Avery, Robert Crawley
GAME 7 — 11/7/80
FREEDOM 13, EAST BURKE 11
Coaches: Freedom — Jug Wilson; East Burke — Danny Williams
Key players: Freedom — Tracey Corpening, Chip Fisher, Luttrell Winters, Jeff Moorefield, Wally Caraway; East Burke — Tommy Blanton, Troy Suddreth, Marty Fulbright, Jackie Slaughter, Jeff Carswell, Alan Shuping, Mark Turner
NOTE: Freedom later forfeited this win due to use of ineligible player.
GAME 8 — 11/6/81
FREEDOM 7, EAST BURKE 6
Coaches: Freedom — Jug Wilson; East Burke — Danny Williams
Key players: Freedom — Jeff Moorefield, Bobby Garrison, Wally Caraway, Chip Fisher; East Burke — Jackie Slaughter, Paul Kiser, Bill Viggers, Joe Temple, Jerry Young, Todd Suddreth
GAME 9 — 11/5/82
EAST BURKE 8, FREEDOM 7
Coaches: East Burke — Danny Williams; Freedom — Jug Wilson
Key players: East Burke — Mark Robinson, Joe Temple, Todd Buff, Todd Suddreth, Philip Rojzman; Freedom — Doyle Beck, Darryl Staley, Ralph Wilson, Bobby Garrison, Ricky Abee
GAME 10 — 11/4/83
EAST BURKE 20, FREEDOM 18
Coaches: East Burke — Danny Williams; Freedom — Ken Treadway
Key players: East Burke — Gerric Connelly, Charles Deaton, Roy Albright, Pat Robinson, Todd Buff, Dale Duckworth, David Falls; Freedom — Larry Putnam, Neel Garrison, Darryl Staley, Larry Whiteside, Doug Coleman
GAME 11 — 11/9/84
EAST BURKE 12, FREEDOM 7
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Ken Treadway
Key players: East Burke — Roy Albright, Charles Deaton, Randy Smith, Robbie Lingerfelt, Brent Propst, Gerric Connelly; Freedom — Ricky Gardin, Darren Browning, Larry Chester, Larry Whiteside
GAME 12 — 11/8/85
EAST BURKE 3, FREEDOM 0
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Mike Mabry
Key players: N/A
GAME 13 — 11/7/86
EAST BURKE 20, FREEDOM 15
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Mike Mabry
Key players: East Burke — Scott Phillips, Nelson Neale, Yates Jensen, Greg Lovelace; Freedom — Darrin Hemphill, Grant Dean, Chris Caraway, Keith Avery
GAME 14 — 11/6/87
FREEDOM 42, EAST BURKE 23
Coaches: Freedom — Pete Stout; East Burke — Wayne Fletcher
Key players: Freedom — Joey Johnson, Darrin Hemphill, Grant Dean, Leroy Owens, Frank Gardin; East Burke — Todd Decker, Lance Queen, Kenneth Woody, Keener Lackey, Tim Barus
GAME 15 — 11/5/88
EAST BURKE 17, FREEDOM 10
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Pete Stout
Key players: East Burke — Todd Decker, Robbie Williams, Shane Hise, Junior Young, Shawn Phillips, Kevin Reese; Freedom — Spencer Kanipe, Chris Patton, Brent Taylor, Craig McGee, Derrik Caldwell, John Wise, Leroy Owens
GAME 16 — 11/3/89
FREEDOM 20, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Pete Stout; East Burke — Wayne Fletcher
Key players: Freedom — Bennett Harrison, Chip Lewis, Anthony Fleming, Darrin Evans, Chris Avery; East Burke — Jerald Carson, Fore Rembert, Shaft Johnson, Matt Jensen, Dwight Fletcher, Junior Lail
GAME 17 — 11/5/90
EAST BURKE 28, FREEDOM 21
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Pete Stout
Key players: East Burke — Shawn Dillingham, Coulby Stillwell, Dwight Fletcher, Kelly Berry, Shannon Johnson; Freedom — Leon Johnson, Anthony Fleming, Sheldon Francis
GAME 18 — 11/8/91
EAST BURKE 17, FREEDOM 16
Coaches: East Burke — Wayne Fletcher; Freedom — Johnny Anderson
Key players: East Burke — Shawn Dillingham, Andrew Church, Marc Houston; Freedom — Zavia Tate, Duane Goodwin, Jeremiah White, Derek Moore
Leon Johnson, Freedom's quarterback from 1989-91 who went on to a record-setting All-ACC collegiate career at North Carolina before an eight-year NFL career, runs in this October 1990 file photo. Johnson's Patriots squads won two conference titles but were just 1-2 on Fat Friday.
GAME 19 — 11/6/92
FREEDOM 29, EAST BURKE 0
Coaches: Freedom — Johnny Anderson; East Burke — Wayne Fletcher
Key players: Freedom — Bobby Martin, Scott Earwood, Zavia Tate, Wesley Ervin, Donnie McGee; East Burke — Shawn Dillingham
GAME 20 — 11/5/93
FREEDOM 25, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Roger Baker; East Burke — Wayne Fletcher
Key players: Freedom — Wesley Ervin, Derrick Martin; East Burke — Jeremy Puckett, Monty Davis
GAME 21 — 11/4/94
FREEDOM 22, EAST BURKE 14
Coaches: Freedom — Johnny Anderson; East Burke — Wayne Fletcher
Key players: Freedom — Jermaine Hemphill, Brad King, Dax Bobbitt, Scott Earwood, Westley Propst, Patrick Heard, Chad Wyke; East Burke — Sam Metcalf, Monty Davis, Adam Feimster, Jason Berry, Scott Buff
GAME 22 — 11/3/95
EAST BURKE 17, FREEDOM 14
Coaches: East Burke — Curtis Threatt; Freedom — Tim McMahon
Key players: East Burke — Joey Smith, Trinity Hare, Travis Jones, Steven Shook, Justin Fryer, Daniel Wall; Freedom — Dax Bobbitt, Terry Sheffield
GAME 23 — 11/8/96
EAST BURKE 17, FREEDOM 15
Coaches: East Burke — Curtis Threatt; Freedom — Tim McMahon
Key players: East Burke — John Lafferty, Kris Childs, Trinity Hare, Derrick Gray, Corey Smith, Justin Fryer; Freedom — Brad King, Cory Largent, Keyontae Moore, Ronnie Taylor, Corey Largent
GAME 24 — 11/7/97
FREEDOM 28, EAST BURKE 14
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Mike Helms
Key players: Freedom — Terry Sheffield, Jake Watson, Keyontae Moore, Corey Largent; East Burke — Trae Putnam, John Lafferty, Derrick Gray, Corey Smith, Justin Fryer, Kelly Davis
GAME 25 — 11/6/98
FREEDOM 31, EAST BURKE 28
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Mike Helms
Key players: Freedom — Terry Sheffield, Keyontae Moore, Landon Mariani, Anthony Turowski; East Burke — D.J. Jaquins, Clint Buff, Kelly Davis, Dusty Powell, John Lafferty, Eric Church, Rusty Davis
GAME 26 — 11/5/99
FREEDOM 45, EAST BURKE 12
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Tom Harper
Key players: Freedom — James Guthrie, Joel Upchurch, Patrick Henson, Albert Reid; East Burke — Dusty Powell, R.J. Mozeley, Ricky Ball, Rusty Davis, Joe Lowman
GAME 27 — 11/3/00
FREEDOM 34, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Tom Harper
Key players: Freedom — Clint Duckworth, Patrick Henson, Woodley Clark; East Burke — R.J. Mozeley, Rusty Davis, Ricky Ball, Adam Hastings, Dustin Reece
GAME 28 — 11/9/01
FREEDOM 27, EAST BURKE 20
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Tom Harper
Key players: Freedom — Nyenetu Morlu; East Burke — Dusty McGuire, Steven Sprinkle, Cody Lail, Brent "Box" Davenport, T.J. Clay
GAME 29 — 11/8/02
FREEDOM 28, EAST BURKE 6
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff
Key players: Freedom — Chad Weatherman, Chris Jefferson; East Burke — Robbie Putnam, Chris Ryder, Justin Shuffler, Shelton Brown
The Cavaliers celebrate their 2008 Fat Friday win in Icard, which still stands as their most recent home victory in the series.
GAME 30 — 11/7/03
EAST BURKE 17, FREEDOM 14
Coaches: East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff; Freedom — Tim McMahon
Key players: East Burke — Brian Burns, Chris Ryder, Jon Marsh, Aaron Hildebran, Brandon Gills, Shawn Powell, Shane Kendrick, MJ Crisp; Freedom — Curtis Bristol, Darius Rutherford, Trey Hennessee, Martin Smith, John Corpening, John Michaux
GAME 31 — 11/5/04
FREEDOM 10, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff
Key players: Freedom — Curtis Bristol, Josh McGalliard, Zack Surratt, Kenneth Rutherford, Chris Taylor, Sam Kidd; East Burke — Michael Watson, Steven Gust, James Davenport, Andrew Boggs, Shawn Powell, Josh Bridges, Brice Hudson
GAME 32 — 11/4/05
FREEDOM 24, EAST BURKE 13
Coaches: Freedom — Tim McMahon; East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff
Key players: Freedom — Curtis Bristol, Michael Caparaso, Zack Surratt, Collin Taylor, Matthew Hill, Kenneth Rutherford; East Burke — Landon Huffman, Jon Whisnant, James Davenport, Chance Cook, Andrew Boggs, James Ruggles, Tim Bernard
GAME 33 — 11/3/06
FREEDOM 7, EAST BURKE 3
Coaches: Freedom — Jason Watson; East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff
Key players: Freedom — Josh McGalliard, Justin Fleming, Collin Taylor, Dillon Sain, Kele Beam, Henry Kidd, Ellis Martin, Teddy Rhoney; East Burke — Jake Frogge, Colby Dillingham, Dustin Beck, Laney Cooke, J.W. Williams, Tyler Shatley, Ricky "Booky" Largent, Zach Stamey, Brian Shook
GAME 34 — 11/4/07
EAST BURKE 24, FREEDOM 0
Coaches: East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff; Freedom — Jason Watson
Key players: East Burke — Jake Frogge, Dustin Beck, Tyler Shatley, Darian Pearson, Ethan Hildebran, J.W. Williams, BJ Boughman, Matt Bridges, Ben Johnson; Freedom — Teddy Rhoney, Donavan Harbison, Ethan Kincaid, Collin Taylor, Isaiah King, Taylor Smith, Aaron Lipsey
GAME 35 — 11/7/08
EAST BURKE 21, FREEDOM 11
Coaches: East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff; Freedom — Jason Watson
Key players: East Burke — Tyler Shatley, Dustin Wilson, Zack Cranford, Donte Bradshaw, Bradley McCurdy, Matt Hastings, Mason Eastwood; Freedom — Chris Avery, Ethan Kincaid, Marcus Kincaid, Dean O'Neil, Drake Poole, Marlem Rutherford, Devin Villanueva
East Burke's Tyler Shatley, now in his seventh season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after an All-ACC career at Clemson, runs the ball in Fat Friday XXXVI in Icard in 2008, the teams' most recent of 35 straight regular-season-ending matchups.
GAME 36 — 9/4/09
EAST BURKE 38, FREEDOM 16
Coaches: East Burke — Mike Biggerstaff; Freedom — Mike Helms
Key players: East Burke — Dustin Wilson, Kenneth Gaither, Josh Debro, Justin Lail, Eric Carson, Justin Powell, Tyler Blackwood, Matt Langer; Freedom — Marcus Kincaid, Michael Helms, Dean O'Neil, Patrick Parks, Kreg Fulbright, Patrick Hill, Cody Dumaine, Wesley Franklin
GAME 37 — 9/3/10
FREEDOM 47, EAST BURKE 0
Coaches: Freedom — Mike Helms; East Burke — Jim Ruark
Key players: Freedom — Cody Dumaine, Raymond Beam, David Duckworth, Michael Helms, Jaylan Martin, Wesley Honeycutt, Marcus Kincaid; East Burke — Robbie McGee, Ian Ruark, Timmy Page, Abraham Lizarraga, Adam Byrd
GAME 38 — 9/2/11
FREEDOM 57, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Mike Helms; East Burke — Jim Ruark
Key players: Freedom — David Duckworth, Jaylan Martin, Jeremy Davis, DC Corpening, Michael Helms, David Burgess, Raymond Beam; East Burke — Robbie McGee, Bradley Teague, J.J. Blanton, Jacob Young
GAME 39 — 8/31/12
FREEDOM 42, EAST BURKE 14
Coaches: Freedom — Mike Helms; East Burke — Jim Ruark
Key players: Freedom — Shawn Fairchild, Izzy Davis, Khris Gardin, David Burgess, Chris Bridges, Davey Newton, Nate Moore, Mickey Norton; East Burke — Robbie McGee, Larry Clark, Jacob Young, Bradley Teague, Abraham Lizarraga, Marvin Gaither, Matt Whisnant
GAME 40 — 8/23/13
FREEDOM 47, EAST BURKE 0
Coaches: Freedom — Blair Hardin; East Burke — Jim Ruark
Key players: Freedom — B.J. Emmons, Chris Bridges, Izzy Davis, Khris Gardin, Scott Harlow, Kenyon Johnson, Josh Ray; East Burke — Larry Clark, Elijah Reese, Brandon Clark, Drake Haas
GAME 41 — 8/22/14
FREEDOM 49, EAST BURKE 0
Coaches: Freedom — Brandon Allen; East Burke — Tom Brown
Key players: Freedom — B.J. Emmons, Titus Smith, Russell Cuthbertson, Izzy Davis, Marcus Hawkins, Tim Perkins, Garrett Ward, Rodney Thompson; East Burke — Brandon Clark, Ryan Newell, Landon Ward, Evan Smith, Christian Parson, Austin Wade
GAME 42 — 9/4/15
FREEDOM 46, EAST BURKE 12
Coaches: Freedom — Brandon Allen; East Burke — Tom Brown
Key players: Freedom — B.J. Emmons, Russell Cuthbertson, Marcus Hawkins, Steven Beck, Ja’Quon Crawford; East Burke — Brandon Clark, Ryan Newell, Joe Duckworth, Mike Stillwell, Jakob Prestwood
GAME 43 — 9/2/16
FREEDOM 53, EAST BURKE 12
Coaches: Freedom — Brandon Allen; East Burke — Tom Brown
Key players: Freedom — Niguel Moore, CJ Hayden, Marcus Hawkins, Alex Lineberger; East Burke — Joe Duckworth, Dakota Fox, Dameon Austin, Carter Nichols
GAME 44 — 8/31/17
FREEDOM 48, EAST BURKE 8
Coaches: Freedom — Jim Bob Bryant; East Burke — Mark Buffamoyer
Key players: Freedom — CJ Hayden, Tristan Somerville, Jaxon McMahan, Jayden Birchfield, Ryan Woods, KK Bristol; East Burke — Chase Childers, Coby Stroud, Jordan Cook
GAME 45 — 9/3/18
FREEDOM 55, EAST BURKE 13
Coaches: Freedom — Luke Little; East Burke — Mark Buffamoyer
Key players: Freedom — Jayden Birchfield, Demorian Burgess, Desmond Caldwell, Christian Fox, Traevon Lytle, James Boyd; East Burke — Chase Childers, Josh Moore, Seth Pruitt, Austin Sellers
GAME 46 — 9/6/19
FREEDOM 56, EAST BURKE 7
Coaches: Freedom — Luke Little; East Burke — Mark Buffamoyer
Key players: Freedom — Jayden Birchfield, Desmond Caldwell, Damien Dula, Chase Young, Demorian Burgess; East Burke — Brett Childers, Josh Moore, Luke Coble
NOTE: Freedom leads series 28-18.
The News Herald sports department can be reached at sports@morganton.com.
