Top Story Spotlight Freedom and East Burke prepare for one of western NC football’s most enduring rivalries jason.koon Sep 3, 2025 Sep 3, 2025 Updated Oct 11, 2025 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Freedom and East Burke high schools will meet on the football field Friday for the 51st installment of the annual Fat Friday game.kAmuC665@> H@? 2 4@>A6E:E:G6 4@?E6DE `a\f =2DE J62C 27E6C t2DE qFC<6 E@@< 3C288:?8 C:89E :? a_ab H:E9 2 ah\`b H:?]k^AmkAm%96 u2E uC:52J 4@?E6DE 8@E :ED ?2>6 7C@> E96 42??65 7@@5 5C:G6D @C82?:K65 6G6CJ J62C :? 4@?;F?4E:@? H:E9 E96 82>6 3J E96 =2E6 #6G] p] u=6>@? |4x?E@D9] |4x?E@D9 2=D@ D6CG65 2D uC665@>’D 7:CDE 2DD:DE2?E AC:?4:A2= 2?5 H2D E96 !p 2??@F?46C :? E96 AC6DD 3@I E92E ?@H 362CD 9:D ?2>6]k^Am A Freedom player powers through a tackle at the Burke County Jamboree on Aug. 15. Erin Johnston, Record kAm%9:D J62C’D 4@?E6DE H:== E2<6 A=246 2E t2DE qFC<6 w:89 $49@@=] %96 EH@ E62>D 92G6 >6E 6G6CJ J62C D:?46 `hfc[ H:E9 E96 6I46AE:@? @7 a_a_ 5F6 E@ E96 r~'xs\`h A2?56>:4]k^Am People are also reading… Update: Old Fort man killed in motorcycle crash on I-40 identified Marion man injured in shooting in Newton; police say 1 gunman charged Got a McDowell County paranormal experience? Now is the time to speak up Marion house catches fire Monday morning, cause under investigation McDowell County Sheriff Ricky Buchanan will retire Aug. 1, before term ends Meet the Morganton woman who says hard work has kept her going ... for 105 years Corpening YMCA in Marion to host Healthy Aging Day 5 antique guns stolen from Historic Carson House in McDowell County Report: Chuck Edwards under scrutiny for alleged affair with former aide; lawmaker denies claims McDowell County state transportation employees win backhoe, motorgrader competitions NFL analyst says Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young 'needs to prove' he's worth an extension State museum in Old Fort getting new standard hours. Here's when it'll be open. Mission Hospital McDowell recognizes 3 nurses for National Nurses Week Dual-threat QB Haynes King is Panthers' top undrafted free agent to watch Carolina Panthers sign 6 draft picks, 10 undrafted free agents on Thursday (copy) kAmuC665@> 4@>6D :?E@ E96 82>6 @77 2 eg\_ 56>@=:E:@? @7 sC2F89? @? uC:52J] %96 !2EC:@ED 2C6 =65 3J BF2CE6C324< z256? s2G:D] w6 E9C6H 7@C 7@FC E@F495@H?D :? E96 D62D@? @A6?6C 282:?DE !2EE@? H:E9 h\@7\`` A2DD:?8] w6 :D 2=D@ 67764E:G6 @? E96 8C@F?5[ 8@:?8 7@C 2 E62> 36DE ``b J2C5D 2?5 2?@E96C E@F495@H? :? E96 @A6?6C] {2DE H66< 282:?DE sC2F89?[ 96 E@DD65 E9C66 >@C6 E@F495@H? A2DD6D]k^Am kAmuC665@> 9625 4@249 y]z] p5<:?D A=2J65 :? E96 u2E uC:52J 82>6D H96? 96 H2D 2 DEF56?E 2E uC665@> :? E96 `hh_D] w6 D2:5 E96 82>6 5@6D?’E BF:E6 42CCJ E96 6I4:E6>6?E :E FD65 E@ H96? 96 H2D 2 A=2J6C[ 3FE :E H:== ?6G6C 36 ;FDE 2 C68F=2C ?@?\4@?76C6?46 82>6]k^Am kAm“xE FD65 E@ 36 E96 =2DE 82>6 @7 E96 J62C[ u2E uC:52J H2D 2 3:8 562=[” p5<:?D D2:5] “%96J’C6 DE:== t2DE qFC<6 E@ >6[ 2?5 E@ 2 =@E @7 A6@A=6 :? @FC AC@8C2>[ :E’D DE:== @?6 J@F 4:C4=6 @? J@FC 42=6?52C] … %96C6 2C6 6?@F89 2F?ED 2?5 F?4=6D 2?5 >@>D 2?5 525D H9@ H6C6 2 A2CE @7 E92E C:G2=CJ E@ H96C6 @FC <:5D F?56CDE2?5 E92E :E >62?D 2 =:EE=6 D@>6E9:?8]k^Am East Burke running back Zayne Newman finds a hole at the Burke County Jamboree on Aug. 15. Erin Johnston, Record kAmt2DE qFC<6 92D @A6?65 E96 D62D@? 2E _\a 27E6C 2 ae\_ =@DD E@ (6DE xC656== :? E96 @A6?6C 2?5 2 ae\`g =@DD E@ uC65 %] u@2C5 =2DE H66<] #F??:?8 324< ~DD:6 qFC<66? 92D 366? 2 3C:89E DA@E 7@C E96 r2G2=:6CD D@ 72C] x? E96 D62D@? @A6?6C[ 96 A:4<65 FA ff J2C5D @? a_ 42CC:6D 2?5 =@8865 D:I E24<=6D[ :?4=F5:?8 2 E24<=6 7@C =@DD @? 5676?D6] {2DE H66<[ 282:?DE u@2C5 96 925 ge J2C5D 2?5 EH@ E@F495@H?D @? a_ 42CC:6D] z6?52=6 r@@< =625D E96 E62> :? E@E2= E24<=6D E9:D D62D@? H:E9 a_ :? EH@ 82>6D] w6 2=D@ 3=@4<65 2 7:6=5 8@2= 2EE6>AE]k^AmkAmuC665@> 2?5 t2DE qFC<6 H:== 7246 @77 :? r@??6==J $AC:?8D @? uC:52J 2E fib_ A]>]k^Am Jason Koon is the Sports Editor for the Hickory Record and can be reached at jason.koon@lee.net. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Pit Pass Live with insider Zion Brown: Palou fastest at first practice, IndyCar changes full course yellow rule FILE: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at 29 FILE: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at 29 If Tanking Can't Save The Brooklyn Nets… What Will? If Tanking Can't Save The Brooklyn Nets… What Will? Lane Kiffin Just Continues To Stir the Pot Lane Kiffin Just Continues To Stir the Pot
jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Pit Pass Live with insider Zion Brown: Palou fastest at first practice, IndyCar changes full course yellow rule
