Published: 02:31 PM, Tue Sep 11, 2012
Talking Sports: Special player, Gray's Creek's Ken McDowell, ranks among running back elite
By Bruce Armstrong
I have enjoyed watching many special high school athletes in Cumberland County over the past 30 years. This football season we have a special player who will join the elite running backs in my memory.
Gray's Creek running back Ken McDowell is, in my opinion, the best athlete in Cumberland County, and I strongly recommend you go see him play.
Last spring, McDowell led the Gray's Creek baseball team to a Cape Fear Valley Conference championship and led Gray's Creek in hitting with a .435 average. He also led the Bears in runs scored and home runs. He will arguably be the best returning position player in Cumberland County next spring.
If I were a professional or college baseball scout, I would recommend McDowell to my team.
McDowell is not tall at 5 feet, 9 inches, but his combination of superior speed, athletic ability and baseball skills give him a chance to be a college and professional baseball player.
However, baseball is probably not his best sport at the high school level.
In 2011 as a junior, McDowell rushed for 1,677 yards, scored 21 touchdowns and was named Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
This fall, McDowell is once again a star running back for the Gray's Creek football team, and he is putting up incredible rushing and scoring statistics that are likely to surpass last year's totals.
In four games this season, he has rushed for 1,034 yards, averaged 13.5 yards per carry and scored 15 touchdowns. If McDowell stays healthy, he is on pace to exceed 2,000 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns scored in the 2012 season. He leads all Cumberland County backs in yards rushing and scoring.
The Bears enter conference play this week with a record of 3-1. The high-powered Gray's Creek offense is averaging 45.5 points per game.
Ken McDowell has a chance to have an historic year. Make sure you see him play. It will be a special memory.
See you at the games.
Bruce Armstrong is a lawyer who lives in Hope Mills. He can be reached at lawyerarmstrong@aol.com.