Playing for it all in the South Carolina 1a State Championships on December 7th. Another NClegend making us proud!
Donnie Kiefer
- Thread starter seadog28
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Coach Kiefer came to Andrews in the summer of 1994 to take over our struggling program. Andrews had only won 1 game in the previous 2 seasons under Coach Allen. Starting fullback Matt Neal had just transferred to Murphy for his senior year and starting tailback/receiver Heath Davis had recently been killed in a car wreck. Most of us parents and fans expected another disappointing season but we were in for a surprise. After the dust cleared the Wildcats finished the season 6-6, won a 1st round playoff game at Sparta against the Trojans by 3 TDs and lost to Murphy in the regular season by 1 TD. All this success with fewer than 25 players. This miraculous run ended at Murphy in the 2nd round of the playoffs. To put this season in perspective, Murphy went on to play in the championship game which they lost by 1 point when Matt Neal fumbled at the goal line while going for the 2 point conversion. The 1995 season was even more impressive with 8 wins but all good things must come to an end as Coach Kiefer chose to leave Andrews after only 2 seasons. As a side note, Andrews HC James Phillips and JV HC Jamie Martin both played under Coach Kiefer's leadership.
It didn’t hurt that he brought his son and Varian (spelling?) with him also. Both good athletes!
Ballard and Kiefer did make contributions but they did not replace Neal and Davis, both of whom played with these other boys from youth league.
I agree wasn’t being negative just saying when a D1 athlete moves to a 1A school that is big!
I guess I didn't realize either was a D1 athlete. It didn't show on the field. Ballard was a big strong kid and a good receiver but he spent a lot of time lying on the sideline resting, definitely not a typical SMC player. Charles Kiefer was a pretty good receiver and a good kid. I think they both walked on at UNC but don't remember if either had any success.
Ballard was preferred walk-on I believe. He was a load!
I haven't mentioned another very good Andrews player. Russell Hembree was the primary running back in 1994 and was very successful and tough. I never saw him suffer any injury. He went on and played at UT. I saw him several years ago and he still looked like he could play football.
Old articles I'm finding make it look like he had a scholarship at UNC at one point but lost it after a bar fight and wound up at A&T.
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Congrats to Kiefer......Matt Neal was a heck of a player and his dad was to.