The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and Wells Fargo has released the final 2012-13 Wells Fargo Conference Cup standings, and Rutherford County high schools bring up the back half of their respective conferences.

Ruffin Tanner’s journey as R-S Central’s head soccer coach officially began Friday night as he met with perspective players and their parents.

After the departure of former head soccer coach Ashley Fromson, R-S Central was left with the task of filling the vacant position.

That search came to an end Thursday when Ruffin Tanner was named the new head coach for Hilltoppers soccer.

R-S Central's Alyssia Watkins, signed her scholarship letter of intent with Lander University

The R-S Central wrestling program is doing all it can to stock the program early.

June 17-21 the wrestling Hilltoppers will hold a wrestling camp in hopes of drawing newcomers to the sports and furthering the talents of current young wrestlers.

Once upon a time these same men met on this very field to play a game of football. For most, it was the single greatest event in their lives up until that point, a rite of passage that marked the coming of age for a young man in a small town.

“It’s Blue-Red. This is the Rutherford County rivalry,” Brad Hutchins said with the conviction of someone who has longed since chosen his side of the fence. “This is the way it’s always been. It’s the way that you’re raised because you either grow up in Rutherfordton or you grow up in Forest City. It’s always been Hatfields and McCoys, Blue-Red.”

R-S Central softball took advantage of playing in front of their own last Friday with a 3-2 first-round win over Owen, but tonight they’ll take their show on the road to Fred T. Foard in hopes of extending their playoff run.

R-S Central softball made the most of their home-field advantage Friday night riding solid pitching and good luck en route to a 3-2 win over Erwin.

The long regular seasons are over and for six local programs, the chase for a state title lives on.