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FRANKLIN COUNTY -- When the Big East Conference volleyball schedule began this fall, it was considered a safe bet that the Franklin County 'Big Three' of Louisburg, Franklinton and Bunn would control the upper-tier proceeds in the newfangled league.
But that assessment was made before the program enhancements at Nash Central and Roanoke Rapids were on display, which left five teams tied for the top spot in the Big East heading into the final week of the regular season.

LOUISBURG -- Nash Central High School's boys soccer victory at Louisburg on October 14 featured several admirable performances -- both on and off the field.
The Bulldogs won the match by an 8-1 margin against homestanding Louisburg in Big East Conference action at historic Patterson Field on the LHS campus.
Eight different scorers found the back of the net for Nash Central, but the heroics didn't end there.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Louisburg's Shamir Sheppard is known more for his offensive excellence, but he made the defensive play of the game during the Warriors' road victory last Friday night over Nash Central in Big East football action at The Dawg Pound on the NCHS campus.
With LHS clinging to a two-point lead in the fourth quarter and Nash Central having just scored, Sheppard was inserted into the game as a situational substitute at linebacker in an attempt to stop the Bulldogs' potential score-tying 2-point attempt.

FRANKLINTON -- Of all the expected occurrences within the Big East Conference football scene this season, Franklinton being able to thump Rocky Mount in resounding fashion was probably near the bottom of the list.
But in what could only be considered an upset, the Red Rams rolled past Rocky Mount last Friday night in a one-sided blowout at the FHS Football Field.

BUNN -- Bunn's hard-luck football season continued with another tough loss at home last Friday -- this time to the Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets.
Roanoke Rapids was able to move into the top spot in the race for an automatic Class 2-A State Playoff spot out of the Big East Conference -- but it certainly wasn't an easy proposition for the Yellow Jackets.

STANHOPE -- One of Franklinton High School's best regular seasons in recent boys soccer history came to a close last Wednesday -- and the Red Rams closed in second place in the always-strong Big East Conference.
Franklinton's final task of the regular season was a tough one as the Red Rams traveled to Southern Nash to face a Firebirds' unit that had yet to lose in conference action this fall.

In Franklinton, incumbents John Allers, Alvin Holden and Dr. Philip Meador have all filed to retain their seats.
They are joined on the ballot by political newcomers Jimmy Collie, Jackie Guy, Doug Nalley, Victoria Perry and Latasha Wilder. Jackie Guy did not respond to The Franklin Times questions.

Full Name: John Allers
Age: 66
Occupation: Retired: US Air Force (22 years), Retired: Southwest Airlines Captain (20 years)
Marital Status: Married to Sheila Allers (38 years)

Full name:
Jimmy A. Collie
Age: 51
Occupation: Firefighter for the City of Raleigh
Marital status: Married

Full name: Alvin Bertrand Holden
Age: 48
Occupation: Machine Operator@ API
Marital status: Divorced

Full name: Philip D. Meador, Jr, MD
Age: 76
Occupation: Semi-retired MD
Marital status: Married

Full name: Doug Nalley
Age: 56
Occupation: Occupation: Director of Housing/Minister
Marital status: Single

Full name: LaTasha Wilder
Age: 42
Occupation: Instructional Coach
Marital status: Married/ Quincy Crudup

Commissioner Terry Hedlund opted not to seek re-election, but town voters will get to decide a four-way race for three seats.
Incumbents Cat Redd and Larry Wiggins filed for re-election and they are joined on the ballot by political newcomers George Dillard and Corey Pursche.
Also, Fonzie Flowers has filed to retain his mayor's seat.
He will not be facing a candidate on the ballot during the Nov. 2 election.

Full name: George Dillard
Age: 52
Occupation: Owner of Cowboys Clippers Barbershop/ Project Manager for Hurt and Sons LLC
Marital status:

Full name: Cat Redd
Age: 45
Occupation:
Marital status: Married

Full name:
Corey Pursche
Age: 30
Occupation: Technician for CenturyLink
Marital status: Married

Full name: Marion Larry Wiggins
Age: 76
Occupation: Electrical Equipment manufacturing, repairing and servicing.
Marital status: Married

Full name:
Fonzie A. Flowers
Age: 45
Occupation: Senior Operations Analyst (Lumen)
Marital status: Married

There are no contested races in Bunn as Mayor Marsha Strawbridge and Commissioners Sherry Mercer and Don Mitchell all filed to retain their seats.

Full name:
Sherry C. Mercer
Age: 53
Occupation: Procurement & Document Control Lead for

Full name:
Teddy Don Mitchell
Age:55
Occupation: Small business owner- Express Specialty Products

Full name:
Marsha Winstead
Strawbridge
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired

Youngsville Deputy Town Clerk Ravi Ann Boze-Adams