BOONE — For four years they were high school teammates. Now they’re conference opponents in Division I college football.
One catches passes in the rolling mountains of western North Carolina, the other a punter and holder along the sunny coast of South Carolina.
The wide receiver has made splashy plays shown on sports talk television shows, while the special teams player has balanced the energy of the game in his hands at times when all eyes are watching.
Dalton Stroman and Mack West, both 2021 graduates of Richmond Senior High School, have climbed the ranks of their respective college programs the past few seasons.
As redshirt sophomores, they meet once a year when Appalachian State University plays Coastal Carolina University.
While competing for a Sun Belt Conference win when the Mountaineers and Chanticleers play, both haven’t forgotten their kelly green and gold roots in Richmond County.
The Game
This season’s meeting in Boone on Oct. 10 was a rare Tuesday night game that saw temperatures dip in the mid 40s. But both former Raiders were red hot when their teams needed them most.
Coastal Carolina walked it off 27-24 with a 24-yard field goal as time expired, the result of a fumble by App State at the Chanticleer’s 16-yard line.
The ensuing 11-play, 77-yard game-winning drive saw the final play steadied by the hands of West. The successful kick was the first walk-off field goal West has been a part of in his career.
“Leading up to it, our coach said we were going to run our four-minute offense to drain the clock,” West recalled. “I was telling everyone ‘we’re fixing to win’ and I was trying to help my kicker get ready.
“Our running back CJ (Beasley) took a knee on one and that was a smart play. Then we trotted out there and I forgot (App State) had a timeout to try and ice it. After we made the first one, I reminded the field goal unit to do its job and block their man or gap.
“I remember the snap was a little high but I got it down,” he added. “And it just felt like an eternity after that. The kick hugged the right upright, but when it went through the celebration happened.”
West’s responsibilities exceed just holding the ball, as it’s his job to make sure everyone is set and lined up properly, he explained. He also watches the play clock and said “it’s on me to give the cadence to snap the ball.”
He added that it’s “muscle memory” the way he spots the ball in the right place and spins the laces out.
But West’s hold on Kade Hensley’s kick from near center of the field wouldn’t have been as important if not for a play made by Stroman 8:47 earlier in the fourth quarter.
The Mountaineers had trailed most of the game, but erased a 17-3 deficit to tie the game in the second half. Coastal Carolina regained a 24-17 lead and it was Stroman who evened things out for App State.
Capping a six-play, 80-yard march, Stroman made a leaping, turning catch in the back left corner of the end zone over defensive back Matthew McDoom for his second receiving touchdown of the season.
Following the point-after attempt, the score was knotted at 24 points and wasn’t broken until the final play of regulation.
In seven games this season, Stroman has caught 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
“When we were lining up for that play, I saw (McDoom) and figured the ball was coming to me because of the mismatch with the corner,” Stroman replayed. “I just gave my best release off the line and hit him with a jab to the right and released outside to the left.
“And I was able to make the catch to help my team,” he added. “It was a really big catch at the time.”
No stranger to making difficult catches, Stroman said he uses advice from his coaches, which is “that when the ball is in the air it’s mine and no one else’s. Either I get it or no one gets it.”
The Brotherhood
Not many high school players make it to the Division I level of football, and it’s even more rare that former teammates get to play in the same conference.
While at Richmond, Stroman and West helped the team in their respective roles earn three straight Sandhills Athletic Conference titles from 2018-2020. The Raiders also made an appearance in the NCHSAA 4AA West regional championship in 2019.
For the pair, it’s a high point each season when the annual SBC game featuring the Mountaineers and Chanticleers is circled on the calendar.
“It’s pretty cool that we get to play against each other,” West explained. “I told all the specialists that we played together in high school, and he goes out there and makes a great touchdown catch.
“On kickoffs, Dalton lined up near where I was standing so we trash-talked a little,” he laughed. “It’s cool to see both of us succeeding in college, and for me it was special to be a part of history with our first ever win at App State.”
For Stroman, the feeling is reciprocated toward West, and said the postgame meetings are always enjoyable.
“It’s kind of funny knowing that a high school teammate of mine is on the other sideline,” Stroman said. “During the game it’s always competitive like the game was this year. I know we both gave it our best shot.
“After the game we always make sure we see each other,” he added. “And we tell each other to keep doing big things. It’s always love between us and we respect one another.”
The Roots
As both players continue to see their efforts pay dividends in college, Stroman and West credit a lot of their current success with the foundation they built while at Richmond.
One element from his days as a Raider that West said prepared him for his role as a Chanticleer specialist was battling for a starting role.
“My time at Richmond definitely made me a better athlete and appreciate competition,” West said. “There were a couple of good kickers when I was there and we fought every day for four years.
“A lot of high school kickers and punters don’t get that opportunity. That aspect of competition really helped me be where I am today.”
Stroman pointed to a particular coach who helped him finesse his game while also building his confidence.
“At Richmond it was Coach (Andy) Shuler who was always in my corner,” Stroman said. “He played at App State and always gave me really good advice that I’ve carried with me. He told me I know what to do and just to play.
“I’ve been so appreciative of him and his support and he still texts me,” Stroman closed. “Coach Shuler reminded me to always be myself, that the sky’s the limit and to always build my confidence up.”
This weekend, App State (3-4, 1-2 SBC) will host Southern Miss for homecoming, while Coastal Carolina (4-3, 2-2 SBC) will also hold its homecoming game against Marshall.
