Football Friday: Big wins for several, including Piedmont
Mallard Creek, Chambers, Ballantyne Ridge, Providence Day, Myers Park and Piedmont scored big high school football victories Friday night.
Yes, Piedmont.
The Panthers have struggled in recent seasons, but they won a conference football game for the first time since the height of the COVID epidemic.
Piedmont pulled away in the second half for a 55-28 victory over visiting Cuthbertson.
Meanwhile, Mallard Creek and Chambers opened Meck Power Six 7A/8A play with victories, and Ballantyne Ridge recorded its first-ever three-game winning streak.
Providence Day was also a winner, but the Chargers were tested for a half by Cannon School.
And Myers Park survived a tough test by Charlotte Country Day.
Here is a look at Friday night’s football:
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hough 44, West Mecklenburg 0: Ethan Royal threw five touchdown passes, as the Huskies (6-0, 1-0) routed the Hawks (0-6, 0-1). Hough scored 23 points in the second quarter and led 37-0 at halftime.
South Mecklenburg 48, Hopewell 25: The host Sabres (2-4, 1-0) pulled a stunner, racing to a 20-0 lead and holding off the Titans (4-2, 0-1).
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers 28, Butler 0: The Cougars (6-0, 1-0) got a pair of touchdown runs from quarterback Jamouri Nichols in their conference opener. Shawn Blackshear also scored on an 18-yard run, and Chambers added a touchdown on a pick-six.
Trailing 14-0, Butler drove to the Chambers 30 near the end of the first half. But the Cougar defense recorded two straight sacks and stopped the Bulldog effort.
Mallard Creek 43, West Charlotte 6: Xavier Edmond ran for a touchdown late in the first quarter and again early in the second quarter, getting the Mavericks (4-2, 1-0) started on their dominating victory over the Mighty Lions (3-3, 0-1).
Mallard Creek held West Charlotte to 115 yards’ total offense.
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ballantyne Ridge 28, East Mecklenburg 21: The host Wolves (3-3, 1-0) won for the third straight time, as Osazee Innah ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and broke a 21-21 tie. Innah had three touchdown runs.
East Mecklenburg (3-3, 0-1), which had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Tiras Meaders, drove to the Ballantyne Ridge 40 late in the game but turned the ball over on an interception.
Providence 46, Rocky River 0: Luke Meador threw three touchdown passes, and the visiting Panthers (2-4, 1-0) rolled over the Ravens (0-6, 0-1).
Mecklenburg nonconference
Myers Park 32, Charlotte Country Day 29: Johnell Henderson’s touchdown run early in the fourth quarter provided the Mustangs (3-2) with the winning points against the Buccaneers (2-3).
Henderson’s touchdown, his third of the game, put Myers Park up 32-21. The Bucs scored later in the quarter on a 4-yard run by Achilles Morales and added a two-point conversion on a reverse play.
The Bucs got the ball back in the closing minutes, but their final drive ended when Myers Park’s Jacob Miller picked off a Morales pass.
Harrells Christian 33, Covenant Day 7: Harrells Christian gashed Covenant Day with nearly 400 rushing yards. Jeremiah Davis ran for 135 yards for the victors.
Hickory Grove Christian 30, South Wake Christian 0: The Lions improved to 5-0 on the season and will begin conference play next Friday, hosting Covenant Day.
Providence Day 34, Cannon School 14: The Cougars (4-1) battled Providence Day (5-1) to a 14-14 draw at halftime. But the Chargers pulled away in the second half for a homecoming victory.
Rabun Gap-GA School 31, Ambassador Christian 6: The Eagles (2-4), who have played a rugged schedule this season, took out their frustrations on previously unbeaten Ambassador Christian (5-1). Rabun Gap was coming off a 17-14 loss last week to Providence Day. Alanson Simmons ran for three Rabun Gap touchdowns, and the Eagles forced three Ambassador Christian turnovers.
The Lions scored on a pair of Avery Fickes field goals.
Spartanburg 39, Charlotte Latin 34: De’Jon Douglas scored a touchdown with 2:05 left in the, bringing the Hawks (2-4) to within five points of Spartanburg, the Charlotte Latin was unable to get the ball back again.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 49, Berry Academy 0: The Wonders (5-0, 2-0) remained unbeaten by surging to a 49-0 halftime lead over the Cardinals (2-3, 0-2).
Harding 30, Cox Mill 27: The Rams (2-3, 1-1) scored on a 60-yard interception return by Daniel Carter in the third quarter, and that provided the winning points. Carter’s score put Harding up 30-12. Cox Mill (1-4, 0-2) got late scores from Amir Cabrera and Carter Cattell.
Hickory Ridge 28, West Cabarrus 0: The Ragin’ Bulls (4-1, 2-0) remained in a first-place tie with Olympic, as Colby Cornelius threw a pair of touchdown passes. Nyoni Sio Jr. also scored on an interception return. West Cabarrus fell to 1-4, 1-1.
Olympic 22, Central Cabarrus 6: The host Trojans (4-2, 2-0) kept pace with A.L. Brown atop the conference standings.
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 35, Porter Ridge 14: Sam Kaupp ran for three touchdowns, and the Cougars (3-3, 1-1) cruised past the Pirates (2-4, 1-1). Max Whalen also scored on a run for the Cougars, and Chase Kummer threw a touchdown pass to Max Puckett. Kam Hayden scored twice on runs for Porter Ridge.
Piedmont 55, Cuthbertson 28: Piedmont won a conference game for the first time since the COVID-altered spring 2021 season. Cooper Wise raced 99 yards for one of the Panther touchdowns.
Weddington 42, Sun Valley 0: The Warriors (6-0, 2-0) were shut out in the first quarter but scored 21 points in the second quarter and pulled away. Weddington opened the scoring with a Jared Street touchdown pass, then added socres by Brayden Colandra (run) and Major Clements (pick-six) in the second quarter.
Street threw two more touchdown passes in the third quarter, and Nicholas Wagner finished the scoring with a short run in the final period.
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook 60, North Gaston 6: A.K. McClain ran for two touchdowns and passed for another, as the Green Wave (3-3, 1-1) raced past North Gaston (0-6, 0-2). Braylon Smith added to the big night, returning two punts for touchdowns on consecutive North Gaston kicks.
Crest 42, Forestview 6: The Chargers (4-1, 1-0) scored twice on punt returns and once on a fumble return. Tre Allen opened the scoring with a 27-yard punt return, and Majar Thompson returned another kick 53 yards for a score.
A.J. Parker scored on a 15-yard fumble return. Forestview fell to 0-6, 0-2.
South Point 43, Hunter Huss 8: The Raiders (6-0, 2-0) rolled over the Huskies (3-3, 1-1), as Kaveaun Pless ran for touchdowns of 40, 1 and 25 yards. Jesse Ledford scored once on a run and also on a pass from Cayden Rumph, and Conner Ensley also scored on a run for South Point.
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson 55, Salisbury 7: Aury Greenfield ran for a touchdown and threw for three more, as the Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0) routed the Hornets (0-5, 0-2). Two of Greenfield’s touchdown passes went to Tyson VanDyke.
The Bulldogs’ other touchdowns included an Isaiah Woodburn punt return for a score.
Northwest Cabarrus 41, East Rowan 14: Hudson Irwin threw two touchdown passes, including a 52-yarder to Nate Jones, and ran 39 yards for another score in the Trojans’ (4-1, 2-0) lopsided victory. East Rowan fell to 2-3, 0-2). Braxton Bashaw also scored twice for Northwest Cabarrus on runs.
Western Foothills 4A/5A
East Lincoln 63, Bunker Hill 24: Five-star recruit Jaxon Dollar was at it again, scoring touchdowns on a 93-yard pass and a 57-yard pick-six, as the Mustangs (6-0, 4-0) outscored the Bears (3-3, 1-3).
Davis Beam threw three touchdown passes, two to Tyson Maggs, and ran for another score. Jacoby Hunt also had a pair of touchdown runs.
Hickory 50, North Lincoln 6: Jaheem Jenkins ran for five touchdowns, as the Tornadoes (5-1, 4-0) rolled over the Knights (1-5, 0-4). North Lincoln averted a shutout in the fourth quarter on a Stephen Fox touchdown run.
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 23, Christ the King 17: Ty Sigler fired a 45-yard touchdown pass to Silas Brister in the fourth quarter, as the Spartans (3-2, 2-0) handed the Crusaders (4-1, 1-1) their first loss of the season.
Sigler scoring toss broke a 17-17 tie. Christ the King trailed 17-7 in the second quarter but got a touchdown pass from Jamison Ehret to Bryson DeJong late in the second quarter, then tied the game on a Lucas Castain field goal in the third quarter.
Sigler had three touchdown passes in the game.
Lake Norman Charter 41, Pine Lake Prep 13: Chase Gentile ran for two touchdowns, and Dylan Wignot threw for two more, as the Knights (3-2, 1-1) trounced the Pride (3-2, 1-1). Eli Washington also scored for Lake Norman Charter on a 48-yard interception return.
Gentile ran for scores of 41 and 5 yards. Pine Lake Prep scored on a pair of Chase Sarver touchdown passes.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 45, West Lincoln 7: Chris Dawkins threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, as the Bulldogs (4-2, 4-0) rolled. Three of Dawkins’ touchdown passes went to Kenyon Surratt, who had receptions of 49, 6 and 70 yards. Surratt also ran for a score.
West Lincoln slipped to 2-3, 1-2.
Lincolnton 72, Highland Tech 6: Rashad Lynch threw five touchdown passes, and Lincolnton (5-1, 3-1) routed the Rams (0-6, 0-4).
Shelby 21, Stuart Cramer 14: Kendrick Raper ran 8 yards for a touchdown with 2:38 left, lifting the Golden Lions (5-1, 4-0) over the Storm (4-1, 2-1). Stuart Cramer had taken a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter on Camden Stilwell’s 14-yard pass to Cory Alexander, but Shelby tied it later in the period on a Jonas Woods run.
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
North Rowan 69, Bonnie Cone Academy 6: The Eagles (0-5, 0-2) scored on a fourth-quarter pass to avoid being blanked by the Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0).
North Stanly def. Thomas Jefferson Academy, forfeit: Thomas Jefferson Academy officials announced earlier this week that they were suspending their varsity football team activities for the rest of the season, due to a shortage of available players.
Union Academy 36, South Stanly 21: Union Academy (3-2, 1-1) built a 27-13 halftime lead, then held on South Stanly (1-4, 1-1) got to within 29-21 in the fourth quarter, but the Cardinals got a clinching touchdown pass from Nico Mendoza.
Nonconference
Anson County 41, Pender County 24: Cordarius Bivens ran for three touchdowns as Anson County went on the road and improved to 4-1.
Eastern Randolph 43, West Stanly 15: Carter Shaw caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter, helping West Stanly (2-3) close to within 16-7, but Eastern Randolph pulled away.
Forest Hills 35, East Rutherford 12: Makhi Massey threw for three touchdowns, two to Kam Myers, and ran for another score in helping the Yellow Jackets stay unbeaten (5-0). Massey also had a touchdown pass to Larry Parker, and the Jackets’ Damarcus Huntley scored on an interception return.
Metrolina Christian 17, North Raleigh Christian 7: The Warriors (3-3) spotted North Raleigh Christian a 7-0 lead, then battled back for the victory. Metrolina evened the score by returning the kickoff for a touchdown after North Raleigh Christian’s score.
Monroe 43, Lumberton 3: Monroe (3-2) bolted to a 23-0 lead in the second quarter and never looked back.
Scoreboard
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hough 44, West Mecklenburg 0
South Mecklenburg 48, Hopewell 25
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers 28, Butler 0
Mallard Creek 43, West Charlotte 6
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ballantyne Ridge 28, East Mecklenburg 21
Providence 46, Rocky River 0
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 49, Berry Academy 0
Harding 30, Cox Mill 27
Hickory Ridge 28, West Cabarrus 0
Olympic 22, Central Cabarrus 6
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 35, Porter Ridge 14
Piedmont 55, Cuthbertson 28
Weddington 42, Sun Valley 0
Big South 4A/5A
Ashbrook 60, North Gaston 6
Crest 42, Forestview 6
South Point 43, Hunter Huss 8
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson 55, Salisbury 7
Northwest Cabarrus 41, East Rowan 14
South Rowan 27, Concord 10
West Rowan 46, Jesse Carson 24
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bandys 14, Newton-Conover 6
East Lincoln 63, Bunker Hill 24
Hickory 50, North Lincoln 7
Maiden 41, Fred T. Foard 6
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 23, Christ the King 17
Corvian Community 44, Lincoln Charter 0
Lake Norman Charter 41, Pine Lake Prep 13
Langtree Charter 48, Bradford Prep 27
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 45, West Lincoln 7
East Gaston 41, Bessemer City 12
Lincolnton 72, Highland Tech 6
Shelby 21, Stuart Cramer 14
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Mountain Island Charter (3-1, 0-1) at Albemarle (2-2, 1-0)
North Rowan 69, Bonnie Cone Academy 7
North Stanly def. Thomas Jefferson Academy, forfeit
Union Academy 36, South Stanly 21
Mecklenburg nonconference
Charlotte Christian 51, Raleigh Ravenscroft 21
Harrells Christian 33, Covenant Day 7
Hickory Grove Christian 30, South Wake Christian 0
Myers Park 32, Charlotte Country Day 29
Providence Day 34, Cannon School 14
Rabun Gap-GA School 31, Ambassador Christian 6
Spartanburg 39, Charlotte Latin 34
Area nonconference
Anson County 41, Pender County 24
Eastern Randolph 43, West Stanly 15
Forest Hills 35, East Rutherford 12
High Point Christian 36, Trinity Christian 8
Metrolina Christian 17, North Raleigh Christian 7
Monroe 43, Lumberton 3
Saturday
Nonconference
Asheville School (3-2) at Christ School (5-0), 2 pm
OFF: Ardrey Kell, Cabarrus Stallions, Cherryville, Davie County, Garinger, Independence, Kings Mountain, Lake Norman, Marvin Ridge, Mooresville, Mount Pleasant, North Iredell, North Mecklenburg, Palisades, Parkwood, South Iredell, SouthLake Christian, Statesville, West Iredell
