Football roundup: Dramatic wins for Lake Norman, Providence Day

Kaden Craft and his Lake Norman teammates have a flair for the dramatic.

Craft completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Doc Caldwell as the clock expired Friday night, leading Lake Norman to a 31-24 victory over host Reagan in a battle of state-ranked unbeatens.

Lake Norman’s victory wasn’t the only drama Friday night.  Providence Day held off Rabun Gap (GA) School 17-14, thanks to a last-minute interception.

The other top teams in the Charlotte area won by comfortable margins, and No. 1-rated Hough will play at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon against Green Run of Virginia Beach.

Lake Norman wins

PFAFFTOWN – Craft’s pass climaxed an 80-yard drive that began with about one minute left in regulation.

The big play on the drive was a 36-yard pass from Craft to Noah Jacobsen.  That put the ball at the Reagan 32 with one second left to play.  Then Craft and Caldwell pulled off their heroics.

Lake Norman (5-0), ranked No. 4 this week in the Queen City Sports Report’s Top 12, had taken a 14-0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown run by Craft and a 2-yard scoring run by Bryson Pohlman.  Reagan tied the game early in the third quarter, but Craft scored from 12 yards out and gave the Wildcats a 21-14 edge.

Reagan tied the game on a pass early in the fourth quarter.  Lake Norman then pulled in front 24-21 on a 27-yard field goal by Chase Engelhardt.  Reagan answered with a 27-yard field goal and tied the game 24-24 with a little more than a minute left.

That set up the dramatic finale for Lake Norman.

Another Hough statement

In a season when top-ranked Hough already has accumulated a number of statement victories, the Huskies (5-0) added another Saturday afternoon.

They scored on the opening kickoff and added another touchdown minutes later on a punt return, on route to a 44-0 pasting of visiting Green Run from Virginia Beach, Va.

In handing Green Run (3-1) its first shutout loss in seven seasons, Hough made few mistakes against the Stallions.

The rout began on the opening kickoff, which Davion Jones returned 95 yards for a touchdown. Then came Josh Dobson's 30-yard punt return for a score ... and then Jamarion Morrison's 11-yard run ... and then Michael Griffin's 4-yard run ... and then Sincere Daye's 45-yard punt return.

After one quarter, the Huskies led 35-0. Much of the game was played with a running clock.

Providence Day holds on

RABUN GAP, GA. – Moses Poku-Kankam’s interception late in the game saved a 17-14 victory for Providence Day over Rabun Gap School.

The two teams are expected to rank 1-2 in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association final rankings this season, which means Providence Day will hold home-field advantage through the playoffs – assuming the Chargers (4-1) continue their winning ways.

Rabun Gap’s final drive ended with 17.7 seconds left, when Poku-Kankam picked off a pass at the Providence Day 2.

Earlier in the game, the Chargers scored on a Caleb Cooper run, a pass from Gavin Bronikowski to Braylen Clark, and on a field goal.

Other games

Here is a recap of other games in the Charlotte area Friday night:

Mecklenburg nonconference

Ambassador Christian 41, Harrells Christian 14: The Lions ran their record to 5-0, building a 27-0 lead in the second quarter.

Butler 35, Providence 21: Butler recovered an onside kick with two minutes left and ran out the clock, preserving a victory over the host Panthers.

The Bulldogs (3-2) took a 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter and made it 28-14 on a 4-yard run by Damourion Thomas-Wright, his second score of the game.  Providence (1-4) narrowed the gap to 28-21 on a touchdown with 5:41 left in the game.

Niko Henderson then connected on a 76-yard touchdown pass with Lucas Culbertson, giving Butler a 35-21 lead with 4:41 to play.  The Panthers drove for a score with 2:07 remaining, on a 28-yard pass from Luke Meador to Otavio Oliveira.

Carrollton (GA) 49, No. 10 West Charlotte 6: It was a miserable night all around for West Charlotte.  The team arrived in Carrollton more than an hour late because of bus problems, and the game didn’t go much better.

Zachary Watts ran for touchdowns of 15, 53 and 11 yards in the first quarter, as Carrollton raced to a 27-0 lead.  The hosts led 42-6 at the half.  West Charlotte (3-2) scored on a second-quarter pass.

No. 6 Chambers 57, Ardrey Kell 20: The visiting Cougars (5-0) broke open a close game with two Jamouri Nichols touchdown passes in the final 90 seconds of the first half.

Ardrey Kell (3-2) jumped to a 7-0 lead, but Chambers tied it on Tahk Brooks’ 25-yard touchdown run. The Cougars then made it 17-7 on a 34-yard pass from Nichols to Kam Guy.  But the Knights got within 17-14 with 7:15 left in the half, when Tre Lawrence picked off a Nichols pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown.

Chambers got in gear in the closing minutes, as Nichols threw a 27-yard touchdown pass with 1:21 left in the half and a 29-yard scoring toss with 22 seconds left.  That gave Chambers a 30-14 halftime lead, and the Cougars rolled.

Christ School 40, Charlotte Latin 22: Mak Anderson passed for three touchdowns, and Christ School (5-0) thumped the Hawks (2-3).  Anderson’s scoring passes included an 8-5yarder to Jason Dore.  Anderson has passed for more than 1,000 yards this season.

Charlotte Latin got two touchdown passes from Troy Logan.

East Mecklenburg 15, South Mecklenburg 14: Tyler Willis scored on a 49-yard run in the fourth quarter, and the conversion kick put East Meck (3-2) up 15-8.

The Sabres (1-4) scored on a run in the closing minutes, but the Eagles blocked the potential tying conversion kick and held on

Hickory Grove Christian 36, Buford (SC) 13: The Lions (4-0) picked off five Buford passes and registered the school's first-ever home victory over a public school opponent. Noah Belote rushed for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Lake Wylie (SC) 33, West Mecklenburg 28: West Mecklenburg (0-5) took a 28-27 lead with 9:31 left in the game on an 18-yard touchdown run by Jayden Huff.  It was his third score of the game.  But Lake Wylie (3-1), a first-year school, won it when Dezzy Crawford scored on a 15-yard screen pass with 6:49 to play.

Mallard Creek 38, Knoxville (TN) McCallie School 0: The Mavericks (3-2) crushed McCallie School, scoring in every quarter.  Mallard Creek got the only points it needed in the first quarter, when Xzavier Edmond caught a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Metrolina Christian 35, Covenant Day 6: Samuel Willi threw four touchdown passes, and the Warriors (2-3) trounced Covenant Day (1-3). Jason Williams carried 15 times for 112 yards and a Metrolina touchdown.

Palisades 41, Independence 12: The visiting Pumas (4-1) took a 6-0 lead just four minutes into the game, on Izayah Davis’ 2-yard run.  Then Cole Hough threw a 34-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the first quarter, and Palisades cruised.  Independence fell to 1-4.

R.J. Reynolds 34, Ballantyne Ridge 20: Osazee Innah was a bright spot for the Wolves (1-4), rushing 27 times for 171 yards and a touchdown. Holden Jones had a caused fumble and blocked field goal for the defense.

Greater Metro 6A/7A

A.L. Brown 52, Harding 14: A.J. Settles passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more, as the Wonders (4-0, 1-0) rolled. Two of Settles’ scoring tosses went to Ashton Chavis, including a 43-yarder in the second quarter.

The Wonders took a 14-0 lead, but Harding drove to the A.L. Brown 14 early in the second quarter.  The drive stalled, and the Wonders tacked on another touchdown to pull away.

Harding (1-3, 0-1) was led by Ashton Covington, who ran for a touchdown and passed for another.

Olympic 22, Cox Mill 21: Kenyan White scored on a 10-yard run in the third quarter, and Edwin Miranda added the conversion kick for what proved to be the winning points.  That score put Olympic (2-2, 1-0) up 22-7.

Cox Mill (1-3, 0-1) added fourth-quarter touchdowns by Juice Hall and Jordan Pegues but missed a potential tying conversion kick after the final touchdown.

Southern Carolina 6A/7A

No. 2 Weddington 37, Charlotte Catholic 7: Jared Street passed for two touchdowns, and Brian Walker ran for a pair of scores, as the Warriors (5-0, 1-0) cruised. The visiting Cougars (2-3, 0-1) avoided a shutout when Adam Aoun scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter.

No. 5 Marvin Ridge 51, Piedmont 7: Levi Kerr threw first-quarter touchdown passes of 50 yards to Cooper Meek and 20 yards to Tino Delissio, and the Mavericks (5-0, 1-0) trounced the Panthers (2-3, 0-1).

Marvin Ridge also got a 30-yard touchdown run from Jake Robbins in the first quarter and led 37-7 at halftime.

Porter Ridge 34, Cuthbertson 14: The Pirates (2-3, 1-0) were hanging on to a 14-7 lead in the second quarter when Corbin Donahoo connected with Karter Hayden on a 66-yard touchdown pass.  Kam Hayden scored on a 50-yard run later in the quarter, as the Pirates took a 27-7 intermission lead.  Cuthbertson slipped to 1-4, 0-1.

Big South 5A/6A

No. 9 South Point 38, Ashbrook 27: The host Raiders (5-0, 1-0) scored the decisive touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard pass from Cayden Rumph to Gray Gathings, then added the clinching score on a 5-yard run by Kauvean Pless.

After falling behind 31-20, Ashbrook (2-3, 0-1) had closed to 31-27 on a touchdown run by A.J. McClailn. But the Pless score gave South Point some breathing room.

Pless ran for three scores, and Jack Revers scored on an interception return. McClain had three touchdown passes.

Kings Mountain 55, Forestview 6: Lhareem Coleman rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown, and the Mountaineers (4-1, 1-0) totaled 256 rushing yards in routing the Jaguars (0-5, 0-1). Mountaineers' freshman Jordan Jenkins threw three touchdown passes.

South Piedmont 4A/5A

No. 7 Jay M. Robinson 35, East Rowan 0: Marece Miller ran for four touchdowns, and the visiting Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten. Tony Johnson also ran for a Robinson touchdown.

Northwest Cabarrus 33, South Rowan 28: The Trojans (3-1, 1-0) led 20-7 at halftime, but South Rowan (3-1, 0-1) closed to 20-14 in the third quarter. Hudson Irwin then threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Shane Lucas-Williams for a 26-14 lead.

Once again, South Rowan scored, and Jones then got a 5-yard scoring run for Northwest Cabarrus. That put the Trojans up 33-21, before South Rowan got a final score late in the game.

Western Foothills 4A/5A

No. 8 East Lincoln 35, North Lincoln 8: Jaxon Dollar ran for a touchdown and caught three more touchdown passes, as the Mustangs (5-0, 3-0) rolled. Landon Agee scored on a run for North Lincoln (1-4, 0-3).

West Iredell 37, Maiden 0: Ja'Brayan Patterson threw three touchdown passes, two to Treylen Davidson, and the Warriors (5-0, 3-0) continued their big early-season run. Amario Spence ran for two more West Iredell touchdowns, as the Warriors posted their first victory over Maiden in at least 25 years.

Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A

Christ the King 49, Lincoln Charter 0: Jamison Ehret completed 10-of-12 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns, as the Crusaders (4-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten. Brady Noonan had four receptions and a touchdown. Lincoln Charter fell to 0-4, 0-1).

Corvian Community 23, Lake Norman Charter 14: Lake Norman Charter (2-2, 0-1) took an early lead on a Haze Dodson 34-yard touchdown run, but the Cardinals (3-1, 1-0) scored on a run and a punt return in the second quarter and never trailed again.

Lake Norman Charter got within 19-14 in the third quarter, before Corvian scored two final touchdowns.

Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A

Burns 50, Bessemer City 14: Max Davis ran for three touchdowns, as the Bulldogs (3-2, 3-0) cruised. Chris Dawkins ran for two touchdowns, including a 48-yarder, and he threw for another score. Bessemer City (0-5, 0-3) scored on a pair of Adrian Tolbert-to-C.J. Hill touchdown passes.

Lincolnton 48, East Gaston 6: The Wolves (4-1, 2-1) rolled, behind quarterback Rashad Lynch's five touchdown passes. Lynch completed 13-of-18 passes for 293 yards. R.J. Lynch and Messiah Thompson each had a pair of touchdown catches.

Jarvis Littlejohn led the ground attack, carrying 11 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. East Gaston fell to 2-2, 0-2.

Stuart Cramer 57, Highland Tech 3: The Storm (4-0, 2-0) scored touchdowns on two runs and three passes in the first half and built a 41-0 intermission lead. Highland Tech fell to 0-5, 0-3.

Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

North Rowan 33, Union Academy 27: Mike Alford threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns, as the Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0) held off the Cardinals (2-2, 0-1).

North Stanly at Mountain Island Charter: Lightning forced this game to be postponed to 6 p.m. Monday.

South Stanly 49, Bonnie Cone Academy 14: South Stanly (1-3, 1-0) built a 13-0 lead on two Ben Bowers touchdown runs, but the Eagles (0-4, 0-1) scored on a 70-yard pass from Ayush Anugam to Jayce Newson. The backbreaker came late in the second quarter, when South Stanly's Andre Dockery returned a fumble 60 yards for a score.

Area nonconference

Forest Hills 27, Hoke County 26 (OT): Makhi Massey threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Ford in overtime, and Alex Sambrano kicked a conversion, as the Yellow Jackets (4-0) remained unbeaten. The Massey-to-Ford touchdown gave Forest Hills a 27-20 lead. Hoke County then scored on a short run but missed the tying conversion kick.

Massey also ran 75 yards for a touchdown and threw a pair of scoring passes.

Statesville 34, West Stokes 20: Santario White put the Greyhounds (2-3) ahead 27-20 with a third-quarter touchdown, and Javin Bailey ran for an insurance score in the final period.