Football roundup: Mavs hand Chambers 1st loss
Mallard Creek’s defense shut down the explosive Chambers attack Friday night, and the Mavericks knocked off the previously unbeaten Cougars 17-7.
The victory gave Mallard Creek (8-2, 5-0) the Meck Power Six 7A/8A championship.
And make no mistake about it – the Mavs’ defense was the deciding factor.
Mallard Creek forced Chambers into three turnovers and shut out a Cougar offense that was averaging nearly 500 yards of offense per game.
The Cougars (9-1, 4-1) got their touchdown on a third-quarter punt return.
Mallard Creek’s defense set the tone early. Chambers drove to the Mallard Creek 20 in the first quarter, but Tyrell Barze Jr. picked off a Jamouri Nichols pass to end the threat.
The Mavericks got their offense moving early in the second quarter. Moving mostly on the ground, the Mavs scored with 10:07 left in the half on a 1-yard run by Chase Roberts.
That was the only scoring of the half. Chambers defenders Brayden Clayton, Malachi Gant and Keland Shelton kept plenty of pressure on Mallard Creek quarterback Cailen Napier and his offense. At the same time, Maverick defenders like Adam Everette, Isaiah Johnson, Damon Powell and Geremiah Mobley were shutting down Chambers.
The Cougars got their only score early in the third quarter, when Kam Moore returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown. The conversion kick tied the game 7-7.
But Mallard Creek converted a Johnson fumble recovery into a scoring drive, as Samuel Nannini kicked a 30-yard go-ahead field goal with 1:14 left in the third period.
The Mavericks put it away in the closing minutes, scoring on a long drive that was fueled by Joshua Person’s 31-yard run to the Chambers 20. Five plays later, Napier scored on a 4-yard run.
Chambers got the ball back, but Cougars’ quarterback Jamouri Nichols was hounded by the Mallard Creek defense. The game ended with the ball in Chambers territory.
Check back Friday night and Saturday morning for details on other games .
In other games around the Charlotte area:
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hough 49, Hopewell 0: The Huskies (10-0, 5-0) put an exclamation mark on a perfect season, as Ethan Royal passed for two touchdowns, Jamarion Morrison ran for two scores, and Mason Pearsall-Brown made a pair of touchdown catches. Michael Griffin Jr. also scored on a fumble return. The Huskies raced to a 35-0 first-quarter lead against the Titans (5-5, 1-4).
Myers Park 35, South Mecklenburg 0: Ramir Watson threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns, and the Mustangs (7-3, 4-1) won the battle for second place. Myers Park held South Mecklenburg (4-6, 3-2) to 80 yards' total offense.
West Mecklenburg 22, Garinger 14: The Hawks (2-8, 1-4) finished on a roll, winning their last two games. Garinger fell to 2-8, 0-5.
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Independence 22, Butler 20: Independence (2-8, 1-4) helped erase a tough season by scoring 15 points in the final minutes and pulling an upset over their neighborhood rivals. Butler fell to 4-6, 1-4.
West Charlotte 33, North Mecklenburg 19: The Mighty Lions (6-4, 3-2) got big games from freshman quarterback Devareus Hill and running back emery McClain Jr. and downed the Vikings (3-7, 1-4). Hill completed 17-of-23 passes for 238 yards, and McClain ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 13, Providence 12: The Knights (7-3, 4-1) scored late in the fourth quarter and rallied past the visiting Panthers (5-5, 4-1). The game was tied 7-7 in the third quarter, but Providence went ahead with a field goal and then added a safety later in the third period. With this outcome and Palisades' victory, the conference ended in a three-way tie for first place between Ardrey Kell, Palisades and Providence.
Ballantyne Ridge 42, Rocky River 7: The visiting Wolves (4-6, 2-3) raced to a 28-7 halftime lead and coasted past the Ravens (0-10, 0-5). The victory insured that Ballantyne Ridge will be going to the playoffs for the first time in the school's three-year history.
Palisades 42, East Mecklenburg 13: The host Pumas (8-2, 4-1) gained a share of first place (with Ardrey Kell and Providence), thanks to three touchdown passes by Cole Hough. The Eagles (4-6, 1-4) picked off two Palisades passes in the first quarter but couldn't convert the turnovers into any points.
Big South (NCISAA)
Charlotte Latin 30, Charlotte Christian 22: De'Jon Douglas ran for three touchdowns, including dashes of 30 and 51 yards, and led the Hawks (5-5, 2-1) past the Knights (3-6, 1-2). Troy Logan threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Anthony McGill for another Charlotte Latin score. Gavin McDermott threw a touchdown pass for Charlotte Christian.
Providence Day 37, Charlotte Country Day 0: The Chargers (9-1, 3-0) prepped for the NCISAA playoffs, as Max Cassell had seven receptions and Ethan Dempsey caught five passes. The Buccaneers fell to 3-7, 0-3.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 34, West Cabarrus 21: A.J. Settled ignited a first-half surge, and the Wonders (10-0, 7-0) completed their first unbeaten regular season of this century. West Cabarrus (5-5, 5-2) took a 7-0 lead on Jacorey Wright's pick-six, but Settles attoned for that mistake by throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score in the first half. Demetrius Adams scored the go-ahead touchdown on an interception return.
Berry Academy 37, Cox Mill 17: The Cardinals (5-5, 3-4) reached the .500 mark, outscoring Cox Mill 16-0 in the fourth quarter. They clinched the victory by scoring on a safety and then returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Cox Mill fell to 2-8, 1-6.
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Lake Norman 56, Mooresville 17: The Wildcats (10-0, 5-0) finished an unbeaten regular season with a lopsided victory over their rivals. Lake Norman opened a 7-0 first-quarter lead on a Bryson Pohlman touchdown run, but Mooresville (5-5, 4-1) tied the game on Weston Michalak's 33-yard scoring dash. Kaden Craft threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Doc Caldwell for a 15-7 lead, but Mooresville scored on a field goal and cut the deficit to 15-10. Lake Norman then scored 21 straight points, including two Craft touchdown passes, and pulled away.
Statesville 42, North Iredell 6: Marquis Parker threw three touchdown passes, and the Greyhounds (4-6, 2-3) trounced North Iredell (0-10, 0-5).
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Marvin Ridge 52, Cuthbertson 10: The Mavericks (9-1, 5-1) finished second in the conference behind Weddington. Jake Robbins ran 13 times for 190 yards and four touchdowns, and Levi Kerr completed 10-of-14 passes for 183 yards and two more scores. Cuthbertson finished 1-9, 0-6.
Sun Valley 21, Porter Ridge 13: Josh Bell ran 3 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, and Aden Haskins returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown in the final period, lifting the Spartans (5-5, 3-3) over the Pirates (3-7, 2-4).
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook 21, Hunter Huss 16: Savion Lindsay ran for two touchdowns, helping Ashbrook (5-5, 3-3) build a 21-8 lead over its Gastonia city rival. But Huss scored on a Quincy Fortenberry touchdown and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. The Huskies (3-7, 1-5) then recovered the onside kick but were stopped on downs. Then they got the ball back again on an Ashbrook fumble. But they were stopped again.
Crest 45, Kings Mountain 7: Crest (9-1, 6-0) routed their Cleveland County rivals for the second straight year, as Brock Melton scored on runs of 12, 46 and 11 yards. the Chargers scored 17 points in the second quarter for a 31-0 halftime lead. The final points of the half came on a 50-yard field goal by Carson Grier. Kings Mountain (7-3, 4-2) settled for third place in the conference.
Rocky River 4A/5A
Monroe 35, Forest Hills 0: The Redhawks (8-2, 5-0) scored twice on runs in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. Forest Hills (8-2, 3-2) then drove to the Monroe 15, but a pair of sacks and an injury to quarterback Makhi Massey ended that threat. Massey returned in the second quarter, but Monroe's defense stifled the Yellow Jackets. The game was testy, with a number of unsportsmanlike conduct and personal foul penalties.
Mount Pleasant 28, West Stanly 14: Mount Pleasant (7-3, 3-2) scored twice on runs in the fourth quarter, breaking a 14-14 tie and beating the Colts (4-6, 2-3).
Parkwood 21, Anson County 7: Parkwood (5-5, 2-3) scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and broke away from the Bearcats (4-6, 0-5).
South Piedmont 4A/5A
East Rowan 28, Concord 14: Concord (1-9, 0-7) led 14-7 in the second quarter, but East Rowan (5-5, 3-4) rallied, behind two Jason Lyons touchdown runs.
Jay M. Robinson 42, Northwest Cabarrus 7: The Bulldogs (10-0, 7-0) completed a perfect regular season by routing the Trojans (7-3, 5-2). After a scoreless first quarter, Jay M. Robinson bolted to a 14-0 halftime lead, on touchdown runs by Ennis Stiles and Aury Greenfield. Jameer Kelly's pick-six in the third quarter made it 21-0, and the Bulldogs coasted.
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bunker Hill 29, West Iredell 27: Here is your upset of the night. The host Bears (6-4, 4-4) scored on a field goal in the final minutes and prevented West Iredell (9-1, 7-1) from completing a perfect regular season. A touchdown pass from Kylen Allen to Amario Spence in the fourth quarter had given West Iredell a 27-26 lead, after Bunker Hill built a 26-14 second-half margin. But the Bears then drove for the winning kick.
North Lincoln 35, Fred T. Foard 28: The Knights (3-7, 2-6) took a 21-0 lead early and were ahead 28-14 in the fourth quarter, but Foard (2-8, 1-7) rallied for a tie. North Lincoln won it with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Easton Lusk to Jonathan Fabiano.
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 39, Pine Lake Prep 7: Ty Sigler completed 10-of-15 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Spartans (7-3, 6-1) to a second-place finish in the conference. The Spartans totaled six sacks, and Cade Rasmussen intercepted a Pine Lake Prep (4-6, 2-5) pass and caused two fumbles.
Lake Norman Charter 40, Lincoln Charter 7: The host Knights (7-3, 5-2) got four touchdown runs from Chase Gentile and a 69-yard touchdown jaunt from quarterback Dylan Wignot. Justin Hudgins ran for the Lincoln Charter (2-8, 2-5) touchdown.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Lincolnton 47, West Lincoln 7: Rashad Lynch threw for 212 yards and five touchdowns, as the Wolves (7-3, 5-3) routed their Lincoln County rivals. R.J. Lynch had five receptions for 103 yards, and Lincolnton shut down the West Lincoln (3-7, 2-6) ground game.
Shelby 36, Burns 35 (2 OT): This Cleveland County rivalry was an instant classic. Burns (7-3, 7-1) jumped to a 21-0 second-quarter lead, but Shelby (9-1, 8-0) battled back and tied it at 21-all on a touchdown pass from Cruz Scott to Tyler Morgan. Each team scored in the first overtime, and Burns scored on a Chris Dawkins-to-Jonan Ussery pass in the second overtime. Ryan Sisk's conversion kick made it 35-28. Shelby then scores on a 4-yard run by Jonas Woods, and the Golden Lions elected to go for two points. Scott's pass to Woods won the game and the conference title for Shelby.
Stuart Cramer 54, East Gaston 7: Cameron Stilwell threw five touchdown passes, leading the Storm (8-2, 6-2) past East Gaston (5-5, 3-5). Stuart Cramer raced to a 40-0 halftime lead.
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Albemarle 19, South Stanly 17: Albemarle (4-6, 3-4) erased a 17-7 deficit after three quarters by scoring twice on runs in the final period. South Stanly finished 2-8, 2-5.
Mountain Island Charter 32, North Rowan 30: Javon Boyd ran 11 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and he passed for another 185 yards and two scores. The Raptors (8-2, 5-2) led North Rowan (7-3, 5-2) 32-15 after three quarters, but the Cavaliers rallied. Mountain Island Charter sealed the victory with an interception late in the game.
Nonconference
Ambassador Christian 35, Asheville School 28: David Echevarria completed 29-of-38 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns, as the Lions finished their season with a 7-3 record. Travis Belton had seven receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Asheville School fell to 6-3.
Florence (SC) King's Academy 21, SouthLake Christian 9: SouthLake Christian (5-5) narrowed an early gap to 14-9 on Hayden Richards' fourth-quarter touchdown, but the Lions (8-2) scored a few minutes later and held on.
Metrolina Christian 43, Hickory Grove Christian 0: Samuel Willi completed 11-of-14 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns, as the Warriors (4-6) routed Hickory Grove (7-3).
Scoreboard
Thursday
Western Conference (NCISAA)
Cannon School 49, Christ School 29
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hough 49, Hopewell 0
Myers Park 35, South Mecklenburg 0)
West Mecklenburg 19, Garinger 16
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Independence 28, Butler 22
Mallard Creek 17, Chambers 7
West Charlotte 33, North Mecklenburg 19
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 13, Providence 12
Ballantyne Ridge 42, Rocky River 7
Palisades 42, East Mecklenburg 13
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 34, West Cabarrus 21
Berry Academy 37, Cox Mill 17
Central Cabarrus 30, Harding 6
Hickory Ridge 63, Olympic 0
CISAA
Charlotte Latin 30, Charlotte Christian 22
Providence Day 37, Charlotte Country Day 0
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Davie County 42, South Iredell 14
Lake Norman 56, Mooresville 17
Statesville 42, North Iredell 6
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 50, Piedmont 21
Marvin Ridge 52, Cuthbertson 10
Sun Valley 21, Porter Ridge 13
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook 21, Hunter Huss 16
Crest 45, Kings Mountain 7
Forestview 36, North Gaston 8
Rocky River 4A/5A
Monroe 35, Forest Hills 0
Mount Pleasant 28, West Stanly 14
Parkwood 28, Anson County 7
South Piedmont 4A/5A
East Rowan 28, Concord 14
Jay M. Robinson 42, Northwest Cabarrus 7
South Rowan 35, Jesse Carson 32
West Rowan 58, Salisbury 13
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bunker Hill 29, West Iredell 27
Hickory 49, Bandys 21
Maiden 53, Newton-Conover 35
North Lincoln 35, Fred T. Foard 28
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Christ the King 41, Langtree Charter 14
Community School of Davidson 39, Pine Lake Prep 7
Corvian Community 47, Bradford Prep 0
Lake Norman Charter 40, Lincoln Charter 7
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Cherryville 57, Bessemer City 16
Lincolnton 47, West Lincoln 7
Shelby 36, Burns 35 (2 OT)
Stuart Cramer 54, East Gaston 7
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Albemarle 19, South Stanly 17
Mountain Island Charter 32, North Rowan 30
North Stanly 49, Union Academy 6
Bonnie Cone Academy 2, Thomas Jefferson Academy 0 (forfeit)
Big Five (NCISAA)
High Point Christian 41, Covenant Day 0
Mecklenburg nonconference
Ambassador Christian 35, Asheville School 28
King’s Academy 21, SouthLake Christian 9
Metrolina Christian 43, Hickory Grove Christian 0
OFF: East Lincoln, Highland Tech, South Point, Weddington
