Prep football report: Weddington rips Mavs 42-3
(Note: A full area roundup and a complete scoreboard is under this story)
The road to the Southern Carolina 6A/7A championship – and possibly to the top seed in the Class 7A playoffs – still runs through Weddington.
The Warriors answered any doubts about their Union County dominance Friday night by trouncing Marvin Ridge 42-3 in a meeting of unbeaten teams.
Weddington went into Friday’s game ranked No. 1 in the state in the RPI ratings, which are used to determine playoff seeding. Those ratings are based on victories and on opponents’ won-loss records, so toppling the Mavericks certainly won’t hurt Weddington’s position.
Marvin Ridge (5-1, 1-1) had entered the game with one of the area’s highest-scoring offenses. But that attack was shut down Friday night.
The Warriors (7-0, 3-0) showed their domination on the game’s opening drive. They started at their 20 and ate up nearly nine minutes, moving most of the 80 yards behind running back Brian Walker.
Walker’s 1-yard run with 3:26 left in the quarter put Weddington up 7-0.
While the Warriors’ offense was flawless, the defense, as usual, set the table.
Weddington held Marvin Ridge at its own 10 on the next possession, and a shanked punt allowed the Warriors to start at the Mavericks’ 20.
On the first play from scrimmage, Jared Street connected with Owen Melton for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Marvin Ridge’s next possession was short-lived, as a Weddington defender knocked the ball loose from Maverick running back Jake Robbins at the Marvin Ridge 14. The Warriors quickly scored on a screen pass from Street to Walker.
That came with 3:24 left in the half, but Weddington wasn’t finished.
The Warrior defense once again forced Marvin Ridge into a three-and-out, and Weddington took over at its 47. On the first play of the series, Walker ran 50 yards to the Marvin Ridge 3. Street then passed to Matthew McCoy for a touchdown, giving the Warriors a 27-0 halftime lead.
Marvin Ridge finally got its offense going in the third quarter and drove to the Weddington 10, largely behind Robbins’ running, before settling for a 27-yard Ford Fehling field goal.
But later in the quarter, Walker broke loos for a 60-yard touchdown run that put him near 800 yards total rushing for the season.
Jackson Newman finished the scoring with 5:40 left, picking off a Maverick pass and returning its 52 yards for a touchdown.
In other games around the area:
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Myers Park 49, Garinger 6: Johnell Henderson scored on a short run, and Jacob Miller threw a touchdown pass to Tate Recchia, giving the Mustangs (4-2, 1-0) an early 14-0 lead and sending them to victory. Myers Park added 28 second-quarter points, including a 30-yard touchdown run by Julius Caldwell. Garinger (2-4, 0-1) broke the shutout with a third-quarter touchdown run.
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Mallard Creek 38, North Mecklenburg 21: The Mavericks (5-2, 2-0) built a 31-14 lead, but North Mecklenburg (2-4, 0-1) got within 31-21 on an 85-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Jones to Bryant White in the third quarter. Mallard Creek then put it away with a long touchdown run.
West Charlotte 22, Independence 6: It was homecoming for first-year West Charlotte coach D.J. McFadden, a former Independence quarterback and head coach. And McFadden’s Mighty Lions (4-3, 1-1) got the victory. Devareus Hill threw a touchdown pass to Jachai Rankin, ran for another score, and Jordan Bell scored a third touchdown. The Patriots are now 1-5, 0-1.
Southwestern 7A/8A
Palisades 21, Ardrey Kell 14: Cole Hough threw touchdown passes of 15 and 45 yards, and the host Pumas (5-1, 1-0) won a key game over the Knights (3-3, 0-1). Hough’s second touchdown pass gave Palisades a 21-7 lead, but Ardrey Kell scored on an 89-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Pumas’ defense held from there.
Providence 41, East Mecklenburg 21: Luke Meadow passed for five touchdowns, leading the Panthers (3-4, 2-0) past the Eagles (3-4, 0-2). East Mecklenburg trailed all the way but got within 17-14 in the second quarter on Zahir Wilson’s 1-yard run. Providence responded with a Meador touchdown pass and Jamison Causey’s second field goal of the game before halftime.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 38, Olympic 21: The host Wonders (6-0, 3-0) handed the Trojans (3-3, 2-1) their first conference setback.
Cox Mill 28, Central Cabarrus 21: Carter Caster threw for 151 yards and a touchdown, leading the Chargers (2-4, 1-2) over the Vikings (1-5, 0-3). Juice Hall rushed 17 times for 74 yards and a Cox Mill touchdown.
Hickory Ridge 56, Berry Academy 0: The Ragin’ Bulls (5-1, 3-0) held on to a share of first place, as Colby Cornelius threw for three touchdowns. Nydriquiz Witcher also ran for three scored. The defense chipped in, as Cade Sanfilippo returned a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown, and Justin Blunt scored on an interception.
West Cabarrus 36, Harding 27: Harding (2-4, 1-2) got within 29-27 in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass, but the Rams missed a two-point conversion try. West Cabarrus (2-4, 2-1) then scored a touchdown and recovered a Harding fumble to seal the win.
Mecklenburg nonconference
Ambassador Christian 48, Ledford 15: The Lions ran their record to 6-1, as quarterback Daniel Echevarria threw for 377 yards and six touchdowns. Echevarria, the leading passer in North Carolina, completed 19-of-28 throws. Six of those went to Travis Barton, for 109 yards and two scores. Ezekiel Kelly added to the effort, running six times for 104 yards.
Cannon School 31, Charlotte Country Day 24 (OT): Charlotte Country Day (2-4) forced overtime on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Achilles Morales to Quinn Wilson late in the fourth quarter. But the Cougars (5-1) scored the game-winner on a 10-yard pass from Lucas Lopez to Marcus Sales (their second scoring connection of the game), and Cannon School then stopped the Buccaneers on their possession.
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Lake Norman 45, Statesville 22: Kaden Craft threw four touchdown passes, and the Wildcats (6-0, 1-0) opened conference play with a solid victory. Doc Caldwell caught two touchdown passes, and Mason Hefner added a touchdown on a 30-yard punt return. Marquis Parker ran for a touchdown and passed for another for Statesville (2-4, 0-1).
Mooresville 42, South Iredell 19: The Blue Devils (2-4, 1-0) built early leads of 21-7 in the first quarter and 28-7 in the second quarter and bounced South Iredell (1-5, 0-1).
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Porter Ridge 26, Piedmont 21: Kam Hayden scored on runs of 18 and 1 yards in the third quarter, lifting the Pirates (3-4, 2-1) past the Panthers (3-4, 1-2). Hayden’s second scoring run (he also caught a first-quarter touchdown pass) gave Porter Ridge a 26-14 lead, but Piedmont narrowed the game on a Cooper Wise touchdown run.
Sun Valley 43, Cuthbertson 12: The Spartans (3-3, 1-1) led only 14-12 early in the third quarter, but they pulled away on Grayson Hensley’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Chris Dickey, Josh Bell’s 2-yard scoring run, Josiah Rivera-Laney’s 6-yard touchdown run, and R.J. Sherrod’s 76-yard punt return for a score. Cuthbertson is now 1-6, 0-3.
Big South 5A/6A
Crest 24, South Point 14: Kauvean Pless ran for two South Point touchdowns in the first half, giving the Raiders (6-1, 2-1) a 14-7 lead. But Crest battled back, scoring on a Carson Grier field goal on the final play of the first half, then adding touchdowns by Malachi Gamble and Brock Melton in the third quarter.
South Point twice drove deep into Crest territory without scoring.
Forestview 39, Hunter Huss 20: The host Jaguars (1-6, 1-2) stunned the Huskies (3-4, 1-2), earning their first victory of the season. Forestview built a 32-6 lead in the third quarter, but Huss closed to 32-20 by the middle of the final period.
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills 28, Mount Pleasant 21: The Yellow Jackets (6-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten, as Makhi Massey threw for four touchdowns. Mount Pleasant (4-2, 0-1) scored early in the fourth quarter, then drove deep into Yellow Jacket territory in the closing minutes. Their final drive ended on fourth down at the Forest Hills 1 with 15 seconds left.
Monroe 49, Parkwood 18: The Red Hawks (4-2, 1-0) scored 29 points in the second quarter, building a 42-12 halftime lead, and throttled the Wolf Pack (3-3, 0-1).
West Stanly 24, Anson County 21: Anson (4-2, 0-1) led 21-7 ion the second quarter, with Cardarrius Bivens scoring twice on runs. West Stanly (3-3, 1-0) cut the deficit to 21-14 at halftime, scored on a run in the fourth quarter, then won it on a field goal.
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson 42, Concord 3: The Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0) spotted Concord (1-5, 0-3) a 3-0 lead, then roared back. Aury Greenfield ran for the go-ahead touchdown and then passed for three more. Among the Bulldogs’ other touchdowns was a 90-yard kickoff return by Jackson Kemp to start the second half.
Northwest Cabarrus 21, Jesse Carson 7: The Trojans (5-1, 3-0) remained unbeaten in league play and on a collision course with Jay M. Robinson for the conference title. Jesse Carson (3-3, 1-2) got within 14-7 with a third-quarter touchdown, but Northwest Cabarrus pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hudson Irwin to Mattias Woolfolk.
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Newton-Conover 26, North Lincoln 21: North Lincoln led this game 6-0 after three quarters, but the teams exploded for 41 fourth-quarter points. North Lincoln (1-6, 0-5) took a 21-20 lead with about five minutes left on a Landon Agee touchdown run, but Newton-Conover (2-4, 1-3) won it with a long scoring pass three minutes later.
West Iredell 42, East Lincoln 38: Hey, the Warriors are for real. West Iredell (6-0, 4-0) continued its dream season by handing the Mustangs (6-1, 4-1) their first loss of the season. This is the best start for a West Iredell football team in at least 25 years.
East Lincoln quarterback Davis Beam connected five times with five-star recruit Jaxon Dollar for touchdowns. But West Iredell outdid the Mustangs, as Ja’Braylan Patterson ran for a touchdown and passed for two more, and Amario Spence ran for three scores.
West Iredell took a 42-32 lead with five minutes left on a 15-yard run by Spence, but the Mustangs battled back and scored on a Beam-to-Dollar pass. The Warriors were able to run out the clock after that.
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 36, Lake Norman Charter 7: Ty Sigler threw three touchdown passes, two of them to two-way standout Wyatt Baker, and the Spartans (4-2, 3-0) remained tied with Corvian Community for first place. Lake Norman Charter scored on a Haze Dodson 2-yard run in the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7. The momentum of the game changed late in the second quarter. The Knights were driving into Spartan territory, but Baker picked off a pass and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown.
Corvian Community 45, Pine Lake Prep 14: The host Cardinals (5-1, 3-0) raced to a 35-0 first-quarter lead and routed the Pride (3-3, 1-2).
Lincoln Charter 34, Langtree Charter 21: The Eagles (1-5, 1-2) pulled away in the second half for their first victory of the season. Langtree Charter falls to 3-3, 1-2.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 24, Stuart Cramer 23: Ryan Siski kicked a 28-yard field goal with three minutes remaining, lifting the Biulldogs (5-2, 5-0) over the Storm (4-2, 2-2). Stuart Cramer had taken a 23-21 lead with five minutes remaining on Brayden Fortenberry’s second touchdown run of the game.
East Gaston 38, Highland Tech 0: Jamari Chambers scored three touchdowns on runs, and East Gaston (4-2, 2-2) blanked the Rams (0-7, 0-5).
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
North Stanly 55, Albemarle 0: Demetrius (RJ) Brooks scored three times on runs, as the Comets (6-0, 3-0) crushed the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2).
Union Academy 49, Bonnie Cone Academy 20: Parker Frashier scored twice on runs and caught a touchdown pass from Nicolas Mendoza, leading the Cardinals (4-2, 2-1). Mendoz threw three touchdown passes in all. Bonnie Cone Academy (0-6, 0-3), still seeking its first-ever varsity victory, trailed only 7-6 in the first quarter after Ayush Anugam connected with Jayce Newton on a 58-yard touchdown pass. But Union Academy scored 21 straight points and pulled away.
Scoreboard
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Myers Park 49, Garinger 6
South Mecklenburg 45, West Mecklenburg 34
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Mallard Creek 38, North Mecklenburg 21
West Charlotte 22, Independence 6
Southwestern 7A/8A
Palisades 21, Ardrey Kell 14
Providence 41, East Mecklenburg 21
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 38, Olympic 21
Cox Mill 28, Central Cabarrus 21
Hickory Ridge 56, Berry Academy 0
West Cabarrus 36, Harding 27
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Davie County 63, North Iredell 0
Lake Norman 45, Statesville 22
Mooresville 42, South Iredell 19
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Porter Ridge 26, Piedmont 21
Sun Valley 43, Cuthbertson 12
Weddington 42, Marvin Ridge 3
Big South 5A/6A
Crest 24, South Point 14
Forestview 39, Hunter Huss 20
Kings Mountain 63, North Gaston 0
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills 28, Mount Pleasant 21
Monroe 49, Parkwood 18
West Stanly 24, Anson County 21
South Piedmont 4A/5A
East Rowan 26, Salisbury 6
Jay M. Robinson 42, Concord 3
Northwest Cabarrus 21, Jesse Carson 7
West Rowan 35, South Rowan 6
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Fred T. Foard 26, Bandys 21
Hickory 43, Maiden 21
Newton-Conover 26, North Lincoln 21
West Iredell 42, East Lincoln 38
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Christ the King 44, Bradford Prep 6
Community School of Davidson 36, Lake Norman Charter 7
Corvian Community 45, Pine Lake Prep 14
Lincoln Charter 34, Langtree Charter 21
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 24, Stuart Cramer 23
Cherryville 49, West Lincoln 22
East Gaston 38, Highland Tech 0
Lincolnton 68, Bessemer City 0
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
North Rowan 41, South Stanly 0
North Stanly 55, Albemarle 0
Mountain Island Charter def. Thomas Jefferson Academy, forfeit
Union Academy 49, Bonnie Cone Academy 20
Big 5 (NCISAA)
Hickory Grove Christian 12, Covenant Day 7
High Point Christian 35, SouthLake Christian 7
Mecklenburg nonconference
Ambassador Christian 48, Ledford 15
Cannon School 31, Charlotte Country Day 24 (OT)
Saturday
Nonconference
South Wake Lions (0-6) at Cabarrus Stallions (0-2), at Central Cabarrus High, 6 pm
OFF: Ashbrook, Ballantyne Ridge, Bunker Hill, Butler, Chambers, Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Latin, Fred T. Foard, Hopewell, Hough, Metrolina Christian, Providence Day, Rocky River, Shelby
