Prep football roundup: Hough blanks Mustangs
Top-ranked Hough continued its rampage through the 2026 schedule Friday night, trouncing visiting Myers Park 35-0.
It figured to be the Huskies’ toughest battle in the Greater Charlotte 7A/8A this season, but Hough steamrolled to a 35-0 halftime lead and coasted from there.
Ethan Royal led the Huskies, throwing five touchdown passes.
Only neighborhood rival Hopewell stands in the way of Hough (9-0, 4-0) completing a perfect regular season. Those teams meet next Friday, before Hough takes aim at a second straight Class 8A state championship.
The Huskies nearly scored a touchdown just two minutes into the game on a 54-yard punt return, but the play was called back for a penalty. But on the second play from scrimmage, Ethan Royal connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass with Jackson Heath. The Huskies led 7-0, just 2:39 into the contest.
Royal threw a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Hough ended any hopes Myers Park (6-3, 3-1) had of an upset with a 21-point surge in the second quarter.
Royal lofted a 63-yard touchdown pass to Jahmere Anderson with 9:23 left in the half for a 21-0 lead. Then the Huskies packaged two touchdowns into the final 142 seconds of the second quarter.
Royal threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Joshua Autry with 2:22 left, then connected from 44 yards with Mason Pearsall-Brown just a minute later.
Myers Park appeared to break the shutout in the fourth quarter, when Max Rodway picked up a Hough fumble and dashed 65 yards for a touchdown. But the play was called back due to a Mustang penalty.
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
South Mecklenburg 38, Garinger 0: The Sabres (4-5, 3-1) rolled over the Wildcats (2-7, 0-4) and set up a battle for second place next Friday with Myers Park. South Meck opened a 21-0 first-quarter lead, scoring on a 4-yard run by Nayven Egbert, a 32-yard interception return by Hayden Beasley, and a 20-yard pass from Grayson Dwight to Xavier Lopez-Cruz.
West Mecklenburg 17, Hopewell 9: West Meck (1-8, 1-3) built a 17-0 lead in the second quarter and hung on, giving head coach Randall Ingram his first victory at the school. Hopewell slipped to 5-4, 1-3.
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
No. 5 Chambers 35, West Charlotte 7: Former West Charlotte quarterback Jamouri Nichols threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores, as Chambers (9-0, 4-0) remained unbeaten. Chambers also scored on a 55-yard fumble return by Tyson Stancil and on a short run by T.J. Johnson. The Cougars face Mallard Creek in a battle for the conference championship next Friday. West Charlotte slipped to 5-4, 2-2.
Mallard Creek 35, Butler 3: The Mavericks (7-2, 4-0) did their job, insuring next week's game with Chambers will be a winner-take-all for the conference title. Mallard Creek has won five in a row and held four of its last five opponents to eight points or less. Butler is now 4-5, 1-3.
North Mecklenburg 8, Independence 7: The Vikings (3-6, 1-3) came up with two big defensive plays in the closing minutes to squeak past the Patriots (1-8, 0-4). Independence drove to the North Meck, but the Vikings picked off a halfback pass attempt by the Patriots. Then Independence drove to the North Meck 32 in the final minute, but a final-play Hail Mary pass into the end zone was batted down.
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 28, East Mecklenburg 0: The Knights (6-3, 3-1) kept their title hopes alive with this big win. Freshman Noah Dailey threw a pair of touchdown passes, Jaden Mbanya ran for a score, and the Knights scored on an interception return. East Mecklenburg (4-5, 1-3) drove into the red zone twice in the second quarter but failed to score.
Palisades 49, Rocky River 0: Cole Hough threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, as the Pumas (7-2, 3-1) rolled over the Ravens (0-9, 0-4). Palisades had a 47-0 lead at halftime.
Providence 28, Ballantyne Ridge 21: Luke Meadow threw three touchdown passes, leading Providence (5-4, 4-0) to a tough win over the Wolves (3-6, 1-3). Ryder Polston and Osazee Inneh each ran for Ballantyne Ridge touchdowns. Providence can wrap up the conference title next week against Ardrey Kel..
Big South (NCISAA)
No. 3 Providence Day 49, Charlotte Christian 7: Braylon Clark caught touchdown passes of 9 and 58 yards, helping the Chargers (8-1, 2-0) roll over their Sardis Road neighbors. Providence Day led 14-0 early in the second quarter, but Charlotte Christian (3-5, 1-1) narrowed the gap on Gavin McDermott's 2-yard touchdown run. But Clark caught his first touchdown pass minutes later, and the rout was on.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
No. 7 A.L. Brown 46, Cox Mill 0: The Wonders (9-0, 6-0) clinched at least a conference title tie, as A.J. Settles threw three touchdown passes, and Lemar Grier ran for two more scores. Ashton Chavis ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass. Cox Mill is now 2-7, 1-5
Berry Academy 9, Olympic 7: The Cardinals (4-5, 2-4) played solid defense and upset the Trojans (4-5, 3-3)..
Hickory Ridge 40, Harding 0: Nyoni Sio Jr. ran for two touchdowns, leading the Ragin' Bulls (7-2, 5-1) past the Rams (2-7, 1-5). Jayce Curtis caught a pair of touchdown passes, and Philip Bemah ran for another Hickory Ridge score.
West Cabarrus 35, Central Cabarrus 21: Central Cabarrus (2-7, 1-5) led 14-7 at halftime, but the Wolverines (5-4, 5-1) scored on a pass and on a run in the third quarter for a 21-14 lead and pulled away.
North Piedmont 6A/7A
No. 4 Lake Norman 28, Davie County 7: Artez Massey broke a scoreless game early in the second quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run, and the Wildcats (9-0, 4-0) downed the War Eagles (5-4, 2-2). Massey's touchdown was set up by a long run and a long pass by Kaden Craft. It was Craft who accounted for Lake Norman's three other touchdowns, running 6 yards and 19 yards and throwing a scoring pass to Doc Caldwell.
Mooresville 31, Statesville 0: The Blue Devils (5-4, 4-0) won their fifth in a row, as Weston Michalak threw two touchdown passes to Tyler Myers. Tucker Holland and Zy Pharr also ran for touchdowns, and Adam Cummings kicked a field goal. Statesville fell to 3-6, 1-3.
South Iredell 48, North Iredell 3: South Iredell (2-7, 1-3) held North Iredell (0-9, 0-4) to a total of 93 yards' offense. Bryson McClain threw three touchdown passes for the Vikings.
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 39, Cuthbertson 14: Sam Kaupp ran 11 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, helping the Cougars (5-4, 3-2) open an eight-point lead and eventually pull away. Cuthbertson (1-8, 0-5) had gotten to within 15-14 before Kaupp's scoring run. Aidan Flynn added a field goal shortly before the half, and the Cougars scored twice more in the third quarter.
Marvin Ridge 37, Sun Valley 7: Ford Fehling kicked two of his three field goals in the second quarter, putting the Mavericks (8-1, 4-1) ahead to stay. Sun Valley (4-5, 2-3) had tied the game at 7-7 after the first quarter, before Fehling made his kicks. Marvin Ridge added a touchdown shortly before the half, on a pass from Levi Kerr to Michael Pecola.
No. 2 Weddington 55, Piedmont 7: Jared Street threw four touchdown passes in the first half, and Weddington (10-0, 6-0) closed a perfect regular season with an easy victory. The Warriors led 28-0 after the first quarter and 48-0 at the half. Weddington likely will be off for two straight weeks, as the Warriors will have a first-round playoff bye. Piedmont fell to 3-6, 1-4.
Big South 5A/6A
No. 11 Crest 38, Ashbrook 0: The Chargers (8-1, 5-0) clinched at least a share of the conference title, as K.J. Bell threw two touchdown passes, and Malachi Gamble, Brock Melton and Maurice Redmond ran for touchdowns. Melton also caught a touchdown pass. Carson Grier kicked a 47-yard field goal for Crest. Ashbrook fell to 4-5, 2-3.
Kings Mountain 46, Hunter Huss 0: Khareem Coleman ran for three touchdowns, and the Mountaineers (7-2, 4-1) walloped the Huskies (3-6, 1-4).
South Point 35, Forestview 6: Kaveaun Pless ran for four touchdowns in the first half, and the Raiders (9-1, 5-1) closed their regular season with a big win over the Jaguars (1-8, 1-4). Cayden Rumph threw 31 yards to Julian Vickers for the other South Point score. The Raiders can be part of a three-way tie for the conference title if Kings Mountain beatrs rival Crest next Friday.
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills 35, Anson County 0: The Yellow Jackets (8-1, 3-1) prepped for their big game next Friday with Monroe, by routing the Bearcats (4-5, 0-4). Makhi Massey threw three touchdown passes, two to Kam Myers, and Cedric Ford and Chris Baker each scored on runs. Baker's touchdown covered 32 yards.
Monroe 49, Mount Pleasant 14: This game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter, but Monroe (7-2, 4-0) outscored the Tigers (6-3, 2-2) by a 26-7 margin in the second quarter for a 33-14 halftime lead. Monroe faces rival Forest Hills next week, with the conference championship on the line.
Parkwood 30, West Stanly 24:: Smith Barlowe threw the winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, as the wolf Pack (4-5, 1-3) edged the Colts (4-5, 2-2). West Stanly had taken a 24-22 lead on Javier Padilla's touchdown run, before Parkwood drove for the go-ahead score.
South Piedmont 4A/5A
No. 6 Jay M. Robinson 48, Jesse Carson 0: Aury Greenfield threw three touchdown passes, and Isaiah Woodburn returned a punt 70 yards for another score, as the Bulldogs (9-0, 6-0) clinched at least a tie for the conference championship. Tony Johnson also ran for a pair of Jay M. Robinson touchdowns. Jesse Carson fell to 4-5, 2-4.
Salisbury 29, Concord 10: The Spiders (1-8, 0-6) got to within 16-10 on a field goal late in the third quarter, but Salisbury (2-7, 2-4) scored on a fumble return and never looked back.
West Rowan 45, Northwest Cabarrus 42: West Rowan (7-2, 5-1) ruined Northwest Cabarrus' (7-2, 5-1) hopes of winning the conference title outright, as Bryce Zino kicked a game-winning 42-yard field goal in the final minute. Northwest Cabarrus had tied the game 42-42 on a 70-yard pass from Hudson Irwin to Nate Jones, before the Falcons launched their game-winning drive. Northwest Cabarrus faces unbeaten Jay M. Robinson next week and could still tie for the conference crown.
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bunker Hill 28, North Lincoln 26: The Knights (2-7, 1-6) scored on a 75-yard pass from Easton Lusk to Stephen Fox in the closing minutes but missed the potential game-tying two-point conversion. Bunker Hil improved to 5-4, 3-4.
East Lincoln 71, Maiden 35: It was a defense-optional game at East Lincoln, as Mustangs' standout Jaxon Dollar caught two touchdown passes and returned an interception for another score. One of his touchdown passes covered 80 yards. Jacoby Hunt also ran for a pair of Mustang (9-1, 7-1) touchdowns. It was East Lincoln's regular-season finale. The Mustangs will have next week off before opening playoff action.
No. 12 West Iredell 41, Bandys 31: The Warriors (9-0, 7-0) had problems with Bandys (3-6, 2-5), which trailed only 27-24 in the third quarter. Amario Spence ran for four touchdowns, including runs of 58 and 30 yards. His third touchdown provided West Iredell with its winning points. Kylen Allen threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score.
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 29, Langtree Charter 3: Ty Sigler completed 16-of-28 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Spartans (6-3, 5-1) past the Lions (3-6, 1-5). Jack Browning caught five of Sigler's passes for 63 yards.
Corvian Community 54, Christ the King 6: The Cardinals (8-1, 6-0) continued their bid for the top seed in the 2A West playoffs by holding the Crusaders (6-3, 3-3) to 60 yards rushing. Corvian Community forced four Christ the King turnovers.
Lake Norman Charter 33, Bradford Prep 0: Dylan Wignot threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more, lifting the Knights (6-3, 4-2) over the Bears (2-7, 1-5). Wignot connected twice for touchdowns with Isaiah Carter.
Lincoln Charter 35, Pine Lake Prep 31: The Eagles (2-7, 2-4) pulled an upset, scoring the winning touchdown on a run with about three minutes left. Pine Lake Prep (4-5, 2-4) had taken a 31-28 lead on an Ethan Braun field goal. The Pride got the ball once more after Lincoln Charter's final touchdown and drove to the Eagles' 25 before time ran out.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 48, Highland Tech 0: Max Davis ran for touchdowns of 9 and 39 yards, helping the Bulldogs (7-2, 7-0) remain tied with Shelby for first place. Those two teams will meet next Friday. Jacob Tysinger got the rout started by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown. Kenyon Surratt scored for Burns on a 53-yard punt return, and Markalen Camp returned an interception 52 yards for another score. Highland Tech finished the season 0-10, 0-8.
Shelby 55, Bessemer City 6: The Golden Lions (8-1, 7-0) made quick work of Bessemer City (1-8, 1-6), scoring four times in the first quarter. Shelby opened the scoring on a 23-yard run by Immanuel Collins. Then the Golden Lions scored twice within 90 seconds, on an 8-yard run by Jonas Woods and a 40-yard pass from Cruz Scott to J.J. Williams. They added a touchdown on the final play of the quarter, on a 16-yard run by Julius Brooks, and coasted from there. Shelby faces rival Burns in a battle for the conference title next Friday.
Stuart Cramer 42, Cherryville 14: Camden Stilwell threw three touchdown passes, and Brayden Fortenberry ran for two more scores, as the Storm (7-2, 5-2) rolled. Cherryville fell to 5-4, 3-4.
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Mountain Island Charter 20, South Stanly 2: Ryan Umscheid's first-quarter field goal put the Raptors (7-2, 4-2) ahead 3-2 over South Stanly (2-7, 2-4), and Mountain Island Charter's defense took it from there. Umscheid added another field goal in the second half.
North Rowan 37, Albemarle 13: Freshman quarterback Braylan Davis threw touchdown passes of 45 and 75 yards, but it wasn't enough for Albemarle (3-6, 2-4) against the Cavaliers (7-2, 5-1).
North Stanly 60, Bonnie Cone Academy 0: The Comets (9-0, 6-0) got three touchdown runs from Demetrius Brooks and remained undefeated. North Stanly also scored on a punt return and on Nathan Helms' pick-six. Bonnie Cone Academy fell to 0-9, 0-6 but will get the first victory in the program's two years next week, via a forfeit over Thomas Jefferson Academy.
Big Five (NCISAA)
Asheville School 49, SouthLake Christian 14: The Blues (6-2, 3-0) rolled over the Eagles (5-4, 2-2). Cameron Gandy threw touchdown passes to Carter Eberhart and Davis Hauser for the Eagles.
High Point Christian 55, Hickory Grove Christian 14: Hickory Grove (7-2, 1-2) trailed only 14-7 after one quarter, but High Point Christian (8-1, 2-1) outscored the Lions 27-0 in the second quarter for a 41-7 halftime lead.
Western Conference (NCISAA)
Christ School 48, Metrolina Christian 14: Samuel Willi threw for 128 yards and a touchdown for Metrolina Christian (3-6, 0-2), but the visiting Greenies (7-2, 1-1) sacked Willi four times and held the Warriors to minus-47 yards rushing.
Rabun Gap-GA School 52, Cannon School 20: Lucas Lopez threw two touchdown passes for Cannon School (6-3, 1-1), but the Cougars were outmanned by the powerhouse Eagles (5-4, 2-0), who led 49-6 midway in the third quarter.
Nonconference
Orlando First Academy 42, Ambassador Christian 20: Ambassador Christian (6-3) scored on an Ezekiel Kelly touchdown late in the first half, tying the game at 14-all. But the visiting Royals (7-1), a Florida powerhouse, scored 21 straight points and pulled away.
The scoreboard
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hough 35, Myers Park 0
South Mecklenburg 38, Garinger 0
West Mecklenburg 17, Hopewell 9
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers 35, West Charlotte 7
Mallard Creek 35, Butler 3
North Mecklenburg 8, Independence 7
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 28, East Mecklenburg 0
Palisades 49, Rocky River 0
Providence 28, Ballantyne Ridge 21
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 46, Cox Mill 0
Berry Academy 9, Olympic 7
Hickory Ridge 40, Harding 0
West Cabarrus 35, Central Cabarrus 21
Big South (CISAA)
Charlotte Latin 14, Charlotte Country Day 7
Providence Day 49, Charlotte Christian 7
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Lake Norman 28, Davie County 7
Mooresville 31, Statesville 0
South Iredell 28, North Iredell 3
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 39, Cuthbertson 14
Marvin Ridge 37, Sun Valley 7
Weddington 55, Piedmont 7
Big South 5A/6A
Crest 38, Ashbrook 0
Kings Mountain 46, Hunter Huss 0
South Point 35, Forestview 6
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills 35, Anson County 0
Monroe 49, Mount Pleasant 14
Parkwood 30, West Stanly 24
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson 48, Jesse Carson 0
Salisbury 29, Concord 10
South Rowan 28, East Rowan 7
West Rowan 45, Northwest Cabarrus 42
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bunker Hill 28, North Lincoln 26
East Lincoln 71, Maiden 35
Newton-Conover 35, Fred T. Foard 0
West Iredell 41, Bandys 31
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 29, Langtree Charter 3
Corvian Community 54, Christ the King 6
Lake Norman Charter 33, Bradford Prep 0
Lincoln Charter 35, Pine Lake Prep 31
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 48, Highland Tech 0
East Gaston 27, West Lincoln 21
Shelby 55, Bessemer City 6
Stuart Cramer 42, Cherryville 14
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Mountain Island Charter 20, South Stanly 2
North Rowan 37, Albemarle 13
North Stanly 60, Bonnie Cone Academy 0
Union Academy def. Thomas Jefferson Academy, forfeit
Big 5 (NCISAA)
Asheville School 49, SouthLake Christian 14
High Point Christian 55, Hickory Grove Christian 14
Western Conference (NCISAA)
Christ School 48, Metrolina Christian 14
Rabun Gap-GA School 52, Cannon School 20
Mecklenburg nonconference
Covenant Day 56, Carolina Mavericks 0
Orlando First Assembly 42, Ambassador Christian 20
Saturday
Nonconference
Mount Zion Christian (4-5) vs. Cabarrus Stallions (0-4), at Central Cabarrus High, 6 pm
OFF: Hickory, Lincolnton, Porter Ridge
