Prep football roundup: West Charlotte nips Butler
West Charlotte got a second chance … and that was all the Lions needed.
The Mighty Lions got a mulligan on a failed attempt for a go-ahead two-point conversion in the fourth quarter and made good on the second try. That provided the decisive points in West Charlotte’s 15-14 victory Friday night over Butler.
In a game could determine third place in the Meck Power Six 7A/8A (with Chambers and Mallard Creek leading the standings), West Charlotte (5-3, 2-1) made several big defensive plays down the stretch to insure the victory.
The winning points came with 5:51 left in the game.
The Lions, trailing 14-7, drove deep into Butler territory and scored on a 4-yard run by Emory McClain Jr.
Head coach D.J. McFadden elected to go for the two points, but Butler (4-4, 1-2) stopped West Charlotte’s attempt. The Bulldogs were whistled for holding, though, and West Charlotte got another try. The second time was the charm, with McClain running into the end zone.
Butler got the ball two more times after that, but the Lions had a key sack on one possession and then picked off a Butler pass with about a minute to play.
West Charlotte took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 5-yard run by freshman quarterback Devareus Hill Jr.
Butler drove deep into Lions’ territory, but West Charlotte’s J.T. Heath intercepted a Bulldog pass in the end zone.
Butler scored on its next possession, as Damourian Thomas-Wright ran 2 yards for a touchdown. A screen pass from Nikko Henderson to Thomas-Wright set up that score.
Butler pulled ahead in the third quarter, when Henderson connected with Zaylen Barnes on a 26-yard toss with 9:47 left in the period. That gave the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead.
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hopewell 43, Garinger 6: The Titans (5-3, 1-2) piled up 416 rushing yards and pummeled the Wildcats (2-6, 0-3). Miles Vanderspuy rushed for 188 yards, and Damon Broussard carries for another 145 yards. Quarterback Antonio Jenkins completed 9-of-11 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Hough 47, South Mecklenburg 0: Ethan Royal threw three touchdown passes, and Jamarion Morrison ran for three more scores, as the Huskies (8-0, 3-0) pummeled the Sabres (3-5, 2-1). Hough led only 10-0 after the first quarter but scored four touchdowns (including the two Morrison runs) and a safety in the second quarter for a 40-0 halftime lead.
Myers Park 47, West Mecklenburg 6: Johnell Henderson scored on runs of 5 and 30 yards, and Ramir Watson threw two touchdown passes for the Mustangs (6-2, 3-0). One of Watson's scoring tosses, to Jalen Riley, covered 60 yards. Five players scored touchdowns for Myers Park. West Meck is now 0-8, 0-3.
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers 29, North Mecklenburg 0: The Cougars (8-0, 3-0) remained unbeaten, as four different players scored touchdowns. After a scoreless first quarter, Chambers scored on a safety, then made it 9-0 on Kylen Tucker's 4-yard run. Jamouri Nichols passed to Matthew Taylor for a touchdown before the half, giving Chambers a 16-0 lead. Tahj Brooks and Drew Bradley scored in the second half. North Meck fell to 2-6, 0-3.
Mallard Creek 35, Independence 8: Mallard Creek (6-2, 3-0) scored 35 points in the first quarter and trounced the Patriots (1-7, 0-3). The Mavericks scored touchdowns on a pair of runs, two passes, and a blocked punt.
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 44, Ballantyne Ridge 21: The host Knights (5-3, 2-1) raced to a 24-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Wolves (3-5, 1-2) cut the deficit to 24-21 after three quarters. Ardrey Kell then scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns.
East Mecklenburg 44, Rocky River 12: The Eagles (4-4, 1-2) rallied from a 6-3 deficit and routed the Ravens (0-8, 0-3). Collin Hankins ran for two touchdowns, and Max Peters returned an interception 31 yards for another East Meck score. Dominic Lisi and Kimar Frazier threw touchdown passes, and K'Jwon Gary scored on a run for the Eagles.
Providence 23, Palisades 22: The Panther (4-4, 3-0) toppled the Pumas (6-2, 2-1) in a game that shared honors with West Stanly's victory over previously unbeaten Forest Hills as upsets of the night. Providence bolted to a 20-6 lead, only to have Palisades come back and take a 22-20 lead. The Panthers drove deep into Palisades territory in the closing minutes and won the game on a Jamison Causey field goal from 24 yards out.
CISAA
Charlotte Christian 25, Charlotte Country Day 20: Maxton Miller galloped 40 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown, erasing a 20-19 deficit and lifting the Knights (3-4, 1-0) over the Buccaneers (3-5, 0-1). Charlotte Country Day had taken a 20-19 lead early in the fourth quarter on Joseph Dor's second field goal of the game. Elijah Boythe had field goals of 29 and 40 yards for Charlotte Christian.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 35, Hickory Ridge 28: The Wonders (8-0, 5-0) won this showdown over Hickory Ridge (6-2, 4-1), thanks to Ashton Davis' 45-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. A.L. Brown had gone up 28-21 in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by A.J. Settles, but the Ragin' Bulls tied it on a pass from Colby Cornelius to Colton Laskowski. that tied the game 28-28 midway in the fourth quarter and set up Davis' game-winning play.
West Cabarrus 56, Cox Mill 27: West Cabarrus (4-4, 4-1) led only 14-13 in the second quarter but scored 21 straight points on a Chase Scrianko-to-Jayden Reid pass, a Da'Jon Barringer run, and a Reid run. Barringer added two more touchdown runs in the late going. Cox Mill fell to 2-6, 1-4.
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Marvin Ridge 24, Charlotte Catholic 7: The Mavericks (7-1, 3-1) spotted the Cougars (4-4, 2-2) a 7-0 lead, then battled back. Tino Delissio ran for two touchdowns, including a 35-yarder, and Jake Robbins dashed 55 yards for another score. Ford Fehling rounded out the scoring with a 39-yard field goal.
Sun Valley 35, Piedmont 21: This game was tied 7-7 at the half, but Sun Valley (4-4, 2-2) scored a pair of touchdowns for a 21-7 lead. Piedmont (3-5, 1-3) battled back twice and trailed only 28-21 in the late going, but the Spartans put together a closing touchdown drive to clinch it.
Weddington 42, Porter Ridge 0: The Warriors (9-0, 5-0) moved closer to the conference championship, as Brian Walker ran for three touchdowns. Weddington led only 7-0 after the first quarter, on a Jared Street-to-Matthew McCoy touchdown pass. But Walker ran for a pair of scores in the second quarter, as Weddington pulled away from the Pirates (3-6, 2-3).
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Lake Norman 59, North Iredell 0: Kaden Craft threw four touchdown passes and ran for one more, as the Wildcats (8-0, 3-0) rolled over North Iredell (0-8, 0-3). Craft threw two touchdown passes apiece to Thailan Bellamy and Doc Caldwell. The second of those scoring passes to Caldwell covered 80 yards. Bellamy also scored on a 52-yard punt return, and Malik Bellamy returned a punt 52 yards for a score.
Mooresville 67, Davie County 28: What has gotten into Mooresville? The Blue Devils started the season 0-4 but improved to 4-4 (3-0 in conference) with this rout. Weston Michalak threw four touchdown passes, and Zy Pharr ran for three touchdowns. Mooresville's Adam Cummings also scored on a 50-yard fumble return. Davie County slipped to 5-3, 2-1.
Statesville 40, South Iredell 0: The visiting Greyhounds (3-5, 1-2) scored three touchdowns in the second quarter for a 25-0 halftime lead over South Iredell (1-7, 0-3).
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook 46, Forestview 7: A.J. McClain threw three touchdown passes, leading the Green Wave (4-4, 2-2) over the Jaguars (1-7, 1-3). Ashbrook's special teams also scored on Brayden Smith's 86-yard return of the game's opening kickoff, and a blocked punt in the fourth quarter.
Crest 49, North Gaston 0: Maurice Redmond ran for touchdowns of 4, 8 and 6 yards, leading the Chargers (7-1, 4-0) past North Gaston (0-9, 0-5). Khalil Clark also scored for Crest on a 26-yard fumble return.
South :Point 34, Kings Mountain 13: The Raiders (8-1, 4-1) knocked Kings Mountain (6-2, 3-1) out of a share of first place, behind touchdown runs of 3, 6 and 34 yards by Cayden Rumph. Kaveaun Pless also scored twice on runs, including a 66-yard dash.
Rocky River 4A/5A
Mount Pleasant 17, Parkwood 16: Parkwood (3-5, 0-3) led 16-7 after three quarters, but the Tigers (6-2, 2-1) battled back and stayed in the conference title race.
West Stanly 9, Forest Hills 7: The host Colts (4-4, 2-1) pulled a stunner, toppling Forest Hills (7-1, 2-1) with a field goal late in the game. Forest Hills took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a Makhi Massey touchdown pass and Alex Zambrano's conversion kick. West Stanly scored on a Brody Clontz touchdown pass later in the quarter but missed the conversion kick. The Colts won it on a 21-yard field goal by Alan Cruzrangel. Forest Hills trice drove inside the West Stanly 15, including once in the final minute, without scoring.
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson 45, West Rowan 21: West Rowan (6-2, 4-1) became the first team to score more than seven points on the Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0) this season, but Jay M. Robinson won behind a big second quarter. West Rowan led 7-0 after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs surged ahead on an Aury Greenfield touchdown run, a Tony Johnson touchdown run, and a Greenfield-to-Johnson scoring pass. Greenfield threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more. The Bulldogs had allowed only nine points in their first seven games.
Northwest Cabarrus 49, Concord 3: Hudson Irwin threw four touchdown passes, three to Matthias Woolfolk, and ran for another score as the Trojans (7-1, 5-0) cruised. Braxton Bashaw ran for two more Northwest Cabarrus scores. Concord (1-7, 0-5) led 3-0 in the first quarter, before the Trojans surged.
Western Foothills 4A/5A
East Lincoln 42, Hickory 39: Davis Beam fired a 22-yard touchdown pass to Quinton Murphy with 16 seconds left, leading the visiting Mustangs (8-1, 6-1) over Hickory (5-3, 4-2) in a wild battle.
West Iredell 42, Newton-Conover 28: Trailing 21-14 in the second quarter, West Iredell (8-0, 6-0) kept its unbeaten season alive with a rally. Kylen Allen threw touchdown passes to Phillip Moxey and Treylen Davidson before the half, and Amario Spence added a pair of second-half touchdown runs. Newton-Conover fell to 3-5, 2-4.
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Bradford Prep 34, Lincoln Charter 20: Lincoln Charter (1-7, 1-4) led 14-12 in the third quarter, but the host Bears (2-6, 1-4) took a 26-14 lead on an Amari Purando touchdown run and a Noah Shore-to-Yashmeen Smith touchdown pass. Bradford Prep hung on from there.
Christ the King 47, Pine Lake Prep 6: Christ the King (6-2, 3-2) forced four turnovers by the Pride (4-4, 2-3) in this road victory.
Corvian Community 26, Community School of Davidson 15: The Cardinals (7-1, 5-0) took a big step toward winning the conference by rallying past the Spartans (5-3, 4-1). Community School of Davidson had taken a 15-12 lead in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard pass from Ty Sigler to Wyatt Baker. But Corvian came back, taking the lead on an 8-yard toss from Tyson Douglas-Brown to Cam Simpson. That score was set up by a 63-yard pass from Douglas-Brown to Desmond Walker. The Cardinals added a final score on Zane Wilkes' 43-yard interception return.
Lake Norman Charter 49, Langtree Charter 27: Dylan Wignot threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, as the Knights (5-3, 3-2) outscored the Lions (4-4, 2-3). Eli Washington caught two touchdown passes, and Chase Gentile scored two touchdowns on runs and another on a Wignot pass.
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 49, Cherryville 20: Chris Dawkins threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, as the Bulldogs (6-2, 6-0) retained a share of first place. Cherryville (6-3, 3-3) took a 6-0 first-quarter lead on Jayden Adams' 31-yard touchdown run, but Burns outscored the Ironmen 49-14 the rest of the way. One of Dawkins' touchdown runs covered 78 yards. Kamarion McKinzie ran for two scores and caught a touchdown pass.
Shelby 62, East Gaston 12: Cruz Scott threw five touchdown passes in the first half, as the host Golden Lions (7-1, 6-0) trounced East Gaston (4-4, 2-4). Immanuel Collins caught three of the first-half scores, as Shelby raced to a 62-0 halftime lead.
Stuart Cramer 41, Lincolnton 21: The visiting Storm (6-2, 4-2) raced to a 21-0 halftime lead and outscored the Wolves (6-3, 4-3). Brayden Fortenberry led the victors, rushing for 157 yrds and two touchdowns. The Storm piled up 359 rushing yards. Rashad Lynch passed for one Lincolnton touchdown and ran for another.
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
North Stanly 42, North Rowan 32: North Stanly (8-0, 5-0) saw its big lead trimmed to 35-32 in the fourth quarter by North Rowan (6-2, 4-1), but the Comets scored on a fumble return and captured this first-place battle.
Union Academy 53, Mountain Island Charter 39: The host Cardinals (6-2, 4-1) led 19-12, then scored on two Nicolas Mendoza touchdown passes, one to Lloyd Barnes and the other to Parker Frashier. That gave Union Academy a 31-12 lead, but the Raptors (6-2, 3-2) scored on two Javon Boyd touchdown runs and a Boyd scoring pass. That gave Mountain Island Charter a 32-31 lead, but Union Academy pulled away on two Mendoza touchdown runs and a Mendoza scoring pass.
Big 5 (NCISAA)
Asheville School 56, Covenant Day 0: Covenant Day (1-7, 0-3) turned the ball over four times -- twice on fumbles, twice on interceptions -- and Asheville School (5-2, 2-0) rolled. Shiloh Mukendi rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns for the victors.
SouthLake Christian 38, Hickory Grove Christian 6: Cameron Gandy threw three touchdown passes, as the Eagles (5-3, 2-1) brought an end to Hickory Grove's (7-1, 1-1) unbeaten season. Gandy threw two scoring passes in the second quarter, when SouthLake Christian outscored the Lions 25-6 and took a 31-6 halftime lead. Hickory Grove scored on a Tyler Lane-to-Seth Belotte pass.
Western Athletic (NCISAA)
Cannon School 45, Metrolina Christian 7: Lucas Lopez completed 18-of-25 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns, leading Cannon (6-2, 1-0) past the Warriors (3-5, 0-1). Spencer Williamson had six catches for 95 yards.
Check back for information on other games
Scoreboard
Thursday
CISAA
Providence Day 49, Charlotte Latin 7
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hopewell 43, Garinger 6
Hough 47, South Mecklenburg 0
Myers Park 47, West Mecklenburg 6
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers 29, North Mecklenburg 0
Mallard Creek 35, Independence 8
West Charlotte 15, Butler 14
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 44, Ballantyne Ridge 21
East Mecklenburg 44, Rocky River 12
Providence 23, Palisades 22
CISAA
Charlotte Christian 25, Charlotte Country Day 20
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown 35, Hickory Ridge 28
Central Cabarrus 28, Berry Academy 7
Olympic 38, Harding 14
West Cabarrus 56, Cox Mill 27
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Marvin Ridge 24, Charlotte Catholic 7
Sun Valley 35, Piedmont 21
Weddington 42, Porter Ridge 0
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Lake Norman 59, North Iredell 0
Mooresville 67, Davie County 20
Statesville 40, South Iredell 0
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook 46, Forestview 7
Crest 49, North Gaston 0
South Point 34, Kings Mountain 13
Rocky River 4A/5A
Monroe 40, Anson County 7
Mount Pleasant 17, Parkwood 16
West Stanly 9, Forest Hills 7
South Piedmont 4A/5A
East Rowan 28, Jesse Carson 21
Jay M. Robinson 45, West Rowan 21
Northwest Cabarrus 49, Concord 3
Salisbury 34, South Rowan 33
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bunker Hill 35, Fred T. Foard 12
East Lincoln 42, Hickory 39
Maiden 38, Bandys 34
West Iredell 42, Newton-Conover 28
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Bradford Prep 34, Lincoln Charter 20
Christ the King 47, Pine Lake Prep 6
Corvian Community 26, Community School of Davidson 15
Lake Norman Charter 49, Langtree Charter 27
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns 49, Cherryville 20
Shelby 62, East Gaston 12
Stuart Cramer 41, Lincolnton 21
West Lincoln 51, Highland Tech 6
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
North Stanly 42, North Rowan 32
South Stanly def. Thomas Jefferson Academy, forfeit
Union Academy 53, Mountain Island Charter 29
Big 5 (NCISAA)
Asheville School 56, Covenant Day 0
SouthLake Christian 38, Hickory Grove Christian 6
Western Athletic (NCISAA)
Cannon School 45, Metrolina Christian 7
Rabun Gap-GA School 28, Christ School 0
Nonconference
High Point Christian 28, Harrells Christian 6
Saturday
Catawba-Yadkin Valley 1A/2A/3A
Albemarle (2-5, 1-3) at Bonnie Cone Academy (0-7, 0-4), 1 pm
Nonconference
Cabarrus Stallions (0-3) at Greenville-SC Hurricanes (3-4), 6 pm
OFF: Ambassador Christian, Bessemer City, Hunter Huss, North Lincoln
