Staff report
MONROE — North Rowan’s football team got the kicking game going, got the running game going, scored twice on defense and pummeled Union Academy Charter 49-7 on Friday.
North (1-3, 1-0) jumped out to a 28-0 lead and had no problems putting away the Cardinals (2-2, 0-1). The Cavaliers won their Yadkin Valley Conference opener after starting 0-3 in non-conference action.
The defensive touchdowns were registered by Mike Alford on a 39-yard interception return and by Jaden Walker on a 62-yard fumble return.
Jo Jo Tarver scored twice on the ground for the Cavaliers and collected 95 yards on 10 carries. Brandon Clodfelter had 67 rushing yards and a TD.
North’s first TD occurred when Alford flipped the ball to A’son Best on a jet sweep, and Best motored 80 yards to score.
The defensive TDs by Walker and Alford boosted the lead to 21-0. Tarver’s first rushing score provided a 28-0 lead.
UAC got back within 28-7 by halftime, but North’s defense shut out the Cardinals in the second half.
Alford was 7-for-10 passing for 178 yards and two TDs. His second TD pass went to Dyaon Norman-Jackson, who made his only catch of the night count on a 34-yard scoring play.
North kicker Jordin Moreno had a good strong. He was 7-f0r-7 on PATs, had two touchbacks on kickoffs and made two good punts. He even made a tackle.
North will look for another league win this week when Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy (0-4, 0-1) visits Spencer for the first time. North will be favored by a lot in that one.
