Friday games …
CONCORD — West Rowan’s game at Northwest Cabarrus was everything it was hyped up to be — and then some.
The Falcons prevailed 45-42 in an epic offensive battle and moved into a tie for second place in the South Piedmont Conference.
West (7-2, 5-1) led 14-0 early, trailed 21-14 at the half and traded punches with the Trojans (7-2, 5-1) throughout the second half.
West kicker Brooks Zino finally decided it with a 37-yard field goal.
“Never a doubt,” West head coach Louis Kraft said cheerfully. “Zino eats nails for breakfast.”
West had to overcome NWC quarterback Hudson Irwin’s four touchdown passes and 330 passing yards.
Devaunh White had one of the great nights in West history with 39 carries for 275 yards and five TDs.
Aiden Donelly made a scrambling play and threw on the move for a touchdown pass to Jacob Kirk for the Falcons’ other TD.
Donnelly completed 17 of 30 passes for 250 yards.
Kirk had five catches for 168 yards. Jaylen (Batman) Donaldson had 11 receptions for 73 yards.
Zino was 6-for-6 on PATs and handled kickoffs and punts in addition to his decisive field goal.
West is eighth in the statewide 5A RPI rankings. Northwest is 20th.
Next for Northwest is Robinson. Next for the Falcons is Salisbury.
• • •
CONCORD — Robinson stayed undefeated by overwhelming Carson 48-0.
The Bulldogs (9-0, 6-0) led the Cougars 34-0 at halftime in the SPC contest.
Aury Greenfield was 17-for-20 passing for 302 yards and three TDs for the Bulldogs, while Tony Johnson ran for 100 yards and two scores.
Robinson’s defense racked up 11 tackles for loss and shut down Carson’s offense.
Robinson is fifth in the statewide 5A RPI rankings. Carson is 31st.
South Rowan is next for Carson (4-5, 2-4). Robinson will take on Northwest Cabarrus.
• • •
SALISBURY — Salisbury was clinging to a 16-10 lead in the fourth quarter when Isaiah Foxx scooped up a Concord fumble and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.
That was the pivotal moment in a 29-10 SPC victory for the Hornets (3-6, 3-3), who have won three of their last four games.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way,” SHS head coach Clayton Trivett said.
Foxx had terrific night with a passing TD (to DJ Geter) and a rushing TD in addition to his defensive score. He capped his effort with a game-sealing interception.
Salisbury’s defense, led by Izaiah Hairston, contributed a safety — a Concord back was tackled in the end zone — as the Hornets built a 16-0 lead.
Concord (1-8, 0-6) was working hard at making a comeback and had moved to midfield on a pass interference call when Foxx made his scoop-and-score.
The Hornets are 31st in the statewide 4A RPI rankings. Concord is 50th in the 5A rankings. Forty-eight teams will make the playoffs.
The Hornets close the regular season against West Rowan, while Concord will battle East Rowan.
• • •
ALBEMARLE — Mike Alford accounted for four touchdowns as North Rowan handled Albemarle 37-13 in Yadkin Valley Conference action.
Alford had short scoring passes to Dyaon Norman-Jackson and KeKe Carpenter and also ran for two scores.
Alford had 15 completions in 26 attempts, although he didn’t have big passing yardage (105).
North often relied on sophomore Brandon Clodfelter to move the chains and control the ball. Clodfelter pounded for 178 yards on 21 carries and had one TD.
North built a 27-0 lead, took a 27-7 lead to the break and was able to finish off the Bulldogs (3-6, 2-4) with few problems.
“Defensively, we played really well except for two blown assignments,” North head coach Josh Sophia said. “We were down a few starters, but we ran the ball well in the first half.”
North kicker Jonathan Lopez Saucedo had a 37-yard field goal and was 4-for-5 on PATs.
“We lost the kicking game against North Stanly, so it was good to see Jonathan bounce back with a really good night,” Sophia said.
Kenny Harper, who transferred to North Rowan from Albemarle prior to this season, had a fumble recovery against his former teammates. Carpenter had an interception.
North’s defense held Albemarle to 60 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Albemarle’s freshman QB Braylen Davis was picked off by Carpenter but provided most of the offense for the Bulldogs.
North Rowan is eighth in the statewide 2A RPI rankings, but at least three of those teams ahead of North will be in the 2A East bracket.
Albemarle is 27th in the statewide 2A rankings.
Next for North Rowan is Mountain Island Charter. Next for Albemarle is South Stanly.
• • •
CONCORD — A.L. Brown’s defense wrecked Cox Mill with 16 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 14 quarterback hurries.
The Wonders led 33-0 at halftime and pummeled the Chargers 46-0 in Greater Metro Conference action.
The Wonders (9-0, 6-0) have clinched a tie for first place in the GMC. Hickory Ridge and West Cabarrus have one league loss each.
Caleb Tanner and Jayden Arthur had the interceptions for the Wonders. Tanner also had a fumble recovery. Faison Manning caused a fumble.
Dhilyn Hollis had five tackles for loss, one for a safety, while Jahmariea Pharr was credited with three TFLs.
AJ Settles only completed five passes, but three were for touchdowns. Ashton Chavis, Ryan Wolford and Jaylen Boddie made the TD catches.
Chavis added a rushing TD.
Lemar Grier ran 14 times for 169 yards and two TDs, just another night at the office for him. Settles had 86 rushing yards on only four carries.
Morgan Burgess kicked a field goal and five PATs.
Cox Mill (2-7, 1-5) managed 120 passing yards, but was held to 22 rushing yards.
The Wonders are ninth in the statewide 7A RPI rankings. Cox Mill is 54th and is likely to not make the playoffs.
A.L. Brown plays West Cabarrus next. Cox Mill plays Berry Academy.
