Week 1 of Cabarrus high school football
Hot weather, scores and cramping
Jamari Bost (11) had a big game for Central Cabarrus that included two interceptions.
MARK PLEMMONS
The Jay M. Robinson Bulldogs won 28-2 over the Charlotte Country day Buccaneers on Friday.
Northwest's Caleb Bryant (2), makes the grab over Christian Hill (22) and Makhi Foster-Reaves (21) during Thursday night football at West Cabarrus High school. Northwest defeated West Cabarrus.
The A.L. Brown offensive line cleared the way for a strong running attack in the 42-10 win over Porter Ridge.
Kelsey Robinson with a touchdown during Thursday night football at West Cabarrus High school. Northwest defeated West Cabarrus.
COMMENTARY
Boy, it was hot Thursday at kickoff. My watch said 94 degrees when I got to West Cabarrus. By kickoff it had settled into a more comfortable 90.
Our post-game video with Mount Pleasant Coach Daniel Crosby showed big drops of sweat on his brow.
Northwest Cabarrus and West Cabarrus battled hard all night. A couple of things stood out. A turnover in the red zone in the first half flipped the momentum back to the Trojans when the game was tied. And another miscue in the third quarter allowed Northwest to get a more comfortable lead.
Cramping was a problem for several players for the Wolverines, especially in the second half. Andrew Phillips reported similar issues for the Concord Spiders. Mount Pleasant wore down the Spiders.
Football in the heat is about how well you prepared during the summer, how mentally tough your team is and, of course, talent.
I've already heard of a number of Concord fans jumping ship after the loss to Mount Pleasant. You aren't much of a fan if you are abandoning your team after one game.
Our coverage schedule
Here's my plan for coverage this season. It could be subject to change. Our Cream of Cabarrus rankings will come out each Thursday. We will also have the players of the week and outstanding performances.
Most of our Friday night coverage will be digital for the weekend. Our print edition for Saturday is actually printed Friday morning. This weekend, we have two post-game videos from Mount Pleasant and a highlight game video from Northwest Cabarrus at West Cabarrus.
More photos and information will be posted online Monday. I wish I could get more out, more quickly, but I am older and slower than I used to be.
If your student athletes compete in other sports, please encourage their coaches to send information about their outstanding performances to us. We would like to share their successes as well.
Changes in coverage
Since last season, Lee Enterprises, our parent company, switched from Associated Press to USA Today and Reuters for our wire service. You have already been seeing more statewide news.
It will give us more statewide sports, too. I have included a sampling of games from other parts of the state in today’s column along with scores.
Friday games
Jay M. Robinson 28 Charlotte Country Day 2
The score gives me a chant of “De-fense!” in my mind. I loved the Robinson graphic posted after the game of a proud Bulldog standing on a rock and an old wooden sailing ship sinking. The caption was “Abandon Ship.”
Cannon-Concord Academy 42 High Point Christian Academy 28
The schedule simply said HPCA and now we know what it stands for.
Thursday games
Northwest Cabarrus 35 West Cabarrus 20
The Trojans looked a bit sharper than the Wolverines. I was impressed with the speed of a couple of their receivers and defensive backs.
A.L. Brown 42 Porter Ridge 10
Outstanding line play keyed a big Wonders victory.
Mount Pleasant 35 Concord 6
See Andrew Phillips’ story in our Spotlight game.
Providence 24 Hickory Ridge 21
The Ragin’ Bulls are improving. Providence is a tough opener for a building team.
Central Cabarrus 21 Montgomery Central 14
I hope you read Benson Stubbs’ preseason story with Donnie Kiefer. A hardnose approach to football is exactly what we saw on Thursday and it paid offin a win for the Vikings.
Marvin Ridge 77 Cox Mill 13
It was a tough outing to open the Wes Hurlocker era at Cox Mill, but the Chargers are hitting it hard in the weight room and working to get tougher and better.
Better days are coming in Cox Mill country.
Scores from Greensboro News & Record
Andrews 28, Thomasville 19
Eastern Alamance 42, Eastern
Guilford 14
Grimsley 24, West Charlotte 0
Northeast Guilford 50, Morehead 7
Page 56, Charlotte Christian 23
Ragsdale 48, Southern Guilford 0
Reidsville 35, Northern Guilford 14
Rockingham County 39, Southwest Guilford 7
South Caldwell 34, Smith 12 (Friday)
Southeast Guilford 20, Western Guilford 8
Western Alamance 33, Northwest Guilford 32
From the Hickory Daily Record
The Lincolnton High School defense powered the Wolves to a 30-10 victory over the Maiden High Blue Devils in Maiden on Friday.
Lincolnton recovered a fumble and grabbed five interceptions in the game. Three of those turnovers led directly to Lincolnton touchdowns.
From the Statesville Record & Landmark
Statesville High School defeated visiting East Surry 36-22 in the team’s football season opener Thursday night.
It was a successful debut for first-year coach and former Greyhounds player Breon Holmes, a 2009 Statesville graduate.
“It feels good coming out with a win,” said Holmes, who left his position at Cox Mill to take the job at his alma mater. “We still have to clean some things to be the team that I know we can.”
West Iredell 43, East Burke 6
Wilkes Central 63, North Iredell 0
Lake Norman 47, Sun Valley 0
From Hendersonville Times/USA Today Network
Here are three takeaways from Week 1 in WNC.
Blake Garrett helps West Henderson clinch victory vs Erwin in coach Dustin McAbee’s debut
West Henderson coach Dustin McAbee replaced Paul Whitaker, who had led the program for 16 seasons, this offseason. Quarterback Blake Garrett helped lead the Falcons to a 34-21 victory over Erwin in his debut.
He completed 18 of 25 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns while running for 127 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Garrett was critical in keeping drives alive, using his legs to run for first downs on third-and fourth-and-long situations against the Warriors. His success also came after the West Henderson running backs only averaged three yards per carry on 25 attempts.
“Blake Garrett is a good ball player,” McAbee said. “I’ve been trying to tell people for a while we’re flying under the radar, and I like flying under the radar. But he stepped up tonight, and people are going to start taking notice.”
Franklin defense shuts down Murphy without star linebacker Garrett Young
No Garrett Young, no problem for Franklin against Murphy on Aug. 21. The Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 42-7 without their star linebacker and running back.
Franklin coach Josh Brooks held out Young as a precaution after he was rolled up on during a scrimmage against Rabun County (Ga.) on Aug. 14.
Brooks credited Franklin’s front seven for holding Murphy to just one touchdown. That unit is the strength of the defense after returning every starting defensive lineman and two of three starting linebackers from last season.
“We’ve been physical, we’ve been hard to block,” Brooks said. “I feel like our effort is great. I feel like we’re running to the ball.”
Pisgah overcomes double-digit deficit to defeat Mountain Heritage
The Bears found themselves trailing Mountain Heritage by 10 points in the first half after allowing several explosive plays.
The offense then found its rhythm. Running backs Easton Frady and Zaiden Monteith combined for 253 yards and five touchdowns on 43 carries.
The defense made a key adjustment at halftime, holding the Cougars to 65 rushing yards in the second half and securing a 48-30 victory.
From the Shelby Star/ USA Today Network
Drenched in sweat after leaving the Shelby football locker room, coach Mike Wilbanks had a simple, yet apt refrain.
“It feels good to be 1-0,” said the three-time NCHSAA state title-winning coach.
The Golden Lions ended a two-game slide to rival Kings Mountain, holding on for a 28-21 victory Friday, Aug. 21, at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.
Thursday
Cherryville 41, North Stokes 6
East Gaston 34, North Gaston 8
Langtree Charter 59, Highland Tech 24
Pine Lake Prep 47, Bessemer City 14
South Point 34, Hickory 28
Stuart Cramer 42, Forestview 6
T.C. Roberson 48, Hunter Huss 12
