West Stanly opened Rocky River Conference play with a 25-12 home win Friday over Piedmont, snapping a two-game skid while picking its first conference victory since Oct. 29, 2021.
The Colts (4-2, 1-0 RRC) outgained the Panthers (1-5, 0-1 RRC) 358-200 and amassed a season-high 296 rushing yards on 48 carries.
West senior running back Rene Salazar ran the ball 22 times for a team-high 184 yards and a score, while junior Darrell Bynum added 70 yards on 13 carries. Senior quarterback Jett Thomas added 105 passing yards and connected with senior tight end Austin Eudy and junior wideout Gavyn Efird for touchdowns.
After capitalizing on an early score to go up 8-0, the Panthers used a 50-yard pass from quarterback Zach Dilworth to set up a touchdown and cut the lead to 8-6. The Colts scored 17 consecutive points to take control before Piedmont added a late touchdown.
West next travels to Forest Hills (5-1, 0-1 RRC) on Oct. 6 to face the Yellow Jackets, who are hoping to rebound after a 28-0 road loss at Monroe.
North Stanly 38, Union Academy 0
North Stanly also easily handled a one-win team in its conference opener, going on the road and blanking Union Academy 38-0.
Senior running back Jay Jackson led the way Comets (4-2, 1-0 YVC), powering North to a 17-0 halftime with a pair of touchdowns in the Yadkin Valley Conference opener against the Cardinals (1-5, 0-1 YVC). Sophomore back Juice Lilly also scored.
The Comets host Lake Norman Charter (4-2) in a nonconference game Friday before closing the season with three straight YVC games.
Mount Pleasant 41, South Stanly 6
South Stanly’s hot stretch of three wins in four games suffered a setback Friday as the Rowdy Rebel Bulls were blown out 41-6 on the road by Mount Pleasant.
Coupled with their 28-20 win over West Stanly on Sept. 15, the Tigers (4-2, 1-0 YVC) have now knocked off two Stanly teams this season. The only points for South Stanly (3-3, 0-1 YVC) came late in the second quarter when quarterback Drew Gaddy found Kaleb Richardson in the end zone to make it a 20-6 game.
The Bulls will look for their first conference win since Oct. 29, 2021, when they host Albemarle (2-4) on Oct. 6.
Albemarle — bye
The Bulldogs (2-4) had a bye and now prepare for a road trip to South Stanly for their Yadkin Valley Conference opener.