Bouncing back from a tough road loss in Week 3, North Stanly made a statement in the county over the weekend with a 26-16 road win over interconference rival West Stanly.
Coming off three straight nonconference wins to start the season, the Colts (3-1) found themselves down 26-0 by halftime on Friday night after North quarterback Chance Blake connected with junior wide receiver Jaylon McKoy late in the second quarter.
Comets running back Jay Jackson and Blake each posted two touchdowns in the first half, propelling the Comets (3-1) to the big halftime lead.
Playing without head coach Brett Morton on the sideline for the second straight week — assistant Charles Edwards filled in again — the Colts scored 16 unanswered points in the second half. Tight end Austin Eudy hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Jett Thomas, while running back Breyden Lambert also scored.
Following a bye this week, the Comets will return to the field on Sept. 22 to host unbeaten Forest Hills (4-0) in North’s final nonconference matchup of the season before Yadkin Valley Conference play.
With Rocky River Conference play looming, the Colts will play their final nonconference game on Sept. 15 when former conference rival Mount Pleasant (2-2) comes to town.
South Stanly 26, South Davidson 14
Two weeks after snapping a 12-game losing streak, the Rebel Bulls (2-2) won again on Friday, recovering from a blowout loss to hand South Davidson its first loss of the season, 26-14.
The Bulls (2-2), led by first-year coach Terry Shankle, trailed 7-6 at halftime but outscored the Wildcats (3-1) 20-7 the rest of the game. Quarterback Kaleb Richardson threw his second touchdown of the game in the second half, and a scoring run from Carter Callicutt and a late pick-six give the Bulls a 12-point lead.
South will host Wheatmore (2-2) in Norwood with a chance to enter conference play with a winning record.
Anson 17, Albemarle 14
Albemarle fell to 0-4 for the season, coming up short in a comeback of a 17-14 loss to Anson.
Limited to just 49 yards on the ground and less than 3 yards per carry, the Bulldogs’ offense also struggled in the passing game as quarterback Ander Artis had three interceptions to go with 120 passing yards.
With three minutes left in the game, Albemarle running back Malik Watkins scored and Kaine McClendon was successful on a two-point conversion. However, the Bearcats (1-3) were able to hold on in the closing minutes.
The Bulldogs will travel to Southwestern Randolph to face the undefeated Cougars (3-0) on Friday.