A year ago, the West Stanly Colts varsity football team ran away with a 34-0 road win over the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls in the season opener between the two squads.
The tables were turned this past weekend in Norwood as the Bulls (1-0) pulled out a 16-10 win over the Colts (0-1), marking their first victory over West in 11 games.
The Bulls struck first as junior quarterback Kaleb Richardson found wide receiver Jayden Woods with a 26-yard touchdown pass. West responded in the second quarter as junior quarterback Hudson Snider connected in the end zone with Phoenix Hendy.
The Colts led 7-6 at halftime but trailed 8-7 heading into the fourth quarter after a safety. In what became a back-and-forth routine, the Colts regained the lead and led 10-8 after a 23-yard field goal from kicker Reece Huneycutt.
With nine minutes left, Bulls junior quarterback Kaleb Richardson linked up with sophomore wideout Kylan Dockery for a 30-yard touchdown pass to go up 16-10 following a two-point conversion catch by senior Ethan Gaddy
Moving ahead, South will hit the road to face South Rowan (1-0), who is coming off a 21-17 victory over Union Academy (0-1). West is set to travel to Carson (0-1); the Cougars lost to Mount Pleasant in a 31-14 finish on Friday.
North Stanly 28, Anson 6
Over in Wadesboro, the North Stanly Comets (1-0) turned a one-point halftime lead into a runaway 28-6 victory over the Anson Bearcats (0-1).
The Comets’ first touchdown of the night was courtesy of senior wide receiver Jaylon McCoy, who reeled in a 81-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Charlie Shaver. In North’s dominant second half, junior running back Juice Lilly had two rushing scores while senior wideout Justice Gramling added to the Comets’ point total.
North will stay on the road as it heads to East Rowan (0-1) as the Comets look to build upon a schedule-opening victory. The Mustangs suffered a 46-6 home loss to North Rowan (1-0) on Friday.
Asheboro 38, Albemarle 14
Facing the Asheboro Blue Comets (1-0), the Albemarle Bulldogs (0-1) found themselves down 17-14 in the second quarter as they played their season opener at home. In a lopsided progression, the Blue Comets went on to outscore the Bulldogs 21-0 en route to a 38-14 road win.
The Bulldogs trailed 14-0 before star senior Ja’Zyion Geiger’s 93-yard touchdown return and senior running back Vincent Gregory’s three-yard score provided Albemarle some points.
Albemarle has another home game to start the season as the Bulldogs challenge Trinity (0-1), who lost at home to Starmount 34-0 over the weekend. The Bulldogs’ defense will look to regroup after allowing 38 points — a total that Albemarle only allowed twice for the entirety of last season.