Cougars Return To Finals; Bulldogs’ Run Ends At 12-3

               Coming into this game, the Charlotte Catholic Cougars were heavily favored. The Robinson Bulldogs would not lie down however. The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and drove down the field on their first drive. Quarterback Chase Orrock capped off the opening drive with a five-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick by Luis Escorza was good.

                The Cougars stormed back with a touchdown drive of their own. Christopher Walton capped off the drive with a three-yard quarterback run into the end-zone. The extra point was no good so the Bulldogs retained a one-point lead. However, in the first quarter mistakes killed Robinson. Two turnovers (a fumble and an interception) turn into to two scores for the Cougars. Lamagea McDowell gave them the lead with a one-yard plunge into the end-zone.

                First play in the second quarter, Milan Howard ran it in from 13-yards out. George Griggs made both extra point kicks. Then the scoring went cold from there. While the Bulldogs were hurt with turnovers, the Cougars were hit with penalties. The score would remain 20-7 at half-time.

                On their second drive in the second half, the Cougars were in position to put the game away but a holding penalty backed them up and the field goal attempt by Griggs was missed. The third quarter would remain a stalemate. After being pinned at their own one-yard line early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs made another deadly turnover. Chase Foley hit Orrock near the end zone causing a fumble. Ty Foley recovered in the end zone for a Catholic touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed however.

                Robinson would not go away however. Down but not out, the Bulldogs cut into Catholic’s lead with a one-yard plunge by Dawson Williams. The two-point conversion pass from Chase Orrock to Bryson Furr cut the lead to 26-15. But the onside kick was unsuccessful and two unsportsmanlike penalties and a five-yard touchdown run by Lamagea McDowell put the nail in the coffin. The Bulldogs tried to score an oh-by-the-way touchdown, but Orrock’s Hail Mary pass was intercepted in the end zone by Brian Jacobs. Jacobs also recovered a fumble earlier in the game. Jacobs, Riley Berger, Adam Robbe, and Billy Brewer all came up with interceptions.

                Milan Howard amassed 124 yards from scrimmage (76 rushing, 48 receiving) and a touchdown. McDowell rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

                “Our team works so hard. It’s a hard fought game. Both teams gave the fans what they came to see.” Said Catholic head coach Mike Brodowicz “We hurt ourselves with penalties. It’s something that we’re going to have to clean up in the state championship game. When you’re 1^st-and-20, it’s hard to get in anybody’s offense and Jay M. Robinson did a good job in dropping back in our passing lanes. So they’re giving us 5 or 6 yards a play and we still end up 4^th-and-4.”

                “Our defense has been phenomenal all year. We’re basically giving up three points a game from our starting group. We’ve leaned on our defense. It’s been the defense’s time to step up and help out when we were struggling a little bit and finding a rhythm on offense. It’s been like that all year. We have a well-rounded team in all three phases.”

                “We worked on something they haven’t seen which is flex-bone option.” said Robinson head coach Joe Glass “We run down the field and go and they made the adjustment like that and that’s a great coaching job by them. We thought we were going to attack some certain things and they were really good on the perimeter. We just didn’t get the job done tonight.”

                “We had a couple of things that I thought went our way with some turnovers. We didn’t get them. The biggest difference in the game was special teams and turnovers. If we don’t turn the ball over, we’re in the ball game.”

                Charlotte Catholic will play Havelock at Duke University next week. Havelock defeated Western Alamance 41-14.

Mountaineers Stumble In Overtime

               This time of year, it gets down to the nitty gritty. The winner of this game is one game closer to having the right to travel to Duke for the 3A state title. It would be Jay M. Robinson that would earn that right as they upended Kings Mountain 47-46 in overtime.

                Things started off rocky for the Mountaineers as they were stopped on their first drive at the Bulldog 31 yard line. Robinson got on the board first with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Chase Orrock to Que Reid. The extra point kick by Braden Tautkus was good. The Bulldogs initially stopped the Mountaineers on their next drive but a roughing the punter call gave the Mountaineers new life and they would capitalize.

                Being backed up to the Bulldog 35 yard line due to penalties did not seem to faze the Mountaineers. On 2^nd-and-29, Kaylon Wade connected with Kobe Paysour for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Michael Randall’s extra point tied the game up at 7-7. The Mountaineers struck again with another touchdown pass. This time, Wade would connect with Dontavious Hughes from 18 yards out. Randall’s kick made it 14-7.

                Robinson would storm back. The Bulldogs fumbled the ball on a pitch between Orrock and Reid. It looked like the Mountaineers recovered but it was ruled 2^nd-and-17 for the Bulldogs. The following play, Reid broke through the defense and turned it into an 83-yard touchdown scoring run. The extra point was missed so the Mountaineers maintained a 14-13 lead. Right before half-time, the Mountaineers would poor it on. Ricaylen Mack got in on the scoring fun with a one-yard touchdown run with just five seconds to go before half-time. Michael Randall was 3-for-3 on his extra point kicks in the first half so the score was 21-13.

                The Bulldogs got the second half kickoff and would cap it off with a touchdown pass from Orrock to Bryson Furr from six-yards out. The two-point conversion to tie it failed, however. Things would get worse before they got better for Robinson. Ricaylen Mack’s three-yard touchdown run widened the Mountaineers lead and Randall’s extra point kick made it a two possession game at 28-19.

                The remainder of the third quarter would be a turnover fest. As Kings Mountain was headed for the jugular, Wade was intercepted by Que Reid. The Bulldogs would give it right back as Orrock was intercepted by Kobe Paysour. Wade would throw another interception. It would turn into a Pick-6 by Jahari Young. Robinson would go for the two-point conversion again and this time, Que Reid’s run for the two-point conversion run cut the Mountaineers’ lead to 28-27.

                The Mountaineers offense would come back to life. A jet sweep by Christopher Britton turned into a 66-yard touchdown run for the Mountaineers. The extra point kick was missed however and that was big. The Bulldogs would tie the game up at 34-34 with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Orrock to Chris Caldwell and Luis Escorza’s extra point kick. On 4^th-and-goal from the nine, Robinson would take the lead with another Orrock touchdown pass. This time, he connected with Joel Kacan for the nine-yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick would be no good.

                The Mountaineers would tie the game up with just over three minutes to go. Kaylon Wade connected with Hughes for a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up at 40-40. Randall’s extra point sailed wide however. Neither team got anything going on offense after that so the game went into overtime. The Bulldogs got the first crack at it in overtime and on the first play, Orrock took it in himself for a ten-yard touchdown run. Kings Mountain would also score on their first down in overtime. Mack would take it in for the ten-yard touchdown run. The Mountaineers would go for the win on the two-point conversion try but Mack was stopped just short and the Bulldogs came away with the 47-46 win.

                Robinson will travel to take on Charlotte Catholic. They beat Weddington 42-7.

                “They are a heck of a football team and for us to walk away from here in this stadium as cold as it is and with their fans is a big thing for us.” said Robinson head coach Joe Glass “Our kids don’t give up. They may get their head bloodied but they won’t bow down. They’ll keep playing and that’s what they did tonight.”

                “We played hard. We made a lot of plays both sides. They ended up making one more than we did.” said Kings Mountain head coach Greg Lloyd “Give those guys credit. They played hard. Both were evenly matched tonight.”

                Chase Orrock led the Robinson offense with 205 yards and five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). He was intercepted three times however. Que Reid amassed 209 yards from scrimmage (142 yards rushing and 67 yards receiving) and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). On defense, Reid and Jahari Young intercepted Kaylon Wade and the Bulldogs also recovered a muffed punt in the third quarter.

Kaylon Wade led Kings Mountain’s offense with 233 yards passing and three touchdowns. Ricaylen Mack amassed 164 yards rushing for Kings Mountain and three touchdowns. Kobe Paysour and Dontavious Hughes combined for 256 receiving yards and three touchdowns (Paysour 143 yards, one touchdowns. Hughes 113 yards, two touchdowns). Christopher Britton amassed 149 all-purpose yards (85 rushing, 11 receiving and a 53 yard half-back pass to Paysour) and a rushing touchdown. On defense, Charles Osbourne, Paysour and Reese Reinhardt each intercepted Chase Orrock. A.J. Austin, Jerdon Pressley, JT Cash and Stefan Chisholm registered a sack.

               

Area High School Week 3 Picks

Jay M. Robinson 14 @ Kings Mountain 35

Shelby 41 @ Mount Pleasant 14

Bessemer City 14 @ Mount Airy 35

Thomas Jefferson 28 @ Cherrokee 31

Red Raiders’ Run Ends, Shelby’s Quest For Five Continues

                The Shelby Golden Lions traveled to the South Point Red Raiders for the second time in three weeks. South Point won the first game 35-15 in the regular season finale. But we have all heard the old saying “It’s hard to beat a good team twice.” Early on, the Red Raiders would seemingly refute that phrase as they stopped the Golden Lions on their first drive and scored on their first drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Jake Alexander. The Red Raiders were primed to extend their lead on the ensuing drive but would miss a 36-yard field-goal.

                Shelby would strike back in the second quarter with a four-yard run by Xavier Brooks. The extra point was missed however. They would snatch the lead late in the second quarter with a Malik Surratt 35-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Green. Chase Hendrick’s extra point was good. South Point would drive deep into Shelby territory but would be stopped at the six-yard line. They would have to settle for a 23-yard field-goal by Cade Ratliff. That would make the score 13-10 at half-time.

                The Red Raiders received the second half kickoff but would not punch it on their first drive. But they would pull ahead on their second drive. Backed deep in their own territory, Scottie Lee would hit Keaton Hale for a short pass that Hale would take 73 yards for a touchdown. Ratliff’s extra point kick made it 17-13.

                The fourth quarter was not kind to the Red Raiders as they were outscored 20-6. Shelby’s Xavier Brooks put the Golden Lions back on top with a 26-yard touchdown run. Jake Alexander would give the Red Raiders the 23-20 lead. Brooks’s one yard touchdown run gave Shelby the lead back at 26-23. On the ensuing kickoff, the Red Raiders fumbled the ball and the Golden Lions recovered. That gave Brooks a chance to ice it for Shelby with another one-yard touchdown run. Hendrick’s extra point made the final 33-23.

                Shelby’s drive for five is still alive. South Point’s quest for a repeat has come to a crashing halt. Shelby will travel to take on Mount Pleasant next week. The Tigers beat the Fred T. Foard Tigers 28-14.

                “I’m elated.” Said Shelby head coach Lance Ware “I told the other guys that I have been part of seven state champions as a head coach and as an assistant. But I don’t know if I ever had a more satisfying win than tonight. They were embarrassed last time we were down here in the regular season. They weren’t ready to play and that was my fault.”

                “There are a lot of champions on this team and a lot of champions on that team. It came down to guts and finding a way to make a play and we were able to do that tonight.” Ware said “We’re going to enjoy this tonight. Get in there and go to work and get ready for whoever we are playing. Thankful to be practicing on Thanksgiving. You never take that for granted.”

                “They got a good team. They got good field position and momentum at times.” Said South Point head coach Adam Hodge “We were in it till the fumble. Everything gets magnified in big games. It’s going to be tough to overcome. But we kept fighting. Our guys played their guts out.”

                Malik Surratt led the Golden Lions with 248 passing yards and a touchdown. Xavier Brooks amassed 97 yards rushing four touchdowns. Scottie Lee led South Point with 159 total yards (112 passing and 47 rushing) and a touchdown. Jake Alexander amassed 86 yards and two touchdowns.

               

Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland Round 2 Playoff Picks

Shelby 14 @ South Point 21

Weddington 28 @ Hunter Huss 21

Stuart Cramer 14 @ Charlotte Catholic 55

Crest 21 @ Jay M. Robinson 17

Rockingham County 14 @ Kings Mountain 28

Lincolnton 14 @ South Columbus 24

Swain County 27 @ Bessemer City 14

Robbinsville 14 @ Mountain Island Charter 21

Elkin 21 @ Thomas Jefferson 48

Same Game, Same Result, Different Score

                Sometimes you get another bite at the apple, but sometimes it’s the same flavor. That was the case as Forestview traveled to Kings Mountain for the first round playoff matchup. The Mountaineers crushed the Jaguars 63-7 two weeks ago. This time, it was the same result though the score was a little closer. This time Kings Mountain won 48-13.

                Ricaylen Mack led Kings Mountain with 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He scored on runs of 13, 9 and 10. But it was a 37-yard field-goal by Micah Randall that got the party started for the Mountaineers. A 58-yard pass from Kaylon Wade to Christopher Brittain for a touchdown gave the Mountaineers a 10-0 lead early. Wade threw another touchdown in the second quarter. That one was a 14-yarder to Dontavious Hughes.

                The score was 31-0 at half-time. The second half started out in similar fashion as the first half. Randall kicked a 39-yard field-goal to give the Mountaineers a 34-0 lead. Mack’s ten-yard touchdown run gave the Mountaineers a 41-0 lead late in the third quarter and that would be the end of his night as the subs would come in and finish the game off.

                The Jaguars did have a few bright spots and did avoid the shutout. Aaron Bennett’s 70-yard touchdown run put the Jaguars on the board. Josh Medlin’s extra point kick made it 41-7. After forcing Kings Mountain to punt, Forestview’s Jake Lee picked up what was thought to be a dead ball and took it 70 yards for a punt return for a touchdown. The extra point kick was missed however.

                The Mountaineers would put the exclamation point on it with a 30-yard touchdown run by Qua Brooks. Randall was 6-for-6 on his extra point attempts. Forestview ends their season 4-8. Kings Mountain (11-1) will face Rockingham County at home next week.

Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland Round 1 Playoff Picks

3AA

Ashbrook 21 @ Mount Tabor 41

3A

Concord 30 @ Stuart Cramer 27

West Rowan 17 @ Hunter Huss 31

Forestview 12 @ Kings Mountain 28

Monroe 14 @ Crest 35

2AA

West Iredell 7 @ South Point 55

Newton-Conover 20 @ Shelby 24

West Lincoln 14 @ Reidsville 48

East Lincoln 21 @ Mount Pleasant 28

2A

Lincolnton 35 @ Graham 14

1AA

Cherryville 14 @ Swain County 35

Bessemer City, bye

1A

Thomas Jefferson, bye

Mountain Island Charter, bye