In North Carolina high school football, it was another week full of results that were expected and results that were not.
Here are five important things to remember from the games this week.
East Forsyth is looking like a title contender
Even though that’s not exactly news, this version seems especially exciting, starting with quarterback Bryce Baker. It was a 49-14 win for East Forsyth over A.C. Reynolds thanks to the 6-foot-3 quarterback’s 29-of-38 passing for 482 yards and 5 scores. He threw mostly to J.P. Gilchrist (8 catches for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns) and Jaire Richburg (8 catches for 142 yards and a score).
That’s not all you can do with these guys, either. The Eagles ran for 143 yards and scored two scores.
Last year, the Eagles lost in the second round of the state playoffs. It looked like they were going to go even further this fall.
The Indy Patriots keep rolling
Independence has a long history of football, and the Patriots are looking to make another deep run in the playoffs.
In a game between two of Charlotte’s best teams, the Patriots beat Charlotte Christian 34–13. They played very well balanced. Jayden Jones ran 21 times for 214 yards and three scores. Justin Little, the quarterback, completed 14 out of 21 passes, gaining 201 yards and a score.
In his last season at Salisbury, Jamal Rule led the state in rushing. On 28 carries, he had 134 yards and a score for Charlotte Christian.
Butler is 0-3, but the Bulldogs prove they are still a contender
Butler’s season got off to a bad start with three straight losses, including a rout of Rolesville in the first game.
But take a look at Friday night. That was a 35-34 loss in OT to Irmo, which is one of the best teams in South Carolina. The Bulldogs were so close to a big win that they missed a two-point try.
The conference games have not started yet. Even though they lost, the Bulldogs look like they’re in pretty good shape.
Randleman steps up behind QB John Kirkpatrick and receiver Tyshayn Goldston
When you have a great quarterback and wide receiver pairing, good things tend to happen.
In a 10-2 season last year, quarterback John Kirkpatrick and wide receiver Tyshaun Goldston really shone. They put up big numbers.
They’re doing it again. Kirkpatrick threw three touchdowns to Goldston in a 35–21 win over Bunker Hill, which had never lost before. Goldston caught 9 balls and gained 174 yards.
Clinton football has fallen on hard times
Power in the past Clinton is having a hard time. The Dark Horses have lost all three games by a total of 144-0. After a 15-1 season, in which they came second in 2-A state, this is what they found.
But after going 61-12 in six years, coach Cory Johnson left for Marlboro County in Bennettsville, South Carolina. A lot of Clinton’s best players moved to Marlboro County, which changed everything for both teams.