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The county champs of one year ago on the gridiron will have the chance to defend that title later on this season. Chase, behind the effort of Josh Wright and company pushed by R-S Central at The Palace last Friday, 21-14 in overtime.
Wright tied for the 17th most carries in a single game according to the NCHSAA record book with 41 totes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
However, it was a great game all-around as Chase had the offensive and defensive line with a powerful back in Wright to bully past the Hilltoppers when the called upon during the extra session. Chase accumulated nearly 300 yards, while Central had just 124 on the night.
R-S Central fell behind 7-0, then scored 14 straight before half with a Devante Austin touchdown and a Jaylen Hollis quarterback keeper for a score.
However, Tyrell Boykins tied the game up with a quarterback keeper of his own in the third period. Both teams stonewalled the other the rest of the game until Wright plunged into the end zone two plays into overtime. A back breaking 11 yard sack by Mike Helton of Chase on third down set up Central 4th and goal at the 15. On a prayer, Hollis threw a pass which glanced off the hands of Austin (103 rushing yards total) as he lay on the ground in the end zone to end the contest.
The Trojan win sets up a Rutherford County Championship between Chase and East Rutherford at Chase on October 26.
Chase (4-2, 2-0) will have Burns on the road this Friday. R-S Central (1-5, 0-2) will head north to Morganton and play Freedom.
East Rutherford has now won four straight contests after squeaking by Patton, 23-20 this past Friday. A 38-yard field goal as time expired lifts the Cavs to a 4-2, 2-0 record for the moment.
Jamon Edgerton and T.J. Watkins were responsible for all three East touchdowns as Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez received one by a pass from Watkins.
This Friday, they travel to face a fairly solid Providence Day team in Charlotte. The last time the two teams played was in 2008 when East came back for a 26-16 victory in Charlotte.
That leads us to still the only remaining unbeaten in the Rutherford County, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. That’s Right! The Gryphons faced a 6-0 deficit at half in Newland and came back for a 13-6 victory over Avery County. Mac Martin continues to shine as he scored twice to push TJCA to 6-0, 2-0.
It’s homecoming for the Gryphons as they host Madison (5-1, 1-1) this Friday night.
Madison won 49-30 last season. Only 37 football teams hold an unbeaten record this season at the moment.
NASCAR
No real drama to speak about in New Hampshire this past week, but the top six drivers remain within 15 markers of each other. However, Denny Hamlin and team had back-to-back mistakes after running out of gas the week before in Chicago and then set the air pressure wrong prior to qualifying on Friday. Although he had topped the charts in every practiced, Hamlin qualified 32nd because of the air pressure mistake. It wouldn’t matter on Sunday as Hamlin had the car to beat in capturing the win. That’s how you win championships, go attain redemption.
I predicted Hamlin and team as the group to beat in this Chase. Still, there are eight races and plenty of things can happen. It’s off to Dover this weekend.
