Alexander Central 49
South Caldwell 20
Alexander Central beat South Caldwell Friday night in Taylorsville and seemingly earned a state playoff bid.
The Cougars took the lead after taking the opening kickoff and marching 53 yards in 8 plays capped by quarterback Lance Justice scoring from 3 yards. South Caldwell would go 80 yards in 11 plays scoring on a 4th and goal from the 11 yard line when qb Avery Raynor hit JB Dobbins. The Spartans got a two-point conversion and led 8-7 with 2:19 remaining in the first quarter.
Back came the Cougars ! Ryheem Craig would power his way into the end zone from 4 yards to put the finishing touches on a 65 yard, 7 play drive and the Blue and Gold were back on top for good at 14-8.
On the next South possession, Ryheem Craig would block a punt and Josh Abernathey pounced on it in the end zone expanding the lead to 21-8. The home crowd came to their feet on the Cougars next possession when Cameron Lackey raced 92 yards into the south end zone putting AC on top 28-8.
Credit the visitors from Caldwell County with a comeback. Raynor would find Isiah Kirby from 15 yards just before the half making the score, Alexander Central 28-South Caldwell 14.
South moved even closer with the opening drive of the second half going 73 yards in 10 plays capped by Raynor finding pay dirt from 7 yards. The Spartans were within 28-20.
ACHS took over and controlled the rest of the game. After the South Caldwell kick was returned into Spartan territory by Josh Abernathey, the Cougars went 45 yards in 5 plays when Lance Justis ran it in from 9 yards.
AC padded the led in the fourth quarter on a pair of Dayente Calhoun td runs from 2 and 16 yards.
Cameron Lackey led the Cougar rushing attack with 146 yards on 9 carries and a touchdown. Lance Justice would rush 90 yards on 13 attempts and a pair of scores. Craig, as is the norm, led the team in tackles with 10 including 1.5 stops for loss and a blocked punt.
Avery Raynor kept the Spartans in the game with a standout effort. He was 17-22 for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air. He rushed 21 times for 81 yards. Raynor would be sacked 7 times by the AC defense.
With the win, Alexander Central wins their 5th straight after a COVID-19 influenced 0-2 start. At 5-2 overall and 5-1 in league play, the Cougars are likely to get a bid to the state 3A playoffs. The official pairings will be released Saturday afternoon.
Area Scores
St Stephens 27 Hickory 19
McDowell 30 Freedom 6
TC Roberson 47 Watauga 36
Statesville 17 West Rowan 10…Thursday
Carson 56 South Iredell 55
East Rowan 51 North Iredell 22
Lake Norman 43 North Meck 22
Mallard Creek 62 Mooresville 0
North Lincoln 40 Bandys 19
Maiden 32 Lincolnton 7
East Lincoln 30 Newton Conover 7
West Lincoln 35 Cherokee 7
Hibriten 62 Patton 0
Bunker Hill 38 West Caldwell 7
Draughn 35 East Burke 28
West Iredell 16 Foard 13
Wilkes Central 32 East Wilkes 19
Ashe County 27 Starmount 20
West Wilkes 31 North Wilkes 27
Burns 70 RS Central 39
Kings Mountain 28 Crest 7
Shelby wins by forfeit over East Rutherford