Alexander Central 53
Freedom 12
With an apology to Mark Twain, rumors of Alexander Central’s demise are greatly exaggerated
The Cougars roared at home Friday night and drubbed Freedom 53-12. In some ways the game might not have been that close.
Off a stumbling 0-2 start that included most of the offense missing game one because of COVID protocol, and a mistake filled effort last week against Watauga, coach Butch Carter’s Blue and Gold found their way against a team that has dominated them over the years.
QB Lance Justice opened the Cougar scoring in the first quarter with a 10 yard touchdown run that capped a 10-play, 95-yard drive. In the second quarter AC would roll on the ground. Dayante Calhoun would score from 6 yards , Lance Justice would score again from 5 yards, and Ryheem Craig would dive in the end zone from 5 yards. When halftime rolled around the Cougars were in command 27-0.
Ryheem Craig would cap the opening drive of the second half with a 26-yard dash to the end zone and the rout was on with 8:11 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Andrew Bungarner, Russell Frazier, and Luke Mitchell would hit paydirt to complete the scoring.
Freedom got on the scoreboard with 2:23 remaining in the 3rd quarter when QB Thaddeus Reid hit Alec Hall from 15 yards but by that point the home fans were celebrating a 41-6 lead. Darrien Dula would score on a 13 yard pass from Reid in he fourth quarter for visitors from Morganton.
Alexander Central pounded the Patriot defense for 521 yards including 452 on the ground. Freedom gained 237 yards but most of it came long after the game was decided.
The Cougars spread the wealth with no back reaching 100 yards but 4 players gaining 60 or more. Justice was 6-7 through the air for 69 yards. Ryheem Craig picked up 8 tackles including 1.5 for loss to lead the defense. Dalton Beck added 7 stops and snared an errant pass for an interception.
With the win, ACHS goes to 1-2, 1-1 in the Northwestern Conference. Freedom drops to 2-1.
Next Friday, the Cougars travel to Marion to battle McDowell.
Area Scores
Watauga 23 Hickory 6
South Caldwell 50 McDowell 0
St Stephens 30 Bessemer City 0
Hibriten 43 North Rowan 0
Bandys 52 Lincolnton 8
Statesville 27 South Iredell 10
West Caldwell 47 West Iredell 15
Carson 38 North Iredell 10
East Lincoln 40 North Lincoln 30
Bunker Hill 44 Draughn 6
West Lincoln 27 Newton Conover 19
East Burke 37 Patton 6
Vance 42 Mooresville 14
Hough 24 Lake Norman 9
Elkin 22 Wilkes Central 14
Ashe County 36 North Wilkes 15
Starmount 14 East Wilkes 7
Alleghany 25 West Wilkes 7
Shelby 47 Chase 41
Burns 54 East Rutherford 7