March 29, 2024

SOUTH POINT PUTS EAST GASTON AWAY WITH A SECOND HALF TOUCHDOWN EXPLOSION

By: Anthony Perkins

Mount Holly – The South Point Red Raiders visited Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night to talk on the East Gaston Warriors on what has become known as “Black Friday” among the fans of these neighboring schools and went home with a 35-7 win.

After the first quarter ended in a scoreless stalemate the visiting Red Raiders put an eight play, eighty-yard drive together to score the first points of the contest with less than four minutes remaining in the half.  Quarterback Cam Medlock found the end-zone on a five-yard quarterback keeper to put South Point on top but the lead only lasted for thirteen seconds.  East Gaston’s Nehemiah Stovall gathered in the ensuing kickoff at the East Gaston five and started up the middle of the field, near the 25-yard line he cut to the right and scampered down the right side of the field for a 95-yard touchdown return to knot the score at 7-7 before the visiting Red Raiders even had time to celebrate their first score. 

After a close first half where only 25 yards separated the two teams offensively, the second half belonged to South Point.  South Point’s offense scored on all three of their third quarter possessions while the defensive unit held the Warriors to only thirty-six total yards and “no” touchdowns. Joseph O’Neil found paydirt on a 35-yard run just over four minutes into the quarter.  Less than two minutes later, tight end Jackson Blee notched the second South Point score of the third quarter on a 44-yard pass from Cam Medlock.  Fullback Tyson Riley added the third score on a two-yard run with just over three minutes left in the quarter.

The Red Raiders put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter when Riley scored again on a 66-yard run that capped a two-play, 68-yard drive and the final 35-7 score.  South Point kicker Charles Birtwistle went 5 for 5 on point after attempts to stay perfect for the evening and for the season.

The South Point offense racked up 309 yards rushing in 40 attempts and Cam Medlock completed two of three passes for 59 yards to bring the South Point total to 368 yards.  Fullback Tyson Riley was the workhorse for the Red Raiders with 218 yards on 28 carries. The team had 15 first downs, turned the ball over twice on fumbles and they were penalized three times for thirty yards.

East Gaston’s offense finished up with 53 rushing yards on 40 carries and quarterback Trenton Sherrill went 9-15-0 in the passing department for an additional 95 yards to give them a total offensive output of 148 yards.  The Warriors moved the chains 11 times, they were penalized 8 times for 50 yards and they turned the ball over one time on a fumble. 

Next week East Gaston will visit Stuart Cramer to take on the Storm.  South Point was supposed to travel to RS Central but I heard that the Hilltoppers football program was on hold because of COVID restrictions.  We will find out more about that as we move toward next Friday.

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