South Stanly football evens record with fourth quarter surge over Chatham Central

Published 6:49 pm Sunday, March 28, 2021

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The South Stanly football team trailed early in Friday’s home game against Chatham Central.

As they had earlier in the season against South Davidson, the Bulls answered in strong fashion. South Stanly scored on the next drive and scored 34 unanswered points for the 34-8 victory.

Omarion Eldridge led the rushing attack for South (2-2, 2-2 YVC) with 106 yards on 16 carries with two rushing touchdowns, the first of which came late in the second quarter. Quarterback Drew Gaddy added a touchdown run along with Taewan Morris and Jadarian Smith. South rushed for 241 yards on 47 carries.

Chatham Central (1-2, 1-2) had taken the lead minutes earlier on a 19-yard TD pass from Michael Moore to Parker Crowley, with the two Bears adding a two-point conversion.

Trailing 8-6 in the fourth quarter, South Stanly put together an effort which head coach Ryan Ochier said “was played how our team should play. It was almost flawless.”

Gaddy converted a short TD run with a two-point conversion pass to Lawson Hicks to put the Bulls up for good. South outscored Chatham in the final period 28-0.

South earned the win Friday despite missing offensive standout Malik Kluttz, who was quarantined. However, Ochier said the Bulls “were able to spread the wealth in his absence.”

Ochier added once South “settled down and played the game without committing penalties, we were fine.”

South was scheduled to play at Albemarle Thursday, but the game was canceled because of the Bulldogs being in quarantine. The Bulls will now play at Forest Hills, also set for Thursday night.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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