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The North Stanly football team entered Friday’s second-round playoff game at Brevard having posted a dramatic last-minute win the week before.

North fell behind late in the first quarter and suffered a loss on the road to the host Blue Devils, 36-7.

Brevard (10-2) jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 2:22 left in the first quarter and led 14-0 at halftime.

Trailing 21-0 early in the third, North scored on a Jaylon McKoy 45-yard rushing touchdown with 6:50 left on the clock. The extra point pulled the Comets (8-4) to within 14, 21-7.

Brevard led 27-7 after three quarters and got close to scoring again early in the fourth, but the Comets’ Justice Gramling picked off a pass in the end zone.

The Blue Devils added a safety and another touchdown for the game’s final margin.

Friday’s loss ended the season for the Comets and first-year head coach Chad Little with the team posting the most wins since North was 11-3 in 2018.

North also posted the team’s first win in the 2A playoffs and fourth overall playoff victory in the program’s history with the first-round win versus T.A. Andrews.

“We played a very well coached team Friday,” Little said. “Playing out of our area was tough. We had 11 players out for this game…injuries have been an issue for us all season. We knew that would eventually get us, and it did the last part of the season. If we are healthy, we are as good as anyone, but injuries are part of the game.”

Regarding the season, Little said 8-4 was successful “considering our massive amount of injuries. I’m so proud of these seniors; they held us together by encouraging lots of freshman and sophomores to step up and help at the end of the year.”

As a program, Little said North “is stronger than ever. Our defense will return 11 starters; we will be tough and strong next season.”

North’s coach noted the program has 16 players playing in college next season.

“We love for our kids to go to the next level…we look to send some of our guys to college again this year,” Little said.

He added the administration at North Stanly “is something special” with how they support the program, adding, “our parents and community are also big parts of our success. Comet Pride is strong around here.”