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The South Stanly football squad had not hosted a playoff game in six season, but the Bulls entered the 2024 NCHSAA state playoffs as a No. 8 seed, winning the 1A bid from the Yadkin Valley Conference.

South hosted the Avery County Vikings, seeded 25th in the Western Region entering the postseason with a 2-8 mark.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulls broke through in the second quarter and never trailed, earning a 34-7 win.

The win for South was the program’s first playoff win since beating Lakewood in 2018, 14-10.

South took the lead early in the second quarter when I’key Holt finished a long scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

Rebel Bulls QB Kaleb Richardson then found Ethan Gaddy for a 7-yard touchdown pass. South led at the halftime break, 14-0.

Richardson then found Jasiah Holt for the first of two second-half TD passes, a 61-yard strike, with a two-point conversion putting the hosts up, 22-0.

Carter Callicutt added a six-yard TD touchdown run, and after the extra point was no good, South led 28-0.

Avery County (2-9) ended South’s shutout bid with a fourth-quarter TD as Kaleb Liner scored on a 15-yard run. The extra point made the score, 28-7.

South answered when Richardson connected with Holt for a 67-yard touchdown to round out the scoring.

The Bulls outgained the Vikings overall, 370 to 167. Richardson finished with 249 passing yards 17-of-26 with three TDs and two picks.

I’Key Holt led South’s ground game with 113 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown.

South’s defense limited Avery to 82 total rushing yards on 32 carries, and 86 passing yards as Liner finished 10-for-19 passing.

“I love this group,” South head coach Terry Shankle said. “They have shown resiliency throughout this season. They have turned the program around through their hard work and dedication.”

Regarding the win, Shankle said, “I’m pleased at the way our defense pressured the quarterback and stopped the run. My offense got things together and finished the first half on a good note. I was happy with our run game; we were effective the entire game.”

This Friday night, the Bulls will host No. 9 Starmount (10-1) in the second round of the state playoffs this Friday night. The Rams advanced to the second round with a 51-0 win versus No. 24 Andrews.

(Sports Editor’s Note: Jamie Shell from the Avery Journal-Times contributed to this article.)