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The South Stanly football squad had not hosted a playoff game in six seasons, 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 Friday night, 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 victory since a 14-10 win over  Lakewood in 2018.

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

Rebel Bulls QB Kaleb Richardson then found Ethan Gaddy for a 10-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 short touchdown run, and a missed extra point put the Bulls up 28-0, still in the third.

Avery County (2-9) ended South’s shutout bid with a fourth-quarter TD, which South answered when Richardson connected with Holt for a 69-yard touchdown.

“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.