The Stanly Cup, symbolic of the county’s football championship, has not seen West Stanly put its name on the cup for several seasons.

With a chance to reclaim the Cup and go 3-0 in county play this season, West took advantage of early turnovers and led the majority of the way in a 49-12 win.

West’s defense forced three turnovers and gave up 346 total net yards of offense to South (4-4) but limited the Bulls to two Jaquez Cooke rushing touchdowns. Cooke threw for 184 yards (11-of-23) but was picked off by Austin Stoker in the first quarter.

The win for West was the team’s seventh in a row, continuing the best start for a football season in school history, while reclaiming the Cup for the first time since 2016.

Head coach Brett Morton said it felt good to have the Stanly Cup back at West.

“It’s a goal that we’ve been working forward. To see it finally pay off is fantastic. I’m happy for the guys,” Morton said.

Stoker recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff for West setting up the first of two rushing touchdowns for sophomore Gavin Hudson.

“Everybody likes offensive numbers but I’m a defensive guy myself,” Morton said, noting West was able to put pressure on Cooke and attempted to make the South QB make bad throws.

“That kid’s a ballplayer. I have a ton of respect for (Cooke). We did what we needed to do. We limited him in every way we possibly could,” Morton said.

Jordan Poole had another big game for the Colts (7-0) gaining 211 yards on 15 carries scoring four TDs.

As a team, West rushed for 362 yards on 34 carries while quarterback Jordan Manshack threw for 116 yards on 4-of-6 passes.

The Colts get back to Rocky River Conference play Friday night at Montgomery Central (3-5, 1-1 RRC). The Timberwolves evened the team’s conference record Friday with a win over Forest Hills, 27-9.

South Stanly gets back to conference play Friday at Chatham Central (0-8, 0-3 YVC).