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Vance High knows how to manufacture opportunities.
The Cougars scored on two defensive touchdowns and another on special teams Friday in a 26-7 win against West Charlotte in the I- Meck 4A regular-season finale. The victory clinched second place for Vance (5-6, 4-2), which entered the game tied with the Lions (5-6, 3-3).
Junior linebacker Malcolm Bynum put the Cougars ahead for good when he fielded an errant West Charlotte pitch and raced 67 yards with 1 minute, 13 seconds left in the third quarter. It was enough to make up for an offense that mustered only 78 yards.
"It's opportunity," Bynum said. "I picked the ball up and ran as fast as I could to the end zone. I knew if I could get the ball to the end zone it would change the momentum of the game, so that's what I did."
The Cougars' defense did it throughout the game by forcing West Charlotte into four turnovers and a pair of miscues on special teams.
Dechane Durante, who scored Vance's only offensive touchdown on a 45-yard pass reception from Calvin Hunter in the fourth quarter, closed the game with a 70-yard interception for a touchdown. He also added a two-point conversion.
"We know our defense is a strong part of our team," Bynum said. "On defense, we look to make plays. We don't look to stopping (opponents), we're looking to score. If we can stop them, we stop them. If we get the opportunity to score, we score."
Vance added insurance with 8:30 left on Durante's touchdown grab, which was set up when West Charlotte mishandled the snap on a punt.
"We always play with heart, but I thought they stepped it up for the bigger game like they did tonight," Vance coach Phil Culicerto said.
"These kids played with their backs against the wall, because if we lose, we're traveling pretty far next week."
Vance had an opportunity to go ahead in the third after a West Charlotte snap sailed over the punter's head, but the Lions rose to the challenge when Nigel Johnson picked off a pass in the end zone.
Ardy Holmes turned Vance away on the next possession when he intercepted a pass at the Lions' 30.
The first half was dominated by defense, punctuated by three turnovers between the teams and a special teams score.
