Hough slays the (Mallard Creek) Giant, gets biggest win in school history

Hough did something Friday night that few N.C. high school teams have been able to do – beat Mallard Creek.

Marquill Osborne’s interception in overtime sealed a 31-28 win over the Mavericks. Hough also ended Mallard Creek’s 36-game home win streak. It was Mallard Creek’s first home loss in five years, since the Mavericks were upset 10-7 by Vance in the 2010 N.C. 4AA quarterfinals when quarterback Marquise Williams, now at North Carolina, sat out most of the game with an ankle injury.

▪ Since the start of the 2009 season, Mallard Creek has lost just nine times and only to four N.C. teams: Independence, Greensboro Page, Butler – and now Hough.

▪ Mallard Creek, which had won 43 straight conference games, lost in league play for the first time since the 2008 season.

▪ Hough (6-1, 2-0) is now tied with A.L. Brown (7-0, 2-0) for the MECKA 8 conference lead. Guess who plays next week? Hough goes to Kannapolis to face Brown’s Wonders. Also next week, Mallard Creek (6-2, 2-1) is at Vance (5-2, 1-1) in what amounts to a loser-leave-town match.

At the beginning of the season, Mallard Creek-Vance was generally the game most folks thought would decide the league title. As it turns out, the loser will be out of the league title race.

▪ Statewide, I think a lot of 4AA teams gained a large measure of hope that the two-time defending state champion Mavericks lost a game in-state (they lost by two points at Duncan Byrnes, S.C., a few weeks back). Mallard Creek started the season in the top 10 of many national polls. Now the Mavericks appear vulnerable. This much is certain: the N.C. 4AA playoffs, which seemed like a simple march to three-peat history back in August, is certainly up for grabs now.

Elevator

↑Charlotte Catholic black jerseys: The Cougars debuted new black jerseys Friday for their home game with Olympic. Catholic’s defense allowed 114 yards total offense and earned its fourth shutout.

↑Weddington’s Keith Duncan: Made 53-yard field goal and a 25-yarder in a 34-8 win over Anson County. He made his 38th and 39th career field goals to break the 16-year-old N.C. record of 37 set by Cary’s Austin Herbert.

↓Stadium malfunctions: Clock went down at North Gaston High, and the lights went out at Davidson Day – on a clear night.

↓Concord turnovers: Spiders, No. 15, had four first half interceptions against Cox Mill but rallied to win 23-9.

▪ North Meck defense: Vikings got to six wins for first time since 2009 with a 40-0 victory in the Battle for the Shield against Hopewell. Three Vikings had interception returns for scores: Dontevian Byrd (20 yards), Jordan McCormick (50) and Amaur Mason (65).

Friday’s Top Performers

Phillip Clay, Rocky River: completed 10-of-13 passes for 223 yards and two scores in a win over East Meck. Also had a rushing TD. Hooked up with Kendall Lewis for a 31-yard and 97-yard touchdown.

Khalil Moore, Davidson Day: eight catches for 137 yards in a 21-10 win over Charlotte Country Day plus a pass interception.

Marquill Osborne, Hough and Noah Huggins, Butler: Obsorne’s interception in his end zone sealed his team’s 31-28 upset win over No. 1 Mallard Creek. Huggins’ 86-yard interception return for a score with 30 seconds left sealed his team’s 21-7 win over Myers Park.

Chazz Surratt, East Lincoln: had 372 yards passing, 72 rushing in three quarters during a 52-20 win over Bunker Hill.

J-Mo Thompson, North Lincoln: 26 carries, 252 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 44-36 loss to Alexander Central.

Rashad Williams, Hough: 25 carries for 154 yards and a 59-yard scoring run in a 31-28 upset of No. 1 Mallard Creek.

Friday’s Roundup

Davidson Day 21, Country Day 10: Cade Carney rushed 13 times for 69 yards and a score and had a game-sealing 93-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter. The Patriots (7-0) failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in the program’s five-year history.

Ardrey Kell 40, Harding 14: The Knights (4-3, 2-1 SoMeck 8) topped 40 points for the third time this season. Harding (1-6, 0-3) lost for the fifth straight week.

Porter Ridge 33, Garinger 0: Garinger (0-8, 0-3 Southwestern 4A) lost its 37th straight game. Garinger last won in October 2011 over Harding. Porter Ridge (1-6, 1-1) ended a seven-game losing streak and became the fifth team to shut out the Wildcats this season.

Providence 31, Berry 25: Providence (4-3, 3-0) remained in first place in the SoMeck 8 along with Charlotte Catholic. Berry (3-4, 0-3) lost its third straight.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 11:22 PM with the headline "Hough slays the (Mallard Creek) Giant, gets biggest win in school history."