Catholic rushes past Stuart Cramer, sets up rematch against Weddington in 3A playoffs
Charlotte Catholic rushed for 279 yards to run over Stuart Cramer 42-7 Friday in the second round of the N.C. 3A playoffs.
Now, the Cougars must shift their focus on reigning state champion Weddington, which beat Hunter Huss 31-13.
It will be a rematch in next Friday’s quarterfinal at Catholic. In September, Catholic won 42-6 at Weddington.
“We know Weddington is going to be ready as the defending state champions,” Catholic coach Mike Brodowicz said. “They will also have a lot of motivation after we beat them at their place. Our kids need to remember that was two and a half month ago. We’re a different team and they’re a different team. It’s going to be a whole new ball game.”
While the Cougars moved the ball on the ground for the second straight week, Catholic junior quarterback Chris Walton was also productive passing. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Charlotte Catholic (13-0) struck first when Walton found senior Milan Howard on an 8-yard touchdown pass on the Cougars’ second drive.
Howard, who rushed for 92 yards on 10 carries and caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, also capped Catholic’s next drive to give his team a 14-0 lead.
Catholic scored on a third consecutive drive when Walton found tight end Holden Schachte on a 24-yard touchdown throw.
After another Stuart Cramer (8-5) three-and-out, Catholic junior Brian Jacobs took the Storm punt back 62 yards for a touchdown and 28-0 lead.
Charlotte Catholic also added two second-half touchdowns by Lamagea McDowell and Will Clouden.
Stuart Cramer was led by junior running back Kaiser Kayton, who rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Records: Charlotte Catholic 13-0; Stuart Cramer 8-5.
Three who mattered
Howard, Charlotte Catholic RB: The Cougars’ senior running back showed his versatility, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown, while also catching three passes for another 53 yards and a touchdown.
Walton, Charlotte Catholic QB: He doesn’t always get many opportunities to pass. Walton was 5-for-8 for 92 yards and had two TD passes , making him 9-for-13 for 208 yards and five touchdown passes in two playoff games this season.
Jacobs, Charlotte Catholic PR/DB: Cougars’ junior punt returner made a nifty 62-yard punt return in the second quarter, ducking at least three tackles, while breaking a couple more before scoring.
Observations
▪ Catholic’s defense is just as dominant as its offensive counterpart, allowing just nine points per game this season.
▪ It’s hard to stop Catholic’s rushing attack with Howard (1694 yards rushing this year), McDowell (774 yards rushing) and Neel (632 yards rushing) in the backfield.
Worth mentioning
▪ Charlotte Catholic has won 54 of it last 58 games , with one loss at home in that span to Greensboro Dudley (in last year’s 4A state semifinals).
▪ Stuart Cramer finished a school-record eight wins. The Storm has improved each season of its existence, going from 1-10 in 2014 to 5-6 in 2015 to 7-5 last year.
What's next?
Charlotte Catholic will host Weddington next Friday at 7:30 p.m in the 3A quarterfinals.
Stuart Cramer ; 0; 0 ; 0; 7 - 7
Charlotte Catholic; 7; 21; 14; 0 - 42
CC – Milan Howard 8-yard pass from Chris Walton (Will Griggs kick)
CC – Howard 3-yard run (Griggs kick)
CC – Holden Schachte 24-yard pass from Walton (Griggs kick)
CC – Brian Jacobs 62-yard punt return (Griggs kick)
CC – Lamagea McDowell 2-yard run (Griggs kick)
CC – Will Clouden 9-yard pass from Jackson Cure (Griggs kick)
SC – Kaiser Kayton 6-yard run (Devin Baldwin kick)
This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 12:17 AM with the headline "Catholic rushes past Stuart Cramer, sets up rematch against Weddington in 3A playoffs."