Catholic rebounds from opening loss, pounds South Meck; Myers Park, Hough coast to wins
Michael Neel helped Charlotte Catholic atone for a subpar season debut.
The Cougars’ running back tallied 216 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-0 win against South Mecklenburg in their home opener at Jim Oddo Field, an emphatic recovery from a season-opening loss to Charlotte Christian.
Neel, who carried the ball 14 times, produced four runs of at least 18 yards.
Catholic got off to a 17-point halftime lead and was never threatened by relying on a productive rushing attack and stout defense.
Records: South Mecklenburg 0-2; Charlotte Catholic 1-1.
Three who mattered:
Michael Neel: Catholic running back tore through South Mecklenburg for 134 yards in the first half with two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Lamagea McDowell: The other half of Catholic’s tailback tandem ran for 49 yards on 11 first-half carries, primarily between the tackles.
Christopher Walton: The Cougars quarterback wasn’t required to pass often, but kept South Mecklenburg’s defense honest by connecting on 4-of-6 attempts for 41 yards before intermission.
What’s next
South Meck at Ardrey Kell; Charlotte Catholic hosts Country Day.
Herb White
Myers Park 50, Ardrey Kell 7
Myers Park sophomore quarterback Drake Maye passed for 283 yards and two touchdowns as the Mustangs rolled to a 50-7 victory over Ardrey Kell.
Myers Park (2-0), No. 5 in the Observer Sweet 16, also got a big night from Muhsin Muhammad III, who had 153 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, scoring on a 55-yard run (fake punt), a 55-yard punt return and a 43-yard pass from Maye.
The Mustangs’ offense, which piled up 405 yards of total offense, got contributions from receivers Elijah Bowick (six receptions for 133 yards) and Andre Francois (four receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown).
Ardrey Kell (0-2) was led by junior wide receiver Michael Hetzel, who had eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Jay Edwards
Hough 48, Providence 10
Quarterback Kennard Bonner-Steward passed for 266 yards and four touchdowns as Hough ran away from Providence in the second half for a 48-10 victory over the visiting Panthers.
Records: Hough 2-0; Providence 1-1.
Three who mattered
Kennique Bonner-Steward, Hough: Senior quarterback threw three touchdown passes in the first half to put the Huskies in control of the game early.
Evan Pryor, Hough: Sophomore running back was on the receiving end of two of those touchdown passes, for 12 and 36 yards, and added an 8-yard scoring run in the second half.
Mason Boothe, Providence: Senior quarterback's 12-yard touchdown pass to Will Kakavitsas gave the Panthers a last glimmer of hope early in the second half, trimming Hough’s lead to 20-10 before the Huskies pulled away for good.
What's next
Hough is at Concord at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Providence hosts Myers Park at 7.