Friday’s Observations: Myers Park, Hough clear hurdles, set up interesting quarterfinals

Where to start with Friday’s second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs?

So many things jump out:

▪ Hough was the Observer’s preseason Sweet 16 No. 1 and was, at best, an unpopular choice among some fans. That the Huskies had some surprising close calls early in the season, and in the middle of the season, only increased the chatter. Then Hough lost to Vance and Mallard Creek on back-to-back weeks to end the regular-season.

Well, that same Hough team, which had been struggling with some injury issues, got the biggest win in school history Friday, upsetting Mallard Creek 19-7 on the road in the second round of the playoffs. Hough converted three Mavericks turnovers into 13 points. Moreover, Hough beat Mallard Creek on the offensive and defensive line of scrimmage.

That’s usually how Mallard Creek beats you.

This time, Hough allowed 169 yards total offense, including 160 on the ground. In a 26-10 loss to Mallard Creek a few weeks back, Hough allowed more than 400 yards rushing. And that’s how Hough beat the Mavericks for just the second time in school history.

▪ Myers Park has not beaten Butler in the regular-season in the past 10 years. But the Mustangs have eliminated the Bulldogs from the playoffs in back-to-back years after Friday’s definitive 33-8 win at Butler Friday that felt a little like a changing of the guard.

Myers Park (12-1) tied the school record for wins it set last season and has its third straight year with at least 11 victories. The school opened in the ‘50s and the Mustangs had only three seasons with double-digits wins before that. Mustangs coach Scott Chadwick, making a serious bid for the best coach the school has ever had, has Myers Park two wins away from the first N.C. 4A state finals appearance in school history.

Myers Park lost 18-15 to Elizabeth City in the 1957 2A state final ending the school’s 18-game win streak. In 1965, Myers Park beat Garinger 27-6 in the N.C. 4A Western Regional final to improve to 11-0, but no state final was played that season.

So 2018 could be a historic season for Myers Park. And we emphasize “could.”

More later.

▪ Butler had not played in a month and the Bulldogs looked rusty Friday. Myers Park lost to Butler seven weeks ago in a game that was basically the Southwestern 4A league championship. Since then, Butler played just twice -- Oct. 19 against Harrisburg Hickory Ridge and Oct. 26 against Garinger. This was after NCHSAA imposed penalties forced three area teams -- Hickory Ridge, Independence and East Meck -- to end their seasons early for in-game and post-game fights.

The Bulldogs final two games were scheduled to be East Meck and Independence. So combine that with a first-round bye for winning the league, and Butler was off the field for a very long time.

▪ Mallard Creek was the No. 1 overall 4AA West seed and with the Mavericks gone, the road to the state finals goes through Rockingham, and Richmond is state title good again. It feels like 1998 when the Raiders were rolling through North Carolina and everyone else was trying to catch up.

Richmond is averaging 41.5 points per game in the playoffs and has only lost to two-time N.C. 4AA champ Wake Forest. And as I’ve said before, the Raiders have had a lot of success in years that end with “8.” Richmond won the state title in 2008, 1998, 1988 and 1978.

This, of course, is 2018.

Next up for the Raiders? A very hot Myers Park team, and Myers Park is going to find out next week that there’s nothing in North Carolina quite like being a road team in Rockingham. Richmond, though, will have its hands full with a Mustangs team that has lots of college talent, and lots of confidence.

▪ On the other side of the 4AA West bracket, Hough will play at Vance, trying to avenge a 25-0 loss to the Cougars earlier this month. Vance has beaten two playoff teams 84-7, but this will be a big step up in competition. Neither school has ever made a state final. Both probably can taste it now.

Elevator

↑Matthew Dennis, Myers Park: kicker was 4-for-4 on PATs and made a 44-yard field goal on a cold, rainy night.

↓Belmont South Point: the Red Raiders outgained reigning 2A state champ Lenoir Hibriten 306-211 Friday, but Hibriten took advantage of four fumbles to win 28-20. Hibriten’s McKinley Witherspoon ran 19 times for 110 yards.

↑Charlotte Catholic-Gastonia Huss 3A quarterfinal: if you like defense, you may want to go to Gastonia next week. Catholic (12-1), which has won 12 straight, has allowed 82 points in 13 games. It has five shutouts, including Friday’s 42-0 win over Monroe.

Huss (13-0) beat Boiling Springs Crest 35-0 Friday. The Huskies have allowed 85 points in 13 games and have a school-record six shutouts.

↑Sam Howell, Indian Trail Sun Valley: Howell, who took an official visit to North Carolina last week, has surprassed Chris Leak, the former Independence High star, for the N.C. record for career total offensive yards. After Friday’s 22-14 loss at Asheville Reynolds, Howell has 17,036 yards unofficially. Lak had 16,590. Howell ran for 161 yards and a score on 32 carries Friday and threw for 60 yards and a score.

His 13,415 career passing yards are second to Leak’s (15,593). And Howell’s 145 career touchdown passes are No. 3 in state history.

Howell has committed to Florida State, but if North Carolina can “flip” him by signing day, it would be a huge get for the Tar Heels to keep a guy who should end up a top five all-time historical QB in the state.

Friday’s Quick Links

Friday’s Scores, How the Sweet 16 fared, next week’s statewide third round playoff schedule

Hough surprises rival Mallard Creek in playoffs

Big defensive plays key Myers Park in playoff rout at Butler

Vance shuts out Adrey Kell, advances in 4AA playoffs

Friday’s Top Performers

Isaiah Bess, Shelby: completed 17-of-25 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s 45-26 win over Ashe Couty.

Jaylen Coleman, Indian Trail Porter Ridge: 15 carries for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-27 win over Greensboro Page. Next week’s quarterfinal apperance against West Meck will be the Pirates’ deepest playoff penetration since making the 2012 state finals.

Jake Harkleroad, Myers Park: twice had tackles on fourth down to stop Butler drives. Also had two sacks.

Evan Pryor, Hough: nine carries for 95 yards and a score in the Mallard Creek upset.

Andre White, Vance: 11 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-0 win over Ardrey Kell. Vance ran for 296 yards as a team.

Nick Wilds-Lawing, Northwest Cabarrus: in a 41-8 playoff win over Waynesville Tuscola, the Trojans’ quarterback was nearly perfect. He completed 11-of-12 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 39-yard scoring run.

This story was originally published November 24, 2018 at 4:07 AM.