West Charlotte bounces back from Independence loss, routs Garinger Thursday
West Charlotte scored on its first play from scrimmage, piled up 29 points in the first quarter, and coasted to a 48-8 nonconference football victory Thursday night over Garinger.
The Lions’ defense held the Wildcats to 5 yards’ total offense in the first half in evening their season record at 2-2.
The game was played at Waddell High, due to construction on the West Charlotte campus. It was played on Thursday because Harding is playing a scheduled “home” game against West Mecklenburg Friday, also at Waddell. Harding’s track, which surrounds the football field, is also undergoing construction.
Garinger, reviving its varsity football program after playing only at the junior varsity level a year ago, dropped to 0-4.
The Wildcats put themselves in a hole on the opening kickoff, as their return man fumbled away the ball at the Garinger 25. West Charlotte took quick advantage of that error, as Caleb Barringer connected with Nasir Chamblee on a touchdown pass.
After a Garinger three-and-out, West Charlotte took over at the Wildcats 43 and scored in four plays. The touchdown was on a 33-yard pass from Barringer to Khemaan Fleming.
Before the quarter was over, the Lions also got touchdowns from Kennedy Bennett and Scottie Cooper.
Cooper, who ran 33 yards for that first-quarter touchdown, added a 30-yard scoring dash in the second quarter. A 46-yard touchdown pass from Barringer to Chance Bradley with 2:42 left in the half pushed West Charlotte’s lead to 42-0, and the rest of the game was played with a running clock.
Garinger averted a shutout when Chris Kohn capped a drive with a 4-yard touchdown run midway in the fourth quarter.
Garinger opens Southwestern 4A Conference play next Friday, hosting Butler. West Charlotte launches its Queen City 3A-4A schedule, facing Mallard Creek at Waddell High’s stadium.
Scoring summary
Garinger 0 0 0 8 – 8
West Charlotte 29 13 6 0 – 48
First quarter
WC – Nasir Chamblee 25 pass from Caleb Barringer (Deng Chengkauch kick)
WC – Khemaan Fleming 33 pass from Barringer (Chengkauch kick)
WC – Kennedy Bennett 4 run (Fleming pass from Elijah Littlejohn)
WC – Scottie Cooper 33 run (Chengkauch kick)
Second quarter
WC – Cooper 30 run (Chengkauch kick)
WC – Chance Bradley 46 pass from Barringer (kick blocked)
Third quarter
WC – Barringer 54 run (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
Gar – Chris Kohn 4 run (Jalen Alford-Bell run)
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 10:10 PM.
