West Charlotte football makes early statement, dominates Monroe on the road

After a heartbreaking loss last week in the opener of one of the most challenging schedules in the state, West Charlotte High’s football team left nothing to chance this Friday.

The Lions, the defending N.C. Class 3A state champions, scored on five of their six first-half possessions on their way to a 47-0 victory at Monroe.

Monroe is the defending N.C. 2A state champion and last week’s 28-27 overtime loss at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium came against defending N.C. 4A state champion Greensboro Grimsley.

“We still didn’t play a super-tight, discipline game,” West Charlotte coach Sam Grenier said of his team’s effort in a game that was televised locally by Charlotte’s WCCB-TV on Bahakel Sports. “This is the most talented team I’ve ever coached and I still think we’re the best team in the state.”

After West Charlotte lost a fumble on its opening possession at the Monroe 15, Lions junior quarterback Jamouri Nichols threw touchdown passes on the next four drives and Emory McClain Jr. rushed for a TD from 3 yards out to close the first-half scoring with a 33-0 lead.

McClain added a second TD run and backup quarterback Myles Mackey threw a 23-yard TD pass to Tony Johnson to close out the scoring in a game where the clock ran continuously after McClain’s second TD run per the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s new 35-point margin mercy rule.

The Lions continue their challenging schedule next week at longtime South Carolina power South Pointe of Rock Hill, then close their non-league schedule with home games against county rivals Providence and West Mecklenburg.

West Charlotte then begins play in the Power Six 7A/8A Conference against rivals including recent state championship winners Butler, Chambers, Independence and Mallard Creek.

Notable

Before kickoff, Monroe High honored Redhawks football coach Johnny Sowell for his 200th career head coaching victory in last week’s 35-0 win at Hoke County. Sowell, a 1981 Monroe High graduate, has been at the school since 1986 and guided the school’s football and basketball teams to state championships.

West Charlotte outgained Monroe 385-139, sparked by a 188 to minus-3 margin after the opening quarter.

Lions quarterback Jamouri Nichols completed 14 of 16 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. West Charlotte’s standout wide receiver-defensive back K.D. Cotton, a Duke recruit, remains “week to week” with a leg injury, according to Greiner.

They said it

“Don’t let that score make you think they’re not a good football team. Monroe is one of the best teams in the state and I’m sure they’ll be a factor in the 5A state title race.” — West Charlotte coach Sam Greiner

GAME SUMMARY

West Charlotte 14 19 14 0 - 47

Monroe 0 0 0 0 - 0

First quarter

WC: Jamil Watson 52 pass from Jamouri Nichols (Angel Ruiz kick)

WC: Donte Nicholson 10 pass from Nichols (Ruiz kick)

Second quarter

WC: Nicholson 14 pass from Nichols (Ruiz kick)

WC: Rakim Finch 15 pass from Nichols (Kick failed)

WC: Emory McClain Jr. 3 run (Kick failed)

Third quarter

WC: McClain 8 run (Ruiz kick)

WC: Tony Johnson 23 pass from Myles Mackey (Ruiz kick) --

This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 9:22 PM.