West Charlotte football picks up second statement win in as many weeks

In its first two high-profile football games this season, a relatively young West Charlotte Lions team struggled to finish games with Greensboro’s Grimsley and Rock Hill’s South Pointe high schools.

The Lions lost both games in overtime.

West Charlotte — a team that two-time state champion Sam Greiner repeatedly says is the best he’s ever coached — appears to have learned from its past.

After beating nationally ranked Mallard Creek, 32-9, on the road seven days ago, the Lions came home and dominated nationally ranked Independence, winning 31-7, on a night when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools implemented a policy that will limit fans at high-profile games for the remainder of the season for safety reasons.

Independence started the game strong with a long pass from QB Jared Street to put the Patriots into West Charlotte territory and getting a touchdown run from senior Jayden Jones, but after that it was all West Charlotte.

The Patriots struggled to protect Street (he was sacked four times) and struggled to stop the Lions’ offense as West Charlotte racked up 231 yards rushing and 226 passing.

West Charlotte QB Jamouri Nichols and WR Donta Nicholson dominated the pass game as they connected 11 times for 161 yards and Nichols completed 18 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. About the only thing the Lions did wrong after that first Independence score was hurt themselves with penalties in key situations that often led to third-and-long situations. Those issues and Independence defensive stands at its own 48, 7 and 38 kept the game within striking distance until the second half.

Three who made a difference

Jamouri Nichols, West Charlotte: Completed 18 of 28 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns with 11 of those throws going to Donta Nicholson (Charlotte 49ers recruit) for 161 yards and two TDs.

Sam Johnson and Cayden Smith, West Charlotte: Defensive line duo led a defense that limited the Patriots to 97 yards on 42 offensive plays.

Jayden Jones, Independence: Mecklenburg preseason offensive player of the year entered the game with three carries for 41 yards due to injuries but rushed seven times for 20 yards and the Patriots’ lone touchdown and returning four kickoffs for 97 yards.

Notes

— West Charlotte played without Penn State recruit Elijah Littlejohn, who plays defensive end and linebacker.

— The game was played in front of just 1,050 fans after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools limited ticket sales and did not allow any tickets to be sold at the gate. CMS made the changes, it says, in the interest of safety, and the policy will remain in place for the remainder of the season.

— Independence still holds a 31-21 lead in a series that began in Independence’s first year of 1966. West Charlotte has now won the last two meetings.

— Independence got two big defensive stands, one inside its 10, to stay in the game early. At halftime, because of those stands, the Patriots trailed 18-7. It could’ve been much worse.

They said it

“They hit us in the mouth early, but we bounced back and imposed our will on them.” — West Charlotte coach Sam Greiner.

Game summary

Independence 7 0 0 0 — 7

West Charlotte 12 6 7 6 — 31

First quarter

I: Jayden Jones 1 run (Thomas Flores kick)

WC: Sincere Gray 48 run (kick failed)

WC: Jamouri Nichols 1 run (pass failed)

Second quarter

WC: Landon Gilmore 26 pass from Nichols (pass failed)

Third quarter

WC: Dante Nicholson 40 pass from Nichols (Angel Ruiz kick)

Fourth quarter

WC: Nicholson 15 pass from Nichols (kick failed)

This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 9:44 PM.