North Meck gets program-defining win against Vance Friday

Go ahead and put North Mecklenburg’s Brad Baker on the N.C. coach of the year watch lists.

After a 3-8 season in 2014, this season’s Vikings are two wins away from winning the MECKA conference, the toughestin North Carolina.

Friday’s 20-14 upset of No. 7 Vance registers as one of the biggest wins ever for a school that has exactly one N.C. Western Regional championship appearance – under legendary coach Will Campagna in 1992 – and just four seasons with 10 or more wins in 55 years.

On Friday, North Meck quarterback Kendall Coles sparked the upset, connecting on 7 of 11 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown pass. He rushed 11 times for 49 yards and the winning touchdown.

Baker’s boys have won seven of their past eight games to secure the school’s first winning season since 2006 and the most wins since 2006. And if North Meck can upset conference unbeaten Hough at home next Friday, it could be facing conference heavyweight Mallard Creek in two weeks for the league title.

Trust me, no one saw these Vikings coming.

Elevator

↑Cannon School’s Jordan Johnson: 108 rushing yards in a 28-0 loss to High Point Christian Friday. He needs 10 more to reach 1,000.

↑Marvin Ridge: beat Piedmont 34-24to win its sixth straight game after an 0-3 start.

▪ South Iredell coach Scott Miller: Won his 60th game in a 43-0 victory over North Lincoln. Miller’s team (8-1) has won eight straight games.

↑Northwestern-Fort Mill QB battle: Two of South Carolina’s top quarterbacks met Friday when Rock Hill Northwestern beat rival Fort Mill Nation Ford 48-25. Nation Ford QB Cole Martin, among the nation’s leading passers, completed 33 of 59 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns. Northwestern’s Gage Moloney was 26 of 37 for 323 yards and two scores.

↑Marquill Osborne, Hough: The same week he was named an Under Armour All-American, Hough’s star defensive back was named homecoming king during Friday’s 31-0 win against West Charlotte.

Friday’s Top Performers

Elliott Beiser, Providence Day: Eight tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick, in a 14-8 win against Charlotte Country Day.

Hayden Carlson, Lake Norman: 18-for-20 for 378 yards and six touchdowns in a 64-14 win against North Iredell. Carlson has topped 300 yards in three straight games.

Quantavious Davis, Independence: Career-high 202 yards on 22 carries in a 17-14 come-from-behind win at Myers Park.

Myles Dorn, Vance: Seven catches for 92 yards and two TDs plus an interception on defense in a 20-14 upset loss to North Meck.

Austin Kent, Providence: Kicker will take an unofficial visit to North Carolina on Saturday. Friday night, he nailed a 34-yard field goal and a 55-yarder in a 34-20 win against Harding. The 55-yarder ties for the third longest in Mecklenburg County history.

Travis Prince, South Mecklenburg: He had 23 carries for 101 yards in a 24-0 win over Olympic.

James Smith, Mallard Creek: Threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-27 win against A.L. Brown. Smith also ran for a score. Ryan Jones caught all three of his touchdown passes (three catches, 122 yards).

Friday’s Roundup

No. 8 Butler 76, Porter Ridge 7: Playing with its full roster for the first time in about a month, Butler won big at home. Benny LeMay had a school-record six rushing touchdowns, plus one receiving. LeMay’s rushing touchdowns tied for the second-most in Mecklenurg County history. Butler’s defense allowed two first downs all game, one via penalty, according to head coach Brian Hales.

No. 13 Concord 17, West Rowan 10: Concord scored the winning touchdown with 17 seconds left. Concord won its eighth straight game, ended West Rowan’s seven-game win streak and took over first place in the South Piedmont 3A.

Charlotte Christian 49, Victory Christian 0: The Knights led 35-0 after the first quarter and cruised. Charlotte Christian outgained Victory Christian 346-26. Duke-bound tailback Elijah Deveuax rushed eight times for 107 yards for the Knights.

Charlotte Latin 72, Grace Christian 0: The Hawks led 49-0 after the first quarter in an easy win. Tripp Hughes had seven carries for 78 yards to lead Latin.

East Mecklenburg 36, Garinger 7: Garinger’s losing streak hit 39 games. East Meck won for the fourth time in six weeks to improve to 4-5. Prior to this season, East Meck had not won more than two games in a season since 2009.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 11:36 PM with the headline "North Meck gets program-defining win against Vance Friday."