Kannapolis Football 2023
"A New Chapter Begins"
"Gentlemen, we will relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will never achieve it because nothing is perfect, but we will relentlessly chase it, because in the process will will catch excellence" -Vince Lombardi
"The New Era Begins" A "New Era" of Kannapolis Football began on May 8, 2023 with the hiring of Kannapolis Football's 17th Head Football Coach, former Wonder and son of former Wonder Head Coach Bruce Hardin's son Justin. The hiring of Justin Hardin marks the first time in the history of Kannapolis Football that a former player and son of a former Head Coach was hired to the position. The work begins in earnest as Coach Hardin looks to put his stamp on Kannapolis Football, and begin a new chapter in the 96th season of football in K-Town. |
The Greater Metro 4A Conference 2023
A.L. Brown: Cox Mill: Hickory Ridge: Lake Norman: Mooresville: South Iredell: West Cabarrus:
Combined Greater Metro 4A Season Schedules
A.L. Brown
Aug. 18 West Rowan Aug. 25 Northwest Cabarrus Sep. 1 **Open Date** Sept. 8 at South Rowan Sept. 15 at Hickory Ridge Sept. 22 Lake Norman Sept. 29 at Cox Mill Oct. 6 West Cabarrus Oct. 13 South Iredell Oct. 20 at Mooresville Oct. 27 Concord |
Cox Mill
Aug. 17 @ Weddington Aug. 25 Kings Mountain Sep. 1 @ Country Day Sep. 8 Hickory Sep. 15 Mooresville Sep. 22 @ West Cabarrus Sep. 29 A.L. Brown Oct. 6 **Open Date** Oct. 13 Lake Norman Oct. 20 @ Hickory Ridge Oct. 27 South Iredell |
Hickory Ridge
Aug. 18 @ J.M. Robinson Aug. 25 Independence Sep. 1 Porter Ridge Sep. 8 @ Chambers Sep. 15 A.L. Brown Sep. 22 Mooresville Sep. 29 @ South Iredell Oct. 6 @ Lake Norman Oct. 13 **Open Date** Oct. 20 Cox Mill Oct. 27 @ West Cabarrus |
Lake Norman
Aug. 18 North Meck Aug. 25 @ Statesville Sep. 1 @ Asheville Sep. 8 Marvin Ridge Sep. 15 **Open Date** Sep. 22 @ A.L. Brown Sep. 29 West Cabarrus Oct. 6 Hickory Ridge Oct. 13 @ Cox Mill Oct. 20 @ South Iredell Oct. 27 Mooresville |
Mooresville
Aug. 18 @ Davie County Aug. 25 Reagan Sep. 1 @ West Rowan Sep. 8 **Open Date** Sep. 15 Cox Mill Sep. 22 @ Hickory Ridge Sep. 29 Providence Oct. 6 South Iredell Oct. 13 @ West Cabarrus Oct. 20 A.L. Brown Oct. 27 @ Lake Norman |
South Iredell
Aug. 18 @ North Iredell Aug. 25 Porter Ridge Sep. 1 @ Statesville Sep. 8 Piedmont Sep. 15 West Cabarrus Sep. 22 Open Date Sep. 29 Hickory Ridge Oct. 6 @ Mooresville Oct. 13 @ A.L. Brown Oct. 20 Lake Norman Oct. 27 @ Cox Mill |
West Cabarrus
Aug. 18 @ NW Cabarrus Aug. 25 J.M. Robinson Sep. 1 @ Olympic Sep. 8 Porter Ridge Sep. 15 @ South Iredell Sep. 22 Cox Mill Sep. 29 @ Lake Norman Oct. 6 @ A.L. Brown Oct. 13 Mooresville Oct 20. Open Date Oct. 27 Hickory Ridge |
"Meet The 2023 Wonders"
2023 Seniors
Positions
"The Hot Days of August"
The first day of Football Practice for the 2023 Wonders began August 1, 2023, and like so many decades past, the athletes endure the sweltering heat of late summer, getting prepared for opening night that is just weeks away. The team this year will see several new, but familiar faces on the coaching staff. We welcome back not only our new Head Coach Justin Hardin, but long time assistant coaches Todd Hagler and Jeremy Ryan, who returned to K-Town to help round out Coach Hardin's staff for the 2023 season.
Two scrimmage contests at Carson and Mt Pleasant will take place in the days ahead, but for now it's learning new schemes and new philosophies that are inherent with any new leadership. Being a K-Town boy, Coach Hardin is well acquainted with what it means to wear the big "K" and the pride that comes with the privilege. It will be important to emphasize that concept, and make clear that these guys are not just representing a school, but an entire town when opening night arrives. -The editor
Two scrimmage contests at Carson and Mt Pleasant will take place in the days ahead, but for now it's learning new schemes and new philosophies that are inherent with any new leadership. Being a K-Town boy, Coach Hardin is well acquainted with what it means to wear the big "K" and the pride that comes with the privilege. It will be important to emphasize that concept, and make clear that these guys are not just representing a school, but an entire town when opening night arrives. -The editor
Game #1
Kannapolis
vs
West Rowan
KANNAPOLIS — The A.L. Brown Wonders had quite a few drops on Friday at Memorial Stadium, but Derick Brazil snagged the key throw of the night by quarterback CJ Gray like he had glue on his fingers. Gray, a promising pitcher on the baseball diamond, whipped a strike and found Brazil, splitting West’s deep defenders and heading to the post for the 21-yard touchdown that proved decisive in a 38-27 A.L. Brown victory.
Until that huge play with five minutes left, it appeared West might put an end to decades of frustration against the Wonders. West has won only one of 19 meetings and has never tasted victory against the Wonders in Kannapolis. “We had a lot of things going against us, so it was kind of crazy that we were still winning with five minutes left,” West head coach Louis Kraft said.
It wasn’t a great week for the Falcons. West got discouraging news on running back Kayvone Norman’s knee. Expected to be the featured running back, the senior will be sidelined all season by an ACL tear and obviously also will miss the basketball season. He is West’s point guard. West expects massive things from versatile offensive star Evan Kennedy, but Kennedy was battling cramps for much of Friday’s second half. West lost strong safety Kendrick Cornelius to a turf toe injury during the contest. “That put us in a bad spot,” Kraft said.
It was a successful head-coaching debut in Kannapolis for former Wonder QB Justin Hardin, who leads a resilient bunch that made a fine comeback. There were times in the first half when the Falcons appeared to be in control. West had the ball, up two scores, but couldn’t knock the Wonders out. The excitement started early, with a long kickoff return by the Wonders to the West 15. The Falcons got the stop, but a 28-yard field goal gave A.L. Brown a 3-0 lead. West answered quickly, The Falcons’ second snap resulted in a 60-yard touchdown dash by Jaylen Neely. With Norman out, Neely will play a major role for the Falcons. The PAT failed, but the Falcons led 6-3.
West made it 13-3 with another sudden strike late in the first quarter. Sophomore QB Brant Graham threw to Kaden Feaster in the flat on a second-down play, and after Feaster made the first would-be tackler miss, he sprinted by everyone in green for a 43-yard scoring play. Early in the second quarter, A.L. Brown converted a third-and-9 with a Gray pass, benefited from a 15-yard penalty and drove 63 yards for the touchdown that cut West’s lead to 13-10. Gray hurdled defenders and scored the six points from the 11. The PAT cut the Falcons’ lead to 13-10, Once again, West wasted to time in answering. Neely made a gliding kickoff return to the A.L. Brown 25. That set up Graham for a TD from the 1 to boost West’s lead to 19-10.
When the Wonders went three-and-out, the Falcons seemed on the verge of taking charge. One more touchdown at that point might have done it. But they were stopped near midfield, and a high snap on a punting attempt gave the Wonders a chance to fight back. They did just that — on a determined 16-yard run by Mekhi Herron, the workhorse back. That TD meant West went to the locker room at halftime up 19-17 instead of 19-10. In the third quarter, A.L. Brown won the punting battle, and the result was awful field position for the Falcons. West had to start a drive on its 2-yard line, went three-and-out and could only get the punt out to the West 25. ‘We didn’t field a punt in the third quarter, it rolled deep and we were in tough field position for the rest of the quarter,” Kraft said. “We had the injury and cramps bug bad and had to throw a DB group together on the fly.”
Five plays, all runs by either Gray or Herron put the ball in the end zone. Herron finished that short-field drive form the 8-yard-line. The PAT put the Wonders ahead 24-19. Graham, Neely and Feaster made plays as the Falcons went back in front one more time. They moved 62 yards to score. Neely got the drive started with a 12-yard run before Graham and Feaster connected for 33 yards. Neely netted 15 yards on two carries to push the ball to the 2, and Graham put it in the end zone behind a relentless push by the offensive line. Then Graham hit Dakota Athey for a 2-point conversion and a 27-24 West lead.
A.L. Brown drove, but the Falcons got a stop at the West 27 with under eight minutes left in the game. But penalties pushed the Falcons back, and on fourth down, they could only punt to the West 38, presenting the Wonders with another short-field opportunity. Six plays later, Gray and Brazil connected for the pivotal TD that put the Wonders ahead to stay. Next, a desperate West pass deep downfield was intercepted by Ethan Garmon. His rumbling return to the West 18 led to a clinching score by Gray on a 7-yard run. “We had a lot of explosive plays and we played hard like we always do,” Kraft said. “We just couldn’t finish this one off, but we can’t wait to get after it again next week.” West will host Davie (0-1) next week. A.L. Brown will be at home against Northwest Cabarrus (1-0).
Storyboard courtesy Mike London-Salisbury Post
Until that huge play with five minutes left, it appeared West might put an end to decades of frustration against the Wonders. West has won only one of 19 meetings and has never tasted victory against the Wonders in Kannapolis. “We had a lot of things going against us, so it was kind of crazy that we were still winning with five minutes left,” West head coach Louis Kraft said.
It wasn’t a great week for the Falcons. West got discouraging news on running back Kayvone Norman’s knee. Expected to be the featured running back, the senior will be sidelined all season by an ACL tear and obviously also will miss the basketball season. He is West’s point guard. West expects massive things from versatile offensive star Evan Kennedy, but Kennedy was battling cramps for much of Friday’s second half. West lost strong safety Kendrick Cornelius to a turf toe injury during the contest. “That put us in a bad spot,” Kraft said.
It was a successful head-coaching debut in Kannapolis for former Wonder QB Justin Hardin, who leads a resilient bunch that made a fine comeback. There were times in the first half when the Falcons appeared to be in control. West had the ball, up two scores, but couldn’t knock the Wonders out. The excitement started early, with a long kickoff return by the Wonders to the West 15. The Falcons got the stop, but a 28-yard field goal gave A.L. Brown a 3-0 lead. West answered quickly, The Falcons’ second snap resulted in a 60-yard touchdown dash by Jaylen Neely. With Norman out, Neely will play a major role for the Falcons. The PAT failed, but the Falcons led 6-3.
West made it 13-3 with another sudden strike late in the first quarter. Sophomore QB Brant Graham threw to Kaden Feaster in the flat on a second-down play, and after Feaster made the first would-be tackler miss, he sprinted by everyone in green for a 43-yard scoring play. Early in the second quarter, A.L. Brown converted a third-and-9 with a Gray pass, benefited from a 15-yard penalty and drove 63 yards for the touchdown that cut West’s lead to 13-10. Gray hurdled defenders and scored the six points from the 11. The PAT cut the Falcons’ lead to 13-10, Once again, West wasted to time in answering. Neely made a gliding kickoff return to the A.L. Brown 25. That set up Graham for a TD from the 1 to boost West’s lead to 19-10.
When the Wonders went three-and-out, the Falcons seemed on the verge of taking charge. One more touchdown at that point might have done it. But they were stopped near midfield, and a high snap on a punting attempt gave the Wonders a chance to fight back. They did just that — on a determined 16-yard run by Mekhi Herron, the workhorse back. That TD meant West went to the locker room at halftime up 19-17 instead of 19-10. In the third quarter, A.L. Brown won the punting battle, and the result was awful field position for the Falcons. West had to start a drive on its 2-yard line, went three-and-out and could only get the punt out to the West 25. ‘We didn’t field a punt in the third quarter, it rolled deep and we were in tough field position for the rest of the quarter,” Kraft said. “We had the injury and cramps bug bad and had to throw a DB group together on the fly.”
Five plays, all runs by either Gray or Herron put the ball in the end zone. Herron finished that short-field drive form the 8-yard-line. The PAT put the Wonders ahead 24-19. Graham, Neely and Feaster made plays as the Falcons went back in front one more time. They moved 62 yards to score. Neely got the drive started with a 12-yard run before Graham and Feaster connected for 33 yards. Neely netted 15 yards on two carries to push the ball to the 2, and Graham put it in the end zone behind a relentless push by the offensive line. Then Graham hit Dakota Athey for a 2-point conversion and a 27-24 West lead.
A.L. Brown drove, but the Falcons got a stop at the West 27 with under eight minutes left in the game. But penalties pushed the Falcons back, and on fourth down, they could only punt to the West 38, presenting the Wonders with another short-field opportunity. Six plays later, Gray and Brazil connected for the pivotal TD that put the Wonders ahead to stay. Next, a desperate West pass deep downfield was intercepted by Ethan Garmon. His rumbling return to the West 18 led to a clinching score by Gray on a 7-yard run. “We had a lot of explosive plays and we played hard like we always do,” Kraft said. “We just couldn’t finish this one off, but we can’t wait to get after it again next week.” West will host Davie (0-1) next week. A.L. Brown will be at home against Northwest Cabarrus (1-0).
Storyboard courtesy Mike London-Salisbury Post
Game #2
Kannapolis
vs
Northwest Cabarrus
The Northwest Cabarrus Trojans won the “Battle of Kannapolis” Friday night, defeating rival A.L. Brown 30-19 at Memorial Stadium.It was an electric atmosphere in the building, and it was an extremely physical game.It epitomized high school football. But Northwest Cabarrus coach Eric Morman wouldn’t let his team get caught up in the hoopla of the event – not during the week, when friends and foes from each school were talking about it, and definitely not on game night Friday, when you could just feel the electricity in the air.It was a big win, yes. But to Morman, every win, every game is big.
“Honestly, we didn’t worry about the ‘Battle of Kannapolis’ because we treat every one of them as a big game,” Morman said. “That’s kind of our mantra: ‘It’s a big game because we’re in it.’ That’s how we prepare. I didn’t even bring up the ‘Battle of Kannapolis’ this week. It really helps our kids focus in and stay very detailed throughout the week of practices.”
The game was back-and-forth early, and the Wonders even had a 13-10 lead at halftime. But in the third quarter, the pendulum swung in favor of the Trojans, and it was ignited by defense. Northwest linebacker Jackson Forrest continued to rack up what Morman said was “more than 15 tackles, defensive back Jason Gonzalez had a “Pick-6” score, and the defensive line quartet of LeDarrion Menter, Jordan Gonder, Eddie Conover and Malachi Norris got nastier. Offensively, Northwest quarterback Alex Walker had three touchdown passes on the night – two to Porter Branham and one to Henry Forrest. Donovan Thompson made crucial third-down plays lining up at quarterback.
The Wonders looked good early, their defense suffocating the Trojans at times, the defensive front of Jae’Vion Eberhart, Chaz Knox, Makhi Nash and Todd Massey was dominant. They forced passing situations and then pressured the quarterback.
But A.L. Brown coach Justin Hardin said the third-quarter breakdown simply took a toll on his team.
“We played really well defensively in the first half, and we just came out and didn’t execute in the third quarter,” Hardin said. “We had a bad third quarter. They scored 20 points in the third quarter, and the game just got away from us. One quarter doesn’t define us, but we didn’t execute on defense, and that third quarter hurt us.”
The Wonders’ offense was led by junior running back Mekhi Herron’s hard runs (and touchdown) and the passing of quarterback CJ Gray, who had two touchdown passes. Air Force commit Gerard Evans and fellow standout senior Xavier Chambers hauled in the two touchdowns for the Wonders.The Wonders are off next week and then face South Rowan on Sept. 8. Hardin said it all boils down to preparation.
“We’ve got to work on us doing the bye week,” Hardin said. “We’ve got to clean things up on both sides of the ball. For us, it starts at practice. We’ve got to be a better practice team. I told our guys that (Friday) night. That’s going to be my goal, and our staff’s goal is to make sure we’re getting better in practice Monday through Thursday.”
Storyboard courtesy Jemal Horton: Independent Tribune
“Honestly, we didn’t worry about the ‘Battle of Kannapolis’ because we treat every one of them as a big game,” Morman said. “That’s kind of our mantra: ‘It’s a big game because we’re in it.’ That’s how we prepare. I didn’t even bring up the ‘Battle of Kannapolis’ this week. It really helps our kids focus in and stay very detailed throughout the week of practices.”
The game was back-and-forth early, and the Wonders even had a 13-10 lead at halftime. But in the third quarter, the pendulum swung in favor of the Trojans, and it was ignited by defense. Northwest linebacker Jackson Forrest continued to rack up what Morman said was “more than 15 tackles, defensive back Jason Gonzalez had a “Pick-6” score, and the defensive line quartet of LeDarrion Menter, Jordan Gonder, Eddie Conover and Malachi Norris got nastier. Offensively, Northwest quarterback Alex Walker had three touchdown passes on the night – two to Porter Branham and one to Henry Forrest. Donovan Thompson made crucial third-down plays lining up at quarterback.
The Wonders looked good early, their defense suffocating the Trojans at times, the defensive front of Jae’Vion Eberhart, Chaz Knox, Makhi Nash and Todd Massey was dominant. They forced passing situations and then pressured the quarterback.
But A.L. Brown coach Justin Hardin said the third-quarter breakdown simply took a toll on his team.
“We played really well defensively in the first half, and we just came out and didn’t execute in the third quarter,” Hardin said. “We had a bad third quarter. They scored 20 points in the third quarter, and the game just got away from us. One quarter doesn’t define us, but we didn’t execute on defense, and that third quarter hurt us.”
The Wonders’ offense was led by junior running back Mekhi Herron’s hard runs (and touchdown) and the passing of quarterback CJ Gray, who had two touchdown passes. Air Force commit Gerard Evans and fellow standout senior Xavier Chambers hauled in the two touchdowns for the Wonders.The Wonders are off next week and then face South Rowan on Sept. 8. Hardin said it all boils down to preparation.
“We’ve got to work on us doing the bye week,” Hardin said. “We’ve got to clean things up on both sides of the ball. For us, it starts at practice. We’ve got to be a better practice team. I told our guys that (Friday) night. That’s going to be my goal, and our staff’s goal is to make sure we’re getting better in practice Monday through Thursday.”
Storyboard courtesy Jemal Horton: Independent Tribune
Game #3
Kannapolis
vs
South Rowan
LANDIS — The good news is that the South Rowan-A.L. Brown football rivalry is back in business after being dormant from 2017-22. The bad news is that Friday’s game didn’t remind anyone of the classics the programs staged in the 1980s. A.L. Brown won 49-6 in Friday’s outing and had all of those 49 points by halftime.
With the clock running continuously in the second half, South got a fourth-quarter touchdown on a pass from Brooks Overcash to tight end Alex Furr to avoid a shutout. Mekhi Herron was a the standout for the Wonders. He scored four touchdowns, including three on explosive plays. He had scoring runs of 3, 32 and 74 yards and caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from CJ Gray. The Wonders scored a little more than two minutes into the game, with Herron finishing a drive from the 3.
DB Kadan Williams had an interception that led to a 14-0 lead on Herron’s second TD. Gray’s scoring pass to Herron made it 21-0 by the end of the first quarter. Gray flipped a 38-yard scoring pass to Derick Brazil for a 28-0 lead in the opening seconds of the second quarter. Masiah Bennermon’s 18-yard rushing TD made it 35-0 in the middle of the second quarter. It was 42-0 two minutes later after Herron broke loose on a 74-yard play. A.L. Brown scored on defense with 25 seconds left in the half when defensive end T.A. Massey tipped a pass, secured it, and headed to the end zone for a 49-0 lead.
Ethan Martinez kicked seven PATs for the Wonders. South lost its eighth straight in the series and hasn’t won against the Wonders since 2009. A.L. Brown leads the all-time series 47-8-2. A.L. Brown (2-1) opens Greater Metro Conference play next week at Hickory Ridge. South (1-2) will start South Piedmont Conference play at home against Northwest Cabarrus, but that will be a tough assignment. Northwest beat the Wonders, 30-19.
Storyboard: Salisbury Post
With the clock running continuously in the second half, South got a fourth-quarter touchdown on a pass from Brooks Overcash to tight end Alex Furr to avoid a shutout. Mekhi Herron was a the standout for the Wonders. He scored four touchdowns, including three on explosive plays. He had scoring runs of 3, 32 and 74 yards and caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from CJ Gray. The Wonders scored a little more than two minutes into the game, with Herron finishing a drive from the 3.
DB Kadan Williams had an interception that led to a 14-0 lead on Herron’s second TD. Gray’s scoring pass to Herron made it 21-0 by the end of the first quarter. Gray flipped a 38-yard scoring pass to Derick Brazil for a 28-0 lead in the opening seconds of the second quarter. Masiah Bennermon’s 18-yard rushing TD made it 35-0 in the middle of the second quarter. It was 42-0 two minutes later after Herron broke loose on a 74-yard play. A.L. Brown scored on defense with 25 seconds left in the half when defensive end T.A. Massey tipped a pass, secured it, and headed to the end zone for a 49-0 lead.
Ethan Martinez kicked seven PATs for the Wonders. South lost its eighth straight in the series and hasn’t won against the Wonders since 2009. A.L. Brown leads the all-time series 47-8-2. A.L. Brown (2-1) opens Greater Metro Conference play next week at Hickory Ridge. South (1-2) will start South Piedmont Conference play at home against Northwest Cabarrus, but that will be a tough assignment. Northwest beat the Wonders, 30-19.
Storyboard: Salisbury Post
Game#4
Kannapolis
vs
Hickory Ridge
Game #5
Kannapolis
vs
Lake Norman
Game #6
Kannapolis
vs
Cox Mill
Game #7
Kannapolis
vs
West Cabarrus
The A.L. Brown High football team nearly lost a four-touchdown lead in the second half but held off West Cabarrus to gain its first conference win of the season, 49-34.The Wonders led 42-13 after producing an efficient 11-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to open the second half. A rash of A.L. Brown penalties and a West Cabarrus fumble return for a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the game allowed the Wolverines to chop their deficit down to 42-34.
Failing to produce a first down as West Cabarrus churned out three second half touchdowns, A.L. Brown finally laid the Wolverines to rest with a sustained drive to wrap up the game. Mekhi Herron’s fifth touchdown of the game, a 26-yard run with 27.6 seconds to go, sealed the Wonders’ first victory in four games.
“We moved the ball well and we clicked,” said A.L. Brown coach Justin Hardin. “We came out in the second half and went (65) yards and scored and put the game in a certain situation. Then we just let them crawl back in it. I told the guys we have to finish a complete game. When we’re good we’re good but there are things we still have to work on and get better at.”
All seven of A.L. Brown’s touchdowns served a purpose of course but it was a 12-yard gain late in the game that turned some game-deciding momentum in the Wonders’ favor. With less than five minutes to go, A.L. Brown was reeling. The Wonders had just surrendered 21 straight points including a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown that trimmed a four touchdown advantage into a fleeting eight-point lead. Facing third-and-nine at its own 36-yard line, A.L. Brown had gone four straight possessions without a first down. And this is when the Wonders needed one most.
Quarterback C.J. Gray took a snap and was quickly under heavy duress. He tossed a bubble screen pass to the right to wideout Derick Brazil who scampered for the first down and a few extra yards. The play gave the Wonders some much needed confidence. They grinded out two more first downs before Herron scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game on a 26-yard run in the final minute.
Herron, a junior, finished with 212 yards offense, including a game-high 168 yards rushing, and five touchdowns. Fellow junior Gray tallied 153 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-16 passing. He was also the game’s second-leading rusher with 81 yards and a score on 11 carries.Senior receiver Xavier Chambers led the Wonders with 69 yards receiving and a score on three catches.
The West Cabarrus band started playing ‘80s rock anthem “The Final Countdown” as A.L. Brown took a knee on the last two plays of the first half. However, with one half left to play, The Marching Wolverine’s second quarter version was actually it’s “Next-to-Last Countdown” because the group played the song again when A.L. Brown was burning clock late in the game.
Derick Brazil’s dash to gain a crucial first down in the closing minutes was nearly paralleled by the sprint he made along the vacant home sideline during halftime to be adorned with the crown and sash he earned for being named his school’s Homecoming King. The senior shared the moment with Homecoming Queen Aaliyah Jaquez.
This generally well-played game had its low-lights too. Fumbled punt snaps by each team led to touchdowns by the opposition. And 11 penalties shared by the teams in the second half slowed the flow of the game to a snail’s pace. Both teams host Iredell County conference rivals next week. In its regular season penultimate game West Cabarrus returns home to play Mooresville. A.L. Brown will host South Iredell.
GAME SUMMARYFirst Quarter
WC – Deiondre Gallimore 50 pass from Jared Street (Alexis Rosario kick)
ALB – C.J. Gray 9 run (Derick Brazil run)
ALB – Mekhi Herron 6 run (Brian Rojo kick)
ALB – Herron 40 pass from Gray (Rojo kick)
Second Quarter
ALB – Xavier Chambers 37 pass from Gray (Rojo kick)
ALB – Herron 26 run (Rojo kick)
WC – Liam Ray 42 pass from Street (kick failed)
Third Quarter
ALB – Herron 6 run (kick failed)
WC – Josh Clark 11 run (Rosario kick)
Fourth Quarter
WC – Clark 1 run (Rosario kick)
WC – Trenton Gaines 20 fumble return (Rosario kick)
ALB – Herron 26 run (Rojo kick)
West Cabarrus 7 6 7 14 34
A.L. Brown 22 14 6 7 49
Failing to produce a first down as West Cabarrus churned out three second half touchdowns, A.L. Brown finally laid the Wolverines to rest with a sustained drive to wrap up the game. Mekhi Herron’s fifth touchdown of the game, a 26-yard run with 27.6 seconds to go, sealed the Wonders’ first victory in four games.
“We moved the ball well and we clicked,” said A.L. Brown coach Justin Hardin. “We came out in the second half and went (65) yards and scored and put the game in a certain situation. Then we just let them crawl back in it. I told the guys we have to finish a complete game. When we’re good we’re good but there are things we still have to work on and get better at.”
All seven of A.L. Brown’s touchdowns served a purpose of course but it was a 12-yard gain late in the game that turned some game-deciding momentum in the Wonders’ favor. With less than five minutes to go, A.L. Brown was reeling. The Wonders had just surrendered 21 straight points including a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown that trimmed a four touchdown advantage into a fleeting eight-point lead. Facing third-and-nine at its own 36-yard line, A.L. Brown had gone four straight possessions without a first down. And this is when the Wonders needed one most.
Quarterback C.J. Gray took a snap and was quickly under heavy duress. He tossed a bubble screen pass to the right to wideout Derick Brazil who scampered for the first down and a few extra yards. The play gave the Wonders some much needed confidence. They grinded out two more first downs before Herron scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game on a 26-yard run in the final minute.
Herron, a junior, finished with 212 yards offense, including a game-high 168 yards rushing, and five touchdowns. Fellow junior Gray tallied 153 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-16 passing. He was also the game’s second-leading rusher with 81 yards and a score on 11 carries.Senior receiver Xavier Chambers led the Wonders with 69 yards receiving and a score on three catches.
The West Cabarrus band started playing ‘80s rock anthem “The Final Countdown” as A.L. Brown took a knee on the last two plays of the first half. However, with one half left to play, The Marching Wolverine’s second quarter version was actually it’s “Next-to-Last Countdown” because the group played the song again when A.L. Brown was burning clock late in the game.
Derick Brazil’s dash to gain a crucial first down in the closing minutes was nearly paralleled by the sprint he made along the vacant home sideline during halftime to be adorned with the crown and sash he earned for being named his school’s Homecoming King. The senior shared the moment with Homecoming Queen Aaliyah Jaquez.
This generally well-played game had its low-lights too. Fumbled punt snaps by each team led to touchdowns by the opposition. And 11 penalties shared by the teams in the second half slowed the flow of the game to a snail’s pace. Both teams host Iredell County conference rivals next week. In its regular season penultimate game West Cabarrus returns home to play Mooresville. A.L. Brown will host South Iredell.
GAME SUMMARYFirst Quarter
WC – Deiondre Gallimore 50 pass from Jared Street (Alexis Rosario kick)
ALB – C.J. Gray 9 run (Derick Brazil run)
ALB – Mekhi Herron 6 run (Brian Rojo kick)
ALB – Herron 40 pass from Gray (Rojo kick)
Second Quarter
ALB – Xavier Chambers 37 pass from Gray (Rojo kick)
ALB – Herron 26 run (Rojo kick)
WC – Liam Ray 42 pass from Street (kick failed)
Third Quarter
ALB – Herron 6 run (kick failed)
WC – Josh Clark 11 run (Rosario kick)
Fourth Quarter
WC – Clark 1 run (Rosario kick)
WC – Trenton Gaines 20 fumble return (Rosario kick)
ALB – Herron 26 run (Rojo kick)
West Cabarrus 7 6 7 14 34
A.L. Brown 22 14 6 7 49
Game #8
Kannapolis
vs
South Iredell
Game #9
Kannapolis
vs
Mooresville
Photos Courtesy Matt Schiller Mooresville Tribune
Game #10
Kannapolis
vs
Concord
Even worse for Concord, there was only one minute, five seconds remaining in the game. A.L. Brown had secured its ninth straight win in the century-old rivalry, tipping the balance of the series more in its favor: 47 wins against 43 losses and four ties. “I was just go, go, go,” said Eberhart, who recorded another tackle earlier in the same drive.
“It’s one of the biggest games. It was Senior Night, playing a big rival. I just really wanted that play, so I went and got it.”
Both teams finished the regular season with 5-5 overall records and waited until Saturday to learn whether they earn state playoff bids. A member of the South Piedmont Conference, Concord is in the 3A classification, while A.L. Brown is a 4A school as a member of the Greater Metro Conference. The Wonders finished the season strong, winning three of their last four games under first-year head coach Justin Hardin.
“I’m happy for these seniors,” Hardin said. “This is probably the last time they’ll play here (at Memorial Stadium). I hope they always remember beating Concord here as a senior. They deserve this. “I think we’re going to be in the playoffs. I’m not sure where we’re going yet. I guess we’ll know sometime (Saturday) afternoon. But we’ll probably be on the road somewhere.”
Hardin, who was an A.L. Brown quarterback during the 1996-99 seasons under his father, Bruce Hardin, was pleased with his team’s offense Friday against Concord. The Wonders were steady and productive, totaling 378 yards, including 232 on the ground. Three of Kannapolis’ four touchdown drives were 80 yards or longer, and the other was 60 yards. The Wonders were a thrifty eight-of-11 on third down conversions, including a perfect three-for-three on its game-clinching, fourth-quarter possession.
While junior quarterback CJ Gray accounted for three touchdowns with 197 total yards, and junior running back Mekhi Herron churned out 166 yards and a score on a yeoman’s 30 carries, it was the defense that turned in three momentum-turning plays in some of the game’s critical moments. Protecting a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter, Gray threw an interception that was returned by Concord junior Alex Petroff to the A.L. Brown 11-yard line. On a fourth-and-six, Phillips briefly looked to pass but darted to the right edge of his line, attempting to turn the corner toward the end zone.
Pursuing and eventually catching up to Phillips from behind was senior defensive end Todd Massey, who received an assist from defensive back Xavier Chambers, to drop the Concord quarterback for a harmless three-yard gain. Led by an efficient run-pass offense, A.L Brown followed up its stop by covering 96 yards over 12 plays. The Wonders scored on a 42-yard run by Gray for a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
“My speed is one of the things I’ve been building on over the last year or two,” said Massey. “So me being able to chase him down like that, I’m proud of my speed.”
Kannapolis gave up its only points late in the first half, but it could be said that the Wonders’ special teams were complicit. Following Gerard Evans’ 17-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Gray, which gave the Wonders a 20-0 lead with 1:43 to go in the second quarter, two 15-yard penalties – one for booting the kickoff out of bounds and another for unsportsmanlike conduct – allowed Concord to start its scoring drive at the 50-yard line. But the Wonders’ defense came up big with its back against the wall again when the team needed it. The Spiders took the second half kickoff and marched from its 38-yard line to the Wonders’ 12 in seven plays.
On second-and-10, Phillips got caught in a frantic pass rush and had to abandon the pocket. Evans pursued him from behind and unknowingly poked the ball loose. Teammate Charles Knox fell on it for the takeaway.
“We knew they were second-and-long. and coach wanted me to blitz,” said Evans, an Air Force Academy commit. “Basically (Phillips) pulled the ball and we thought he was going to sprint out fast. One of our men missed a tackle, and I just pursued him and caused a fumble.”
Knox was on the edge closing off Phillips’ evacuation route, which allowed his teammates to wreak confusion.
“I was going out there because I saw he was trying to boot(leg) it,” said Knox. “(Phillips), I’ve been watching film on him, and he’s a pretty quick kid. When I bounced out, he cut back in. Thanks to Gerard, who got a strip fumble … It’s a good thing we got the recovery.”
Friday’s win, and the way the defense secured it, was a victory in itself. The Wonders had given up an average of 26 points over its first nine games and had surrendered 30 points or more in five of its contests. But in recent Bell Games, the Wonders have been known to step it up defensively, and Friday was no exception. Counting the latest contest, A.L. Brown has allowed just 15 total points in the last four meetings with Concord.
“(The defensive effort) was huge,” said Hardin. “To hold Concord to seven points and to create some turnovers, that’s what championship defenses do. I’m proud of those guys in playing well in front of our home crowd and community in Memorial Stadium tonight and to play well on both sides of the ball.
“The thing I was proud of is that they complemented each other at the right times. It’s a good team win for us.”
Storyboard: Joe Habina Independent Tribune
Photos Courtesy: Independent Staff Photographer Brian Westerholt:
“It’s one of the biggest games. It was Senior Night, playing a big rival. I just really wanted that play, so I went and got it.”
Both teams finished the regular season with 5-5 overall records and waited until Saturday to learn whether they earn state playoff bids. A member of the South Piedmont Conference, Concord is in the 3A classification, while A.L. Brown is a 4A school as a member of the Greater Metro Conference. The Wonders finished the season strong, winning three of their last four games under first-year head coach Justin Hardin.
“I’m happy for these seniors,” Hardin said. “This is probably the last time they’ll play here (at Memorial Stadium). I hope they always remember beating Concord here as a senior. They deserve this. “I think we’re going to be in the playoffs. I’m not sure where we’re going yet. I guess we’ll know sometime (Saturday) afternoon. But we’ll probably be on the road somewhere.”
Hardin, who was an A.L. Brown quarterback during the 1996-99 seasons under his father, Bruce Hardin, was pleased with his team’s offense Friday against Concord. The Wonders were steady and productive, totaling 378 yards, including 232 on the ground. Three of Kannapolis’ four touchdown drives were 80 yards or longer, and the other was 60 yards. The Wonders were a thrifty eight-of-11 on third down conversions, including a perfect three-for-three on its game-clinching, fourth-quarter possession.
While junior quarterback CJ Gray accounted for three touchdowns with 197 total yards, and junior running back Mekhi Herron churned out 166 yards and a score on a yeoman’s 30 carries, it was the defense that turned in three momentum-turning plays in some of the game’s critical moments. Protecting a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter, Gray threw an interception that was returned by Concord junior Alex Petroff to the A.L. Brown 11-yard line. On a fourth-and-six, Phillips briefly looked to pass but darted to the right edge of his line, attempting to turn the corner toward the end zone.
Pursuing and eventually catching up to Phillips from behind was senior defensive end Todd Massey, who received an assist from defensive back Xavier Chambers, to drop the Concord quarterback for a harmless three-yard gain. Led by an efficient run-pass offense, A.L Brown followed up its stop by covering 96 yards over 12 plays. The Wonders scored on a 42-yard run by Gray for a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
“My speed is one of the things I’ve been building on over the last year or two,” said Massey. “So me being able to chase him down like that, I’m proud of my speed.”
Kannapolis gave up its only points late in the first half, but it could be said that the Wonders’ special teams were complicit. Following Gerard Evans’ 17-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Gray, which gave the Wonders a 20-0 lead with 1:43 to go in the second quarter, two 15-yard penalties – one for booting the kickoff out of bounds and another for unsportsmanlike conduct – allowed Concord to start its scoring drive at the 50-yard line. But the Wonders’ defense came up big with its back against the wall again when the team needed it. The Spiders took the second half kickoff and marched from its 38-yard line to the Wonders’ 12 in seven plays.
On second-and-10, Phillips got caught in a frantic pass rush and had to abandon the pocket. Evans pursued him from behind and unknowingly poked the ball loose. Teammate Charles Knox fell on it for the takeaway.
“We knew they were second-and-long. and coach wanted me to blitz,” said Evans, an Air Force Academy commit. “Basically (Phillips) pulled the ball and we thought he was going to sprint out fast. One of our men missed a tackle, and I just pursued him and caused a fumble.”
Knox was on the edge closing off Phillips’ evacuation route, which allowed his teammates to wreak confusion.
“I was going out there because I saw he was trying to boot(leg) it,” said Knox. “(Phillips), I’ve been watching film on him, and he’s a pretty quick kid. When I bounced out, he cut back in. Thanks to Gerard, who got a strip fumble … It’s a good thing we got the recovery.”
Friday’s win, and the way the defense secured it, was a victory in itself. The Wonders had given up an average of 26 points over its first nine games and had surrendered 30 points or more in five of its contests. But in recent Bell Games, the Wonders have been known to step it up defensively, and Friday was no exception. Counting the latest contest, A.L. Brown has allowed just 15 total points in the last four meetings with Concord.
“(The defensive effort) was huge,” said Hardin. “To hold Concord to seven points and to create some turnovers, that’s what championship defenses do. I’m proud of those guys in playing well in front of our home crowd and community in Memorial Stadium tonight and to play well on both sides of the ball.
“The thing I was proud of is that they complemented each other at the right times. It’s a good team win for us.”
Storyboard: Joe Habina Independent Tribune
Photos Courtesy: Independent Staff Photographer Brian Westerholt:
Game #11
Kannapolis
vs
Mooresville
Eric Heal’s 5-yard touchdown run in overtime propelled Mooresville (11-0), the No. 3 seed in the 4A West, to a 24-18 win over No. 30 seed A.L. Brown (5-6) in the first round of the playoffs Friday night. Jalen Wright’s 10-yard TD reception from Brody Norman lifted the Blue Devils to an 8-7 halftime lead.
Heal’s 4-yard TD helped extend the lead to 15-7 in the third quarter. Ethan Martinez’s 30-yard field goal brought the Wonders within 15-10 in the fourth quarter. Derrick Brazil’s 54-yard TD reception from CJ Gray, coupled with the two-point conversion, allowed A.L Brown to pull ahead 18-15 with 1 minute, 40 seconds left in the game. Mooresville’s Jacob Monsour kicked a 36-yard, game-tying field goal with under a minute to play to force overtime.
Storyboard Courtesy Mooresville Tribune:
Photos Courtesy Matt Schiller Morresville Tribune Staff Photographer:
Heal’s 4-yard TD helped extend the lead to 15-7 in the third quarter. Ethan Martinez’s 30-yard field goal brought the Wonders within 15-10 in the fourth quarter. Derrick Brazil’s 54-yard TD reception from CJ Gray, coupled with the two-point conversion, allowed A.L Brown to pull ahead 18-15 with 1 minute, 40 seconds left in the game. Mooresville’s Jacob Monsour kicked a 36-yard, game-tying field goal with under a minute to play to force overtime.
Storyboard Courtesy Mooresville Tribune:
Photos Courtesy Matt Schiller Morresville Tribune Staff Photographer: