Erwin, ACR, West Romp in Playoff Openers - TribPapers
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Erwin, ACR, West Romp in Playoff Openers

Michael Petty snares a 26-yard TD pass, as Erwin exploded early and often in round one. Photo by Pete Zamplas.

Asheville – Erwin High School showed why EHS also stands for its perennial Electrifying High Scoring.

The Warriors (9-1) led 28-0 en route to their 56-25 thrashing of 32nd-seeded Parkwood. Amarion Smith ran 33 yards around the left end for the opening score. Lawson Reynolds’ interception set up “Cannon Arm” Caden Ingle’s 26-yard touchdown lob to “King Michael” (not Richard) Petty in the end zone’s right side.

Next came the most dynamic play of all, which shows that the 2024 Warriors are much more than an offensive juggernaut. Judah Dayton blocked a field goal kick. Teammate Brendan Phelan scooped up the ball and dashed 84 yards for the score. It was 21-0 after merely one quarter.

 

Judah Dayton (40) and other Warriors swarm in to block a field goal. Brendan Phelan returned it for an 84-yard score. Photo by Pete Zamplas.
Judah Dayton (40) and other Warriors swarm in to block a field goal. Brendan Phelan returned it for an 84-yard score. Photo by Pete Zamplas.

Ingle threw to Reynolds at the PHS 15, for a 49-yard gain to the three-yard-line. Reynolds ran it in. “Awesome!” is how eighth-year Erwin head coach Rodney Pruett termed this 28-0 start.

Ingle passed for 373 yards and five TDs (four for over 30 yards). He completed two-thirds of his passes. He rushed for a four-yard TD. Ingle has thrown for 2,679 yards (268 ave.) and 28 TDs (2.8 ave.) in 2024.

Reynolds had 206 receiving yards (20.6 YPC) and TDs of 61 and 37 yards, and the TD run. Petty, Noah Houldham, and Hunter Cromer (a 31-yarder) each caught a TD pass. Smith rushed for 136 yards (9.7 ave.).

Erwin hosts 17th-seeded Smoky Mountain and its huge blockers and 1,800-yard back Ayden Johnson.

Asheville and T.C. Roberson lost in 4A, and 2A Hendersonville also bowed out.

Rockets Roll

Reynolds Rockets, the 12th seed, blasted Central Davidson 37-7. Head coach Shane Laws’ Rockets scored 23 consecutive points. Two third-quarter TD runs clinched it. Tyvon Patterson ran 24 yards around the left side, then Jadyn Smith sprinted around the right end. Receiver Wes White, also a senior, debuted at QB with Max Guest out with tears of his left knee’s ACL and MCL ligaments. ACR plays at fifth-seeded Dudley on Friday.

Blues Three-peat

Also on Friday, former Rockets Ricky Tolbert and Jojo Ikeme led top-seeded Asheville Blues to a 28-14 comeback win over Trinity Christian Crusaders of Fayetteville. This was the third straight NCISAA Division II private school state crown for Coach Shawn Bryson’s Blues. Tolbert threw a TD pass. Ikeme returned a pick 53 yards for the final score.

West Sends Rowan Rowin’

West Henderson, seeded seventh in 3A, is also overcoming key injuries. The Falcons sent visiting 26th-seeded South Rowan rowin’ away, winning 27-12.

West’s Cade Young rolled right and rifled a five-yard TD pass that was deflected to Asa Ostman. Young completed 13 of 19 passes for 126 yards.

Young is a “more comfortable” runner as a junior, being “much bigger” and stronger. He scrambled, eluded a defender, dashed right, then cut ahead for a 10-yard score. West led 13-7 a minute before halftime.

West “executed” plays better in the second half, head coach Paul Whitaker said. West put it away with two fourth-quarter TDs. Neil Robinson sprinted five yards around the left end on a double reverse. Sophomore Isaiah “Fast Cash” scored on a 24-yard run.

‘Defensive Devastation’

Young calls West’s rushing arsenal “defensive devastation.” This game marked emergence of two backs. Cash is the swift compliment to Da’Zion Murray, a bullish senior and new lead runner with star Zane McCraw out with a broken leg.

Murray rushed for 148 yards, averaging seven yards on 21 carries. West rushed for 222 yards (6.5 YPC). Murray, number 10, rated a “10.” He praised his blockers, who clicked despite absence of injured 270-pound LG Lane Leech. Cash calls it “great” to get his varsity chance. Both backs are among Falcons trumpeting team confidence.

QB Young said, “When the defense is good, it makes it easier for our offense to relax a little and perform better.” West’s defense tightened.

Freshman Adam Watts made two sacks. He earned praise from senior DE/TE Tyler Nash, who also dumped the QB. Defensive coordinator Daniel Holbert describes Watts as athletic and mobile. Watts takes McCraw’s place as a linebacker.

McCraw said that he has two breaks in his lower right leg, and is getting a metal plate inserted. On a scooter on West’s sideline, McCraw often grinned and rooted on teammates. “Zane is supporting us,” Nash said appreciatively. West welcomes North Lincoln, the tenth seed, on Friday.