Rowan County Friday Night Football Roundup

Rowan County fans were treated to a full slate of high school football Friday night, and the action didn’t disappoint. From gritty defensive battles to late-game fireworks, every program left its mark on a memorable evening under the lights.

Central Davidson 15, Carson 6

Carson’s defense played with effort, but Central Davidson controlled the tempo on both sides of the ball. The Cougars trailed 7-0 at halftime and found a spark in the second half, closing the gap to 7-6. But late in the game, the Spartans came up with a key interception and added another score to push the margin to nine. For Carson, turnovers and stalled drives in critical moments were the difference, while Central Davidson’s ability to win the field position battle proved decisive.

Porter Ridge 31, A.L. Brown 21

The Wonders hosted Porter Ridge in Kannapolis and gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about early. After trailing 21-7, A.L. Brown surged back before halftime, cutting the deficit to 21-14. The teams traded stops in the third quarter, but the Pirates capitalized on a short field in the fourth, stretching their lead to 31-21. Quarterback play was steady for Porter Ridge, while the ground game wore down the Wonders’ defense. For A.L. Brown, it was a night of flashes of potential but not enough consistency to finish the comeback.

South Rowan 14, Union Academy 10

South Rowan fans saw resilience and heart from the Raiders in their four-point win. After trailing early, South broke the game open in the third quarter with a scoop-and-score fumble return. The Raiders didn’t stop there, adding a gutsy two-point conversion to stretch their lead to 14-3. Union Academy countered with a fourth-quarter passing touchdown to trim the margin to four, but South’s defense dug in one final time, forcing stops in the closing minutes. The win highlighted the Raiders’ growing confidence and ability to make game-changing plays on defense.

East Rowan 20, Wheatmore 13

The most dramatic finish of the night unfolded in Granite Quarry. East Rowan and Wheatmore were locked in a 13-13 tie late in the fourth quarter when Mustang running back Javen Strozier delivered the highlight of the season so far. Strozier bulldozed his way into the end zone with less than 30 seconds remaining, dragging a pile of Wheatmore defenders behind him for the game-winning score. Earlier, Jaxon Lyons had set the tone with two rushing touchdowns, keeping East in the fight when Wheatmore threatened with big plays of their own. The Mustangs’ perseverance paid off with a thrilling home win.

West Rowan 39, North Rowan 20

West Rowan went on the road to Spencer and shook off an early 12-0 deficit to earn a convincing win over North Rowan. The Cavaliers struck first, but the Falcons roared back with 20 unanswered points before halftime.

From there, West controlled both lines of scrimmage, extending the lead in the third quarter and putting the game out of reach by the fourth. North Rowan added a late touchdown, but the Falcons’ offense proved too balanced and explosive. It was a strong early-season statement for West Rowan, showing resilience after a slow start and the ability to finish on the road.

Forest Hills 21, Salisbury 0

Salisbury’s trip to Marshville turned into a tough night against a strong Forest Hills team. The Hornets, typically known for their explosive offense, were held scoreless — a rare occurrence for the program. Forest Hills jumped ahead early and dictated the pace with a punishing running game and a defense that swarmed to the ball. For Salisbury, missed opportunities and an inability to sustain drives made it a long night. The Hornets will look to regroup quickly after one of their most lopsided setbacks in recent memory.

Takeaways

• South Rowan’s defense proved it could win games, delivering a scoop-and-score that shifted momentum and sealed the Raiders’ victory.

• East Rowan’s grit showed up in Strozier’s unforgettable game-winning run, an early-season highlight fans won’t soon forget.

• West Rowan’s turnaround after trailing early was one of the strongest statements of the night, while Salisbury’s shutout loss raised eyebrows given the program’s high standards.

• Carson and A.L. Brown both showed flashes but couldn’t overcome mistakes against well-prepared opponents.

Friday night under the lights brought drama, heartbreak, and triumph across Rowan County. As the season builds, these early results could shape the confidence and momentum each team carries into the weeks ahead.