10-2-21 roundup: Pro football and baseball, College football, High school football and boys soccer, Middle school football and softball
By Richard Walker
The Carolina Panthers pursue their first 4-0 start since 2015 – and third in team history – when they visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Even as the Panthers are 3-0 and Dallas 2-1, Las Vegas oddsmakers have the Cowboys a comfortable favorite for the first meeting between the teams since the 2018 season opener won 16-8 by the Panthers.
In fact, while Dallas leads the all-time series over Carolina 9-5, the Panthers have won two straight that includes a 33-14 rout at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day in 2015.
The main focus of the league will be to see if Carolina’s top-ranked defense can slow down Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense.
Carolina has limited its first three opponents to averages of 10.0 points, 191.0 total yards, 45.0 yards rushing and recorded 14 sacks. Only the scoring average isn’t a league-leader – and it ranks 2nd in the 32-team NFL.
Dallas counters with an offense that averages 30.0 points, 416.7 total yards and 139.3 yards rushing while yielding seven sacks.
Carolina’s running game could be adversely affected by the loss of veteran Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) as rookie Chuba Hubbard is slated to make his first career start.
Here is the Carolina Panthers’ 2021 schedule (with results):
Sept. 12 New York Jets (W 19-14)
Sept. 19 New Orleans (W 26-7)
Sept. 23 at Houston (W 24-9)
Oct. 3 at Dallas, 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 New England, 1 p.m.
Nov. 14 at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 21 Washington, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 at Miami, 1 p.m.
Dec. 5 BYE WEEK
Dec. 12 Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Dec. 18 or 19 at Buffalo, TBD
Dec. 26 Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Jan. 2 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Jan. 9 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m
College football
Illinois 24, Charlotte 14; The 49ers had a halftime lead in pursuit of a second win over a power five conference opponent on Saturday before Illinois’ strong second half start spelled doom for Charlotte.
But Illinois (2-4) running back Chase Brown ran for 257 yards on 26 carries, including 31- and 80-yard touchdown runs on the Fighting Illini’s first two second half drives to end Charlotte’s upset hopes.
The 80-yard touchdown run came one play after Charlotte’s Jonathan Cruz missed a 39-yard field goal that would’ve tied the game at 17.
Brown’s rushing yards accounted for the bulk of Illinois’ 414-yard offense.
Reynolds led Charlotte’s 263-yard offense with 191 yards passing but he was sacked three times.
Former Shelby High standout Calvin Camp was the 49ers’ leading rusher with 29 yards.
Charlotte (3-2, 1-0) visits Conference USA rival Florida International next Friday in the 49ers’ next contest.
Monmouth 54, Gardner-Webb 17: Gardner-Webb’s Big South opener ended with a disappointing 37-point loss to the Hawks after falling behind 33-0 in the second quarter.
Gardner-Webb (2-3, 0-1) has its Big South Conference home opener next Saturday against Campbell.
Dexter Brown and Donovan Jones scored the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ touchdowns on running plays and quarterback Bailey Fisher had 164 yards passing to lead a 322-yard offensive attack.
Former Crest standout Jalin Graham added 37 total yards (14 rushing, 23 receiving) and former South Point standout Matt Robinson and former Forestview standout Tremayne Booker had three tackles for the Gardner-Webb defense.
Wake Forest 37, Louisville 34: Former Clover High standout Nick Sciba’s 29-yard field goal with 22 seconds left kept Wake Forest unbeaten on the season at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the ACC.
Here’s the Carolinas Division I schedule for this week:
(Saturday)
Illinois 24, Charlotte 14
North Carolina 38, Duke 7
Wake Forest 37, Louisville 34
Appalachian State 45, Georgia State 16
Davidson 35, Stetson 28
Monmouth 54, Gardner-Webb 17
N.C. A&T 41, Robert Morris 14
Coastal Carolina 59, ULM 6
Chattanooga 45, Western Carolina 17
Elon 20, Richmond 7
The Citadel 35, VMI 24
South Carolina 23, Troy 14
East Carolina 52, Tulane 29
East Tennessee State 27, Wofford 21
N.C. State 34, Louisiana Tech 27
Campbell 48, North Alabama 31
Clemson 19, Boston College 13
Here’s the Carolinas Division II schedule for this week:
(Saturday)
Limestone at Catawba, cancelled
Mars Hill 28, Newberry 22 (OT)
Shaw 27, Virginia Union 7
Frostburg State 51, UNC Pembroke 21
Barton 31, Carson-Newman 17
Bowie State 44, J.C. Smith 7
Virginia-Wise 35, Lenoir-Rhyne 28
Erskine 59, Virginia Lynchburg 13
Elizabeth City State 19, Livingstone 13
Mississippi College 42, North Greenville 21
Wingate 43, Tusculum 35
Chowan 73, Winston-Salem State 7
St. Augustine’s at Virginia State, no report
Lincoln, Pa. at Fayetteville State, no report
High school football
Friday’s results:
Crest 27, South Point 26
Kings Mountain 28, Forestview 14
Cramer 33, Huss 8
Ashbrook 47, North Gaston 20
East Lincoln 45, West Iredell 0
North Lincoln 50, North Iredell 0
Lincolnton 27, Bandys 7
Bunker Hill 15, West Lincoln 7
Burns 42, Bessemer City 0
Patton 22, Cherryville 14
Shelby 72, Highland Tech 0
East Gaston 42, Thomas Jefferson 37
Mountain Island Charter 42, Winston-Salem Prep 14
Statesville 56, Foard 0
Hickory 43, St. Stephens 15
West Charlotte 55, Hopewell 19
North Meck 17, Mallard Creek 14
Hough 53, West Meck 0
Berry Academy 24, Harding 14
Myers Park 13, Kell 7
Butler 52, East Meck 0
Catholic 30, Rocky River 13
Independence at Garinger, ppd., no date
Providence at Mooresville, ppd., Monday
Hendersonville 42, Chase 9
Polk County 48, R-S Central 28
Saturday’s results
Newton-Conover 19, East Burke 12
Maiden 49, West Caldwell 6
Here are standings through Oct. 2 with conference record listed first followed by overall record:
BIG SOUTH 3A
Crest 4-0, 4-1
Kings Mountain 3-0, 5-1
South Point 2-1, 4-2
Forestview 2-1, 3-3
Cramer 1-2, 3-3
Ashbrook 1-2, 1-3
Huss 0-3, 0-4
North Gaston 0-4, 0-7
WESTERN FOOTHILLS 3A
Statesville 3-0, 5-0
North Lincoln 2-1, 4-2
Hickory 2-1, 3-3
North Iredell 2-1, 2-3
East Lincoln 1-2, 4-2
West Iredell 1-2, 1-3
St. Stephens 1-2, 1-4
Foard 0-3, 0-5
CATAWBA VALLEY 2A
Bunker Hill 3-0, 6-0
Maiden 3-0, 6-0
Newton-Conover 2-1, 2-3
Lincolnton 2-1, 2-4
West Lincoln 1-2, 4-2
East Burke 0-2, 1-3
Bandys 0-2, 2-2
West Caldwell 0-3, 0-5
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 1A/2A
Shelby 3-0, 5-1
Burns 2-0, 4-2
East Gaston 2-0, 4-2
Thomas Jefferson 1-2, 3-2
Bessemer City 1-2, 2-5
Cherryville 0-2, 1-5
Highland Tech 0-3, 0-6
SOUTH MECK 4A
Myers Park 2-0, 5-2
South Meck 1-0, 5-1
Olympic 1-0, 4-1
Berry Academy 1-2, 2-3
Kell 0-1, 3-2
Harding 0-2, 2-5
SOUTHWESTERN 4A
Catholic 3-0, 5-1
Butler 3-0, 4-2
Rocky River 1-1, 2-4
East Meck 1-2, 1-6
Independence 0-1, 1-3
Providence 0-2, 1-4
Garinger 0-2, 0-5
QUEEN CITY 3A/4A
Hough 3-0, 6-0
West Charlotte 2-1, 5-1
Mallard Creek 2-1, 3-2
Chambers 1-1, 5-1
North Meck 1-1, 3-2
Hopewell 0-2, 1-5
West Meck 0-3, 3-4
OTHERS
Chase 0-1, 5-1
Clover 0-0, 1-3
Mtn Island Charter 1-1, 4-1
R-S Central 2-1, 2-3
This week’s games Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln county games:
(Tuesday)
Pine Lake Prep at Mountain Island Charter
(Friday)
Ashbrook at Cramer
Crest at Shelby
Huss at Forestview
Kings Mountain at South Point
Foard at East Lincoln
St. Stephens at North Lincoln
Lincolnton at West Caldwell
West Lincoln at Newton-Conover
Bessemer City at East Gaston
Cherryville at Highland Tech
Thomas Jefferson at Burns
This week’s other area games:
(no date set)
Garinger at Independence
(Monday)
Providence at Mooresville
(Friday)
North Iredell at Hickory
West Iredell at Statesville
Bandys at Maiden
Bunker Hill at East Burke
Hopewell at Chambers
West Charlotte at Hough
West Meck at North Meck
Berry Academy at Olympic
Harding at Myers Park
South Meck at Kell
Butler at Rocky River
Catholic at Garinger
Independence at Providence
Fort Mill, S.C. at Clover, S.C.
Brevard at Chase
Patton at R-S Central
High school boys soccer
Here are the standings through Sept. 30 with conference record listed first followed by overall record:
BIG SOUTH 3A
Cramer 6-0, 12-2
Forestview 5-1, 8-3-1
Ashbrook 4-2, 6-3
South Point 4-2, 8-5
Huss 2-4, 5-4
North Gaston 2-4, 4-6-1
Kings Mountain 1-5, 2-8
Crest 0-6, 0-10
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 1A/2A
Shelby 6-0, 11-1-1
Highland Tech 4-1, 6-3
Burns 3-3, 6-3-1
Thomas Jefferson 3-3, 3-5
East Gaston 3-3, 4-10
Bessemer City 1-4, 2-7
Cherryville 0-6, 1-8-1
OTHERS
Gaston Christian 2-2, 4-6
Gaston Day 5-0, 11-2
East Lincoln 4-1-1, 6-4-1
North Lincoln 1-4, 5-7
Lincolnton 6-0, 8-0-1
West Lincoln 0-6, 2-11
Lincoln Charter 1-2, 5-6-1
Mtn Island Charter 0-4, 3-7
Piedmont CC 5-1, 7-2
This week’s schedule:
(Monday)
Ashbrook at Huss
Crest at Kings Mountain
Forestview at Cramer
North Gaston at South Point
Concord Academy at Gaston Christian
East Lincoln at North Iredell
North Lincoln at West Iredell
Lincolnton at West Lincoln
Lincoln Charter at Pine Lake Prep
Christ the King at Mountain Island Charter
(Tuesday)
Bessemer City at Burns
Highland Tech at Cherryville
Shelby at East Gaston
Lincolnton at East Lincoln
Piedmont Community Charter at Bradford Prep
(Wednesday)
Ashbrook at Crest
Huss at Kings Mountain
North Gaston at Forestview
South Point at Cramer
Gaston Christian at Hickory Grove Christian
Gaston Day at Asheville Christian
North Lincoln at East Lincoln
Bunker Hill at Lincolnton
West Lincoln at Bandys
Lincoln Charter at Langtree Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Pine Lake Prep
(Thursday)
Cherryville at Bandys
East Gaston at Burns
Highland Tech at Bessemer City
Thomas Jefferson at Shelby
Carolina International at Piedmont Community Charter
(Friday)
Christ the King at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Gray Stone Day
High school volleyball
Gaston Day: After winning 3-0 at Southlake Christian (26-13, 25-10, 25-13) on Thursday and defeating Rock Hill Legion Collegiate (25-20, 25-17, 25-8), the Spartans are 20-9 overall and 6-0 in the MAC. Leaders for Gaston Day in those two matches are Drew Brown (53 Kills), Camryn Massey (14 Kills, 5 Blocks), Megan Brown (13 Kills, 30 digs), Anne Bradley Bing (70 Assists, 6 Kills), Mary Kate Hurst (31 digs) and Kaitlyn Kincaid (5 Aces).
Middle school football
Gaston County Conference standings through Sept. 29 with division record listed first followed by overall record:
(Division I)
Southwest 3-0, 5-0
Holbrook 2-1, 4-1
Grier 2-1, 4-1
Cramerton 1-2, 3-2
Mount Holly 0-4, 0-5-1
(Division II)
York Chester 4-0, 4-1-1
Belmont 4-0, 4-2
Bessemer City 2-2, 2-4
W.C. Friday 1-3, 2-4
Stanley 1-3, 1-4
Chavis 0-4, 0-5
Wednesday’s games
Cramerton at Holbrook
Southwest at Grier
York Chester at Belmont
W.C. Friday at Bessemer City
Chavis at Stanley
Tri-County Conference standings through Sept. 30 with division record listed first followed by overall record:
(East)
East Lincoln 3-0, 4-0
Kings Mountain 2-1, 2-2
North Lincoln 2-1, 3-1
Burns 1-2, 1-2
Lincolnton 0-2, 1-2
West Lincoln 0-2, 0-3
(West)
Shelby 2-0, 4-0
Crest 2-0, 2-1
East Rutherford 1-0, 1-1
Thomas Jefferson 1-2, 1-3
R-S Central 1-1, 2-1
Chase 0-3, 0-4
Monday’s game
Crest at East Rutherford
Wednesday’s games
R-S Central at East Rutherford
Shelby at Chase
Crest at Thomas Jefferson
North Lincoln at Burns
Kings Mountain at Lincolnton
West Lincoln at East Lincoln
Middle school softball
Final regular season standings:
Cramerton 9-0 (10-0 overall)
Chavis 8-1
Mount Holly 6-3
Stanley 6-3
Belmont 5-4
Holbrook 5-4
W.C. Friday 3-6
Bessemer City 2-7 (2-8 overall)
Grier 1-8
Southwest 0-9
(Playoffs)
Monday’s games
Semifinals
No. 4 Mount Holly at No. 1 Cramerton
No. 3 Stanley at No. 2 Chavis
Wednesday’s game
Championship at higher seeded team
Middle school golf
Cramerton is the four-time defending champion as the Gaston County Conference middle school championship will be held at Cherryville Country Club after the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the 2020 event.
Pro baseball
The Gastonia Honey Hunters (50-62) play a doubleheader at York on Sunday that begins at 2 p.m.