Providence star RB has a ‘normal’ week, while top NC conferences continue to shine
The last time Providence High’s Luke Bailey had played a football game, the running back had one of the best performances in North Carolina history.
Last Friday, Charlotte Catholic was determined to not let Bailey have that kind of performance again, though he did rack up what many might consider a “normal, better-than-average” number of yards from scrimmage.
Catholic took the opening kickoff back 98 yards for a score just 15 seconds into the game, and the Cougars poured it on from there, winning 49-14.
But Bailey still got his, running for 273 yards — including an 79-yard scoring run in the third quarter — but he didn’t have anywhere near the impact on the scoreboard that he had in this past two games, where he went for 745 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Bailey had two touchdowns this past week for Providence, which had a two-game winning streak snapped. In the final 30 seconds, Bailey suffered an injury to his shin and needed assistance to leave the field.
The Panthers will hope to have their star back next Friday when they play their second straight Sweet 16 team next week, hosting No. 10 Butler.
POWER CONFERENCES
The six Northern Athletic 4A Conference schools - Heritage, Knightdale, Millbrook, Rolesville, Wakefield, and Wake Forest - have posted a combined 24-6 (80 percent) record.
Heritage, Knightdale, and Millbrook are 5-0 each.
Wake Forest’s lone setback was 10-9 at Cardinal Gibbons, the reigning 4A state champion. Rolesville’s two losses were out of county to East Forsyth — the state’s top-ranked 4A team — and Hillside (5-0).
All six conference schools made last season’s state playoffs. Five of six schools won first round games.
Among the Queen City Athletic Conference’s 4A schools, Chambers, Hough, and Mallard Creek all are undefeated against N.C. opponents.
Hough will visit Chambers on Friday in a much-anticipated reunion of last season’s 4A state semifinal. (Note: Chambers won the game on the field, but forfeited its entire 2021 season due to eligibility issues.)
WAKE FOREST ON ‘D
Wake Forest allowed all seven points in its 49-7 home win over Leesville Road in the fourth quarter. The Cougars have held opponents scoreless through the first three quarters in each of their four home wins.
MILLBROOK HAS GOOD FORTUNE
Millbrook quarterback Mason Fortune completed 79 percent of his passes (18-for-23) for 496 yards and six touchdowns (and zero interceptions) in the Wildcats’ 58-10 win at Sanderson. Millbrook wide receiver Nathan Leacock — a Tennessee commit — already has 840 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns through five games.
MALLARD CREEK WINS IN NC
Mallard Creek’s 35-6 win over West Charlotte was the Mavericks’ first win on N.C. ground since August 18. The Mavericks won the August 18 game at Myers Park, 21-3. Mallard Creek, then, played three out-of-state opponents on the road.
NEW BERN EARNS SHUTOUT
New Bern’s 27-0 win at Havelock in a Craven County battle of 4A and 3A state powers earned the Bears a most unique distinction — and opportunity. New Bern tallied the first shutout against Havelock since 2008.
The Rams’ nearly 14-seasons scoring run was among the state’s most distinguished since Garner scored in 199 consecutive games from 1986-2001. Laney (Wilmington), which ended Garner’s streak 45-0 in the state playoffs, finished as the 2001 4A state runner-up.
HOKE EARNS SIGNATURE WIN
Hoke defeated Scotland 52-35 in Laurinburg for arguably the Bucks’ most compelling win in quite some time. Hoke rushed 42 times for 297 yards and seven touchdowns. Ethan Wallace led the way with 26 carries for 232 yards and five touchdowns.
SHELBY WINS LEAGUE OPENER
Shelby defeated Cherryville, 70-0, in the Golden Lions’ Southern Piedmont 2A/1A Conference opener. Shelby quarterback Daylin Lee led the Golden Lions’ emphatic response to any questions about the team’s ability to compete for top honors among the 2A ranks. Lee completed 8-of-10 passes for 225 yards and six touchdowns (zero interceptions).
Shelby has won two straight games after beginning the season with three consecutive losses to 3A intra-county rivals Crest and Kings Mountain, along with 4A A.C. Reynolds.
