The 6th annual Rowan County Jamboree.

By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — The Rowan County high school programs completed the first cycle of the Rowan County Jamboree on Friday, with East Rowan hosting the sixth installment of a scrimmage event that has become a staple for local football.

North Rowan head coach Josh Sophia will be bringing his team back to Granite Quarry this Friday to kick off the season in earnest. Sophia seldom wastes extra words and offered six for the Cavaliers’ encounter with the Carson Cougars in the Jamboree.

“We have some work to do,” Sophia said.

Every other coach could echo those sentiments. In August, every team is a work in progress.

“We showed glimpses of good,” offered Carson head coach Jonathan Lowe, who is always in the 99 percentile of optimists. “Still a lot of work to do.”

Garrett Barber hit a big pass play to Rosean Perkins to set up a 30-yard field goal by Julio Moctezuma.

Colin Masingo, who has been part of a three-way quarterback competition during the preseason along with Barber and freshman Damo’n Broussard, scored a touchdown.

A sack by Garrett Gregg provided a highlight for Carson’s defense.

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South Rowan head coach Chris Walsh could write books on the power of positive thinking, and he was thrilled with the Raiders’ effort against Huntersville’s Christ the King.

Brooks Overcash threw a touchdown pass to Catawba baseball recruit Marshal Faw. Bryson Frieze, who is expected to spearhead the Raiders’ running game, scored on the ground.

South’s defense held the Crusaders to 7 rushing yards.

The scoreboard read South Rowan 14, Christ the King 3.

“It went great,” Walsh said. “Good reps for a lot of guys and a stout defensive performance.”

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Salisbury tangled with West Rowan, and while it may have been only a glorified scrimmage, both teams wanted to look good against a serious rival, especially with this being the only time they’ll be on the same field this season.

The final score: West 7, Salisbury 6.

“We didn’t play to our best, but we dominated the line of scrimmage,” West head coach Louis Kraft said. “We moved the ball at will.”

The Falcons did move the ball, but drives stalled out and they were only able to put the ball in the end zone once. Evan Kennedy, expected to be one of the county’s stars, had a rushing touchdown.

The reports on West’s standout running back Jaylen Neely, who has been dealing with some back issues, are positive.

“He’s coming along and has practiced for two weeks,” Kraft said. “Hoping he gets cleared by the doctor this week.”

The Falcons have a much anticipated opener at home this Friday against A.L. Brown. The Wonders have top-notch skill people returning and boast an Auburn recruit in massive lineman Tai Buster.

Salisbury didn’t have sustained success on offense against West’s defense, but did score a touchdown on a pass play.

“We played well, just need to execute better on both sides of the ball,” Salisbury head coach Clayton Trivett said.

Salisbury will open at North Davidson.

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East Rowan’s new head coach Brian Flynn was pumped up about the strides his team made from Tuesday to Friday last week.

The Mustangs scrimmaged in the Jamboree against Mooresville’s Pine Lake Prep in front of a thick and supportive home crowd.

“We ran the ball a lot better,” Flynn said. “Our guys made some great plays.”

Jaden Reid had an athletic interception to stop Pine Lake Prep’s first possession. RJ Tillman made exciting runs. Sam Blackwelder, a young athlete who started for East Rowan’s state-championship baseball team as a freshman, had three catches for 70 yards. Bryson Ware had a productive night on the defensive line.

East’s best player this season may be Caleb Shugart, a lineman who stood out on both sides of the ball. He’ll be starting for the third year.

“Caleb has had two great scrimmages,” Flynn said.