Staff report

GRANITE QUARRY — East Rowan played its best and most entertaining football game of the season, but was shut out in the second half and lost 37-20 to Central Cabarrus on Friday.

“Tale of two halves,” said East coach Brian Flynn. “First half, we executed, ran the ball pretty well, took care of the ball. Second half, we had a costly turnover, and Central’s back (Demonte James) was good.”

Central Cabarrus (1-6, 1-3) ended a frustrating, nine-game road losing streak by winning its first South Piedmont Conference game of the season.

There were positives for East. The Mustangs ended a scoring drought that seemingly had lasted an eternity — a school-record five games.  The Mustangs also took a lead for the first time this season, and they had a large Community Night crowd engaged and making noise.

Nolan Strozier plunged into the end zone to finish a 64-yard drive to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead, but the PAT kick failed.

Central scored the next two touchdowns, including a 64-yard jaunt by James, to lead 14-6.

East tied it on a 22-yard scoring scramble by QB Will Klingler, plus Klingler’s 2-point conversion flip to Kaleb Whiteous.

After the Vikings moved ahead 22-14 on QB Lucas Rogers’ second TD pass of the night and a 2-point conversion, the Mustangs fought back again following a PJ Butler interception.

East (0-7, 0-4) scored on a gadget play, a double pass with Sam Blackwelder throwing to Butler for a touchdown, but Central stopped the 2-point conversion attempt and took a 22-20 lead to halftime.

James broke two touchdown runs in the second half, and East’s offense couldn’t match the efficiency it had shown in the first half when it totaled more than 140 yards.

Luke Eller made nine tackles for the Mustangs. Jayden Riley had seven stops, while Ashur Tesh and Bryson Ware had six each.

Butler had four catches for 80 yards.

Blackwelder had a good game. Besides throwing East’s first touchdown pass of the season, he rushed for 24 yards, made four catches for 23 yards and punted five times for a 40-yard average.

A home game with rival Carson is next for East Rowan. Carson took it on the chin from Northwest Cabarrus 42-7 on Friday.