From staff reports
The Rowan Rampage stayed unbeaten with a 21-14 CCFL home victory over the Thomasville Titans on Saturday.
D’Andre Hopper enjoyed a big afternoon for the Rampage by throwing for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also kicked a PAT and ran for two extra points.
Hopper passed 29 yards to Travis Gist for an early 6-0 lead.
With the Rampage trailing 7-6, Hopper connected with Justin Davis, who broke tackles and dashed down the sideline to finish an 89-yard scoring play. Hopper’s conversion run made it 14-7.
Benji “Creed” Greene snatched an interception away from a Thomasville receiver to preserve the halftime lead.
Rowan drove 83 yards in the third quarter, but the drive stalled on the Thomasville 8.
Rikki Muriel’s strip and James Porter’s fumble recovery gave the Rampage the ball back at the Thomasville 31, and the Rampage (4-0) took advantage of the short-field opportunity. Corby Jones got the TD from 6 yards out. Hopper kicked the PAT for a 21-7 edge.
Thomasville fought back to make it 21-14 with five minutes left to play, but the Rampage handled the ensuing kickoff and successfully ran out the clock.
Jones, Will Evans and Brandon Walker combined for 75 rushing yards for the Rampage.
Gist also had an interception, and Steve Blanton forced a fumble.
Defensive tackles Garette Knight and Donald Ellis combined for seven stops and four QB hurries.
Rowan plays at home at Knox Middle School next Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Carolina Bulldogs from Indian Land, S.C.
Admission will be $6 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12 and free for children under 6.
Again, fans will be admitted free if they donate three items of school supplies. The Rampage collected a crate of supplies for needy kids Saturday.
n Shelby wins again
Host Shelby beat North Carolina champion Randolph County 7-6 Saturday night and is in the driver’s seat in the double-elimination American Legion Southeast Regional.
Shelby led early 4-0, but Austin Moyer’s three-run homer in the fifth gave Randolph a 5-4 lead.
Randolph led 6-5 when Adam McFarland hit a decisive, two-run homer for Shelby in the seventh.
Randolph plays Alabama today at 1 p.m. Shelby takes on South Carolina at 5 p.m. Attendance for the Shelby-Randolph game was announced at 4,671 and the tournament has drawn 18,408 in three days.
n Parnell overpowering
Bobby Parnell (East Rowan) was the starting pitcher for New Orleans on Saturday and was the losing pitcher in a 4-2 setback against the Iowa Cubs.
Parnell still was impressive, striking out the side in the first, fanning seven batters in his first trip through the Iowa lineup and whiffing 10 of the 20 batters he faced without issuing a walk.
Parnell, 1-1 since his callup to Triple-A by the Mets, had a perfect game until the fifth, but he allowed four runs in that inning and was done for the night.
Parnell struck out Felix Pie, one of the Cubs’ top prospects, three times.
n Intimidators win
The Kannapolis Intimidators beat Hickory 10-0 on Saturday.
Kannapolis (28-24) pounded out 18 hits and won its fifth straight game behind a pair of homers by Jim Gallagher.
Gallagher, Eduardo Escobar and Justin Greene had three hits each.
Jason Rice (8-7) earned the win with six shutout innings.
n Steedley wins
Spencer Steedley (East Rowan) won his first game for Fort Myers in a 5-1 Florida State League victory against Lakeland on Saturday.
Steedley, a Midwest League All-Star the first half of the season, had his best outing since being promoted to a more advanced Class A league. He pitched six shutout innings, allowed only two hits and fanned six.
n McLelland a captain
Lauren McLelland (East Rowan) has been named one the captains for Lees-McRae’s soccer team this fall.
McLelland received Lees-McRae’s Coach’s Award in 2006 and 2007.
The junior midfielder played in 13 games and started two for the Bobcats (5-15) last season. She scored a goal in a 7-0 victory over Trinity Washington.
n Prep injury update
Northwest Cabarrus quarterback Jeremy Cannon suffered knee and shoulder injuries in a scrimmage with Mount Pleasant on Friday.
The only confirmed injury is that Cannon, a junior All-State candidate, tore a lateral collateral knee ligament.
He wore a knee brace and was on crutches for Northwest’s photo shoot Saturday.
n West Middle softball
West Rowan Middle School softball tryouts for grades 7-8 are Aug. 18-20 at the school field from 6-8 p.m.
Participants must have a current physical. Contact Coach Yarbrough at 704-633-4775 for information.
n South Rowan football
South Rowan plans to honor members of the 1983 Raiders football team, who set a school record with 11 wins.
The team will be recognized at the Sept. 12 home game against Northwest Cabarrus.
Team members wishing to attend should contact coach Jason Rollins at 704-762-0268, AD Danny Crosby at 704-239-3265 or Darren Corriher, the QB on the ’83 team, at 704-239-5377.
n China Grove football
China Grove Middle School’s first day of football practice is Monday, Aug. 18, from 6-8 p.m.
Athletes should arrive by 5:45. If you have not picked up your equipment, be at the school by 5 p.m. Players must have a current physical to practice.
The season starts Sept. 9-10.
n Labor Day golf
Teams for the Four-Ball Labor Day Golf Tournament will be accepted through 6 p.m. tonight.
n DeSanto to fight
Local boxer Dominic DeSanto (North Rowan) will fight in his second pro bout on Aug. 30 at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center in Charlotte.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
n China Grove leagues
The China Grove Youth Baseball League is offering girls softball and fall baseball for the first time.
Softball is for ages 6-13.
The baseball program is for ages 6-12, and 12-year-olds can’t pitch.
Go to Dale’s Sporting Goods in China Grove to pick up a registration form.
The cost is $45 for softball and $50 for baseball.
Play starts after Labor Day and divisions will be set up at a later time.
Registration for both programs is through Aug. 27.
Contact James Solomon at 704 857-1439 or e-mail us at ymcanewhouse@yahoo.com.
n South Y leagues
South Rowan YMCA is accepting registrations through Aug. 30 for fall soccer and flag football.
Leagues are for boys and girls grades K-8. Practice starts Sept. 8 and games begin Sept. 20.
Fees are $36 for members and $60 for non-members.
Contact Gary Earnhardt at South Rowan YMCA at 704-857-7011.
n Rowan youth football
Rowan County Youth Football League has announced registration sites and times for the upcoming season.
Players and cheerleaders must attend Rowan County schools and be in grades 3-6.
n Saturday, Aug. 23, 10-2 at Salisbury Mall
n Monday, Aug. 25, 6-8 at Knox Middle
n Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6-8 at Erwin Middle
n Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6-8 at West Rowan Middle
n Thursday, Aug. 28, 6-8, at South Rowan High
n Saturday, Aug. 30, 9-12, at North Rowan Middle (final registration)
Playing sites will include the West, North and Carson high school fields. There is no increase in registration fees.
Visit the league Web site at www.rcyfl.org for more information.