Staff report

TYRO – Salisbury’s football team had an unexpectedly tough time on Friday at West Davidson, but the 10th-ranked Hornets won the Central Carolina Conference contest 14-11 and stayed undefeated.

“We didn’t play well and the kids were upset that we didn’t play better,” Salisbury coach Brian Hinson said. “But we’re 4-0. It could be a whole lot worse.”

Salisbury (2-0 CCC) was a 24-point favorite against the Green Dragons (1-3, 0-2), but put its strong defense in some difficult situations by coughing up three fumbles, missing a field goal and failing to execute on a short fourth-down conversion.

West Davidson scored first when standout kicker Andrew Brown booted a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Jabril Norman’s touchdown pass to Patrick Taylor gave the Hornets a 7-3 lead at halftime.

“We played well on defense, but we’re a little limited on offense right now,” Hinson said. “We hurt ourselves with all the turnovers, and West Davidson tackled very well.”

The Hornets took a 14-3 lead when freshman JyMikaah Wells scored his third rushing touchdown of the season.

Quarterback Drew Tedder scored on a 5-yard run for West Davidson to cut Salisbury’s lead to 14-9 and Logan King caught a pass for a 2-point conversion.

Linebacker Jamison Floyd made 12 tackles for West Davidson.  Linebacker Andrew Watts caused a fumble and recovered one.

Salisbury beat West Davidson for the 12th straight time.

The Hornets play at Lexington next week.