Staff report

CHINA GROVE — The South Piedmont Conference will again be a two-team race.

Northwest Cabarrus kept pace with a powerful Robinson squad on Friday by beating Carson 42-7 on homecoming in China Grove.

In other SPC games, Concord, unexpectedly, and West Rowan, not unexpectedly, bowed out of the race with their second league losses. Concord was upset by South Rowan. West Rowan was the latest victim of the human tornadoes known as the Robinson Bulldogs.

The Cougars (2-5, 0-4) were short-handed Friday following disciplinary actions, but even at full strength they would have struggled to deal with the Trojans. Carson hasn’t been scoring much, while Northwest (6-1, 4-0) hasn’t been allowing much.

Running back Jarlon Drye was the key man for NWC once again, rolling for 167 yards on only 13 carries. He found the end zone twice.

Northwest QB Hudson Irwin only put the ball in the air 13 times, but his efficiency was commendable. Three of his throws produced touchdowns. Two TD tosses went to Jason Black, who had four catches for 87 yards. Henry Forrest had the other TD catch.

Jackson Forrest led Northwest’s defense. The active linebacker has been destructive in just about every game and was credited with 15 tackles, two for loss, with one sack.

Carson quarterback Griffin Barber scored the TD for the Cougars on the ground and temporarily propelled the Cougars into a  7-all tie, but it was all Northwest after that. The Trojans led 28-7 at the half.

Freshman Damo’n Broussard was a bright spot for the Cougars, racking up 80 yards on nine carries, but Carson couldn’t get anything going through the air.

Carson is at East Rowan next.