Staff report

MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan is only 24th in the 3A West RPI rankings, so the Falcons are certain to be on the road in the first round of the playoffs, but they may be a tough out.

The Falcons (6-4, 5-2) continued a strong sprint to the finish line with a 56-6 South Piedmont Conference romp against East Rowan on Friday’s Senior Night.

East’s only really successful offensive play came on the final snap of the night and of the Mustangs’ season.

East quarterback Will Klingler’s pass struck the face mask of a West defensive back, who was in good position to intercept, and shot straight up in the air. Jaden Reid came down with the ball and took it to the end zone for a play that accounted for the majority of Klingler’s 88 passing yards and the Mustangs’ only points. That bizarre play may be the only break East got in Brian Flynn’s first season as head coach.

East (0-10, 0-7) netted only 28 rushing yards, mostly by Reid, and lost for the 21st straight time. West started East’s current losing streak with a 50-0 pounding that closed the books on the 2022 season for the Mustangs. West hasn’t lost to the Mustangs since 2014.

A bright spot for the Mustangs was sophomore Jayden Peters. He had nine tackles, three for loss.

West had the game well in hand by halftime with a 42-0 lead, and the second half rolled by swiftly with a running clock. The Falcons added two more touchdowns after the break.

West quarterback Brant Graham threw only four passes. Three were eventful — scoring strikes to Max Brown and Kaden Feaster to boost his career TD pass total to 30, plus a toss for a 9-yard loss to lineman Addison Hinson on a trick play. The plan must have been for Hinson to fire the first TD pass of his career, but it didn’t happen.

Graham mostly handed off, as coach Louis Kraft’s game plan was to pound the Mustangs on the ground and to make sure senior stars Evan Kennedy and Jaylen Neely reached milestones. Both surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for their careers, as West’s offensive line opened enough holes for 396 rushing yards.

Kennedy carried 17 times for 179 yards and two TDs, giving him 2,033 rushing yards for his career. He’s already surpassed 2,000 receiving yards in a remarkably versatile high school career.

Neely romped for 158 yards on 16 carries and scored twice. He has 2,017 rushing yards in two varsity seasons despite missing some time with injuries this year.

Freshman Devaunh White bolted for 41 yards on his only carry. Tight end Dakota Athey got a rushing TD. Carter Durant kicked eight PATs.

West’s defense contributed a touchdown to the tally on a 50-yard interception return by Lucas Watts.