Article from Independent Tribune Sports Editor C. Jemal Horton

East Rowan story here...

Concord hosted arch-rival A.L. Brown Thursday night in the 87th meeting between the neighboring schools. Brown kept the Victory Bell with a 31-19 win.

The Brown defense kept Concord's offense in check for much of the night. The Wonders held the Spiders to -33 rushing yards and produced 4 turnovers. The Wonders scored on three of the four Spider giveaways.

Brown took an early lead when Cordarious Butler found Lewis Harris for a 6 yard touchdown pass.

The Spider found a spark in the second quarter, Senior tailback P.J. Hall took a short screen pass and bolted down the Wonder sideline to tie the score at 7 a piece.

On the ensuing Wonder drive Ja'Nai Spratt scopped up a fumble and rambled 37 yards for a touchdown. Wonder quaterback Cordarious Butler was injured trying to corral the fumble. We wish him a speedy recovery.

However the Spiders momentum was short lived. The Spiders would turn the ball over twice deep in their own territory, both leading to Wonder touchdowns.

Brown enjoyed a 21-13 halftime advantage.

The defenses controlled the 3rd quarter. 

Early in the 4th Wonder kicker Brian Guttierez booted a 26 yard field goal to put the Wonders up 24-13. 

Justin Nicholson kept the Spiders in the game with a spectacular 83 yard punt return touchdown with 7:34 left in the contest. 

Down 24-19 the Spider defense provided a key stop giving the offense one last chance to take the lead. Wonder defender Steven Howie erased any thoughts of a comeback by picking off a Spider pass and returning it for a touchdown with 1:18 left. 

Hamsah Nasirildeen had a monster night, closing with 16 tackles. The Spider D held the Wonders to around 225 yards of total offense. The turnovers were too much to overcome.

The Spider offense struggled at times but there were bright spots.   

1^st

B - Harris 5 yard pass from Butler (Gutierrez kick), 5:08.

2^nd

C - Hall 60 yard pass from Lancaster (Trott kick), 9:03

C - Spratt 37 fumble return (2pt pass failed), 7:51

B - Mahatha 1 run (Gutierrez kick), 6:03

B - Mahatha 3 run (Gutierrez kick), 4:17

3^rd

None

4^th

B - Gutierrez 26 FG, 10:04.

C - Justin Nicholson 83 punt return (2pt pass failed), 7:34.

B - Howie 30 yard interception return (Gutierrez kick), 1:18.