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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

Levi Morales continued to impress as North Davie’s football team thumped visiting Southeast 30-0 on Aug. 22.

Morales threw for 200-plus yards, connecting with Edarius Oliver, Reynolds Tomlinson, Jason Riddle and Carter Cornett, as North, which buried China Grove 27-0 in the opener, started 2-0 for just the second time in 13 seasons (the other was the spring of 2021).

After only managing a 8-0 lead at halftime – “They held onto the ball for a long time,” coach Beau Byerly said – the Wildcats pounded away in the second half.

“We amped it up a little bit in the second half – very shockingly actually,” Byerly said. “I don’t think we had a single penalty; they had at least 10. We performed well. I think our boys surprised themselves.”

Morales’ season-opening performance carried over to this one. “He probably threw for over 200 yards,” Byerly said. “He completed 15-20 (passes).”

Oliver scored two touchdowns (30-yard run, 10-yard reception). Isaiah Hernandez had a 35-yard scoring run. And Braxton Bailey, the starting nose guard/backup running back, scored from 4 yards out.

“One practice Braxton was like: ‘Coach, I know how to run the ball,’” Byerly said. “Against China Grove, I said: ‘I need a running back.’ He said: ‘Coach, I’ve got it.’ He runs it hard.”

Don’t forget about defenders like Riddle (outside linebacker) and Nathan Smith (d-lineman), who helped North post its first shutout since the spring of 2021, when the Wildcats punished South Davie 54-0.

“Jason had a heck of a game,” Byerly said. “He’s everywhere; he flies around. Nathan had a great game. He had one sack and probably three or four big tackles. I’m real proud of him.”

The Patriots were intercepted three times. Hernandez, Cornett and Sawyer Hall had the picks.

The first two weeks have been absolutely wonderful for the Wildcats, but they will get tested this week against West Rowan.

“(This) week we’re facing a giant,” Byerly said.

SD 30, CL 6

South Davie (2-0) extended its winning streak to five dating to 2022 by wiping out Corriher-Lipe 30-6 on the road on Aug. 22, but coach Germain Mayfield wasn’t overly excited. He knows the Tigers will see a different animal (Selma Burke) this week.

“We didn’t play bad, but they struggled,” he said. “Erwin was a little bit better. You really couldn’t tell what we did or didn’t do.

“The test is (this) week. (Selma Burke is) supposed to be the cream of the crop.”

The Yellow Jackets were utterly helpless when running back Tyrone Speller (130 rushing yards on eight carries) and quarterback Draeton Nance (110 rushing yards on six carries) had the ball in their hands. Both scored two TDs. Speller is an eighth grader to moved to Davie County last winter.

“Tyrone had a solid game,” Mayfield said. “He is just learning the running back spot. He’s more of a receiver. He’s not used to running it between the tackles, so it’s all new to him.”

South won its opener against Erwin by the same 30-6 score. Ellis (1-0) had a bye last week.