Crest has reiterated that it has a say in the development of NCHSAA Class 3A football.
The Chargers managed an 82-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 2-yard run by quarterback Turner McSwain, that helped them to a 27-21 victory over perennial Charlotte Catholic on Friday.
Crest’s defense also fought back in the final seconds, stopping Catholic’s final drive inside the Chargers’ 5-yard line.
Aiden Carson again played strongly for Crest, scoring two touchdowns. He broke the ice with an 81-yard catch-and-run late in the first quarter, while a third-quarter TD run gave Crest a 19-14 lead at that point. Chargers standout senior Kentrell Degree also scored a touchdown.
The win over Charlotte Catholic is Crest’s latest success, following victories over Cleveland County rivals Burns and Shelby. They’re looking to add another victory next week when the Chargers host undefeated Ashbrook in the Big South 3A opener for both teams.
RIDING THE WAVE: Ashbrook Football ready for the big time? Green Wave passes final test before Crest duel
HOW DO THE TEAMS FROM THE REGION PERFORM?: Ranking of high school football teams in Gastonia and Shelby: New number 1 at the start of the fourth week
Shelby 35, Olympic 24: Shelby trailed 17-14 after three quarters, but scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to end a two-game losing streak.
After being limited to 24 rushing yards in the first half, senior running back Tristan Tate managed 15 carries for 103 yards and three touchdowns in the final 24 minutes. MaJay Thompson was also a factor, catching four passes for 90 yards and a 1-yard TD run.
Quarterback Lan Farmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 143 yards and also had a 3-yard touchdown run.
Shelby begins Southern Piedmont 1A/2A competition next week with a trip to Cherryville.
Results from Thursday
Burns 28, Alexander Central 7: Burns’ Max Davis scored three touchdowns to help the Bulldogs win again.
East Lincoln 52, Forestview 26: The Mustangs improved their record to 3-0 for the sixth consecutive week, helped by an explosive offense that scored 50 points for the second week in a row.
Highland Tech 70, Triangle Mathematics & Natural Sciences 0: Carmelo Adams and Jonah Jefferies each ran for three touchdowns, giving the Rams their third consecutive win.
North Gaston 35, Cherryville 2: Keshad Wright threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, leading North Gaston to a dominant victory.
North Iredell 21, Mountain Island Charter 7: In their first game without standout receiver Justice Washington, the Raptors’ offense was out of form in a loss to North Iredell.
North Lincoln 56, East Rutherford 55: The Knights scored in the final minutes of the game to make for a wild road game. Running backs Shannon Wingate (24 carries, 227 yards) and Landon Agee (nine carries, 110 yards) each ran for three touchdowns, with Agee also catching a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Sipe.
South Point 30, Hibriten 14: Eric Forston and Chyance Ford each scored two touchdowns as the Red Raiders improved their record to 2-0.
Union Academy 20, Bessemer City 10: Quarterback Gavin Chastain threw a touchdown pass, but Bessemer City struggled in its final exhibition game before Southern Piedmont 1A/2A play begins next week.
This article originally appeared in the Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football final results Week 4 in Gastonia, Shelby area
