Mountain Island Charter puts up good fight, falls in opener
By Michael Hughes sports@gastongazette.com
Posted at 2:20 AM
The Raptors stepped up in weight class on Friday.
MOUNT HOLLY – Ninety minutes of heavy rain and an electrical storm delayed, but didn’t deter Friday night football between Providence Day and Mountain Island Charter School.
The flat panel drain system at Raptor Stadium had the synthetic turf playable by Friday’s hurried-up kickoff at 9 p.m. Delays from injuries, lots of cramped players, and an early season flag fest for both teams contributed to an 11:40 ending with the Chargers besting the Raptors 17-0.
“I like the way our kids competed,” said Mountain Island coach Robert Washington. “That’s a powerhouse right there, Providence Day. They’ve got three or four Division 1 athletes on their team. I don’t think we’ll face a team that size until maybe the playoffs.”
Turning Point: Both defenses were solid early despite eight penalty flags on both sides during a sluggish first half, which ended with Providence Day leading 7-0 on a nine-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cody Cater with 1:47 to go before halftime.
Two fumbles by the Raptors, an early injury to starting quarterback Kobe Creamer, along with a pair of muffed punts helped keep the home team in poor field position most of the night.
The Chargers’ 10 fourth quarter points followed turnovers and missed opportunities for the snake-bit Raptors, who came up with several big defensive plays despite personnel losses.
Offensively, Mountain Island Charter was unable to unleash North Carolina-bound running back Elijah Burris (34 yards on 13 carries) or gain much ground through the air.
Game Standouts: Mountain Island Charter played a swarming team defense with numerous gang tackles, but hurt itself with penalties (13 flags, 110 yards) in the season opener. Providence Day had 11 penalties for 85 yards on a damp night but held Burris in check, allowing only one pass completion of more than 10 yards.
Notes: Creamer went down after a 13-yard keeper in the second quarter and didn’t return. Coaches were waiting to hear from the doctors before they determine the nature of his injury, which appeared to be in his upper extremities.
“The first game’s gonna be a little sloppy, [especially] with the weather delay,” said Washington. “I’m proud of them for not quitting, and we’re going to learn from this. The defense came up big all night, and that’s not a little team. We may have lost on the scoreboard but we’re not defeated. We’re going to build on this.”
What’s next?: Mountain Island Charter is on the road next week in a conference match-up at Christ the King in Huntersville.
By Michael Hughes sports@gastongazette.com
Posted at 2:20 AM
The Raptors stepped up in weight class on Friday.
MOUNT HOLLY – Ninety minutes of heavy rain and an electrical storm delayed, but didn’t deter Friday night football between Providence Day and Mountain Island Charter School.
The flat panel drain system at Raptor Stadium had the synthetic turf playable by Friday’s hurried-up kickoff at 9 p.m. Delays from injuries, lots of cramped players, and an early season flag fest for both teams contributed to an 11:40 ending with the Chargers besting the Raptors 17-0.
“I like the way our kids competed,” said Mountain Island coach Robert Washington. “That’s a powerhouse right there, Providence Day. They’ve got three or four Division 1 athletes on their team. I don’t think we’ll face a team that size until maybe the playoffs.”
Turning Point: Both defenses were solid early despite eight penalty flags on both sides during a sluggish first half, which ended with Providence Day leading 7-0 on a nine-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cody Cater with 1:47 to go before halftime.
Two fumbles by the Raptors, an early injury to starting quarterback Kobe Creamer, along with a pair of muffed punts helped keep the home team in poor field position most of the night.
The Chargers’ 10 fourth quarter points followed turnovers and missed opportunities for the snake-bit Raptors, who came up with several big defensive plays despite personnel losses.
Offensively, Mountain Island Charter was unable to unleash North Carolina-bound running back Elijah Burris (34 yards on 13 carries) or gain much ground through the air.
Game Standouts: Mountain Island Charter played a swarming team defense with numerous gang tackles, but hurt itself with penalties (13 flags, 110 yards) in the season opener. Providence Day had 11 penalties for 85 yards on a damp night but held Burris in check, allowing only one pass completion of more than 10 yards.
Notes: Creamer went down after a 13-yard keeper in the second quarter and didn’t return. Coaches were waiting to hear from the doctors before they determine the nature of his injury, which appeared to be in his upper extremities.
“The first game’s gonna be a little sloppy, [especially] with the weather delay,” said Washington. “I’m proud of them for not quitting, and we’re going to learn from this. The defense came up big all night, and that’s not a little team. We may have lost on the scoreboard but we’re not defeated. We’re going to build on this.”
What’s next?: Mountain Island Charter is on the road next week in a conference match-up at Christ the King in Huntersville.
