Lake Norman Publications

Fortunes turn for football teams along Old Statesville Road



Jahlani Biddersingh hauls in his first of two touchdowns against West Meck as Deanthony Moss defends Friday, Oct. 8. /Doug Coats

HUNTERSVILLE – There are two football teams less than a mile apart along N.C. 115 that essentially started over last year, but are now seeing the dividends pay off this fall.

North Meck only had six seniors the previous two seasons, and in the spring were led by a new head coach in Damon McKee. After an exciting 21-16 victory over West Meck Oct. 8, the Vikings are now 4-2, doubling the win total from the last two seasons combined.

Meanwhile on the other side of Hambright Road, Lake Norman Charter reached 5-1 in a new-look schedule. The Knights only fielded a JV team in the spring, their final year competing in the ultra-competitive South Fork 2A, before returning their varsity squad this fall.

North becomes highlight factory

North Meck’s wins the last two weeks not only have put the Vikings two games over .500 for the first time since 2017, but have resulted from outstanding plays from their receivers. The team’s core group of seniors are seeing their “spring ball” experience in McKee’s first season lead to a breakout performance.

Jahlani Biddersingh put North on the board first to the delight of a big homecoming crowd. The senior wideout snagged a ball in mid-air despite tight coverage from West’s defensive back. It was set up by a long pass play from quarterback John Geter to Lewis Blamoh Jr. down the sideline.

“That’s what we expect out of Jahlani,” McKee said after the game. “Our receiving corps, Jeffrey (McDonald), those guys are the seniors. They carry this thing.”

The Vikings’ final score came in the third quarter when a Geter pass was deflected off one receiver, but Biddersingh caught it in the back of the end zone, making sure his feet were in.

McKee said a few of his offensive lineman were out injured, so the offense relied on the pass more than he would’ve liked. Those are the players he can rely on, however.

“(Geter) is our general,” McKee said. “He commands the offense. The O-line they hold the show. When those guys are on, we are unstoppable.”

The previous game, a historic win over Mallard Creek, tight end Devin Cunningham was the one lighting up social media. Backed up inside their own 20, Geter found the 6-foot-4 Cunningham in the middle of the field, and he used his helmet like David Tyree in Super Bowl 42 for the 25-yard play.

It was part of North’s first win over Mallard Creek since 2008.

After two one-win seasons, McKee realizes part of getting more student and community support is putting a winning product on the field.

“That’s what we need to do, we want to bring the joy coming back to football games,” he said. “Winning is a cure-all, fix-all. We want to bring some pride back on Friday night.”

A comeback win over SouthLake Christian in week one has launched Lake Norman Charter to a 5-1 record. /Doug Coats

Knights emerge from hiatus

Many aspects of this season look different for Lake Norman Charter. For a team that hasn’t had a winning record since 2012, one was guaranteed with a second straight blowout win Oct. 8.

Although the Knights’ athletic program as a whole moved into the South Piedmont 3A under the new conference realignment, the football team is competing as an independent. For years, the Knights finished at the bottom of the South Fork standings amid a stark competitive divide between them and the rest of the league.

But after hitting the reset button on the varsity team, coach Bob McKay has led LNC to a 5-1 record against teams from fellow charters and private schools.

The Knights have outscored their last three opponents 139-32, as the teams’ 11 seniors are getting to do something last year’s class was denied.

There hasn’t been a single player to stand out, rather it’s been a true team effort this fall. Anthony Ryerson leads the rushing attack with 326 yards, but brother and quarterback Cameron and Aiden Albury each have more than 200 themselves.

“We’re kind of equally distributed,” McKay said. “It’s the same thing on defense. It’s just a good overall team effort. When you talk about that, it’s nice to have everybody involved.”

LNC’s competition will increase for their final three games of the season. As an independent, the Knights won’t compete in the playoffs.

It starts with rival Community School of Davidson, who sits atop the Catawba Shores 1A/2A, then 4-2 Pine Lake Prep and 6-1 Mountain Island Charter.

“We know, the kids know,” McKay said. “These next three games, we’re going to have to play near perfect. They’re going to be tough. The nice thing about all this is it’s a close, local rivalry.”

A far-away pairing

Lake Norman Charter’s game hosting Bear Grass Charter Oct. 8 marked the second consecutive season the team from outside the eastern N.C. town of Williamston has visited the lake area.

In the spring, they played at Pine Lake Prep on a Saturday, with the Pride winning 20-6.

“That was the connection right here,” McKay said. “The game here last year, it looked like a pretty good game. I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be. Since we’re not in a conference, it’s tough to find games.”

The Knights will make the near-four-hour trek next year.

Pride finish 3-game gauntlet with win

Pine Lake Prep achieved a 2-1 record during its span of three games in eight days, capping it it off with a 35-0 road victory over Bishop McGuinness Oct. 8.

The Pride bounced back from a 41-12 loss to Mountain Island Charter three days prior, led by by a stellar effort on the ground from Noah Murphy. He racked up 174 yards on just eight carries and scored two touchdowns.

Pine Lake and Mountain Island combined to go 5-1 in the stretch.

Athletic Director Brett Hayford stepped back into his former role to help coach Pine Lake Prep against Mountain Island Charter Oct. 5. /Doug Coats

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