GRANITE QUARRY — A.L. Brown didn’t have all its offensive weapons, but the Wonders still rolled to a 45-7 3A South Piedmont Conference high school football victory over East Rowan here Friday night.

Coach Ron Massey’s Wonders, now 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the SPC, racked up 515 yards total offense without regular starting quarterback Josh Lee.

Sophomore Maurice Edwards, who usually plays slotback, replaced Lee and kept the ball on the ground most of the way as the Wonders rushed for 480 yards.

“We had a little accident this week,” said coach Massey when asked why Lee did not play. “He could have played, but we were a little concerned about his injury. We decided that we would get by without him, and I thought Maurice stepped in and did a good job for us the first time. It was just one of those situations where we could have sent him (Lee) in, but we were scared if he got it, it would set him back a little.”

Massey indicated that Lee was hurt in practice during the week, but preferred not to elaborate.

Edwards ran for 69 yards in seven carries, getting 38 on one play.

“He’s just a sophomore, bless his heart. He was a little nervous. I thought our upperclassmen did a good job of helping him out. We knew we weren’t going to throw the ball a lot. We started off sloppy the first couple of series, but I thought the more we got going, the better it became,” said Massey.

Coach Tom Eanes’Mustangs, 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the SPC, played well most of the first half, trailing only 7-0 until the Wonders’ Eric Caldwell scored from 7 yards out with 3:31 left in the half. The visitors added 10 more points in the last 2:01 for a 24-0 halftime lead.

“It was about three minutes to go when we really let the thing get away,” said Eanes. “We made a couple of mistakes there right before halftime that let them get a lead. It’s hard against a good team to come back.

“I thought we played pretty well. It’s just hard on us, as good as their defense is, to go 60 or 70 yards. I knew that part of it was going to be hard.”

The Mustangs had only 78 total yards, 57 of it coming on the ground. East’s touchdown came on a spectacular 61-yard punt return by Cal Hayes Jr., who fielded the kick, headed toward the right sideline, picked up some big blocks and angled back to the left side of the field to score.

“Cal usually does a lot of wonderful things. We got some good blocks that sprung him,” said Eanes.

“No. 12 (Hayes) is the scariest athlete we play probably,” said Massey. “He’s tough. He can do it anywhere.”

Hayes ran for 21 yards in eight tries against the tough Wonders’ defense and caught a 21-yard pass from quarterback Drew Davis.

“I’ve seen them get a little better each week, especially offensively,” said Massey about East. “They put a new offensive system in, and it’s not an easy one to run, the triple option (Hambone).”

A.L. Brown’s ground game was led by junior Chris Carter and senior Eric Caldwell, who combined for 282 yards. Carter had 160 yards in only 10 carries and broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run in the second half. Caldwell added 122 yards, also in 10 attempts, and scored TDs on runs of 2 and 7 yards in the first half.

Carter gained 11 or more yards on eight of his carries, either by outrunning the Mustang defenders or breaking tackles.

“He’s got another gear, I think,” said Massey. “We like to see him get out there on the perimeter. He’s a tough runner, too. He breaks some tackles ... put his head down when he needs to get some yardage. I’m very proud of him.”

Caldwell’s two scores, a 5-yard TD run by Duran Lipscomb, a 42-yard field goal by Rush Rollins and three extra-point conversions by Rollins accounted for the 24-0 halftime lead.

A 35-yard pass from Edwards to Joe Bickerstaff midway through the third quarter plus Rollins’ conversion made it 31-0.

Carter’s 42-yard run and Rollins’ PAT extended the lead to 38-0 late in the third period.

After Hayes got East on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, the Wonders countered with a 21-yard scoring run by Lipscomb. Rollins added his sixth extra point to complete the scoring.

“I’m very proud of our football team,” said Massey. “I think they continue to improve. We’re sitting here, we’re 8-1 and we’ve got two great football teams coming in to play us.”

The Wonders host Northwest Cabarrus next Friday, then arch-rival Concord onNov. 3 in SPC contests that will help determine 3A state playoff berths.

“Northwest Cabarrus:I’ve seen them on tape. They’re an outstanding football tam. Hopefully, we’ll lay well. I know it will be a dogfight next week.I think it will be a great atmosphere for high school football around here,” exclaimed Massey.

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NOTES: East Rowan plays its final two games on the road against SPC rivals Concord next Friday and Sun Valley. ... Matt Butler and Matt Baker had fumble recoveries for East. ... The Wonders’ DeAngelo Collins and Chris Gibson intercepted passes.