The Raiders scored six touchdowns in the scrimmage, getting big days from any number of people.

“Our offensive backs and defensive front really did well,” said South Rowan head coach Rick Vanhoy. “The whole coaching staff was pleased.”

Vanhoy said he has a ton of seniors who couldn’t wait for today’s again.

“It’s been a long, tough time since we lost to Mount Tabor (56-7) to finish last season,” he said. “We had some people who were anxious to prove that they were pretty good football players. For the most part, they did. This was something we can build on.”

Vanhoy has been able to maintain his sense of humor through tough seasons in ‘97 and ‘98.

“When we scored that first touchdown, we weren’t sure how to react at first,” he joked. “It had been awhile. But, hey, after awhile we got used to it.”

Vanhoy said the area of most concern remains his DBs.

“We had a few kids that got baptized by fire today,” he said. “But at least now we’ve got a starting point.”

North Rowan coach Roger Secreast figured his offense was ahead of his defense. He just didn’t know quite how far ahead.

The Cavs’ pass-happy offense enjoyed three touchdowns worth of success in a Friday night scrimmage with 4A Charlotte Butler of the Southwestern Conference, but a very green Cavalier defense had its hands full with the Bulldogs, who went 6-5 a year ago.

The scrimmage had two segments — controlled, then game conditions.

Andre Byrd hauled in a scoring pass from Mario Sturdivant for the Cavs’ only score in the first segment.

Once the teams operated under game conditions, Sturdivant tossed additional TD passes to Alfonzo Miller and Chris Phillips.

“In the game conditions, we did better,” said Secreast. “Both teams scored two touchdowns.”

Secreast was pleased with the work of Sturdivant and his receivers, and the running of Jamel Alexander, but wasn’t nearly as excited about his team’s work when it didn’t have the ball.

“Early, we got spanked,” he said. “They outplayed us everywhere, pretty much the whole ball of wax.”

Secreast did say, however, that the Cavs’ defense, which features a new band of linebackers and defensive linemen, got better as the night went on. He mentioned that captain Brian Alford had an excellent night.

“The best thing was that everyone went over there feeling good about themselves, but now they know how much work they still have to do,” said Secreast. “Now, we can go back and teach them some more.”

Secreast wasn’t available to comment early Saturday morning because he had driven to Wadesboro to meet with Scotland County coaches to exchange game films.

The Cavs play at the powerful 4A Flying Scots on Friday night.

Coach Jeff Safrit’s Mustangs had a solid scrimmage at Albemarle against a tough unit from West Montgomery.

The Warriors are a 2A team, but they have a couple of Division I prospects and plenty of speed.

“We saw good things from our kids offensively and defensively,” said Safrit, whose team opens with South Rowan on Friday. “We threw the ball well.”

The Mustangs played without three key players, including two-way star Danny Misenheimer, but held their own.

“We were missing some kids because they hadn’t had enough practice days,” said Safrit. “but I was still fairly pleased.”