By Mike London
mlondon@salisburypost.com
College football update …
Shaun Warren (Carson) had Western Carolina’s sports information department digging through all their record books with his dazzling performance Saturday in a 52-31 win against Mars Hill.
It was only the second college game for Warren, a true freshman. When he carried 21 times for 203 yards and four TDs, he became only the eighth different Catamount to enjoy a 200-yard game.
Warren is the fourth true freshman to reach the 200-yard milestone for Western, and one of the previous three was another Rowan product. In 1987, Darryl Jackson (North Rowan) rushed for 200 yards — also vs. Mars Hill.
Warren is the first WC true freshman to have a 200-yard game since 2000.
Warren’s three first-half rushing TDs marked the first time a Catamount had done that since 1981, and his four rushing TDs for the game tied him with David Mayfield and former Carolina Panther Brad Hoover for the school record.
K.P. Parks (West Rowan) was relatively quiet in Virginia’s win at Indiana (11 carries, 37 yards), but he did score two touchdowns.
Chris Smith (West) had two tackles and was credited with a QB hurry as Arkansas routed New Mexico.
Jon Crucitti (West) started at slotback for Army and rushed seven times for 39 yards in a close loss to San Diego State.
Wake Forest’s Tristan Dorty (West) had one tackle and one QB hurry in a big ACC win against N.C. State.
Wake also got a big game from Josh Bush (West Davidson). He contributed an interception and four tackles.
Gordy Witte Jr. (Salisbury) started at defensive end for Appalachian State in a rout of North Carolina A&T.
Division II
Lenoir Rhyne fullback Ike Whitaker (Salisbury) rushed 10 times for 63 yards, including a 28-yard burst, in a loss to Davidson.
Zach Long (Davie) had five tackles and a pass breakup for the L-R Bears on Saturday.
Livingstone DB Justin Avery (West) has been the bright spot of the early season. He picked off two passes against Elizabeth City State.
Dario Hamilton (Salisbury) rushed three times Saturday and gained 9 yards for the Blue Bears.
Thomas Lowe (South Rowan) got two carries for Wingate and gained 5 yards in a loss to Albany State.
Austin Lowe (West) started at guard for Wingate, while Joseph So (Salisbury) started at center.
West Liberty State’s Eric Cowan (West) had a 38-yard kickoff return in a loss to Southern Connecticut State.
Ben DeCelle (East Rowan) had two receptions for 28 yards and T.J. Johnson (A.L. Brown) had two catches for 42 yards in UNC Pembroke’s win against Chowan. Both locals caught a TD pass.
Division III
Matt Turchin (West) kicked a 40-yard field goal and was 4-for-4 on PATs as Emory & Henry rolled over Greensboro College on Saturday.
Greensboro’s Malcolm Gaither (West) had one catch for 8 yards.
Jordan Farmer (Davie) was the leading tackler for Guilford in a loss to Methodist. He made nine stops.
Averett’s Chris Burris (East) made seven tackles in a close loss to Randolph-Macon.
Averett’s Anthony Bowles (South) made two receptions for 33 yards.