From staff reports

A.L. Brown honored the heroes from its last state championship team in 1997 on Friday, and they could have used Nick Maddox.

Maddox, a two-time AP state player of the year who earned a national championship ring at Florida State, Hall of Fame coach Bruce Hardin and about 30 members of the 1997 team were on hand. They watched the Wonders struggle in a 35-14 loss to highly regarded Marvin Ridge.

Marvin Ridge quarterback Bryce McLain  completed 18 passes,  three for touchdowns.

Marvin Ridge (2-0) led all the way. The Wonders got within 7-6  in the second quarter on a 10-yard scoring run by QB Jordan Medley, but the PAT was blocked.

Marvin Ridge led 14-6 at the break. A.L. Brown was stopped inside the 10-yard line late in the half.

A.L. Brown was down 28-6 before it scored again. Justin Holsclaw’s interception return set up a 7-yard scoring run by Tossaan Ruffin in the fourth quarter, and Medley flipped a 2-point conversion pass to Jalen Nixon.

  A.L. Brown visits Carson (1-1) next week in the first meeting of the neighbors.

Intimidators

Dylan Cease matched his career-high with 10 strikeouts, but Kannapolis lost to Lakewood, 4-3.

Cease opened with a pair of perfect innings, striking out four straight batters over the first and second innings.  After allowing three runs (two earned) over the third and fourth innings, he bounced back to throw perfect fifth and sixth frames, striking out the side in his final inning.  Cease (0-7) took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with a walk to go along with his first double-digit strikeout game since joining the White Sox organization from the Cubs.

Lakewood broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Daniel Brito’s sacrifice fly scored David Martinelli for a 1-0 lead.