From staff reports

TROUTMAN — A.L. Brown’s hopes for a run in the 3AA state playoffs crashed and burned on Friday.

Five Wonder turnovers were the biggest culprit in a 41-21 loss to South Iredell.

The third-seeded Vikings (11-2) took advantage of two early special-teams mistakes by the Wonders — a muffed punt and a pooched kickoff that was recovered by the Vikings.

The Wonders’ defense held on both occasions, but South Iredell turned that great field position into two field goals and led, 6-0.

Sixth-seeded A.L.Brown (10-3) answered with a touchdown, with Terry Anderson locating the end zone from the 11-yard line. A.L. Brown took a 7-6 lead on the Brian Gutierrez PAT, but the Wonders wouldn’t lead again.

South Iredell got the next three TDs in a snowball with quarterback Brady Pope and receiver Dydrion Leach capitalizing on A.L. Brown mistakes.

With the Wonders trailing late in the first half, 27-7, Jalen Nixon got a rushing TD after picking up a fumbled snap. That provided halftime momentum for the Wonders, and they were still in striking distance at 27-4, but South Iredell wasn’t fazed. The Vikings scored first in the second half.

Jordan Medley’s 10-yard scoring pass to Keon McGee got the Wonders within 34-21 with 4:18 left in the third quarter, but the Wonders got no closer.

South Iredell will play at second-seeded Asheville A.C. Reynolds next. Reynolds won against seventh-seeded Southwest Guilford, 21-7.

 

Murphy 49, North Stanly 35

NEW LONDON — Sixth-seeded Murphy won at third-seeded North Stanly despite another huge night by North Stanly’s star running back Cameron Davis.

Coming off a first-round bye in the 1AA playoffs, North Stanly (10-2) got off to a rousing start when L.J. Rush ran back the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD.

Shrine Bowl QB Joey Curry brought sixth-seeded Murphy (11-2) back with two TD passes, and the game see-sawed from there.

By halftime, Davis had 175 rushing yards and three trips to the end zone, but Murphy still led, 34-28.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, as the defenses adjusted and settled down.

North Stanly grabbed a 35-34 lead with 9:14 remaining on a 1-yard run by QB Avery Merritt, but Kadrian McRae’s 2-yard TD run with 4:57 left put the visitors on top to stay. Murphy added a 2-point conversion after McRae’s touchdown, and then tacked on another TD at the end.

Murphy will be at home in Round 3 against East Surry, a 49-36 winner against East Wilkes.