Staff report

STATESVILLE —  Maybe last week’s fourth-quarter loss to South Iredell took something out of East Rowan.

Or maybe undefeated Statesville is just that good.

Playing on Senior Night (there were 22 honorees) in Greyhound Hollow, Statesville romped 55-0 against the Mustangs on Friday.

East (4-6, 1-3) has been putting up massive rushing numbers most of the season, but it managed just 80 yards of offense against Statesville. The Greyhounds picked off two passes and shut down Rowan County rushing leader Sammy Pinckney.

Statesville QB Debanye Moore threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

Statesville running back Caylon Imes, who had 300-plus rushing yards against Carson last week, had close to 300 yards rushing/receiving against the Mustangs.

East couldn’t make a first down on its first four possessions and trailed 21-0 very quickly.

 It was 27-0 at halftime. The Greyhounds made it a running-clock game by the start of the fourth quarter.

Statesville scored on defense in the fourth quarter.

 If it can beat West Rowan, Statesville will have its first unbeaten regular season since 1989.

Statesville came into the game ranked 16th in 3A by MaxPreps, but is much higher in the AP media poll.

East plays at home next week against North Iredell.

• Thanks to Brian Meadows of the Statesville Record and Landmark for stats and scoring summary.

East Rowan       0    0    0    0   — 0

Statesville         21   6     21  7    — 55

First quarter

S—Dalton 43 run (Dukes run), 9:13.

S—Dukes 9 pass from Moore (kick failed), 5:00.

S—Imes 80 run (Buckner kick), 3:40.

Second quarter

S—Gathings 46 pass from Moore (pass failed), 3:33.

Third quarter

S—Imes 44 run (Buckner kick), 9:08.

S—Moore 1 run (Buckner kick), 4:14.

Fourth quarter

S—Conner 32 fumble return (Buckner kick), 9:52.