Staff report

BEAR CREEK — North Rowan’s football team took it on the chin a week ago from a very stout Hibriten team, but the Cavaliers rebounded on Friday.

North, ranked 17th in 1A, crushed Yadkin Valley Conference opponent Chatham Central 56-8 after making a long road trip.

“Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to play someone of Hibriten’s caliber and for kids to see exactly where they stand,”said North head coach Nygel Pearson. “It’s a benefit when you can learn those lessons in a non-conference game. Hibriten was a good barometer for us. They showed us where we were and what we needed to work on.”

Zay Davis had another big game, scoring on both sides of the ball. He had a pick-six and two rushing touchdowns. He had 151 rushing yards on 15 carries and added a second interception.

Davis also had a pair of 2-point conversions.

Zion Milton had a pick-six for the Cavaliers (3-1, 3-0) to cap the fun. He made a long return on the last play of the game.

Kyree Sims ran for a 2-point conversion and threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Kendrell Goodes.

Jaharion Graham contributed a 14-yard rushing TD, while Ronnie Fennell had two nice scoring runs.

“All our backs ran hard and the offensive line was providing a great push,” Pearson said.

North Rowan has never lost to Chatham Central and was never in danger of losing this one.

“Our defense played lights out,” Pearson said. “Chatham Central (1-1, 1-1) has got two really good players on offense — quarterback and a receiver — but we did a good job of containing them.”

With some snap issues and sacks, Chatham Central had minus-46 rushing yards. The Bears tried 28 passes and managed 114 yards through the air.

A pass interference penalty set up the only score for the Bears.

The lopsided victory pushes the Cavaliers into a marquee home game next week against North Stanly, which is also unbeaten in the YVC. North Stanly beat Albemarle 43-7 on Friday.