Welcome to Independent Tribune Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

independenttribune.com - Independent Tribune

HomeNewsEntertainmentSportsLifestylesOpinionCommunityWeather Online Tools Jobs | Real Estate | Shopping | Classified

Wonders host rival South Rowan

By Steve Winzenread | Independent Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

After a close loss at Salisbury to open the season, the South Rowan Raiders would like to score an upset win tonight at Kannapolis.

"I know how hard they'll play against us," said Wonders coach Ron Massey. "They always play extremely hard. Beating us would be a huge step for them."

The Wonders opened last Friday with a 48-6 victory at Central Cabarrus. Jamill Lott ran for one touchdown and passed for one, while Johnathan Williams rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

"Their quarterback (Lott) is a great kid," said Raiders coach Jason Rollins. "They've got some great secondary guys. It just goes on and on. You can't say enough about their kids."

South Rowan, running a triple-option offense, gained 331 yards in a 16-14 road loss last week.

"First-game mistakes are going to be made," Rollins said. "Overall I thought the kids played well. Mistakes put them in a bind at the beginning. They worked to get back into it."

"They're much improved," Massey said. "They've got a defensive front that's one of the better ones we'll see. Anytime you play someone who is running option offensively, you worry about it. You just don't see it as much anymore."

Repeatedly enjoying excellent field position, the Wonders gained 271 yards at Central while holding the Vikings to a net 30 yards.

The Wonders had a big advantage over Central in the kicking game, both in returns and pressuring the punter.

"We're game-planning to do everything we can do to walk away with a win," Rollins said.

"You game plan your kids to be successful. That's what we're doing this week."

Salisbury rushed for 238 yards against the Raiders. South Rowan quarterback Blake Houston rushed for 102 yards and passed for 104.

"They got most of their yardage in the first few plays, the first five minutes," Rollins said. "After that, for the most part, we settled down. I was real proud of the defense."

The Wonders usually wind up beating the Raiders, even if the score is close. But the geographic rivals draw a good crowd and Kannapolis doesn't always win. Almost always, but not every time.

"We're just excited about playing," Rollins said. "The Carson game has become a bigger rivalry, kind of like the Kannapolis-Concord game. But it's a big rivalry for everybody."

Kickoff tonight is scheduled for 7:30.