Two late major penalties and crafty running by Cameron Mattox netted South Iredell High a 31-yard field goal and a repeat as champions of Catawba Valley Athletic 2A football on Friday night.
South Iredell nipped visiting East Burke 17-14 on a field goal by Noel Solis with 1.5 seconds left to play.
The Cavs (4-7, 2-5) lost two second-half fumbles and the Vikings (11-0, 7-0) capitalized on the second.
Eythan Kramm recovered a fumble at the East Burke 29 to set up a 2-yard TD run by Mattox and Solis tied it at 14 with a PAT.
The Cavs drove to midfield before punting out of bounds at the South Iredell 16. Mattox then wove through the East Burke defense for runs of 15 and 21 yards.
A pass interference call got the Vikings to the East Burke 33, and two plays later a roughing the pass penalty had South Iredell on the Cavs’ 16.
After a 14-yard run by Mattox, the Vikings called timeout and Solis came out to kick the game-winner.
“Our kids persevered and got down the field,” said South Iredell head coach Scott Miller. “It was just one of those games. …
“They (East Burke) came out and whipped us. We couldn’t figure out what they were doing. I got outcoached. Coach (Jim) Ruark is an outstanding coach.”
The Cavaliers had a 14-0 lead by halftime behind running back Robbie McGee, who rushed 41 times for 138 yards. He scored both East Burke TDs and Nick McDowell made two PATs.
The first score was set up after a short punt to the South Iredell 25, and the second came after quarterback Matt Whisnant connected with Bradley Teague on a 21-yard pass play at the end of the first quarter.
South Iredell came back with two TDs in the second half. Quarterback Adrian Whitener missed on his first five passes, then connected with Quataye Smyre on the next pass for a 60-yard TD in the third quarter. Solis’ PAT made it 14-7.
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