Burns vs. Crest football

It's 40 minutes before gametime and folks are filing in to the stands on both sides of Sid Bryson Stadium.
Be sure to check out longtime Star photographer Jeff Melton's blog here at http://www.shelbystar.com/ for a photo blog of tonight's contest.

The sun is bright and making things pretty warm for players and spectators alike. I'll bet the ice cream vendor down on the track behind the west end zone does a good business tonight.
A few facts:
David Devine is coaching his first game with the Burns Bulldogs. He took over on an interim basis when it was announced that Ron Greene would undergo further surgery on his knee. Devine is no stranger to this game, having been a member of Burns' 1994 state championship club.
Burns hopes to end a long losing streak against their county rival. The Chargers haven't lost to Burns since 1998.
Both teams were in the state playoffs last season. The Bulldogs fell to NW Cabarrus in the first round in 3A while the Chargers bowed to Mount Tabor in the second round of the 4A playoffs.

Co-captains tonight: For visiting Burns -- Monterrio Merriweather, Jeremy Givens, Preston Smith and Mitchell Smith
For the host Chargers -- Reggie Wilkins, A.J. Straight, Josh McDowell, Levon Brooks and honorary captain Blake Hollifield (injured)

Crest's speed is quickly apparent. Chargers move 54 yards in three plays to take the lead. Quarterback Reggie Wilkins breaks free for a 22-yard score off the right side. Trever Austin's kick is good. Crest ahead, 7-0 with 10:13 left in the first period.

Burns fumbles the football away on its first play from scrimmage and Crest's Rhaheim Ledbetter recovers at the Bulldogs' 32. Chargers unable to convert as Burns takes over on downs at the 24. Bulldogs though go three and out and kick it away.

The teams exchange kicks before Crest starts moving again. Two rushes by freshman Quortez Wright have the Chargers in first-and-goal at the 7 as the quarter comes to an end.
Reggie Wilkins keeps around the left field to score from the 7 on the first play of the second period. Trevor Austin's kick is good and Chargers take a 14-0 lead with 11:53 to to in the half.

Burns' Jonah Brooks returns punt to the Crest 20 midway in the second quarter. He loses the football but teammate Jeremy Givens recovers to put the Bulldogs in business at the Charger 16.
The momentum swings in an instant as Burns' Jonah Brooks coughs up the football on third and 7 at the 13. Crest's Aldrich Watson picks up the football and sets sail in the opposite direction. He's caught from behind by Burns' Preston Smith at the Bulldogs' 16. Two plays later Neil Chambers carries it in from six yards out off the left side. Austin's kick puts Crest ahead 21-0 with 6:14 left in the half.

The only other score we've heard thus far: Shelby leads Morganton Freedom 20-0 in the second quarter over at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.

The rest of the half is played in the center of the field. On the final play of the half, Crest QB Reggie Wilkins hits Brandon Strong deep down the right side. He breaks a tackle but is knocked out of bounds at the three-yard line as time expires. Chargers own a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Crest owns a 9-3 edge in first downs at halftime. In this heat and humidity, that means the Burns defense is staying on the field a lot longer and it could be a factor in the fourth quarter should the contest tighten up.

Crest's Aldrich Watson intercepts on Burns' opening series in the third quarter. Chargers moved for another score with Wilkins going in from 10 yards out for his third TD of the night. Austin's kick puts the Chargers in front, 28-0, with 5:38 to go in the third period.

End of the third quarter, Crest still in front 28-0. Over at Shelby, Golden Lions ahead of Freedom 20-0 after three quarters.

Both teams getting a lot of reserves on the field in the fourth period.
Burns threatens late as Chris Marlow hauls in a 57-yard pass to get the Bulldogs drive to the 15. Burns' Jonah Brooks is stopped on fourth-and-one by Crest's Rhaheim Ledbetter for a four-yard loss, allowing Crest to take over at the 19 with 1:57 to play.

Burns gets another shot at it as Crest fumbles the ball away on first down. Four straight incompletions give the Chargers possesion at the 40 with 1:13 to play.

Final score: Crest 28, Burns 0
Wilkins had the most impressive stat of the night with 120 yards rushing for the Chargers.
Other county scores tonight - Kings Mountain 32, Hunter Huss 18
Shelby 20, Freedom 0