East Lincoln football runs roughshod over Kings Mountain in playoff battle of unbeatens
KINGS MOUNTAIN — East Lincoln was content with its place, knowing eventually it would have the opportunity to prove itself.
“We talked all week long about there not being as much pressure on us, because what everyone is saying is, ‘This is Kings Mountain’s year,’” said East Lincoln coach David Lubowicz. “So I just told our team to embrace flying under the radar, and then play Mustang football.”
If the rest of North Carolina had forgotten East Lincoln can play football, the Mustangs offered a reminder Friday night.
AREA'S FRIDAY NIGHT FINALS: Gastonia, Shelby football regional semifinal recaps: Burns, South Point moving on
WHO'S MOVING ON?: NC high school football playoffs scores: NCHSAA regional semifinals in North Carolina
WHO'S LEFT?: NC high school football playoff brackets for 2022: NCHSAA regional final pairings
East Lincoln turned a battle of undefeated teams into a one-sided rout, eliminating top-seeded Kings Mountain 46-20 in the 3A West fourth round. With the win, East Lincoln returns to a regional final for the first time since 2015.
The Mustangs (14-0) ran out to a 32-7 halftime lead, aided largely by big runs from sophomore Christopher “Deuce” Daley.
The young running back set the tone with a 40-yard touchdown scamper on East Lincoln’s first play from scrimmage. He later added runs of 60 and 80 yards, helping the Mustangs build an insurmountable lead.
“All I saw was nothing but green, man. Nothing but green,” Daley said. “I saw the hole, hit it and wound up with a touchdown. We came here with a game plan and we were able to succeed upon that game plan, and come out with (a win).”
Virginia recruit Keandre Walker also had a strong outing, scoring three touchdowns of his own. Though fighting through a hamstring injury, he returned a punt for a touchdown, in addition to catching a TD pass and returning an interception for a touchdown.
“We were the underdogs since I don’t know how long,” Walker said. “We had to prove ourselves tonight.”
Markell Clark also got in on the act, his 93-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter sending Mountaineer fans for their nearest exit.
“They big-played us to death in all areas,” said Kings Mountain coach Greg Lloyd. “Punt return, the pick-6, it just snowballed. They have such speed and played extremely well. They took it to us on a night that certainly wasn’t our best.”
The Mountaineers (13-1) also were penalized four times for 45 yards in the first half, ill-timed infractions that came as they seemingly were building momentum offensively. Kings Mountain also committed three turnovers, two of them resulting in East Lincoln touchdowns moments later.
“Hats off to East Lincoln, but I’m really pleased with our kids and how hard they worked this season,” Lloyd said. “To go 13-1, win the conference, win Cleveland County and win three playoff games is nothing to scoff at.”
Next up for East Lincoln is a date with South Point (13-1), which escaped with a 28-25 win over Eastern Guilford.
“I’m not super-excited to see South Point rolling in with an offense that’s been rolling. But to have (the 3A West regional final) at home will be something special,” Lubowicz said.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football playoffs: East Lincoln dominates Kings Mountain
