Defense wins championships is a mantra found in all sports. A Stanly high school has experienced this so far this football season.
West Stanly Colts managed consecutive defensive defeats for the first time since 2004, with a 48-0 win at Central Academy on Friday night.
West Stanly (2-0, 2-0 RRC) ran for 300 yards, including Braden Hartsell, who led 116 yards in eight races with two touchdowns. Gavin Hudson scored two running touchdowns as well, while Logan Little and Blake Helms added running TDs.
Over the air, quarterback Jordan Manshack made it 2 in 3 for 48 yards with a touchdown pass to Austin Stoker. Stoker had both catches for the Colts.
The Colts last posted shutouts in consecutive games in 2004, defeating Sun Valley (20-0) and South Stanly (53-0). West also has two stops in one season for the first time since 2016.
West is now 9-3 for life against the Cougars, having won the last four fights.
The Colts will return home on Friday to host Montgomery Central (1-2, 0-2). The Timberwolves lost in Forest Hills on Friday night, 20-12.
About Charles Curcio
Charles Curcio was the sports editor for Stanly News & Press from 1999 to 2001 and currently holds the same role since 2008. He was awarded NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He was also honored twice by the North Carolina Press Association.
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