By LIZ STEWART
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – Lake Norman High took advantage of turnovers and dominated the fourth quarter to beat Hough High, 20-9, in an I-MECK 4A Conference football game Friday night.

Both teams got off to a slow start as they as they battled to secure a spot in the I-MECK 4A conference playoffs.

Hough took the lead in the final seconds of the first half on James Jackson’s school-record long 42-yard field goal, but the Huskies were unable to hold on to their lead. Two fumbles during the third quarter, and an interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth proved to be devastating for Hough as Lake Norman took control of the second half.

Lake Norman quarterback Colin Abercrombie set the Wildcats up for their first touchdown with a game-long 34-yard pass to Trevis Gaylord. Running back Kyle Gradert quickly completed the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown.

That shifted the momentum to the Wildcats and they monopolized the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Hough turnovers.

Hough sophomore quarterback Josh Stilley was not afraid to carry the ball and made some impressive first downs. Hough had 109 total offensive yards at the end of the second quarter compared to Lake Norman’s 94 yards. However, the edge didn’t last, as Lake Norman switched to a running game in the second half. That changed the tide, as did several turnovers by Stilley, including an interception, a dropped pitch and a fumble while being sacked.

In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats pushed their lead to 13-3 as Alien Robertson kicked field goals of 43 and 44 yards.

Hough made it 13-9 when Mark Fields intercepted a pass and ran it back 65 yards into the end zone. But the extra point attempt was blocked.

Then Lake Norman’s Ryan Hull picked off a Josh Stilley pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 20-9 victory.

MALLARD CREEK FRIDAY

With the win, Lake Norman raised its record to 4-6 overall, 5-1 in the conference. Hough fell to 4-6 overall, and 3-3 in the I-Meck 4A.

The Huskies’ last chance at a playoff spot will come next Friday, Oct. 28, when they travel to Charlotte to face undefeated Mallard Creek (9-0), the defending champion of the I-MECK 4A conference.

SUMMARY

Lake Norman      0    0    7    13 – 20

Hough            0    3    0     6 –  9

Q1 – 0-0
Q2 – 0-3 Hough kicker James Jackson 42 yd field goal
Q3 – 7-3 Lake Norman RB Kyle Gradert 4 yd rush, Alien Robertson kick
Q4 – 10-3 Lake Norman kicker Alien Robertson 44 yd field goal
Q-4 – 13-3 Lake Norman kicker Robertson 43 yd field goal
Q-4 – 13-9 Hough safety Mark Fields interception returned for 65 yd touchdown, blocked kick
Q-4 - 20-9 Lake Norman DB Ryan Hull interception returned for touchdown, Robertson kick

RELATED LINKS

Oct. 19, 2011, "Hough's Lemke stays positive amid his lost season"

RELATED LINKS

Oct. 19, 2011, "Hough's Lemke stays positive amid his lost season"

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct that Mark Fields had the fourth-quarter interception and touchdown for Hough.