HobbsDailyReport.com
LINCOLNTON – East Lincoln High wiped out a big halftime deficit on Friday night, pushing its win streak to four games by nipping North Lincoln 35-31 on the road in South Fork 2A football.
EAST LINCOLN 35
NORTH LINCOLN 31
The Knights (2-5, 1-2) led 31-7 at the half before the Mustangs (4-3, 3-0) began a rally that left them tied for first place in the conference with Maiden and Newton-Conover.
Going nearly 80 yards in four minutes, East Lincoln closed within 31-14 and then recovered an onside kick to set up a 1-yard TD run by Chandler Jones to further narrow the gap.
After forcing a turnover, the Mustangs got another TD when Chase Jones threw 33 yards to Tavin Johnson to close the margin to three points.
A 64-yard scoring throw from Chase Jones to Mikivi Phinx with about two minutes to play gave East Lincoln its first lead, and the Mustangs hung on to win by holding the Knights in check the rest of the way.
Chase Jones ran for 135 yards on 13 carries and Chandler Jones had 20 carries for 110 yard and two scores for the Mustangs, who lost their first three games under first-year head coach David Lubowicz to Forestview, Ashbrook and North Gaston.
East Lincoln began its turnaround with wins over East Gaston, Lake Norman Charter and Lincolnton.
The Mustangs will be at home next Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. league game against Bandys while North Lincoln, playing its first season under head coach Steven Pack, has a home game against undefeated Maiden (7:30 p.m.).