The Belmont South Point football team used a pounding ground game to beat Alexander Central last night, 48-21 at Lineberger Stadium.

Desmond Lowery and Chris Lane led the Raiders to a 17-14 halftime lead, and then took over. Lowery gained 220 yard on the ground and passed for 90 more. Running back Chris Lane earned 106 yards on the ground and scored a TD. Aaron Crumbley scored twice on short runs in the first and third quarters. James Justice kicked two field goals, 33 yards in the second quarter, and 40 yards in the 4th.

Lowery is quick. He also has great game fitness, running 94 yards in one play for a TD in the first quarter and and a 68 yarder in the third.

Alexander Central had its moments, a very good passing performance by QB josh Russell for over 300 yards. The SP secondary had better watch out when they play Ashbrook and North Gaston this year, both of those squads have great quarterbacks who can light up the night sky.

Good crowd on hand at Lineberger Stadium. The first seven rows below the PSL section was reserved for students, but a few “fans” tried to take their places by the traditional, “put-out-a-blanket-to-save-our-seat” format. For the most part it didn’t work, the Raider Seniors, don’t care who put the blankets out…

The SP Band, “the Pride of the Tribe”, sounded good, smaller than in year’s past but still very disciplined. We will see their full show in a couple of weeks.

The ban on body paint worked at SP last night. Just a few faces, not much more. Can’t say the same for the vaunted Charlotte Catholic crowd or the Ashbrook fans who appeared on News Center 14’s Friday Night Final video in full body paint regalia. Sure hope the NCHSAA has their spies working on Friday nights !