South Iredell ran into a buzzsaw Friday, losing 35-12 to Newton-Conover in a Catawba Valley Athletic Conference showdown at Gurley Stadium.
The Red Devils, ranked fifth in the latest AP state poll and the defending 2A state champion, lived up to their billing.
Newton-Conover's opening drive was a sign of things to come.
The Red Devils (9-1, 5-1 CVAC) started on their own 20-yard line and ripped off gains of 37, 17, and 21 to set up Rashad Kissler's 1-yard plunge to give the Red Devils a 7-0 not even two minutes into the game.
Red Devils quarterback Sam Royall ran the option attack to perfection in the first half, feeding the ball to fullback Jamal Coates and wingback Octavius Harden for big gains and keeping the ball himself seven times for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
"They were firing on all cylinders," said South coach Ed Masterton. "They had their option rolling and it had us back on our heels."
The Red Devils blocked a Vikings punt and Jake Cansler recovered it in the end zone to make it 28-0 at the break.
Newton bottled up South's offense completely in the first half, allowing the Vikings only 30 yards and two first downs.
After falling behind 35-0 early in the second half, South showed heart.
They scored on a quick touchdown drive, highlighted by a nifty run by sophomore Quataye Smyre and a 63-yard touchdown burst by Tyrell Mattox.
The South defense came up big on Newton's next possession, with Xardarian Harris scooping up a Red Devils fumble and sprinting 58 yards to cut the deficit to 35-12.
"I was proud of our kids," Masterton said. "We went in and regrouped, got some defensive turnovers and started moving the ball."
Red Devils coach Nick Bazzle was impressed with the effort of the Vikings.
"Most teams would have rolled over and died when they went down 35-0," said Bazzle. "There was no quit in them."
Mattox led South with 87 yards rushing while Coates and Harden both topped the century mark for the Red Devils.
South (4-6, 3-3) concludes its regular season next week with a game against East Burke.
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