Sure, it wasn't the game, but it was plenty big enough for Mount Tabor and North Davidson.
While unbeaten rivals West Forsyth and Reynolds were battling for the Central Piedmont 4-A championship just a few miles away in Clemmons, the next two teams in the standings knew their game was important as well.
The Spartans, who got four touchdown passes from junior quarterback Brad Morton, moved into a tie for second place with a 33-14 victory over the Black Knights last night.
Mount Tabor, which improved to 3-1 in the CPC and 7-3 overall, was hoping for a West Forsyth victory because Mount Tabor finishes the season at West next week and could controlled its own fate and possibly forged a three-way tie for first.
But Reynolds edged West Forsyth 14-9, spoiling those plans.
"Congratulations to Coach (Mike) Propst and the Reynolds staff," said Coach Laymarr Marshall of Mount Tabor. "Reynolds and West have both had great years. I was rooting for Coach (Adrian) Snow (of West Forsyth) this week, but really we just wanted to take care of our business tonight."
Although the Black Knights, who fell to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the CPC, scored first on a 37-yard touchdown pass deep down the right sideline from Brennen Dodd to 6-6 Bryce Williams, the Spartans dominated after that.
Mount Tabor scored on all four of its first half possessions with Morton involved in all the touchdowns. He connected on an 80-yard touchdown pass to D.J. McCain on the Spartans' first play from scrimmage and then ran 10 yards for Mount Tabor's next score.
Morton added touchdown passes of 15 yards to Willie Ashford and 2 yards to Hunter Somerville to complete long drives and give the Spartans a 27-7 lead at the break. He completed the Mount Tabor scoring with another touchdown pass to Ashford, this one covering 45 yards, early in the fourth quarter. Ashford had eight catches for 121 yards.
"Brad really put on a show," Marshall said. "His play at quarterback has really gone off the charts."
Coach Mark Holcomb of North Davidson was quick to agree.
"Without a doubt, he's the best quarterback we've played this year," Holcomb said.
Morton completed 14-of-22 passes for 250 yards and also led the Spartans with 95 yards. He repeatedly escaped North's pressure throughout the night.
"He's fast, but we didn't realize how slippery he was," Holcomb said.
McCain approached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, running for 71 yards as the balanced Spartans piled up 223 yards rushing.
"I thought one of the big differences tonight was the line play," Holcomb said. "Their lines controlled the game."
The game was marred by penalties with both teams being flagged for more than 100 yards.
Marshall said he was pleased to see his team playing its best football going into November.
"It was a good overall performance for our team," Marshall said.
North Davidson 7 0 0 7 -- 14
Mount Tabor 14 13 0 6 -- 33
ND -- B. Williams 37 pass from Dodd (S. Williams kick)
MT -- McCain 80 pass from Morton (Furr kick)
MT -- Morton 10 run (Furr kick)
MT -- Ashford 15 pass from Morton (Furr kick)
MT -- Somerville 2 pass from Morton (kick failed)
MT -- Ashford 45 pass from Morton (kick failed)
ND -- Morgan 4 run (Williams kick)
Records -- North Davidson 6-4 (1-3, CPC); Mount Tabor 7-3, (3-1 CPC)
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