Published August 30, 2008
By Matt Kline
The Charlotte Observer
The first quarter of Charlotte Latin's season opener against East Gaston told fans all they needed to know about this game.
Latin had 137 yards total offense to zero for the Warriors. East Gaston turned the ball over three times to one for the Hawks, and Charlotte Latin blocked a punt for a score.
At the end of the first quarter the score: Charlotte Latin 30, East Gaston 0.
Latin scored in four different ways (safety, blocked punt, rushing score and passing score) en route to a 57-0 rout at Patten Stadium.
Latin lost all but one offensive starter from the 2007 NCISAA state championship team (and only four on defense). On its fourth play from scrimmage the Hawks turned the ball over, fumbling on their way into the end zone and giving East Gaston possession at their own 1-yard line.
That proved to be about the only highlight for the Warriors, as their second offensive snap went over the head of quarterback John Floyd and through the end zone for a safety.
To show Latin's dominance, only one play in the first quarter, the first play of the game, began on Latin's side of the field. For the game, Latin outgained the Warriors 308-81 and allowed East Gaston only two plays of 10 yards or more
“For an opening game I thought we played pretty clean,” Latin coach Larry McNulty said. “We came out with good emotion and got off to a fast start, and I was very pleased with our new quarterback (David Pearson). He's a very bright young man and is going to be a whole lot better than a lot of people think.”
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