Matthew Gorry | The Elkin Tribune
Starmount running back Chaston Martin is greeted by a teammate after scoring one of his three touchdowns against North Wilkes Friday night.
BOONVILLE - Starmount and Elkin both took steps towards securing the top overall seeds in their respective half of the split 2A/1A Mountain Valley Conference with crucial wins tonight.
The Rams caught fire in the second half en route to a dominating 40-6 victory over North Wilkes in Boonville, while the Buckin’ Elks completed a clean sweep of the 1A with a 35-20 win over Alleghany in Sparta in Week Nine.
Starmount scored 27 points after halftime to turn a somewhat surprising 13-0 lead into a comfortable 33-0 advantage on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Chaston Martin scored three-straight rushing touchdowns to power the Rams’ second-half surge. Will Simpson, James Watson and Brian King all added scores on the ground to keep Starmount perfect on the year.
The stout Ram defense continued its strong play, blanking the Vikings’ offense in the game - the only North points came on a kickoff return touchdown in the fourth. Starmount has not allowed an offensive touchdown since Week Two against East Surry, a run that spans 27 quarters.
With the win, the Rams stayed unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the conference.
Up the mountain in Alleghany, it was the ‘Chunky Show.’
Return-man/running back Jamiles ‘Chunky’ Hayes had a hand in all five touchdowns to power Elkin to a 35-20 1A victory.
After Hayes got the Elks on the board in the first on a long touchdown run, Elkin blocked an Alleghany punt, setting up an 11-yard run by Hayes for a 14-0 lead.
Early in the second, Hayes returned another Trojan punt 60 yards to the one. Josh Strickland plowed in to put Elkin up 21-0.
After Alleghany cut into the lead at 21-14 before the half, Hayes darted 70 yards for another impressive score to extend the lead out to 28-14.
Hayes capped off his career night with a 45-yard touchdown on a screen pass to put Elkin up for good at 35-14.
A Sam Lane interception from his defensive end position sealed the Elks’ 35-20 victory.
With the win, Elkin improved to 5-3 on the year and 4-2 in conference action.
In East Bend, Forbush finally finds the win column, notching an impressive 34-6 victory over East Wilkes tonight.
Starmount and Elkin return to the field next week on Senior Night. The Rams host Alleghany, while the Elks’ welcome unbeaten Wilkes Central into Grissom Stadium.
For full recaps of tonight’s action, pick up Monday’s edition of The Elkin Tribune.
Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.
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