Two hundred and eighty miles of travel didn’t bother a star-studded, undefeated Charlotte Latin football team as it rolled Fork Union 49-14.
Charlotte Latin’s star wide receiver Melvin Rouse put on a clinic in the Hawks’ rout with 265 yards receiving, three receiving touchdowns, 64 yards rushing, and one rushing touchdown. Charlotte Latin quarterback Jones Bates finished 363 yards in the air and five touchdowns.
FUMA’s offense didn’t get in gear until the fourth quarter with only 64 yards of total offense in the first three quarters. A rally in the fourth quarter, while down 49-7, wasn’t nearly enough with 134 yards of offense and one touchdown by the feet of running back Adisa Gittens-Smith. Gittens-Smith provided all of FUMA’s points with 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as well as a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown to start the second half.
The Hawks’ defense was ready to play from the opening kick, with Addison DeBord’s two sacks and a Latin interception to close out the game serving as highlights.
FUMA is looking to avoid repeating last year’s dismal 1-4 start to the season, although they have only won three of their last 14 games. FUMA will face a struggling Paul VI squad (0-4) next week.
