Erwin’s Damien Ferguson (2) threw six touchdown passes to C.J. Thompson (8) in Friday’s win at Franklin.
Quality competition or not, three straight losses is three straight losses.
Erwin (2-3) not only ended a losing streak Friday night but showed how much it has grown through a brutal nonconference schedule.
Damien Ferguson passed for 338 yards and seven touchdowns, six of which were caught by fellow senior C.J. Thompson in Friday’s 57-34 win at Franklin.
Thompson’s half-dozen touchdown catches are a Western North Carolina-record and the second-most in state history. They were for 10, 12, 15, 17, 25 and 31 yards. The former WNC record was shared by Hendersonville graduate Cole Cleary and Swain County grad Nat Watson.
Isaiah Poore hauled in one for 66 yards early in the fourth quarter. The Warriors led 36-14 at halftime and also got a 20-yard touchdown run from Quentin Smith.
“It doesn’t matter who you play, it’s pretty sweet to get back in the win column,” Erwin coach Mike Sexton said.
“To do it against a quality opponent like Franklin is special though. It’s an accomplishment to go there and play so well against a quality opponent. I’m proud of the kids. We knew it was going to be a physical game and it was. I think our kids can see now that playing tough teams really does make a difference. We’ve come a long way.”
Brock Kloeppel rushed for 139 yards and scored five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) for the Panthers (2-2).
Follow the HS Huddle on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hshuddle, Twitter at www.twitter.com/acthshuddle or Instagram at www.instagram.com/high_school_huddle