By Aaron Burns



MOUNT ULLA – The Mooresville High Blue Devils aimed to replicate last year’s 21-14 win over West Rowan High on Friday night at West Rowan.

Mooresville got the score right. But it came out on the losing end.

Four lost fumbles and a Joe Robinson interception kept the Blue Devils from winning their season opener, as West Rowan held on for a 21-14 victory.

Robinson completed 12 of 28 passes for 124 yards, an interception and a rushing touchdown.

But the Blue Devils’ slew of turnovers – one of which, a Manny Johnson fumble, was returned for a score – kept Mooresville from winning.

“I’m proud of my kids for hanging in there and battling,” Mooresville coach Hal Capps said. “Our defense bent a lot, but it never broke.

“We’ve got to work on protecting the football. We can’t get down (in the red zone) and come away with nothing.”

The Blue Devils did just that late in the fourth quarter.

Down 21-7 but with a first down at the Falcons’ 12-yard line, Robinson threw an interception. He bounced back for a 10-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

Mooresville cornerback Lathan Cannady anchored the Blue Devils’ defense and special teams units on a night when both groups’ services were sorely needed.

Cannady returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. He intercepted West Rowan quarterback Tyler Stamp later in the first quarter.

“Our team has a lot of heart and a lot of leadership,” Cannady said.

“There aren’t a lot of teams who can beat us, I think. But West Rowan is a very good team and they did a good job.”

Mooresville’s defense held strong in the second half. The Blue Devils held the Falcons to three points despite its inability to hold on to the ball when on offense.

Capps said he expects the Blue Devils to bounce back in their next game, an Aug. 24 meeting at South Mecklenburg.

“Good teams show the most improvement from game one to game two,” Capps said.

“I’m not saying we’ll beat South Mecklenburg, but I will be disappointed if we don’t show a lot of improvement.”