Friday was the first week of the high school football playoffs, and Hildebran News has the local games covered.

NEWTON-CONOVER 38; PIEDMONT 27

The Newton-Conover Red Devils was able to defeat Piedmont 38-27. The Red Devils turned the ball over three times in the game. On his first two carries, the Red Devils' Octavius Harden rushed for 90 and 72 yards for touchdowns. Harden had three more carries in the game, resulting in 169 yards total rushing on five carries. The Red Devils led 28-6 at one point early in the second quarter. After the first quarter, the Red Devils gained 76 yards for the rest of the game. The score at the half was 32-13. Newton-Conover will face Bandys in the second round of the state 2AA playoffs. (Some information from the Hickory Daily Record)

SALISBURY 35; EAST BURKE 6

Turnovers were the story at Salisbury Friday Night as the Hornets defeated the Cavaliers 35-6. Salisbury had built a 20-0 lead at the half. The Hornets scored two touchdowns within one minute. The Hornets' Isaiah Whitaker found the endzone for a touchdown from one yard out. With the point after touchdown, the Hornets led 7-0. East Burke fumbled the kickoff and the Hornets recovered. Two plays later, Quarterback John Knox found Riley Gallagher for a 24 yard touchdown pass. East Burke finishes the season with a record of 8-4. (Shook, Lee. "Salisbury Takes Advantage of Turnovers, defeats Cavs." Hickory Daily Record 14 Nov 2009: B4. Print.)

ALEXANDER CENTRAL 38; PORTER RIDGE 21

The Alexander Central Cougars defeated Porter Ridge 38-21. The Cougars' Kyle Bradshaw rushed for 116 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. The Cougars' scored on their first four possessions and led 24-0. The Cougars had 395 yards total offense. Porter Ridge was held to 133 yards total offense. Alexander Central will face A.C. Reynolds next week at Reynolds. (Fogleman, Paul. "Cougars Rebound, meet Rockets next." Hickory Daily Record 14 Nov 2009: B5. Print.)

BANDYS 42; SOUTH IREDELL 7

HIBRITEN 42; HARDING 6

TUSCOLA 17; HICKORY 10

LINCOLNTON 55; MAIDEN 6

WEST ROWAN 48; FREEDOM 15

SHELBY 40; BUNKER HILL 9