Butler overwhelms Ardrey Kell 49-0

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By Corey Inscoe
cinscoe@charlotteobserver.com

Butler relied on stifling defense and explosive offense to win 49-0 at Southwestern 4A rival Ardrey Kell.

The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0) are averaging 48.9 points per game and have only given up 31 points all season.

Butler came into the game missing four starters, including senior quarterback Riley Ferguson, who has been out with a broken hand.

Senior Zach Gross started in place of Ferguson and was 10-for-15 for 197 yards and one touchdown in the first half. Sophomore Anthony Ratliff took over in the second half and continued the success in through the air, going 3-for-7 for 49 yards and two touchdowns.

The two quarterbacks completed passes to six different receivers.

“The big thing for them is they’ve both been preparing like they’re starters,” said Butler head coach Brian Hales. “It’s such a blessing to be around those guys. ... I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Senior running back Josh Glisson scored both first quarter touchdowns for the Bulldogs, first on a 3-yard run with 5 minutes left in the quarter and again on a 16-yard run at the end of the first to give Butler a 14-0 lead.

Glisson finished with 42 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

“If there’s a tougher kid in Charlotte I haven’t seen him,” Hales said about Glisson. “He just runs and runs and if you throw him the ball he’s going to catch it. He breaks tackles and he’s just great.”

Less than three minutes into the second quarter, Butler wide receiver Uriah LeMay scored on a 65-yard run. LeMay ran to the Ardrey Kell sideline near midfield, then cut back all the way to the other sideline to score.

After Butler recovered an Ardrey Kell (4-3, 1-3) fumble, the Bulldogs scored again on a 11-yard run by Gross.

With 1 minute, 48 seconds left in the half, Gross found LeMay with a 63-yard touchdown pass. Butler led 35-0 at halftime.

Butler’s two second half touchdowns came on passes by Ratliff. The sophomore hit LeMay for a 20-yard score in the third quarter and connected with Austin Varipapa from 10 yards out in the fourth quarter.

The Butler defense allowed just 29 yards in the first half, 300 less than the Butler offense had before halftime. In addition to the fumble recovery, Butler had interceptions from Tyler Rohrbach and David Moore.

“I see them everyday and I’m just more impressed with them every time I see them,” Hales said about his defense.

Inscoe: 704-358-5923; Twitter: @CoreyInscoe