WS Chronicle

Photo by Tevin Stinson

Parkland earns 21-20 victory over rival Carver to improve to 2-0 

BY TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE

When discussing high school football rivalries in Winston-Salem, there aren’t many which live up to the hype of Carver-Parkland. Last Friday, the two schools added another chapter to their storied rivalry that dates back more than three decades when they faced off during the second game of the 2016 season.

Going into the match-up Carver, who is a member of the Western Piedmont 2-A Conference, was looking for their first victory of the season after being handled by Greensboro’s Dudley High School 48-0 in the season opener. Parkland, who plays in the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference, was looking to improve to 2-0 after picking up a 36-12 victory over Northeast Guilford in their opener on Friday, Aug.19.

Early into the contest, the Mustangs looked to be on their way to an easy victory.

After forcing Carver to punt on their opening possession, Parkland wide receiver Kyndel Dean turned a short pass from quarterback Tyeous Sharpe into a 60-yard touchdown on their second play on offense, pushing his team ahead 6-0 following a failed extra point try.

The Yellow Jackets would not go down without a fight. After forcing a Mustang turnover, Carver running back Josh Transou found the end-zone on a seven-yard run, the first touchdown of the season for the Yellow Jackets. Not to be outdone, Sharpe connected with Dean again for a touchdown. This time Dean made a jaw-dropping leaping grab over a Carver defender in the back of the end-zone.

Carver would add another touchdown in the second quarter to take a 14-13 lead going into halftime. In the second half, the Yellow Jackets were plagued by a number of penalties that were too much to overcome.

According to the stats, Carver racked up more than 100 yards in penalties.

Although they managed to move the ball into Mustang territory late in the fourth quarter, Parkland safety Elvin De La Rosa sealed the 21-20 victory when he intercepted Kajuan Jackson’s pass intended for a seemingly open Carver receiver with just seconds remaining in the contest.

According to records, the win marks Parkland’s first win over rival Carver since 2006.

This week the Mustangs will play their first home game of the season when they host Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2. Still looking to put a mark in the win column, the Yellow Jackets will be on the road when they take on the Spartans of Mt. Tabor High School. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.