The North Stanly Comets football posted the team’s first shutout since 2021 Friday night in a 38-0 Yadkin Valley Conference win versus Union Academy.

North (4-2, 1-0 YVC) got huge rushing efforts from running backs Jay Jackson and Juice Lilly in the win. Jackson had 225 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns, while Lilly had 69 yards on seven carries, two rushing touchdowns and a 26-yard TD reception.

Quarterback Chance Blake was 8-for-14 through the air for 128 yards, including the TD pass to Lilly, and kicker Kaden Young added a 30-yard field goal.

In shutting out the Cardinals (1-5, 0-1), Aden Allsbrook had 17 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Gavin Helms had two sacks and a fumble recovery. Nathan Helms added an interception for the Comets, and Jermon Collins had a sack as well.

“It’s great to be 1-0 in conference,” North head coach Chad Little said. “Union Academy is a scrappy team. They have improved from last season.”

Little added he was “happy for our team to be rewarded with the win from all of their hard work. This is a tough team…we haven’t played a whole game to our potential yet.”

The Comets will take on Lake Norman Charter (4-2) in a non-conference home game this Friday.