CORNELIUS, N.C. – Complete dominance.

No. 1 Hough proved why it was the top-ranked team in the state with a home-opening 30-3 romp over No. 2 Providence Day.

The historic private-versus-public Mecklenburg County matchup was effectively put away with three touchdowns in less than two minutes.

Providence Day (2-1) struck first with a 45-yard field goal by junior Cameron Kiehl, but then the Huskies (3-0) got hot.

A defensive pass interference call on Providence Day gave Hough new life on a 3rd-and-15. Hough quarterback Ethan Royal made the Chargers pay with a 20-yard scramble and score to give the Huskies a 7-3 lead with 8:10 left in the first half.

Then things snowballed.

Davion Jones picked off his second pass of the first half to set up the next score, returning it 24 yards to the Providence Day 10, setting up a 10-yard run by JaMarion Morrison. Hough took a 14-3 lead with 6:56 left in the second.

One Providence Day snap later, senior defensive tackle Caleb Dorsett strip-sacked Charger quarterback Cole Cater and scooped it up for a score. The Huskies suddenly led 21-3 with 6:38 left in the first half.

Hough added to its lead with a 29-yard field goal by junior Cole Johnson with 2:51 left in the second quarter and led 24-3 at halftime.

With a statement made, Hough’s final score came on a Royal pass to Mason Pearsall-Brown from 36 yards out with 1:05 left in the third quarter.

Hough has opened its season with a powerhouse from South Carolina (Northwestern), a 7A power (Cardinal Gibbons), and independent school power (Providence Day). 

It has only given up one offensive touchdown across those three games.

Box Score

1Q2Q3Q4QFProvidence Day30003Hough0246030

Scoring Plays

First Quarter1:27 – 45-yard field goal by Cameron Kiehl – Providence Day 3, Hough 0Second Quarter8:10 – Ethan Royal 20-yard run, Cole Johnson XP – Hough 7, Providence Day 37:07 – JaMorrion Morrison 10-yard run, Cole Johnson XP – Hough 14, Providence Day 36:56 – Caleb Doresett 33-yard fumble return, Cole Johnson XP – Hough 21, Providence Day 32:51 – Cole Johnson 29-yard field goal – Hough 24, Providence Day 3Third Quarter1:05 – Ethan Royal 36-yard pass to Mason Pearsall-Brown, XP no good – Hough 30, Providence Day 3