Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Friday night, September 5th, 2025, was the football conference opener for the Lincolnton Wolves and Cherryville Ironmen in Rudisill Stadium, Cherryville, NC. Lincolnton entered the game 1-1, while Cherryville entered the contest with a 2-0 record. Team Leaders coming into tonight's game for Cherryville were WR/CB J.J. McElhaney, averaging 47.5 yards receiving per game and has scored 6 touchdowns, while amassing 254 all-purpose yards. RB/FS Jackson Heavener has added 394 all-purpose yards as he has averaged 182 rushing yards per game and scored 5 touchdowns. QB/FS Jayden Adams has thrown 2 touchdowns and earned a QB rating of 140.3, and on defense, he has 2 interceptions, one returned for a pick six in week 1. Defensively, OL/MLB Maddox Carringan is averaging 6 tackles, while RB/MLB Justin Harris has added 5.5 on average, with QB/OLB Landry Pruitt averaging 5 tackles per game.
An Adams Family Homecoming
Jessica Hickson was a proud mother and aunt as she had the unique opportunity to see her son, Jayden Adams, playing for Cherryville against her nephew Dailen Adams on the Lincolnton side during the same game. Dailen, son of Ironmen football alumnus Kasey Adams, played with many Cherryville players before moving to Lincolnton in the sixth grade. Jayden's father, Trevor Adams, also played Ironmen football. Over the first two games, Dailen has gained 43 yards receiving and scored one touchdown. After the game, WNN reporter Rusty Wise asked Jaylen what it was like to face off against his cousin. "Oh, it was a great feeling. I told coach all week I had to go at my cousin. We were just laughing and having a good time throughout the game."
Hungry Like the Wolf
Coach Bowman came into the game with a strategy of managing the clock and keeping the ball away from the quick and explosive offense of the Wolves. The Ironmen ran a power-t-jumbo formation instead of their normal shotgun spread formation set. During the scoreless first quarter, this looked to be a good plan. Solid defense on both sides was the story in the opening period. The second quarter saw Lincolnton alternate between Rashad Lynch running the offense from the quarterback position and his younger brother, RJ Lynch, taking direct snaps from the wildcat formation. They got on the board first with Trashad Lineberger scoring from the wildcat. It was all Lincolnton from this point as far as the scoreboard; however, it was a much tighter game than the box score or scoreboard will show. Cherryville had a good drive going after Justin Harris gained a first down on an 11-yard rush on a 4th and 2 carry. Unfortunately, a few penalties stalled the drive. Lincolnton took over deep in their own territory; however, the Lynch brothers had some big plays, and the drive was capped by a touchdown pass from Rashad Lynch to Keysan Cowans to go ahead 14-0 at the half. The Wolves took the second-half kickoff for a score as Jalaythan Mayfield sped down the field for a 40-yard touchdown. The score was now 21-0. Cherryville put together another good drive.
The Ironmen went back to their normal shotgun alignment. Enijhae Whitworth caught a 30-yard pass from Jayden Adams. Whitworth caught another long pass down to around the 10-yard line a few plays later, but it was backed up five yards on a Cherryville penalty. Jayden Adams' pass to the right side of the end zone is intercepted on the following play. Lincolnton would take a 28-0 lead as Nehemiah streaked down the field for an 80-yard touchdown run. Despite the score, the Ironmen played well, making some good defensive stops and a few long drives. A few costly penalties and a couple of turnovers hurt their efforts; however, this team is vastly improved and should feel good moving forward. Cherryville will play next Friday, September 12, at Highland Tech.
Post Game Comments
WNN's Rusty Wise caught up with Coach Patrick Bowman, QB/FS Jayden Adams, and RB Jackson Heavner. When asked how he thought the game went, Coach Bowman responded, "Yeah, you know it is a tough loss, but it's a good football team, we did have some good plays, made some good plays, but the main thing we've got to work on is capitalizing after big plays. You never want to see a big play, then take it away from yourself with mental mistakes or errors you make. Unforced errors, I guess, is the best way to say it." He elaborated that they tried several different looks and personnel to build depth in places. Basically, trying to get the best eleven guys on the field. He has a good outlook moving forward and said they had some things to still break down on film, but things would get better. "We'll be at work on Monday with an emphasis on making us better, but with a good game plan for Highland next week."
Jackson Heavner was unable to pile up as much yardage as in the previous two weeks, and he took that personally and will use it as motivation. "I think during practice I just got to go a little bit harder, come out and be better next week, and not be able to be shut down again." Looking toward the next two road games, he stated, "I feel good about both. We're going to dominate next week, and the following week we'll go as hard as we can at practice to win that game as well. We want to go unbeaten on the road for these next two weeks."
Jayden Adams gave his thoughts on the game. "Yeah, you know it's tough, we're just going to work hard in practice, prepare ourselves for Highland Tech this week." He added, "That team is supposed to be going to the State this year, I'm just thankful my team and I could compete with a team like that. Showed how hard we have worked throughout the summer." When asked about going forward, the next two games leading up to the bye week, he was straightforward: "We've got to work hard at practice, and I'm taking accountability for this loss and just going to work hard all week and prepare ourselves for the next game."
The next two games are at Highland Tech on September 12 and at Shelby on September 19. It sounds as if the coaches and players are ready to learn from this one, put it behind them, and prepare for the next game. Best of luck to the Ironmen.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
