Hough starts slow, rolls past West Forsyth. West Charlotte on deck
Hough’s 2025 N.C. high school football playoff dominance continued as the Huskies shut down West Forsyth at home Friday night to advance to the NCHSAA 8A West Regional.
Ethan Royal’s three touchdowns led Hough to a 28-10 victory over West Forsyth, which came into the game having not allowed more than 10 points to an opponent since September.
Hough’s offensive power proved too much for West Forsyth’s defense, however, as Royal connected with Jayden White, Jahmere Anderson and Mason Pearsall-Brown for touchdowns.
After a slow first quarter that ended with a 13-yard field goal from West Forsyth kicker Kosta Dupuy, Hough opened the second quarter with a 34 yard pass from Royal to Anderson.
Hough defensive back Jason Wilkerson picked off West Forsyth on the next drive to set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Jamarion Morrison to give Hough a 14-3 lead.
From that point, West Forsyth was barely able to stop Hough at all.
Royal threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Pearsall-Brown and an 11-yard touchdown pass to White in the third quarter.
Penalties hindered West Forsyth’s offense and defense and helped put Hough in great field position for the rest of the game. The Titans managed to muster a comeback as quarterback Haines Robitzer threw a 27-yard strike to Braylen Marrow for a touchdown to make it 28-10.
West Forsyth recovered an onside kick, but Hough’s defense locked down the Titans to seal the victory.
After the game, Royal explained that the Huskies just had to play their game and stay consistent to win.
“They had a good D-line, good defense, we just had to win up front. We were just trying to dominate up front and just do what we do.” Royal said.
Hough will advance to the NCHSAA 8A West Regional to face defending 3A state champion West Charlotte next Friday at home.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 10:58 PM with the headline "Hough starts slow, rolls past West Forsyth. West Charlotte on deck."
