Zack Dezern set Starmount single-game records for rushing yards (291) and rushing touchdowns (six) in the Rams’ 65-53 win over Community School of Davidson on Friday night. The senior also had the game-clinching interception. (Photo courtesy of Curt Fowler | N.C. Preps)
DAVIDSON — A record-breaking game from Zack Dezern on Friday night helped put the Starmount football team in the win column for the first time this fall.
And Dezern’s performance powered the Rams to a video game-like 65-53 win over Community School of Davidson.
The reigning Northwest 1A Conference Offensive Player of the Year rushed 31 times for a new school-record 291 yards and tied the school record with six touchdowns.
Dezern, a senior, eclipsed the previous mark set by 2009 graduate Rashaun Gaither, who previously rushed for 270 yards and six touchdowns in a game during the 2008 season.
As big as Dezern’s offensive night was, it was a play he made on defense that helped preserve the win.
Clinging to a six-point advantage (59-53) with 30 seconds to play, the Spartans (1-1) were in great position to tie the game as they had fourth-and-goal from the Rams 6.
CSD quarterback A.J. Siriani threw a pass to the end zone; that’s when Dezern stepped in front of the attempt and intercepted it in the end zone.
From there, the senior returned the ball back 100 yards for the insurance score. Alex Mora would tack on the extra point for the two-possession lead.
Friday’s game had a little bit of everything.
In addition to school records, three kickoffs were returned for touchdowns. That included one by Starmount’s Zion Ramseur, whose 86-yard return gave the Rams a 14-7 lead after one quarter.
After Dezern made it a two-touchdown advantage after a 34-yard rushing score, the Spartans offense, and defense, heated up.
First, Siriani, who finished 22-of-38 passing for 377 yards and four touchdowns, completed a pair of touchdown passes to Brandon Albert (29 yards) and Tanner Mullins (33 yards).
Then Simon Martinez picked off Starmount quarterback Luke Kimmer and returned it 75 yards for the pick six to put the Spartans up 27-21 at halftime after Riley Milholland’s two-point conversion.
Mullins finished with 12 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns while Albert had 108 yards on nine receptions and a touchdown.
But the Rams (1-1) rallied in the third quarter behind a pair of Dezern scores of one and eight yards to take the lead until late in the fourth quarter.
In a game that had five lead changes, the Spartans took the lead 53-52 on Siriani’s final touchdown pass of the night.
Starmount wasn’t done yet as it took the final lead of the night, courtesy of the Kimmer-Kimmer connection.
Luke Kimmer, who finished 9-of-17 for 118 yards, found brother Ryan Kimmer on a 71-yard touchdown strike to take the lead back and set up the Rams’ late-game heorics.
Ryan Kimmer finished with three receptions for 94 yards and a score.
All told, the two teams had two interceptions for touchdowns, combined for 118 points and 861 total yards.
The Rams will now focus their attention to this year’s edition of the Unifi Bowl on Friday night when they host Forbush.
In the renewal of the Yadkin County rivalry last year (after not holding the game in 2020), the Falcons were victorious, 21-6.
Community School of Davidson will host Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (0-2) on Thursday night.