ELKIN - Week Two of the high school football season was full of hard-fought battles around the Yadkin Valley.

In Pilot Mountain, Starmount overcame a late fourth-quarter deficit to pull out a thrilling 14-7 overtime victory over East Surry.

Trailing 7-0 in the final quarter, the Rams scored to send the game to the extra session. There Starmount scored the game-winning touchdown to escape with victory.

In Mount Airy, Elkin allowed 27 second-half points and fell 41-21 to North Surry.

Kody King put the Elks on the board first with a nine-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter.

After the Greyhounds answered, Jamiles “Chunky” Hayes responded with an 85-yard reverse kickoff return to put the Elks back up 14-7.

From there, North scored 27 straight points to take a commanding 34-14 advantage early in the fourth.

Elkin showed some life in the final quarter, striking back on a 61-yard pass and catch from Josh Strickland to Sam Lane and recovering the ensuing onside kick at the ‘Hound 43-yard line.

North added another score and ran out the clock to preserve the 41-21 victory.

In Ronda, Surry Central scored twice early in the first quarter to take a quick 14-0 lead.

But the up-start Cardinals battled back and cut the lead to 20-12 late in the third quarter.

Alex Martin hit Chris Craddock on a fourth-quarter touchdown strike to clinch the 27-12 victory for the Golden Eagles.

In East Bend, Forbush turned in a gutsy performance against defending 2AA state champ West Stokes but fell 14-6 in its home opener.

After the Wildcats took a 7-0 lead in the first, Alex Torres connected on two 30-yard field goals for the Falcons, including one as time expired in the half, to head to the locker room down one at 7-6 and momentum on their side.

But in a hard-hitting slugfest, Forbush was unable to reach paydirt as West Stokes escaped with the eight-point victory for their first win of the year.

Yadkin Valley teams kick off conference play next Friday.

Starmount and Forbush clash in the Unifi Bowl in Boonville, while Elkin hosts crosstown rival East Wilkes in its home opener.

For full recap and more information, pick up Monday’s Tribune and Thursday’s Ripple.

Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.