Freshman piling up yardage for Hunter Huss

GASTONIA — Hunter Huss expected immediate production from Kerrion Moore as a freshman.

How about three straight 100-yard performances to start the season?

At tailback, Moore has served as the Huskies’ most consistent offensive weapon, and head coach Steve Gardner can’t say enough about him.

“By the end of his four years, I think his name’s going to be on the tip of everybody’s tongue if he keeps working hard and doing what he’s doing,” Gardner said. “He’s a good listener. He’s a hard worker. The best thing about him is he wants the football.”

Moore’s 144-yard, one-TD game in Friday’s 13-10 loss to Tuscola gave him 356 yards and four TDs for the season. He debuted on the varsity level with a 13-carry, 106-yard night at East Gaston and ran for another 106 and three scores in Week 2 against Bessemer City.

Moore was hardly an unknown entering his Hunter Huss career. He helped Southwest Middle School reach the county football championship game a year ago and led the Roadrunners to the county basketball title.

But Moore has continued to impress even those who witnessed his middle school exploits.

“He does things as a freshman that others do as juniors and seniors,” Gardner said.

Listed at 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, Moore has plenty room to grow. Gardner believes the rookie will start to get bigger once he starts hitting the weight room regularly.

Moore joined the Hunter Huss basketball team at summer camp, and coach Ron Bray raved about him, Gardner said.

“He’s aggressive,” Gardner said. “I think he’s a true gym rat. You don’t find them much any more. Everything he does, he goes at 100 percent.”

Despite Moore’s production, the Huskies have won only once in three games. As Hunter Huss continues its non-conference schedule Friday at Concord, Gardner says he can’t ask any more of his defense, which is surrendering less than 10 points per game. It’s the offense that needs work, he says, after managing only 179 yards Friday. Moore provided 80.4 percent of the yardage.

“We want the ball in his hands, but we can’t ask him to carry the load,” Gardner said. “We’ve got to have some help.”

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.