Word of God finishes strong

RALEIGH -- Word of God's football team has a motto this year. It's "start strong, finish strong."

That's exactly what the 2-0 Rams did Friday night to take a 34-15 eight-man football win at St. David's. It was Word of God's first win in the cross-town rivalry after five straight Warriors wins.

"The key was getting the guys focused and back down to earth after last week's win," Rams coach Kevin Washington said.

The Rams opened the season with a 74-6 win over Hobgood Academy.

"But we were able to get their attention, playing the No. 1 team in the state," Washington said.

St. David's struggled early, especially on offense. Three straight penalties pushed the Warriors back to their own 4-yard line, setting up a safety when Rams linebacker Qwentareus Yarborough crashed through to make a tackle in the end zone for a 2-0 first-quarter lead and Word of God never trailed.

Yarborough also had a big hand in the scoring. He broke loose for touchdown runs of 36 and 64 yards as his team led 21-15 entering the final period.

In the fourth quarter, St. David's drove deep in Word of God's territory twice but failed to score.

The Rams answered with big-play scoring runs of 95 yards by Yarborough and 57 by Claytin Lewis to clinch the win.

Yarborough rushed for 249 yards on 17 carries.

Raine McMillan scored on touchdown runs of 6 and 12 yards for the 1-1 Warriors.