APEX -- Despite a shaky start and an early 21-point deficit, the Holly Springs Golden Hawks rolled to a 41-24 win at Apex on Friday night.
Two Donte Smalls first quarter touchdowns put the Apex Cougars out in front 14-0. On the first play of the second quarter, junior linebacker John Barrett picked up a Golden Hawks fumble and took it 67 yards down to the 3-yard line. Quincy Mangum pushed Apex's lead to 21 one play later.
With 11:41 left in the first half, the Cougars led by three touchdowns. Holly Springs responded with a two-play 80-yard scoring drive to make it 21-7. Senior running back Markez Davis broke through Apex's defensive line and rumbled 79 yards before being tripped up from behind a yard short of the end zone. Junior quarterback Brett Hudspeth finished it off with a keeper off the left side for the touchdown.








