Athens Drive wide receivers T. J. Kornegay and Phillip Barren are Nos. 1 and 2 in the area in receiving.

Kornegay, a 5-foot-11, 183-pound senior, has 58 catches (19 for touchdowns) for 1,222 yards.

Barren, a 5-8, 167-pound junior, has 47 catches (12 for touchdowns) for 822 yards.

The receivers have been consistent. Each has caught at least three passes for at least 53 yards in every game.

Kornegay's season high: 12 catches and 243 yards; Barren's: eight catches and 147 yards.

WHY ISN'T LEESVILLE ROAD NO. 1?

Leesville Road plays like a team that should be ranked No. 1 in the area. But it isn't. Not yet, although for the past two weeks the temptation has been great to thrust the Pride ahead of Garner. Leesville Road certainly has scored more points.

Why not the Pride?

1. Garner, which was No. 1 in the preseason, has done little to lose the top spot. The Trojans have struggled at times but have continued to win.

2. Strength of schedule. Neither team has faced many outstanding teams. Leesville has played only one team with a winning record, Sanderson. Garner has played three teams with winning records. Garner's opponents have a 28-37 overall record; Leesville's a 28-46 mark.

3. Don't forget Wake Forest-Rolesville and Athens Drive. Both have the credentials to become No. 1.

FRIDAY NIGHT HEROES

Chandler Browning, Broughton: Browning had four touchdown passes and 231 yards passing in the Caps' 28-25 come-from-behind victory over Enloe.

Akeem Cox, North Duplin: Cox rushed for three touchdowns and gained 180 yards on the ground on only 18 carries in North Duplin's 33-13 win over Princeton.

Terrence Davis, Knightdale: Davis rushed for 127 yards in the Knights' 35-7 upset win over Smithfield-Selma.

Nick DeMuro, Athens Drive: DeMuro completed 17 of 45 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns -- two in the fourth quarter -- in the 47-28 comeback victory over Lee. DeMuro also ran for two scores.

T. J. Kornegay, Athens Drive: The state's leading receiver had eight catches for 161 yards.

Cody Lyon, Leesville Road: Lyon intercepted three Sanderson passes, giving him a state-high 10 picks for this season, in the Pride's 51-0 victory.

Hakeem Strickland, Louisburg: Strickland rushed for 194 yards in the Warriors' 36-0 victory over North Edgecombe.

Dee Walden, South Johnston: He returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and caught six passes for 78 yards in the Trojans' 28-13 win over Western Harnett.

Thomas Wilson, Leesville Road: Completed 20 of 29 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-0 win over Sanderson.