Wake Forest-Rolesville celebrated its homecoming with five sacks and a 24-7 win over Broughton in Cap Seven Conference football at Trentini Stadium on Friday.

The Cougars got back-to-back sacks from senior defensive end Keaton Epps on the Capitals' opening drive. Broughton never really got its running game going.

"We wanted to be physical," Cougars coach Earl Smith said. "We had to be. They were on an emotional high."

Smith was referring to Broughton's 35-14 win over Leesville Road last week.

Broughton running back Emery Young was held to 7 yards on six carries. He was averaging 112.7 yards per game, heading into the contest.

"They just got after us," Broughton coach Chris Martin said. "Their D-line is awesome."

Meanwhile, Wake Forest-Rolesville runs by committee, led by Trea Jones, who compiled 94 yards on 13 carries. Brexton Young added 46 yards on 16 carries. The Cougars had 178 rushing yards total.

The teams were deadlocked in the first quarter, each unable to spark much offensively until the Cougars broke through on their third possession of the game.

Senior Torrey White scored first with a 30-yard field goal.

And Broughton nearly answered right back, but for Wake Forest-Rolesville senior Logan Welsh, who blocked a 45-yard attempt.

"The momentum was on our side, but we didn't keep it that way," Martin said.

Five plays later, quarterback Tim Hartman found White for a 58-yard touchdown reception that riled the home crowd, and made the score 10-0 in the second quarter.

"That pass was beautiful," Smith said.

The Cougars quickly shut down the Caps again, getting a sack from junior Tim McGuire, forcing them to punt.

Junior Terrell Hartsfield not only blocked the punt, but he recovered it in the end zone, which led to a 17-0 lead.

"When I blocked it, I didn't know where it went," Hartsfield said. "I saw it bouncing around in the end zone."

Hartsfield, a linebacker, was all over the field. He also had a sack, batted down several passes, and was in on more than a handful of tackles.

"He's such a natural," Smith said.

Added Martin: "[He] can play sideline to sideline."

In addition, Jake Kahut and Brandon Reynolds recorded sacks for the Cougars.

"We were blitzing and throwing everything we had," Kahut said. "We pride ourselves on being the hardest hitting."

Also in the second quarter, Hartman hit Kahut for a 15-yard touchdown reception.

The Capitals did score in the third quarter after recovering a fumble in the Cougars' territory. Backup quarterback Will Turner's 20-yard completion to Rob Foster, set up Broughton in the red zone and Sean Sheppard, who led Broughton rushing with 32 yards on 11 carries, ran for a 5-yard touchdown.

Wake Forest-Rolesville will host rival Wakefield next week.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.