Clayton football on a roll, downs Harnett Central
Hunter Jenks is in his first season as Clayton’s head football coach, and he’s depending on a sophomore quarterback to run his offense.
So far, no problems.
And on Friday night the Comet offense put on another good show at Nixon-Fowler Stadium.
Austin Cagle completed 16 of 24 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns and was never intercepted or sacked as the Comets rolled Harnett Central 33-10 for their fifth straight win.
Cagle had plenty of help from 6-foot-4 wideout Devin Carter, who caught four of the touchdown passes while Macaleb Robertson hauled in the other.
Clayton is 5-1, 2-0 in Greater Neuse River 4A play while Central is 1-5 and 1-1.
“We were able to come out early and execute the way we had practiced,” said Jenks, who came to Clayton from South Johnston in the off-season. “I was happy with the way we performed. And for our defense to come out and play the way they did gave us a big lift. We’re getting better each week.”
Clayton, which won 33-22 last year in Angier, has won six of the last seven meetings with the Trojans.
The Comets led 33-3 before Mai’Son Adams scored a late touchdown for the visitors.
TURNING POINT
The 54-yard Cagle to Carter completion on the first play of Clayton’s second possession, a three-play drive that ended in a 3-yard completion and a 14-0 lead.
THEY SAID IT
“I thought our kids played hard,” Central coach Dave Thomas said. “We just made way too many mistakes on offense and gave up some big plays early on defense that shot us in the foot. We didn’t have the personnel to match up with (Carter) and that’s just part of the game.”
THREE TO KNOW
Austin Cagle, quarterback, Clayton: The sophomore did a solid job both managing the game and firing the ball to talented receivers.
“I’ve just been playing a normal game and try not to think about it too much,” Cagle said. “Devin is a big target and we try to work together a lot. He’s able to go up and get balls a lot of other receivers wouldn’t be able to catch.”
Devin Carter, wide receiver, Clayton: The tall junior hauled in a 50-yard scoring pass on the Comets’ first play of the game and just kept catching touchdown passes.
“Austin was throwing the ball right where I could get it,” Carter said. “We’re winning because of hard work and effort, and we just continue to get better.”
Macaleb Robertson, wide receiver, Clayton: The junior caught three passes for 74 yards and a TD and also scored on a two-point conversion.
BY THE NUMBERS
4: Yards rushing from Central players besides Mai’Son Adams.
10: Clayton players who rushed the football.
141: Receiving yards by Devin Carter.
144: Yards total offense from Central quarterback Adams.
301: Yards total offense from Clayton quarterback Cagle.
LOOKING AHEAD
Clayton hosts conference foe Knightdale on Friday night.
Central will host Garner on Friday night.
This story was originally published September 24, 2016 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Clayton football on a roll, downs Harnett Central."