N&O roundup: Fuquay-Varina still undefeated after taking down Apex

Fuquay-Varina used 337 yards on the ground to defeat Apex 32-6 on Friday night, which means the Bengals and Middle Creek will each be 8-0 (4-0 Southwest Wake 4A) entering a bye week before playing each other on Oct. 23.

Michael Roberson led Fuquay with 110 rushing yards, including a 42-yard touchdown just before halftime. Non-offensive touchdowns were big in this game, as the Bengals scored on a Zack James kickoff return and Austin Pluckhorn fumble return, while the Cougars (3-4, 2-2) scored their lone touchdown on Anthony Barnes’ fumble return.

Bunn 51, Southern Vance 18: The host Wildcats spotted Southern Vance the first touchdown of the game, but dominated the rest of the way en route to the Northern Carolina 2A opening victory. The Raiders (2-5, 0-1) scored on their initial possession as Jerry Throckmorton found Mark Baldwin for a 72-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass.

Six plays later, Bunn’s Chris Bumpers rumbled in from 8 yards out, and Fabian Avila-Soria’s PAT gave the Wildcats (5-2, 1-0) the lead for good at 7-6 with 5:39 left in the first quarter. By halftime, Bunn was in charge at 44-6.

Cleveland 34, Triton 21: The Rams (4-3, 1-0) got Two Rivers 3A playoff off to a good start against the Hawks (1-6, 0-1).

Corinth Holders 49, Smithfield-Selma 14: Corinth Holders (6-1, 1-0) got back in the win column and opened up Two Rivers 3A play in impressive form as the Pirates totaled 520 yards of offense.

Kaelin O’Neal was 8 of 9 for 223 yards passing and two scores, Jordan Neal rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns while Howard Watson ran for 157 yards and found the end zone once. Raequan Smith ran for 112 yards on 12 attempts and tallied both touchdowns on the night for Smithfield-Selma (0-7, 0-1).

Garner 37, Clayton 14: Junior Collin Eaddy rushed for a career-high 244 yards and two touchdowns to lead Garner’s punishing ground game as the Trojans rolled past host Clayton.

Eaddy scored on runs of 19 and 3 and averaged more than 10 yards per carry, gaining his 244 yards on 24 carries for the Trojans (5-2, 2-1 Greater Neuse River 4A). Clayton (4-4, 2-2) was led by Courtlyn Victrum, who rushed for 162 yards on 18 carries and had an 88-yard touchdown jaunt.

Heritage 35, Enloe 14: Heritage quarterback Gunnar Holmberg scored from 80 yards out on the very first play of the game, and the Huskies (4-3, 2-1 Cap-8 4A) never looked back against visiting Enloe (0-7, 0-3). Holmberg connected with junior receiver Zach Gemmell for two touchdowns on the night. Leading the Huskies on defense was lineman Evan Dorsey with seven tackles.

Knightdale 30, Southeast Raleigh 12: Knightdale’s Malik Branch led the Knights (5-2, 2-1) in rushing with 87 yards and one score, a 64-yard strike in the first half. Justice Burgess added 60 yards rushing and two scores to defeat the Bulldogs (2-6, 1-3).

Millbrook 44, Broughton 27: Millbrook (5-2, 2-1 Cap-8 4A) outplayed winless Broughton (0-7, 0-3) on both sides of the ball as running back Larry Rountree had 215 yards on 32 carries and quarterback Reid Herring finished the game 12 for 18 for 250 yards and four touchdowns through the air.

Broughton tried to staged a fourth quarter comeback down by 10 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t capitalize off Millbrook’s late fumbles, fumbling themselves.

Northwood 58, Cedar Ridge 10: Northwood (3-4, 1-1 Big 8 3A) racked up 641 total yards at Cedar Ridge (3-4, 1-1) as Kyle Jones threw touchdowns to four different receivers. Jones had 347 yards and five passing touchdowns and added one more score with his legs in the fourth quarter. Montel Goods ran for 147 yards and a score.

Orange 48, Northern Vance 0: The Panthers (7-1, 2-1 Big 8 3A) crushed the visiting Vikings (4-4, 1-2) as junior quarterback Jackson Schmid threw for 140 yards and three touchdowns, including two to classmate Alex Long. Drew Lemaster scored two touchdowns.

Sanderson 26, Leesville Road 13: The Spartans (2-5, 1-2 Cap-8 4A) snapped a nine-game losing skid to Leesville Road (3-4, 2-1) thanks to defense and special teams. Alim McNeil returned a blocked punt for touchdown and Ryan Baldy forced an interception inside his team’s own 20.

Trent Pennix completed both of his pass attempts, one going for a 53-yard touchdown off a screen to Geomma Ward. Cooper Eason-Riddle threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns as the Pride’s (3-4, 2-1) two-game win streak came to an end.

South Granville 20, Franklinton 19: A blocked PAT in the fourth quarter was the difference as South Granville (2-5, 1-0) opened its Northern Carolina 2A football schedule with a road victory over the Red Rams (3-4, 0-1). Mitchell Blackley gave the Vikings a 20-13 advantage with a 17-yard touchdown run at the 7:16 mark of the final period, but South Granville was unable to connect on its extra point.

South Johnston 42, Western Harnett 16: On Thursday, the Trojans (6-1, 1-0) won their Two Rivers 3A opener by holding the Eagles (1-5, 0-1) to 49 yards rushing on 38 carries.

Kavante Johnson (16 carries, 165 yards) had two rushing TDs while DeParis Patterson (four catches, 96) hauled in two TD passes. Western’s Tyler Hoener had both Eagle scores.

Southeast Halifax 33, Louisburg 30: Seeking its first victory of the season, Louisburg marched to the 2-yard line in the closing seconds, only to see time expire in a Tar-Roanoke Athletic 1A loss at Southeast Halifax. The Warriors are now 0-7 and 0-1, while the host Trojans improved to 2-4 and 1-0. Louisburg’s offense posted its highest points total of the season, thanks in part to Max Jones’ two touchdown passes in the first half.

Terry Allen brought the Warriors to within 33-30 on a 12-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth period, and he later caused and recovered a fumble to give Louisburg the ball at the Southeast 30 in the closing minutes. With time running out, Jones was stopped on a keeper just short of the goal line on what would be the final play of the game.

West Johnston 30, Harnett Central 0: West Johnston (4-4, 3-1 Greater Neuse 4A) racked up 352 rushing yards and four rushing TDs to win its third straight. Tony Mack led the way for the Wildcats, rushing for 162 yards and one score on 20 carries. Joseph Lama and Andre Wilson combined for 178 yards and 3 TDs against the Trojans (1-7, 0-4). Deandre Blevins had two interceptions for West.

Word of God 64, Athens Drive 44: The Holy Rams (4-4) won a shootout at Williams Stadium, keeping the host Athens Drive Jaguars (0-8) winless.

Jonathan M. Alexander, Tim Candon Cale Colosimo, Jibrell Davis, Jeff Hamlin, Leon Hargrove, Michael Held, Geoff Neville, Ian Pierno, Jonas Pope IV, Tom Shanahan, Andrew Tie and Bill Woodward contributed.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 10:57 PM with the headline "N&O roundup: Fuquay-Varina still undefeated after taking down Apex."