Football roundup: Wake Forest survives a Sanderson scare

Sanderson led the state’s No. 1 team, Wake Forest, at halftime and it was the first time the homestanding Cougars had trailed in any game.

But Wake Forest (10-0, 6-0 Cap-8 4A) posted a second-half shutout to rally past Sanderson (4-6, 3-3) and keep its undefeated season alive.

Bunn 47, Franklinton 19: Coach David Howle picked up his 199th career victory – and his Bunn Wildcats (8-2, 4-0) remained alone in first place in the Northern Carolina 2A. Franklinton fell to 4-6 (1-3).

Cleveland 49, Western Harnett 6: Quarterback Caiden Norman passed for 196 yards and three touchdowns to lead host Cleveland (7-3, 4-0 Two Rivers 3A) to the rout. Norman had TD passes of 49, 18, and 26 yards, his 49-yarder to Jaylyn Pearce late in the first quarter putting the Rams ahead to stay. The Eagles (2-7, 1-3) mustered just 59 yards of total offense.

Hillside 56, Jordan 6: Hillside (7-2 overall, 5-0 PAC-6) senior running back and Michigan State recruit Abdul Adams rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns – all in the first half – to lead the Hornets past Jordan (2-9, 2-4), which ended its season.

Holly Springs 27, Cary 10: The Golden Hawks (7-4, 5-2 Southwest Wake 4A) defense played big on the night and held the Imps (2-7, 1-5) scoreless in the second half. Dawson Wright (a fumble return) and Yavel Morris (an interception return) both scored defensive touchdowns for Holly Springs. Cary’s Keeyon Hicks threw for 168 yards and 1 TD.

Louisburg 63, Northwest Halifax 26: Louisburg picked up its first victory for coach Dontae Lassiter by rolling past the winless Vikings (0-10, 0-4 Tar Roanoke 1A). The Warriors (1-9, 1-3) never trailed after Amonte Moses raced for a 79-yard touchdown run on the opening play from scrimmage. Moses finished with 137 rushing yards to go with an interception return for a touchdown. Teammate Terry Allen contributed four rushing scores for the Warriors.

Millbrook 28, Leesville Road 12: Millbrook (7-3, 4-2 Cap-8 4A) never trailed but needed three second half interceptions to hold off rallying Leesville Road (4-6, 3-3). Pride quarterback Evan Provost threw for 246 yards in the second half as Leesville cut the margin to 21-12. But Wildcats defenders Montavius Baker, Jordan Alston, and Ikenna Iloabachie picked off Pride passes to snuff out Leesville drives.

Northwood 35, Northern Vance 6: The Chargers (6-4, 4-1 Big 8 3A) stayed in the race for a co-Big 8 championship with Southern Durham and Orange while the Vikings (4-6, 1-4) will need to win next week to make the playoffs.

Orange 42, J.F. Webb 0: The Panthers (10-1, 5-1 Big 8 3A) close out the regular season with at least a share of a co-conference title after shutting out Webb (3-7, 0-5).

Person 14, Riverside 6: The Rockets (6-4, 3-2 PAC-6 4A) clinched a playoff spot by handling the Pirates (2-8, 0-5).

Rolesville 23, Clayton 14: Josh Branch rushed for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Rolesville (6-4, 4-2 Greater Neuse 4A) spoiled senior night for Clayton (3-7, 2-4). Carnaji Andrews threw for 128 yards including a 56-yard touchdown strike to E.J. Hicks for Rolesville. Landon Leiser tossed for 228 yards for Clayton, including a 60-yard touchdown pass to Blake Joyner.

South Granville 27, Warren County 6: The Vikings (4-6, 3-1 Northern Carolina 2A) can finish second in the league with a win next week.

Southeast Raleigh 42, Harnett Central 29: The Bulldogs (3-7, 2-4 Greater Neuse 4A) stopped a four-game slide in its win against the Trojans (1-9, 0-6).

Southern Durham 60, Cedar Ridge 3: Southern Durham (7-3, 4-1 Big 8 3A) cruised by Cedar Ridge (4-6, 2-3). Jalen Greene threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Taron Thomas rushed for 63 yards and two scores, and JaJuan Whitted had four catches for 83 yards.

St. David’s 56, Lawrence Academy 27: The Warriors capped off a perfect 10-0 regular season in impressive fashion. after falling behind 6-0, St. David’s scored seven first-quarter touchdowns – or one about every 87 seconds – to lead 48-6 at the end of the period.

Triton 62, Smithfield-Selma 7: Malcolm Smith rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns to lead host Triton (3-7, 2-2 Two Rivers 3A) to a rout of Smithfield-Selma (0-10, 0-4). The Hawks rolled up 459 yards rushing on 23 carries, an average of 20 yards per carry.

Bonitta Best, Cale Colosimo, Leon Hargrove, Justin Hill, David Justice, Mike Mangan, Geoff Neville, Bill Woodward and Christian Worstell contributed.

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Football roundup: Wake Forest survives a Sanderson scare."