It’s a good thing that Clayton managed to get its game with Fuquay-Varina in on Friday night, since it was the only victory posted by an area side.

West Johnston, Princeton, Corinth Holders, Smithfield-Selma and North Johnston all dropped conference openers in Week 5, while South Johnston and American Leadership Academy will tee it up tonight — thanks to a bit more bad weather.

Let’s pick through the wreckage:

Clayton 46, Fuquay-Varina 7 — Clayton roared past the Bengals in the Greater Neuse River 7A opener for both teams. It was another efficient night from the offense, coupled with another smothering outing from the defense.

Offensive Standouts from last night's 46-7 win:

QB Damacio Cueto – 13 for 13 207 yds 3 TDs ; 3 rushes 44 yds; 2nd game this season without an incompletion

RB Terris Hobbs – 128 yds on 13 carries 3 TDs
WR Gavin Roberts – 6 rec 87 yds 1 TD

— Clayton HS Football (@ClaytonCometsFB) September 19, 2026

And the defense:
S Ta’Shaun Walker- 7 tackles, 1 Block Punt, 1 Forced Fumble
CB Daniel Lovelace-Davis – 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 int
DL CJ Dickerson – 5 tackles, 2 TFL
DL Kabari Brantley – 1 sack, 2 TFL
DL Kaiden Blackwell – 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 fumble rec

— Clayton HS Football (@ClaytonCometsFB) September 19, 2026

Clayton (5-0, 1-0) entertains Smithfield-Selma in Week 6.

Midway 52, Princeton 46 — A 28-point third quarter outburst was enough to push Midway past Princeton in the Swine Valley 2A/3A opener for both schools.

Tanner Williams ran for 220 yards and three scores and Wesley Rawls picked off a Princeton pass and returned it 75 yards for a score in that fateful third period to propel the Raiders to 5-0.

Teo McPhatter rushed for 359 yards and four touchdowns for the Bulldogs (2-3, 0-1).

Eastern Wayne 27, North Johnston 0 — Brandon Lark and Cincere Battle both topped 100 rushing yards and combined for four scores as the Warriors won the Three Rivers 4A lid lifter for both teams.

The Warriors moved to 4-0, while North Johnston fell to 1-4. No other information has been entered into MaxPreps.

Union Pines 35, West Johnston 0 — Brandon Hicks rushed for 61 yards as the lone offensive bright spot for the Wildcats in a shutout loss to Union Pines in the Carolina Pines 6A opener.

The Vikings forced four turnovers on their way to 3-1.

South Garner 36, Smithfield-Selma 0 — Devin Shoulars threw for 254 yards and five touchdowns as the Titans remembered the win column in the Greater Neuse River 7A opener.

Smithfield-Selma fell to 0-5. No additional information is available.

Rolesville 48, Corinth Holders 7 — Marley Emerson threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 attempts as the Rams rolled past the Pirates in the CAP 8A opener.

Corinth Holders dropped to 1-3 overall.