One of the things you can count on hearing from coaches early in a football season is some variation of “the defenses are ahead of the offenses.” That may have been true in a few of Johnston County’s Week 1 games, but the scoreboard got quite a workout in a few others.
Don’t forget that the next episode of the Johnston County Football Podcast drops later this week, and if you want to go back and hear me go 7-1 in my Week 1 predictions, you can do so here.
Let’s look back, shall we?
South Johnston 7, Smithfield-Selma 2
This was the defensive battle of Week 1 with a single Tyler Williams touchdown run early in the second quarter (at least it looks like him on the NFHS feed) providing the margin of victory for the Trojans.
Smithfield-Selma fumbled going into the end zone on the ensuing drive, and had to settle for a safety on a tackle for loss on the following play.
The bit I saw on NFHS and heard on 102.3 revealed a penalty-marred affair that will provide both coaching staffs plenty of teachable moments.
Side note: It’s going to be a long year for me if folks don’t enter their stats in MaxPreps.
Cleveland 60, Pinecrest 19
What was touted as a clash between regional powers turned into a laugher as Cleveland accelerated away from Pinecrest for an emphatic road victory.
This game was not on NFHS, but I did see Owen Hulbert’s Hudl highlights, and he’s made some strides since last year. He finished 14-for-17 for 166 yards and three scores, all of which were to Krisjon Clark (8-155).
He also ran for a score, as did Kaleb Ferrell, who finished with 92 yards on 21 carries. The Rams’ defense had a whopping 20 tackles for loss in this one while recording two sacks, recovering three fumbles and grabbing an interception for good measure.
Clayton 52, Wilson Prep 12
Clayton also started out hot, with a 52-12 win over 1A power Wilson Prep. The stats, as one might imagine, were impressive:
You can also check out some highlights from our friends at WJG Sports:
North Johnston 40, Beddingfield 0
North Johnston may have turned over much of its roster, but the new-look Panthers had more than enough for a rebuilding Beddingfield.
Kalbe Pone accounted for 229 of those yards and three of the touchdowns, while Knekolas Bethea, Eli Williard and Tanner Waddell tied for the team lead in tackles with eight.
Princeton 40, Ayden-Grifton 35
I thought Princeton’s offense would be good coming into the 2025 season, and I wondered a bit more about the defense.
I still think, and I’m still wondering after a 40-35 shootout win for the Bulldogs over Ayden-Grifton. To be fair, Princeton built a 40-22 lead (that’s about when I changed feeds on NFHS) before allowing two late scores to produce the final margin.
The takeaway here is two (!) touchdown passes from Teo McPhatter to Austin Lewallen and Treyson Holloman to go along with the solid-as-usual rushing numbers:
South Garner 20, West Johnston 0
Well, I had some fun with the Massey Ratings number for this game, and if it’s possible to owe a computer an apology, then I do.
The Wildcats never got untracked in this one, falling 20-0 to South Garner while producing only 91 yards of total offense.
The Titans’ defensive line, from the bit I saw on NFHS, dominated this game. It’s back to the drawing baord for West as it hosts SSS this week.
Corinth Holders 35, North Brunswick 27
The Pirates raced to a 21-0 lead before holding off the Scorpions for a road win.
Remember that earlier bit of complaining about MaxPreps stats? It applies here, too.
American Leadership Academy 42, Lejeune 0
On Friday afternoon, the Patriots blanked Lejeune, 42-0, behind a strong all-around effort. Ian Wands threw for 245 yards and three scores and both Anthony Jimenez and Demarr Williams topped 100 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Elijah Fulton posted 12 tackles, Symir Ray had three of the team’s seven sacks and Preston Guyader added an interception.
Highlights from our friends at WJG Sports are here: