Week 5 is in the books, and it offered a chance for us to learn a bit more about our Johnston County programs.
Some of those things, like Cleveland and Clayton being really good, we already knew. Others were a bit more surprising. All were illuminating in some way, however, so let’s jump in:
The word of the day is pyrrhic
To sum up the JoCo Sports Game of the Week, presented by ChiroDuo Mobile Chiropractic, I present Pyrrhikos, a Greek king who battle Rome about 280 years before the birth of Christ.
From his name, we get the term pyrrhic victory, which like his battles with the Romans, refers to victories achieved at very high cost.
South Johnston won its Quad County 3A opener at home against Smithfield-Selma (0-4, 0-1), 35-7, but lost its starting quarterback, Tyler Williams, along the way.
I’m no doctor, but Williams appeared to suffer a significant lower leg injury in the first half. Three other people took snaps at the position in the game, and it will be interesting to see how the Trojans (3-1, 1-0) proceed with the rest of their league slate if Williams winds up out for an extended period.
Meanwhile, the Spartans’ search for that elusive first win rolls on.
full measures only
Fike raced out to a 20-0 first-half lead against West Johnston, and led 26-0 in the third quarter before holding off a furious Wildcat rally for a 39-32 victory in the Quad County 3A opener for both teams.
West Johnston (2-2, 0-1) actually got the ball back with about three minutes left with a chance to tie, but was unable to do so.
Josiah Wells tallied 343 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns while Koby Mayle rushed for 128 yards and a score in a losing effort.
the measuring stick
For the second time in three weeks, an undefeated Johnston County school squared off with equally unbeaten Cleveland. And, as happened to West Johnston, Corinth Holders found the step up in competition challenging.
The Rams moved to 4-0, and 1-0 in Greater Neuse River 4A play, with a 44-14 win over the still-surprising Pirates (3-1, 0-1).
Jackson Byrd broke the county record for touchdowns (118), and according to my friends at We Journal Great Sports, only a dozen players in NCHSAA history have more.
Speaking of WJG Sports, they were on hand for this one:
Moving right along
While Clayton grabs the headlines, Clayton just keeps on winning. On Friday night, the Comets (4-0, 1-0) earned a 24-9 road win over Fuquay-Varina.
I’ll get my first in-person look at Clayton this week when the JoCo Sports Game of the Week nestles into a classroom behind the visiting bleachers for its game with Garner on Friday.
Speaking of winning
American Leadership Academy, which I answered questions about from a Lenoir County media outlet recently, ran its record to 4-1 with a 38-21 win over South Wake on Saturday.
It was Homecoming as well, I’m told, and our friends at WJG Sports were on the case:
A Trey and pone show?
OK, it’s too punny of a subhed, but North Johnston climbed back to .500 with a 56-34 home win over Hobbton on Friday night.
one step forward…
Princeton (1-3) continued its red light, green light start to the season with a 41-24 loss to unbeaten Richlands.
Teo Mcphatter rushed for 212 yards and a couple of touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who host winless (?!?) Clinton on Friday night.