Remember that bit from the other day about hope springing eternal for high school football players across the state of North Carolina?
It’s a little less true in a few places on this late August Monday morning. Let’s take a look back at Week 1:
Week 1 scores
Cleveland 28, Hoggard 20
Clayton 54, Wake Forest 42
Sanderson 35, Corinth Holders 7
West Johnston 24, Harnett Central 16
Princeton 36, South Johnston 28
North Johnston 22, South Lenoir 0
South Garner 66, Smithfield-Selma 0
Liftoff in Clayton
Justin and I had a front row seat for Clayton’s season-opening win over Wake Forest, and it turned out to be the Johnathan Montague show.
I shorted him a few yards in our very unofficial stats Friday night, but at 6-2 and 215 pounds, he turned out to be a real handful for the Cougar defense.
I was high on the Comets coming into the season, and now I have some company on that bandwagon.
Opening up the playbook
It took a bit of trickery for Cleveland to create some separation in their win at Hoggard, and do-everything senior Cameron Goins was the designated magician.
His 38-yard scoring strike to Zalin Ingram provided a spark, and a late pick-six by Sawyer Lowe sealed the deal for the Rams.
Laying down a marker
North Johnston head coach Michael Barnett talked up his team’s chances of reaching the .500 mark this season, and a 22-0 shutout win is a giant step in that direction.
The Panthers will try to maintain their momentum at Rosewood, who fell 49-13 to CB Aycock on Friday, in Week 2.
Growing pains
Johnston County has two new coaches this fall, and both fell short on the scoreboard in Week 1. Corinth Holders was on the wrong end of a 35-7 score line against Sanderson while the Spartans were overwhelmed at South Garner.
It takes time to implement new ideas and new systems, and we got a taste of that Friday night.
An early rivalry game
Princeton and South Johnston renewed pleasantries in Week 1, with the Bulldogs coming out with a 36-28 victory.
Kadyn Haire, as we expected, was the focal point of the Princeton offense, piling up 261 yards with four rushing touchdowns.
South Johnston’s Riley Adams threw for 222 yards and three scores in the loss.