The 2025 season is racing past, and as usual, the Cleveland Rams are setting the pace. The Polenta Road posse is 4-0 after curb stomping New Bern, while Princeton and North Johnston put on the game of the year thus far over in Kenly.
Let’s dive in:
Princeton 48, North Johnston 46
Teo McPhatter scored the game tying touchdown as the clock struck triple zero, and the sophomore sensation won it with a two-point conversion run in front of a packed house at North Johnston.
The stats from this game are absurd:
McPhatter stole the headlines, but Kaleb Pone matched him blow for blow in this one. The senior quarterback had a hand in all six Panther touchdowns and all five of their conversions. McPhatter, on the other hand, played a role in all of Princeton’s scores and all but one of the conversions.
The fact that this game came down to one missed two-point try at the end of the first quarter is wild.
Our pal Kai Jones, from WJG Sports was on hand, and posted these highlights:
Cleveland 46, New Bern 6
As I write this, it’s been five days shy of six years (9-20-19) since Cleveland lost a regular-season game. We had never even heard of COVID back then.
The train rolled on Friday night down in New Bern, with the Rams romping to a 46-6 win over previously unbeaten New Bern.
Owen Hulbert added four touchdown passes to his ledger, while Kaleb Ferrell and Porter Bennett combined for 178 yards on the ground. And with the defense registering 17 tackles for loss and six sacks (four from Jaylen King), it was more than enough.
Clayton 55, West Johnston 2
I had a feeling this one might be, to quote Jim Ross, “bowling shoe ugly.”
A 55-2 scoreline certainly qualifies. The defense posted three touchdowns on its own, and the always-illuminating Clayton Football Twitter feed tells us the rest of the story:
Wake Prep 49, American Leadership Academy 14
I went to this game on Friday, since I wanted to check out the Patriots’ new digs. I realize funding is an issue, but the field conditions were less than ideal. And the fact that the players weren’t in school on Friday played a role what was a listless first-half effort from the home team.
That said, everyone was friendly and it was a lovely day for football. For a new program, they’re in a good place.
Anthony Jimenez rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns for ALA, which fell to 3-1.
Smithfield-Selma 42, Southern Wayne 7
Naeem Longmire rushed for 138 yards and a couple of scores as the Spartans notched their first win of the season. Lamar Watson and Jeremiah Ward also found the end zone for SSS.
Jeremy Smith picked off a couple of passes and Noah Jeter added one as well.
South Johnston 14, Midway 12
Holt Langston rushed for 187 yards and a score, and the Trojan defense held on a would-be tying two-point try in the closing minutes to preserve the victory.
Isaac Barefoot and Mason Weaver led that unit with 12 tackles each, with Weaver also adding a sack and a fumble recovery. Kenny Forsythe also had an interception for the Trojans (2-1).