from Jay Ramey, covering Rockingham County Sports, for GreensboroSports.com:
REIDSVILLE, NC – The Reidsville Rams toughed out a wild one at Jimmy Teague Field, defeating the Western Alamance Warriors, 36-28. Both teams refused to throw in the towel, resulting in a highly entertaining back-and-forth to kick off the season.
Massive plays were the story throughout. Jariel Cobb, running back for the Rams, set the tone for the game when he exploded for an eighty yard touchdown on the very first offensive snap for Reidsville. James Newton and the Warriors answered the fireworks of the Rams with an eighty-nine yard reception, all the way to the house. It was the fourth quarter that was even more insane, however, featuring a fumble and three touchdowns between the teams. Down by eight, Western Alamance kept the game alive and kicking for as long as possible, but eventually, the defensive prowess of Kendre Harrison and Johnniyus Sharpe denied them the comeback.
In the first quarter, multiple interception opportunities slipped out of the hands of Reidsville. All turned out well, however, as Camden Oliveira missed the thirty-two yard field goal. On the first offensive snap, Reidsville’s Jariel Cobb found an opening and went eighty yards, and a two-point conversion brought things to an 8-0 lead. Later in the quarter, with a continued run-heavy offense, Cobb scored another touchdown, but this time, the two-pointer failed.
Quarterback Evan Kuehnel sent one to Chazz May for fifty yards, but the Warriors just couldn’t capitalize and put points on the board. They did, however, get a lucky break when Kendre Harrison’s eighty-eight yard touchdown was called back due to a flag on the play. They got another lucky break later in the half, when Aidan Mansfield turned on the jets and forced a fumble at the one yard line, but the returner was ruled down. Kuehnel then launched a pass right into the hands of James Newton, who took it eighty-nine yards to put his school on the board. Devin Shryok of the Rams would block the kick, and, after a half, it was 14-6, Reidsville.
The oddities continued, with a kick bouncing off the post seeming normal at that point. Western Alamance would make up for it on a fourth and four, with a crazy throw to Ethan Morris on the run to cut the lead to two. However, a big stand by Reidsville kept things at 14-12. The Warriors then recovered an onside kick, but didn’t squeeze any points out of it.
And then the fourth quarter happened.
Keontae Poteat and Cam Cotton, Warriors rushing duo, used their speed to seize the lead. A two-point conversion brought it to 20-14 for Western Alamance. But, Kendre Harrison, who doesn’t even seem human with a football in his hands, tied the game back up for Reidsville! However, fittingly enough for this game, the kick was blocked, keeping things knotted at twenty.
Vincent Galloway would force a fumble, and Titus Burson was right there to recover it. Cam’ron Jones then received a touchdown from Al Lee, while Johnnyius Sharpe converted the two point attempt untouched. 28-20, Reidsville.
Immediately, James Newton responded with another eighty-plus yard touchdown! Cam Cotton tied the game on the two-pointer, giving us a 28-28 ballgame. A group effort by the never-say-die Rams allowed Harrison to grab another touchdown pass, prior to an entertaining two-point conversion, giving the Rams the 36-28 lead!
It took about a million things going one hundred percent right for the Warriors to stay alive. First, Juhkeir Pinnix’s interception was waived off due to a facemask. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Newton caught a pass on third and twelve to keep Western Alamance in the fight. Then, on a fourth-and-fourteen, and nearly insurmountable pressure on the quarterback, Kuehnel somehow got away and, while on the run, darted it down the sideline for the first down!
Johnnyius Sharpe stopped the ball from getting in the end zone multiple times, keeping Western Alamance at arm’s length. He helped it get to a fourth-and-ten with forty seconds remaining. Harrison would put pressure on the quarterback, who found a way to get a throw off, and, while the pass was caught, it was short of the line! Reidsville had won, and a kneel sealed the deal, 36-28 for the Rams!
Multiple Rams had gigantic games. Jariel Cobb had a pair of touchdowns and a whopping 167 rushing yards, while five-star prospect Kendre Harrison showed why he’s rated so highly with his two touchdowns and menacing defense. On the defensive side, Paul Widerman and Aidan Mansfield each had eight tackles, and, without the stellar, ice-in-vein defense of Johnnyius Sharpe, Reidsville might not have come out on top.
The Rams had a new coach and the expectations were high, but that didn’t stop them from picking up the win. It was an all-out slugfest, for sure, but that may have been just what the Rams needed. A gritty, grueling opening win by Lucky City should be enough to keep them on their toes for the rest of the season.
Around the Rock on Friday night, the Morehead Panthers fell to the Cummings Cavaliers, 28-0. Also, a county rivalry battle took place in Wentworth when the Rockingham Cougars got the best of the McMichael Phoenix, 20-7.
Next Friday, Rockingham will host Morehead, while McMichael will take on the Forbush Falcons at home. Also, Reidsville will try to avenge their lone loss of last year’s regular season when they compete with the Page Pirates.
Very good, Jay! Looking forward to the next recap.
Great job Jay!!
Great job!!
That was over the top exciting coverage. I felt like I was there!! Super great coverage Jay!! Can’t wait for next game!!