The Reidsville Rams beat their cross-county rival, the McMichael Phoenix, 34-18, as a few of their players who have been injured previously this year made their return. McMichael knew that it was going to be a difficult matchup to win, especially against the explosive offense of Reidsville. Therefore, they decided to attempt running the air out of the ball to keep the ball out of the hands of the Rams, and, while that worked to run time off the clock, they failed to capitalize and notch the victory.
Reidsville pulled out ahead nearly immediately, with a first quarter featuring a pair of touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. On the first play of the game, Jariel Cobb took it fifty-three yards to the house. Later on, Cam’Ron Jones intercepted Jace Dunn, and Reidsville would drive it down field. Kendre Harrison then got the second touchdown of the night for Reidsville. Up 14-0, the Rams kept McMichael from scoring in the first quarter when Juhkeir Pinnix intercepted it in good field position.
McMichael started off the second with a huge defensive stop. On a fourth-and-goal, Reidsville went for it, but got stuffed for the turnover on downs. The Fighting Phoenix, energized by the fact that they had saved themselves from being in a three-possession ballgame, used the methodical, run-based attack to take time off the clock and get in good position. They then decided to take it a bit more high risk, and it paid off, as Johnnyius Sharpe tipped it into the hands of Cody Belcher! Brady Dunn then ran it in for the touchdown, but they missed the extra point. No more scoring took place in the half, and we entered the break, 14-6, Reidsville.
Dunn continued to show out when he ran all the way to Reidsville’s 42 to start off quarter number three. They ran the time off the clock as well as possible, and finally got in the end zone after a seven minute drive when Dunn ran it in. The two-point conversion missed, however, keeping it from becoming a tie game. Jariel Cobb’s monster run then set up a touchdown by Cobb himself, but their extra point failed, and it remained a one possession game. Heading into the fourth, Reidsville held a 30-12 lead.
The twenty-two time state champions then made a big stop on a third-and-nine, giving them the ball back. On a fourth-and-three in the red zone following a long drive, Reidsville decided to go for it! Aidan Mansfield then made it count with a rush up the middle! He then made the carry one again, powering through for six! Kendre Harrison would grab a two-point conversion, extending the lead to 28-12. After a fourth-down conversion attempt by McMichael failed, things only got worse for the Phoenix. Al Lee would pass to Que’Shyne Flippen for a 67 yard, game-sealing touchdown!
A very thrilling touchdown by the big man, defensive powerhouse Hayden Meeks, didn’t truly matter, and the score was 34-18 as the clock ticked zero.
Around the Rock, the Rockingham Cougars fell to the Eastern Guilford Wildcats, 14-28. Also, Morehead dropped their seventh game of the season when they lost, 14-27, against Walkertown.
McMichael, now 4-3, will enjoy a bye week. Reidsville will play West Stokes as they try to seize their sixth win of the season, the Morehead Panthers will travel to High Point to battle T.W. Andrews, and Rockingham, 4-2, will also be in High Point as they try to take down High Point Central.