The Reidsville Rams took down the Brevard Blue Devils, 41-20, on a cloudy night at Jimmy Teague Stadium. With this win, they advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament and extend their home winning streak to eighteen, dating back to last season. The blue and yellow have dominated this year’s playoffs, averaging 47 points per game and only giving up 9 points per game.
The Rams jumped out to a two touchdown lead in the first quarter. Aidan Mansfield’s three-yard rushing touchdown put them up six, and a huge, 65-yard reception by Que’Shyne “Flip” Flippen that he took all the way to the house gave them a twelve-point advantage. On their first two touchdowns, however, they missed the two-point try. Brevard then took six minutes off the clock driving the ball downfield, before Isaiah Phillips capped off the drive with a rushing touchdown. Brevard missed the extra point kick, allowing Reidsville to maintain a 12-6 lead. In just the span of one minute, the Rams pushed the ball downfield all the way to the 29-yard line, before a connection between Lee and Kendre Harrison gave them a third touchdown. Harrison then caught a two-point conversion, giving Reidsville the 20-6 lead at the end of a quarter.
Brevard kicked off the second quarter with another lengthy drive that finished off with a short rushing touchdown by Isaiah Phillips. However, Reidsville fired right back at them with a touchdown pass from Al Lee to Dionte Neal! Heading into halftime, Reidsville held a 27-13 lead.
A quick fumble recovery to begin the second half was followed by a touchdown pass to Johnniyus Sharpe, extending Reidsville’s lead to three touchdowns. But, Brevard would power downfield and run their third rushing touchdown into the end zone. After the XP, the score was 34-20. At the end of three quarters, thanks to a rushing touchdown answer by Reidsville, they held a 41-20 lead.
Brevard, now desperate, turned it over on downs. Reidsville ran the clock down to four minutes and then punted, before Dionte Neal would seal the deal with one of his signature interceptions, the first of which we have seen since his return from injury. And with that, the season of the Blue Devils was over, and the Reidsville Rams secured a matchup with the Bunker Hill Bears.
The Bears will be the first team that Reidsville faces that has a better record than them. Bunker Hill boasts an unblemished 13-0, with their high powered offense averaging thirty-nine points per game. These two teams have no common opponents, but both tandems are known for their playmaking ability and variety of blowouts. This next game, which is sure to be an entertaining back-and-forth, is high stakes, with the winner advancing to the Semifinals and the loser going home. Reidsville goes in with the advantage of coming off of a more relaxed game, while the Bears would be eliminated right now if not for a failed two-point conversion attempt by Monroe. Reidsville could capitalize on the emotional wear and tear that Bunker Hill has faced.