In Rockingham County on Friday night, the Morehead Panthers were defeated by the Northeast Guilford Rams, 46-0. Also, the Reidsville Rams squandered a two-possession fourth quarter lead to Northern Guilford in a heavyweight battle between title contenders. The Rockingham County Cougars were the lone team from the county to cruise to a victory, taking down Southwest Guilford 32-16.
The McMichael Fighting Phoenix were given a bye week in week one. According to their head coach, Steve Tapley, this is by design. The Phoenix feel more comfortable getting an extra week of practice in. Coach Tapley also believes that there is a benefit to having the players never get out of a rhythm due to a bye week in the middle of the season. They are full steam ahead for the next ten weeks until the postseason. That train starts rolling against Wilkes Central (2A, 1-0) this upcoming Thursday.
Defensively, Morehead Panthers looked impressive in their first quarter against Northeast Guilford. Despite giving up a safety, their defensive stands and shutdown of NC Central committed quarterback Jacquez Crawford had Morehead feeling good. Things went downhill in quarter number two, however, as their 2-0 deficit soon turned into a 31-0 deficit at the half fresh off the heels of Northeast successfully recovering an onside kick with seven seconds left in the second and completing a touchdown pass as time expired. After two more touchdowns in the third, the Rams finished off the Panthers, 46-0. Next up, Morehead will be traveling to Randolph County to take on Providence Grove (3A, 0-1) on the 29th of August.
The Reidsville Rams faced a very disheartening defeat at the hands of Northern Guilford. Hoping to prove themselves early on as a contender once again, Reidsville hoped to defend their home, the Football Capital of North Carolina, and the pendulum swung back-and-forth early. Up 38-29 heading into the fourth, they gave up a rush touchdown that narrowed their lead to two. Then, Northern Guilford recovered an onside kick and scored another rush touchdown for the lead, before tacking on a two-point conversion to make it 44-38. Northern Guilford’s field goal put the final nail in the coffin, and they took the victory, 47-38. There is no rest for the weary, as Reidsville will take on the George Washington Eagles from Virginia, who will have fresh legs as they kick their season off in Reidsville.
The bright spot of the week in the county was Rockingham County High School seizing victory in High Point with a win over Southwest Guilford. The Cougars went up 18-3 in the first quarter and it remained that way at halftime. In the third, things became precarious when Southwest Guilford returned a fumble for a touchdown and, shortly thereafter, scored another TD. The score was then 18-16. However, Rockingham County responded with a touchdown of their own to end the third quarter, and then put one more on the board early in the fourth quarter to win it, 32-16. Rockingham County takes on Magna Vista this Thursday (VA 3A, 0-0) and tries to pick up some momentum.
In other Mid-State Conference news, Bartlett Yancey defeated Northern Durham 37-0, Carver beat Parkland 8-6, and Walkertown annihilated Atkins 55-0. The Mid-State 3A/4A/5A Conference standings are below.
T1. Bartlett Yancey (0-0 conference, 1-0 overall)
T1. Carver (0-0 conference, 1-0 overall)
T1. Rockingham County (0-0 conference, 1-0 overall)
T1. Walkertown (0-0 conference, 1-0 overall)
5. McMichael (0-0 conference, 0-0 overall)
T6. Morehead (0-0 conference, 0-1 overall)
T6. Reidsville (0-0 conference, 0-1 overall)
Next Thursday, McMichael kicks off their season against Wilkes Central and Morehead looks to bounce back against Providence Grove. On Friday, Reidsville and George Washington do battle, while Rockingham County stays in Wentworth to face Magna Vista.