Football Preview: South Johnston Trojans vs. Fike Demons
South Johnston has enjoyed the comforts of home their last three games, but now they'll head out on the road. They will head out to take on the Fike Demons at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. South Johnston's defense has only allowed 17 points per game this season, so Fike's offense will have their work cut out for them.
Last Friday, South Johnston was fully in charge, breezing past Smithfield-Selma 35-7 at home. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win the Trojans have posted against the Spartans since October 25, 2019.
Holt Langston was his usual excellent self, rushing for 189 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.2 yards per carry. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in rushing yards. Tyler Williams was another key player, rushing for 43 yards and a touchdown.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: South Johnston was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 326 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
South Johnston's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged three passes before it was all said and done. It was truly a group effort as Keason Outen, Isaac Barefoot, and Barefoot picked up one apiece. Another thorn in Smithfield-Selma's side was Mason Weaver, who picked up a sack and made nine total tackles.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Fike). They walked away with a 39-32 victory over West Johnston on Friday.
It was another big night for Cameron Pittman, who rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries, and also threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 passes. The bulk of those rushing yards came from one huge play: a run that gained an incredible 84 yards. 91 of those passing yards were hauled in by Josiah Artis, who also brought in a receiving touchdown.
South Johnston's record is now 3-1. As for Fike, the win got them back to even at 2-2.
Thursday's game might be decided in the on the ground. South Johnston has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 209.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Fike struggles in that department as they've been averaging 179.5. It's looking like Thursday's matchup might have some serious battles in the trenches.
South Johnston couldn't quite finish off Fike when the teams last played back in September of 2023 and fell 15-13. Can South Johnston avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
