Roanoke Rapids is on a three-game streak of home wins, while American Leadership Academy-Johnston is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Roanoke Rapids Yellowjackets will welcome the American Leadership Academy-Johnston Patriots at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.
Last Friday, everything went Roanoke Rapids' way against Pine Lake Prep as Roanoke Rapids made off with a 35-14 win.
Bobby Hawkins Jr went supernova for Roanoke Rapids, rushing for 192 yards and four touchdowns. With that strong performance, Hawkins Jr is now averaging an impressive 121.3 rushing yards per game. De?Majay Williams was another key back, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown while picking up 8.6 yards per carry.
Williams wasn't the only one working in the rushing yards department: Roanoke Rapids was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 360 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 151 rushing yards in three consecutive matchups.
Roanoke Rapids' defense made their presence known, laying out Cam Gandy. five times. Pine Lake Prep's QB won't forget Edward Armstrong anytime soon given he sacked him three times.
Meanwhile, American Leadership Academy-Johnston's rock-solid defense showed up for the team's third consecutive shutout on Friday. They blew past Cedar Ridge 55-0 on the road. Fans of the Patriots have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 20+ point.
American Leadership Academy-Johnston found their leader in underclassman Cameron Thaxton, who rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries. Thaxton really tore up the turf during one magnificent 75-yard run. The team also got some help courtesy of Symir Ray, who rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on only 12 carries.
American Leadership Academy-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 Elijah Ritter, Jahcure Moore, and Jah'Kese Bodrick picked up one apiece. Helaire Trahan was another major factor on D, picking up three sacks and making 12 total tackles.
Roanoke Rapids' victory bumped their record up to 3-0. As for American Leadership Academy-Johnston, their win bumped their record up to an identical 3-0.
Friday's match might be decided in the trenches. Roanoke Rapids has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 232.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like American Leadership Academy-Johnston struggles in that department as they've been averaging 458. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other football content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
