NJ tops RHS, stays unbeaten

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 16, 2005 2:25 AM

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Rosewood got on the board first on a 2-yard run by Devon Bennett at the 5:31 mark of the first quarter, but unbeaten North Johnston shut the Eagles out the rest of the way in a 27-7 win at Branch Pope Field on Friday night.

Rosewood (1-6 overall) fell to 0-2 in the Class 1-A Carolina Conference heading into next Friday's contest at home against Wayne County rival Spring Creek. The Panthers (8-0 overall) improved to 2-0 in league play with archrival and still winless Princeton visiting Kenly next Friday.

The Eagles posted 281 yards rushing on 49 carries with Josh Myers leading the way with 116 yards on 16 totes. Bennett added 63 yards on 16 rushes. Meanwhile, North Johnston finished with 36 carries for 307 yards on the ground. Josh Wentz rushed for two touchdowns with scoring runs of 22 and 61 yards, respectively, to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.

North Johnston's Brandon Sanders ran back a 74-yard return later in the second, while teammate J.P. Wise capped the scoring with an 8-yard rumble midway through the third.

Rosewood quarterback Brantley Ellis finished just 2-of-10 through the air with one interception and 43 yards. However, Ellis rushed for 74 yards on 12 carries.

North Johnston edged Rosewood in total yards 342-324 with the Panthers picking up 14 first downs to the Eagles' nine.

The Eagles fumbled four times and lost one, while the Panthers lost their only fumble. Rosewood was flagged only three times for 15 yards.