Opinion -- High School regular season has several memorable moments

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 5, 2008 1:47 PM

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The area high school football regular season may be drawing to close on Friday evening, but a handful of individual single-game performances should live on for quite some time.

Not only did these standouts turn in spectacular performances worthy of attention, but they more importantly led their respective teams to the winner's circle.

Aug. 22

North Lenoir senior fullback Marquez Powell pounded the Richlands defense for 292 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries as the Hawks earned a 48-34 home win. The victory snapped a 13-game losing streak.

James Kenan senior quarterback Shawon Darden went 7 for 10 through the air for 178 yards and three scores. Two of Darden's touchdowns covered 20 yards or more as the Tigers began defense of their 1-AA state title with a 35-14 win over Clinton.

Aug. 29

Goldsboro tailback Andre Montgomery rumbled for 211 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. The sophomore averaged just over 15 yards per carry, including a 53-yard touchdown run as the Cougars picked up a 37-6 home win over Eastern Wayne. It was Goldsboro's first win over its cross-town rival since 2003.

Sept. 1

North Duplin's shifty senior tailback Akeem Cox lugged the leather 24 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the Rebels rallied from a 16-0 first-quarter deficit for a 32-31 win at Yeatesville Northside.

Oct. 27

Rosewood's James Harris provided 119 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries including a 58-yard score as the Eagles escaped Spring Creek with a 46-35 victory. The win gave Rosewood its seventh win over Spring Creek in their last eight meetings.

Oct. 31

Charles. B. Aycock workhorse Marcus Cobb carried the football a staggering 43 times for 286 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-24 triumph over rival Eastern Wayne. The win kept the Golden Falcons in the hunt for a playoff berth.

North Duplin wide receiver Quentin Graham hauled in all eight of quarterback Marcus Kornegay's completed passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-22 thumping of Rosewood. Graham made six catches of 20 yards or more, including a dazzling one-handed catch that set up a touchdown.

Freddie Jones sliced through the North Lenoir defense for 152 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries as Goldsboro routed the Hawks 53-0 in LaGrange. The victory maintained Goldsboro's quest for second place in the Eastern Plains 2-A Conference and a first-round home playoff game.