Aycock's Jackson runs wild in OT thriller

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on September 30, 2017 8:51 PM

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PIKEVILLE --  In the aftermath of Charles B. Aycock's 50-49 setback to ECC foe J.H. Rose on Friday, a common refrain competed for air opposite a brass-heavy, post-game salute by the school's Marching Falcons.

What a high school football game, the onlookers said.  

Correct.

Aycock tailback Tae Jackson rushed the luggage 35 times for 305 yards and four touchdowns, but saw his turn as Hercules fall short when Kyle Hill found paydirt on a win-or-go-home 2-point conversion call by Rose head coach David Wojtecki in overtime.

"I thought we play an outstanding football game," C.B. Aycock head coach Steve Brooks said. "I couldn't be more proud of my guys."

And with good reason.

Jackson's tour de force began early, as the 6-foot-2 sophomore turned a modest 10 carries into 130 punishing yards and a pair of touchdowns by the break.

"We saw a little something, and they never adjusted to it," Brooks noted.

That's not to say, however, that Rose didn't reply.

Trailing 27-21 with 8:28 remaining in the third quarter, Hill put Rose in position to tie matters with a vapor-trail inspired run on first-and-10 from the Aycock 26.

Following Josh Murensky's PAT, the stage was set for a dramatic final stanza.

Aycock struck first on a pad-popping run by Jackson, only to see Rose signal-caller Grant Jarman respond in kind two minutes later.

The back-and-forth hysteria completed its final act of regulation when, after another Rose score, Aycock quarterback found wideout Luke Frederick along the right boundary for a 30-yard touchdown strike.

Tie ball game, 42-all.

"I checked to a run and he threw a touchdown pass," Brooks said with a smile and a shake of his head. "True story."

What  happened next, however, is more difficult to fathom.

Aycock started the overtime affair with four straight rushing attempts by Jackson, who carried what seemed the entire Rose roster with him to paydirt on fourth down.

Following a Seth Harrison PAT, CBA led 49-42.

Rose found itself in a similar situation three plays later, down to its last breath, when Jarman found slot receiver Phifer Ozimek for a score on fourth down from the 8-yard line.

And then it happened.

With all the nonchalance in the world, Rose marched out and lined up with Hill and Jarman beside one another in the Rampant backfield.

After a high snap, which Jarman did well to corral, the junior handed off to Hill, who disappeared into a sea of navy jerseys at the goal line -- only to emerge on the other side for a 50-49, walk-off conversion that left many in attendance scratching their heads and muttering the same line.

What a high school football game, they said.

In other action across the county on Friday...

South Central 69,

Southern Wayne 6

WINTERVILLE -- South Central moved to 6-1 on the season with a dominant-in-all-phases victory over ECC foe Southern Wayne.

Falcons' quarterback Dexter McDuffie was electric from the outset, setting the evening's tone with a pair of touchdown passes in a runaway first half.

Southern Wayne (0-6) continues league play next week with a visit from resurgent New Bern.

New Bern 38,

Eastern Wayne 26

New Bern, fresh off a 56-0 thrashing of Charles B. Aycock last week, added another ECC triumph to its ledger on Friday with a 38-26 waltz over Eastern Wayne High.

The Bears were in control from the outset, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, then filing another score after EW stalled on its opening possession.

In a flash, New Bern held a 14-0 advantage.

Eastern Wayne made periodic threats to the New Bern lead, but too often saw its highlights dissolved by penalties and uncharacteristic mistakes.

The victory, sealed by a pair of New Bern touchdowns in the final stanza, moved the Bears to 3-4 overall and 2-0 in league play.

Eastern Wayne, once owners of a 3-0 record, slipped to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in matters of conference significance.

New Bern continues its tour of Wayne County next week with a tilt at Southern Wayne High.

 

East Duplin 81,

Spring Creek 6

BEAULAVILLE -- One of the state's top-ranked 2-A outfits looked every bit the part on Friday, leveling Spring Creek by a 75-point margin. 

Goldsboro 31,

James Kenan 23

Xzavior Bowden rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns as Goldsboro won its East Central 2-A debut on Friday.

The performance, which included a 52-yard burst to the barn, places Bowden over 1,000 rushing yards in just six contests this season.

Goldsboro (4-2) travels to face East Duplin next week.

North Duplin 28,

Granville Central 0

William Archer rushed for two touchdowns as the Rebels moved to 6-0 on the season.

Kenny Sheppard and Colby Bass also scored for North Duplin, who plays host to Lakewood next week.

Bethel Christian 36,

Wayne Christian 6

Bethel Christian posted a 36-6 victory over Wayne Christian on Friday.