CLIMAX – Each week there has been something to cherish for Providence Grove’s football team.
That came in various doses in Friday night’s 28-14 triumph against visiting Asheboro.
“Anytime you can beat one of the bigger schools in the county, that’s huge,” Providence Grove coach Calvin Brown said.
Providence Grove is 4-0 for just the second time in school history. It’s shaping up as a potential special season for the Patriots.
“They’re aware of it,” Brown said of the place in history early in the season. “I want them to understand that it’s something special.”
This week, the Patriots try to reach a 5-0 mark for the first time when they play a home game against undefeated Ledford on Friday night.
“I think this will have a big-game feel to it,” Brown said of the first-ever football meeting between the schools. “This is another 3-A opponent.”
The game against Asheboro had numerous players with notable numbers.
Zane Cheek ran for 186 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown. Caleb Rogers had four catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Lemuel Coltrane made a touchdown reception. Quarterback Luke Thomas threw for two touchdowns. Tucker Batten was good on all four extra-point kicks.
The Patriots jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. The defense did much of the work.
“Our defense played incredible,” Brown said.
Karson Bowman returned a fumble for a touchdown. Rogers intercepted two passes.
Providence Grove relies on two-way players. Cheek is a free safety and Rogers plays cornerback on defense.
The team made a rather seamless transition from the spring season.
“We’ve got a lot of returners (so) we’re older and experienced,” Brown said. “We rolled right into the season. There wasn’t much we had to do.”
Asheboro (1-2) has lost two games in a row. Michael Brady compiled 136 rushing yards on 21 carries. Khyland Hadley-Lindsey and Charles Perry scored touchdowns on running plays.
Southwestern Randolph 57, West Davidson 10: At Asheboro, Adam Cole scored four touchdowns and Easton Clapp had two touchdowns as the host Cougars (3-0) rolled. Keaton Reed threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
This week, there’s a schedule change for Southwestern Randolph. The Cougars will be home against Starmount instead of taking on Albemarle.
Eastern Randolph 8, Williams 6: At Burlington, the visiting Wildcats stopped a two-point conversion play by Williams to hold on.
Nahiem Lilly’s 6-yard run in the third quarter provided the game’s first points for Eastern Randolph (3-0). He tacked on a two-point conversion run, proving to be the difference in the game.
Williams scored on Dan Mahan’s 6-yard pass to Izayah Ramsey with about 10 minutes remaining, but a two-point conversion play failed.
Williams (1-3) managed 179 yards of total offense and was 1-for-9 on converting third downs.
Wheatmore 39, Chatham Central 6: At Bear Creek, Jonathan Kelly scored three touchdowns and Ben Walker threw for two touchdowns for the Warriors (2-1).
Kelly had 85 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards. Dylan Weil had a touchdown catch and a pair of two-point conversion grabs.
Trinity 54, Jordan-Matthews 14: At Trinity, David Makupson racked up four touchdowns, scoring on runs of 21, 16 and 30 yards and on a catch of 32 yards. Bo Gibson had two touchdown runs for Trinity (2-2). Landon Carter was credited with three interceptions.
******************************
Friday’s area schedule
Wheatmore at Asheboro, 7:30
Walkertown at Eastern Randolph, 7:30
Ledford at Providence Grove, 7:30
Carrboro at Trinity, 7:30
Randleman at North Stanly, 7:30
Starmount at Southwestern Randolph, 7:30
