Dec 14, 2008
CHAPEL HILL — Fayetteville 71st's James Hopper ended the high school stage of his football career with a bang. And his coach had the day of his life against none other than his former team.
Hopper rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns to help Fayetteville 71st defeat Fayetteville Douglas Byrd 28-7 in the Class 4-A North Carolina High School Athletic Association championship game on Saturday.
The senior running back, who earned MVP honors, has committed to play for Virginia Tech.
"I just thought of it as a regular game," Hopper said. "I didn't really have (any) pressure on me."
Bob Paroli has coached the Falcons (14-2) since 2005, but previously spent 25 seasons on the Eagles' sideline and was 0-5 in championship games. Today, Paroli's new team handed his old one its sixth title-game loss in six tries.
"I love Douglas Byrd, I spent 25 years there, I had some of my greatest experiences with what we did there," Paroli said. "I couldn't afford to get caught up in the emotions."
Maurice Scruggs had 76 rushing yards for the Falcons, who closed the season with six consecutive wins for their third state championship - second outright - in school history.
It was also the second time the Falcons defeated the Eagles (13-4) this season. The first game on Oct. 3 ending in a 27-14 Fayetteville 71st victory. Both teams play in the Mid-Southeastern Conference.
Malcolm Rowe's 6-yard run pulled the Eagles within 14-7 late in the third quarter. But a potential game-tying drive stalled at the Falcons' 23-yard line, and Hopper's two fourth-quarter touchdown runs - from 1 and 5 yards - sealed the victory.
The Falcons outgained the Eagles 278-223.
Rowe rushed for 53 yards and Chris Zavala added 51 for the Eagles, but they committed five turnovers and had two drives end on downs inside the Falcons' 30.
"When we play great football teams, turnovers and penalties will always make the difference," Eagles coach Russell Stone said. "We weren't quite as sharp as we had been, but they probably had a lot to do with that."
The Falcons held their sixth straight opponent to seven points or fewer.
Two more Mid-Southeastern teams, Fayetteville Britt and Richmond County, play on Sunday for the 4-AA title.
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