Kinghtdale edges Southeast Raleigh 26 to 22. Photo By CHRIS BAIRD
Oct 6, 2012
Knightdale held Southeast Raleigh to only nine second half points en route to a 26-22 victory in Greater Neuse River 4A action Friday night.
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“This is the biggest win in school history and puts us right where we want to be for next Friday,” Knights Rob Senseney said
Marquavious Johnson had a stand-out night with 133 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries to lead the Knightdale attack, while Nathaniel Harvey added 106 yards on 25 carries.
The Bulldogs started with a 15-play opening drive that took half the first quarter as Cameron Marshman scrambled into the end zone to take the early 6-0 lead.
The Bulldogs (4-4) defense then produced a three-and-out, but a bad snap gave the Knights life. Johnson finished the drive on a scramble right and took it in for the touchdown, but the extra point is blocked and the score was knotted at six.
Southeast struck later in the first, as Marshman hit Sandy Chapman that set up the second touchdown for Marshman and the Bulldogs led 13-6.
Midway through the second quarter, the Knights were driving but David Connor intercepted Johnson’s deep throw to end the drive. The favor was returned on the ensuing drive as Marshman was picked off by Christian Mayola in the red zone.
The Knights took over and put together a 7-play drive led by Harvey that setup Johnson’s second rushing touchdown to tie it up at 13 at the break.
In the third quarter, Knightdale (6-1) received the kickoff and came out with a focused running attack. Johnson scrambled and made defenders miss all over the field as he took it in from 14 yards out and recorded his third rushing touchdown of the night.
On the opening drive for the Bulldogs, Marshman took a big hit as he scrambled for the sidelines prompting Bulldogs head coach Marvin Burke to put in Demontae Spence. Spence responded by finding Mark Scott wide open for a 65-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed but Spence kept it close at 20-19.
Johnson answered back as he cut across the middle of the field leaving the Bulldogs diving and guessing for 48 yards. This gave the Knights some breathing room as they pushed ahead 26-19.
The Bulldogs battled back in the fourth quarter and junior kicker, Gary Nava nailed a 37-yard field goal to close the gap to 26-22.
But Johnson led the offense down the field and milked the clock.
“You have to really give these Bulldogs credit. They fought back and really played hard,” Senseney said.
Knightdale will travel to Trojan Stadium to faced undefeated Garner (7-0) which will likely to decide the Greater Neuse River Conference championship. Southeast Raleigh will travel to East Wake (1-7) next week.
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