RICHMOND COUNTY — Area middle school football players got the chance to put their weeks of practice in the hot late-summer sun to use on Wednesday, which marked the first week of regular season play across the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference.
Richmond County Schools is fielding three teams this fall, seeing Hamlet and Rockingham middle schools earn wins in their respective Week 1 games. Cordova and Ellerbe middle schools are combining as the Cordova Cavaliers, who will get started next week.
RAEFORD — It was a slow start for Rockingham in its first game on the road at East Hoke Middle School, but thanks to a strong final three quarters of play, the Rockets came back to defeat the Eagles 23-22.
Rockingham is under the direction of first-year head coach Larcoy McRae, and he said the visiting team had “a rough first quarter” and gave up two touchdowns and a two-point conversion to go down 14-0 early.
But the Rockets fueled up their offense in the second quarter, scoring all three of their touchdowns in the second stanza. Quarterback Jordan Covington threw the first of his two touchdown passes to Christopher Stoner, an 80-yard catch a run. Jalial Green scored the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 14-8.
Covington used his arm again, this time finding Paul McNeil on a 60-yard strike. James Eason tacked on the point after attempt to give the Raiders a 15-14 lead.
Scoring the final Rockingham touchdown was Jada Zimmerman, who grabbed his first interception of the season, returning it 50 yards to the house. Eason would come through with his second two-point conversion to put the Raiders up nine points.
East Hoke would make things interesting an add a touchdown and a two-point conversion late, but the Rockets’ defense held on for the win.
Covington finished the day 8-for-12 passing with 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stoner (four catches) and McNeil (four catches) both eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark and had one touchdown, hauling in 118 and 112 yards, respectively.
Zimmerman was impressive on defense, collecting eight tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Eason had one PAT and one two-point conversion, while Green collected 30 rushing yards on five carries.
Rockingham (1-0) will play in its home opener next Wednesday against West Hoke Middle School (0-1) at 4 p.m.
HAMLET — Also picking up a SEMSAC win on Wednesday were the Hamlet Red Rams and head coach John Ware. They welcomed in the West Hoke Tigers and had little trouble, rolling to a 30-6 victory.
Scoring two rushing touchdowns for the Red Rams was David McNair, as fellow teammate JV Drake ran for another, while also connecting with teammate Jayvion Morgan for a passing touchdown. Larease Swinnie converted three two-point conversions for Hamlet in the win.
The Tigers’ lone score came on a kickoff return. The Hamlet defense saw Jacoby Martin and Camron Bowden each record a sack, while Jayvion Smith forced a fumble.
Ware noted the offensive line of Martin, Bowden, Toby McInnis, Comanche Caulder and Zakeius Martin “were the difference makers for starting our season on a positive note.”
Hamlet (1-0) will resume play next week at Sandy Grove Middle School.
Head coaches Larcoy McRae and John Ware contributed to this article.
