ROCKINGHAM — Playing in front of its home crowd for the first time this fall, the Rockingham Middle School football team impressed with a shutout win over visiting West Hoke Middle School on Wednesday.
The Rockets and head coach Larcoy McRae earned a 30-0 win over the Tigers to earn their second win in as many tries to start the season. Last week, Rockingham came from behind to defeat East Hoke Middle school by one point.
A week after throwing for over 200 yards, Rockets’ quarterback Jordan Covington had a quieter afternoon but was still effective. He finished 4-for-8 passing with 40 yards and one passing score to teammate Paul McNeil.
The throwing touchdown was a 25-yard toss, and proved to be McNeil’s lone catch of the game, who now has a team-leading two receiving scores on the season.
Out of the backfield, the Rockets relied more on their running game against West Hoke. Noah Jenks and Jaliel Green teamed up to score one rushing score each to bolster Rockingham’s lead. Jenks carried the ball five times for 40 yards, and Green followed up with four carries for 26 yards.
For the second game in a row, the Rockets’ defense would force a turnover and return it for a score. Jaziah Liles, who led the team with nine tackles, forced a fumble and saw teammate Christopher Stoner pick up the loose ball and return it to pay dirt. Jacob Wall finished the game with six tackles and Joe Parsons added five more in the win.
Now 2-0 on the early season, with both wins coming against Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference opponents, the Rockets will hit the road on Wednesday. Rockingham will play non-conference Blenheim Middle School (Blenheim, S.C.) at 5:30 p.m.
