LUMBERTON — As we continue to put a bow around the gift that was the 2018 Robeson County football season, The Robesonian sports staff recognizes the top games and performances that electrified the masses. The lists include county Heisman hopefuls and features some of the best teams the area had to offer.
TOP GAMES
1) Fairmont at Red Springs, Oct. 19
Arguably the county’s most competitive football rivalry, this year’s edition did nothing to disprove that debate. With all the build up and hype leading to the game throughout the week, both teams brought the best versions of themselves in front of a rabid Red Springs fan base. Fairmont avenged the loss from last year, walking away with a 26-19 win.
Despite arriving just five minutes before kickoff, the Golden Tornadoes jumped to an early 6-0 lead after Jordan Waters glided past defenders for a 44-yard touchdown run. The Red Devils countered with a 37-yard rushing score by Jahlil Brunson that put them ahead 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. They would go on to secure a 19-12 halftime lead, racking up 197 yards in the process.
Both of Waters’ touchdowns in the fourth quarter were game-breakers. He opened the period with a 52-yard pass to receiver Jayvon Morris to take a 20-19 lead, then lined up at running back to receive a toss and drive it in from 5 yards out to the lead to 26-19 with 2:45 to go.
Red Springs was held to just 16 yards of total offense in the second half, but still had two cracks at tying it up down the stretch. The first attempt ended with a turnover on downs and the last drive came to a halt when Waters intercepted Red Devils quarterback Denym McKeithan.
Fairmont, who came into the matchup with just one win, would close the season with three victories in their last four.
2) Lumberton at Jack Britt, Sept. 28
One of the most bizzare, time-consuming games on the gridiron this season took place in Fayetteville. Two teams that were no strangers to close contests this year needed nearly four hours, four quarters plus an additional four periods to decide a winner.
The game-winner in the fourth overtime came off the right leg of Jack Britt kicker Sam McKeithen who knocked in an extra point to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
In a throwback homage to hard-nosed football of decades past, both defenses were remarkable. They traded safeties in the first half, and gave up minimal big plays. The score was knotted at 8 apiece throughout most of the second half and deep into the overtime sessions.
For Lumberton, senior quarterback Braylan Grice was unstoppable throughout most the first half and finished with 249 total yards and both of the team’s touchdowns. He threw a 19-yard strike to receiver Jordan McNeill in the first quarter and ran it in from five yards out to take a 14-8 lead in the fourth overtime.
But much like their season, it was a typical “what could’ve been” effort for the Pirates as they failed to convert in key situations in the second half.
Late in the third quarter with the ball just outside the Buccaneers’ 1-yard line, Grice tried to get the defense to jump offsides to no avail and instead, it was the Pirates offense that started early. Moving back five yards, the offense never inched forward again as the stout defense ended the drive with two consecutive sacks on third and fourth down.
Britt running back Chancellor Johnson had the most decisive offensive play of the evening, skipping past the Lumberton defense for a 10-yard run to tie it at 14 in the fourth overtime.
Following the gut-punching loss, Lumberton would win just one more game for the rest of the season.
3) South Columbus at Red Springs, Sept. 7
At the time, this Three Rivers Conference showdown featured two undefeated teams vying for separation. It was a tale of two halves as the home Red Devils went up big, only to fall just short in the 32-28 loss to the Stallions.
Red Springs jumped out to a 15-point advantage, leading 28-13 at the half. They were led by quarterback Denym McKeithan who accounted for 179 total yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half of the loss. McKeithan ran for one touchdown midway through the second quarter, which was sandwiched by two touchdown connections with receiver Keagan Brayboy, giving them the big halftime lead.
The offense scored on all of its possessions in the second quarter, but failed to score the next two quarters. South Columbus took advantage of the stagnant offense using its ground game to get back in it. Running back Letrell Brown capped the comeback with a one-yard rush that gave the visitors a 32-28 lead.
Red Springs battled through injuries down the stretch and went 4-4 following the loss.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Jordan Waters, ATH, Fairmont at Red Springs
Every standout athlete that has player of the year aspirations adds a “Heisman moment” to their resume. For Duke commit Jordan Waters, his moment very well may have been the game-sealing interception to close out an improbable win over a hated rival.
In the county’s game of the year, Waters finished with 282 yards of total offense and three touchdowns to support his claim as one of the best all-around football players in the area.
Marqueise Coleman, RB, St. Pauls vs. West Columbus
In the 56-6 win, Coleman rushed 12 times for 203 yards and a season-high five touchdowns. It was enough to earn him NCPreps.com player of the week honors and the county’s leading rusher used the performance to create separation between his backfield counterparts.
Chandler Brayboy, WR, Purnell Swett vs. Hoke
One of the most underrated players in the area, the Elon commit was a one-man band for Purnell Swett his year. He was the sole source of offense for his team in the majority of its games, but perhaps his most noteworthy performance came during his final homecoming. The senior accounted for 206 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the 28-27 win over Hoke, the team’s only conference win of the year.
Brayboy had two rushing scores, a two-point conversion and a 67-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that proved to be the Rams last of the night.
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