Davonte Brooks of Eastern Randolph heads for the end zone against Southwestern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – Davonte Brooks scored three touchdowns and Eastern Randolph relied on its defense in a 20-12 road victory against Southwestern Randolph in a Piedmont Athletic Conference football opener Thursday night.
“We just all came together and played as one and that’s how we got the job done,” Brooks said.
Eastern Randolph (5-1), which is the reigning PAC champion, won despite its lowest point total of the season.
“It was not our best game,” Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates said. “Too many mistakes – penalties at the wrong time.”
Southwestern Randolph (4-2) couldn’t crank up enough offense.
“I thought our kids gave everything they had,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said.
The Wildcats stuck to a ground attack in the second half after the Cougars intercepted two first-half passes. Cates said windy conditions impacted the game plan.
“Let’s go with our strength, which is the offensive line and running the football,” Cates said.
Brooks gained 160 rushing yards and teammate Ervodd Cassady ran for 128 yards.
Brooks scored on a 25-yard run to open the scoring and later in the first quarter Southwestern Randolph’s Easton Clapp scored on a 1-yard run.
Adam Cole’s 42-yard punt return for a touchdown put the Cougars on top 12-7 in the third quarter.
Brooks scored on a 1-yard run later in the third quarter. Brooks scored again from 1 yard out in the fourth quarter.
“I thought in the second half they dominated the line of scrimmage,” Baxter said.
Providence Grove 31, Trinity 0: At Trinity, Zane Cheek ran for two touchdowns and Providence Grove (5-1) built a 28-0 halftime lead.
Zander Cheek also scored a touchdown. Brady Collins threw a touchdown pass to Joe Coltrane. Andrew Canter kicked a 37-yard field goal.
Trinity (4-2) suffered a shutout to the Patriots for the second time in three seasons. Dominic Pay had 57 passing yards and 53 rushing yards.
Randleman 49, Wheatmore 0: At Randleman, Christian Long threw four touchdown passes – two each to Chesney Welch and Tyshaun Goldston – as the host Tigers rolled.
Long also ran for a touchdown. Amarion Moton’s 10-yard run opened the scoring in the PAC game.
Randleman (4-2) led 42-0 at halftime. All of Long’s touchdown passes came in the second quarter, hitting Welch for 17 and 10 yards and connecting with Goldston for 9 and 20 yards.
Long finished 11-for-18 for 128 yards. Moton rushed six times for 105 yards.
Wheatmore (1-5) was held to 81 yards of total offense. Johnathan Kelly had 48 rushing yards.
Oak Grove 52, Asheboro 7: At Asheboro, unbeaten Oak Grove in the road victory to open Mid-Piedmont Conference play for both teams.
The Grizzlies (6-0) were up 28-7 at halftime. Asheboro (1-5) scored early in the second quarter after trailing 21-0.
