Read the article at JDNews Sunday 9/13/15 P. D2 (NOT on website)

(PHOTO: John Sudbrink/The Daily News...NHS Wide Receiver Kalev Henry Hauls in a pass during the Monarchs'58-34 win over Fairmont)

A super sophomore

     Just call Northside wide receiver Demetrius Jones a super sophomore. Or at least that how he’s been playing for the Monarchs. Jones a 6-foot-2, 160-pound sophomore, continues to shine this   early in the season, having hauled in five passes for 91 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown reception, Friday night in the Monarchs’ 58-34 win over Fairmont.

   Jones had a key 10-yard catch to the Fairmont 45-yard line on Northside’s first drive that up a score that put them up 7-0. He also had a 36-yard grab to the FHS 1 that set up another score.

   Jones entered as the area’s top pass-catcher   with 11 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns. “Demetrius is a special player,” Northside coach Bob Eason said. “He’s got a great set of hands. He’s only a sophomore, but he will be a great one.” But while Eason was pleased with Jones’ efforts Friday, he was equally happy with the effort of quarterback Jake Erickson, who completed 8 of 15 passes for 121 yards. “Jake did a good job of distributing it around to loosen the defense a bit,” Eason said. “We are excited our offense did so well.”

   Solid sub

   Another sophomore also stepped up — or under center — Friday night, Swansboro’s Thomas Reynolds. Reynolds started at quarterback in place of suspended starting senior Eli Frantz and played well. While he an interception and a couple handoff issues that led to two of the team’s four fumbles, Reynolds looked good throwing the ball, completing 10 of 16 passes – including 8 of 9 in the opening half — for 131 yards. Reynolds had six completions of 11 yards or more, including a 34-yard touchdown toss to Josh Salois. “He did good,” Laspada said. “Very proud of him. He played well as a sophomore.” Frantz was the area’s leading passer after three weeks, and Laspada said unless something else happens he should be good to go this Friday night against Croatan.

   Looking ahead

   Eason was asked if he considered this: If the Monarchs allowed Fairmont’s Julius Caulder to throw for 380 yards, how does he think Northside will do when it visits Havelock next week? Havelock, after all, slings it with the best of them. “We are going to get better next week and we are going to do better,” he said. “We don’t have any choice.”

   A running QB?

   Erickson has been better known over his four seasons as the Monarchs’ quarterback to be a pocket passer and not necessarily a running one. If this was the NFL, Erickson would be more of like a Peyton Manning and not a Cam Newton. Still, Erickson showed some running prowess by rushing for three touchdowns on runs of 1 1 and 2 yards. “That’s never happened in my career and it will probably never happen again,” Erickson said with a laugh. “But it was fun.” And for the record, Erickson did tote the ball on some option reads.  

   Losing its grip

   Northside led 30-0 in the third quarter before Fairmont got things going. The Golden Tornadoes pulled to within 37-20 before the Monarchs pulled away for good late in the game. “We definitely let off going into halftime,” said Jonte Mc-Mullen, who rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries. “We have to keep stay in the game and believe that it’s not over.”

   On the upswing

   If there’s a team on the upswing in the area, it could be Croatan. The Cougars have won three straight over a trio of 3-A foes, including an impressive 35-13 win over Topsail at home. The Pirates were 3-0 coming into the   game. Croatan plays host to Swansboro this coming Friday in a toss-up game and then travels to East Carteret (4-0), which last week was ranked No. 9 in the AP poll in 1-A. After an open date on Oct. 2, the Cougars being East Central 2-A Conference play at home against North Brunswick. 9-11 Remembrance The American flag was at half-staff at Swansboro High School’s football field, and the cheerleaders wore red, white and blue bows

   – a few also had similar tri-color arm bands – Friday night during the Pirates’ 39-21 loss to Pamlico. It was part of the school’s remembrance of 9-11 and also included a moment of silence before the game.

   Briefly

   Swansboro gave up more points (39) to Pamlico than it had in its first three games (20), which were all wins. ... The Hurricanes had scored 48 points in their first three games. ... Lejeune has been outscored 155 to 10 in starting 0-4 this season. ... Dixon has lost three straight since its 14-13 season-opening win at First Flight heading to Richlands, which like the Bulldogs is 1-3 but coming off its first win, a 33-0 victory at South Lenoir. ... JHS has been outscored 40-7 in losing to New Bern and Northside the last two weeks after opening the season with a 41-0 win over Southwest.... Northside’s 58 points were the most for the Monarchs since a 73-6 win over Mattamuskeet on Sept. 13, 2013.  

  Northside wide receiver Kalev Henry hauls in a pass during the Monarchs’ 58-34 win over Fairmont on Friday night. The Monarchs (3-1) travel to Havelock (4-0) this coming Friday in a nonconference game. Havelock, which has been to the state 3-A finals four straight years and won three championships, was ranked No. 1 in 3-A by The Associated Press last week. John Sudbrink/The Daily News

 

  Jacksonville wide receiver Alex Pullin tries to elude New Bern middle linebacker Stephen Weems during the Cardinals’ 19-0 loss to the Bears on Friday night. It was the first win in four games for the defending state 4-A champions while the Cardinals fell to 1-2. John Althouse/The Daily News

 

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