Reidsville turns back Rockingham 8-0

Reidsville turned away several Rockingham County scoring threats inside the 5-yard line and used a second quarter touchdown to claim an 8-0 victory in junior varsity football Thursday night at Community Stadium.

The Cougars had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line following an interception early in the game but couldn't put the ball in the end zone. A third-down stop by 245-pound freshman Rosario Rubio and 230-pound sophomore Eli Totten keyed the defensive stand. After a fourth-down pass fell incomplete, the Rams escaped.

The game's only score came in the second quarter when freshman quarterback Jayden Butchee connected with sophomore Lavoyd Hairston for a 19-yard TD pass play. Jayden Stone ran the 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 with 3:12 on the second quarter clock.

The rest of the game belonged to the defenses of both teams. In addition to Rubio and Totten, Reidsville got some outstanding play from Landyn Evitt, Xavier Jones, Jaelyn Lewis and Amir Jackson.

The Cougars made a deep threat in the fourth quarter after Austin Barnes recovered a fumble at the Reidsville 37 with 7:41 left. A pass from Jayden Maletich to Blane Garrett worked for 22 yards, setting up a first down at the 18. Chris Thomas' 9-yard run set up first-and-goal at the 9 and the Cougars moved closer with a half-the-distance penalty. But a fourth-down pass fell incomplete and the Rams took over with 4:07 left.

A great catch in tight coverage by Davion Broadnax on a pass from Butchee produced 20 yards and picked up a first down, helping the Rams run out the clock.

Reidsville is now 4-1 (3-0 in Mid-State Conference). Rockingham slipped to 4-2 (2-1 conference).