Edwards, Coker connect as Rebels upset Red Rams in OT

Rockets pummel visiting Southern Middle

Staff report

HAMLET — It’s never easy being shut out, as the Rohanen Rebels middle school football team were on their home field a week ago by the Rockingham Rockets.

The strength of a team, however, is gauged largely on how it responds. At this point, Rohanen coach Darrell Wright shouldn’t be worried about anything.

Rohanen was held scoreless on four plays in overtime and, on fourth down and two yards to go, quarterback Jada Edwards connected with Preston Coker for the winning score as the Rebels upset the host Red Rams, 26-20.

Edwards was 10-for-13 for 157 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Coker and another to DeShawn Wall. On the ground, Brian Castro rushed 19 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Castro also ran in a two-point conversion.

Rohanen scored on its first possession on a drive that covered 67 yards on eight plays and gave the Rebels a 6-0 lead. Rohanen’s Josh Hill recovered a Hamlet fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and the Rebels offense drove 45 yards in five plays. Edwards capped the drive with a scoring dart to Wall. Castro ran in the two-point conversion for a 14-0 advantage.

The Red Rams answered with a scoring drive of their own to enter halftime down 14-6. Hamlet scored again early in the third quarter to pull within 14-12. The Rebels fumbled the ball on the kickoff and Hamlet recovered. The Red Rams converted the turnover into eight points and a 20-14 lead with five minutes left in regulation.

Edwards connected with Coker with 54 seconds left in the fourth quarter to knot the game 20-20. A two-point conversion attempt failed, sending the game into overtime.

Rohanen next plays at Anson on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Rockingham won its Wednesday home game against Southern Middle, 40-0, to improve the Rockets’ record to 3-0. In a third game with a county team, Ellerbe knocked off Anson, 20-6.