North Lenoir falls 24-18 to North Johnston
North Lenoir scored more points Friday, Oct. 23, than in its first five Three Rivers 4A games combined, but the Hawks lost 24-18 to North Johnston in La Grange.
The Hawks finished their regular-season schedule 0-10 overall and 0-6 in the conference. North Johnston improved to 2-7 and 1-4, ending a seven-game losing streak with its first victory since a season-opening win over Beddingfield.
North Johnston gains 259 yards on the ground
Juan Sanchez Fuentes rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries to lead North Johnston, which finished with 259 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Cameron Scarboro added two rushing touchdowns and 33 yards on nine attempts. Zion Whitfield ran for 45 yards and a touchdown on five carries, and Marquise Hicks contributed 42 yards on five attempts.
The Panthers had far less success throwing, completing two of 11 passes for 12 yards with two interceptions. Joseph Parnell led North Johnston’s posted defensive totals with 10 tackles.
Hawks produce their closest conference result
For North Lenoir, the six-point margin was its closest conference result of the season. The Hawks also allowed their fewest points in a conference game this season. They had entered Friday with only 12 points in five league games and were coming off consecutive shutout losses to Washington, 47-0, and West Craven, 57-0. Their 18 points against the Panthers were their most since scoring 20 against Greene Central in the opener.
Both teams came in seeking their first conference win, but the pregame outlook favored North Johnston. The Panthers were 1-7 and coming off a bye, while North Lenoir was 0-9. Neuse News Sports’ Week 10 prediction favored North Johnston by 14 points. The six-point result was closer than that forecast.
The result also gave the Panthers a second consecutive win in the matchup. North Johnston beat North Lenoir 48-25 in Kenly on Oct. 24, 2025. This year’s meeting cut that 23-point margin to six.
North Lenoir has no additional game listed on its schedule. North Johnston is scheduled to host Southwest Edgecombe on Oct. 30.
North Lenoir’s individual game statistics and quarter-by-quarter scoring were not available in the posted game report as of Oct. 26.
