Patriots Defeat Knights 46-24, Solomon Shines with 242 Yards
Coming off a disheartening 52-14 loss to Rocky Mount Academy last week, the Arendell Parrott Academy Patriots were eager to prove they were anything but a "soft football team."
"It was gut check week," said Beaman. "I told them after last week at practice they better not come out and play soft. I told them I was tired of answering the question, 'Is Parrott down?'"
The Patriots answered that question emphatically on Friday night, defeating the Cary Christian Knights 46-24.
The Patriots set the tone early in the first quarter. Running back Jaylen Solomon, who would go on to rush for an astonishing 242 yards, scored the first touchdown on a 25-yard run with seven minutes left. Solomon found the end zone again from the 5-yard line and converted a two-point play, putting APA up 16-0. Cary Christian answered back with a 51-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead to 16-8 with 2:53 left in the first quarter. The Knights then recovered an onside kick and tied the game at 16-16 with a 9-yard touchdown pass.
APA's defense made a statement as the second quarter wound down. With Cary Christian deciding to go for it on 4th down, APA's Jeremy Snipes came up with a sack, fumble recovery, and defensive touchdown, putting the Patriots ahead 24-16 with just over a minute left.
"When you hold a team to 24 points when they are throwing all over the field, it just shows the preparation," Beaman said, praising his defense.
The second half was all about APA pulling away. Solomon's 61-yard touchdown run and another score on a 20-yard run extended the lead to 40-16. Cary Christian managed to score on a 10-yard fade route, but it was too little, too late. APA sealed the win with an 8-yard fullback dive from Mason Mooring, making the final score 46-24.
"I have been telling people he is special," Beaman said of Solomon. "He just hasn’t been getting the blocks up front. I told him at halftime we're gonna get on his back and he is going to take us to this win." Solomon himself credited his offensive line for the win, stating, "They came out more physical, better blocks, and opened up the gaps for me."
The key stats for APA included QB Caleb Sanderson going 3-4 for 27 yards with 3 carries for 50 yards, Solomon carrying the ball 32 times for 242 yards and four touchdowns, and Mason Mooring contributing 11 carries for 69 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side, Cade Mixon and Jeremy Snipes each had 2.5 sacks, Kendy Ta had one sack and a forced fumble, and Rylan Dickens had 0.5 sack. For Cary Christian, QB Reed Harvey went 20-31 for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
With this win, APA improves to 3-2, while Cary Christian drops to 2-4. The Patriots have now won 13 of their last 14 matchups against the Knights.
Attention all local sports enthusiasts! Do you have insider information on your favorite local sports team? Submit to The Score below and let our team of experts bring it to life. Don't miss out on the chance to share what happened at your local sporting event - submit now and become part of the story!
Neuse News Sports is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to cover all schools, all sports, and all athletes in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties.
We provide this free sports news by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local sports news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News Sports with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.
