Thursday's other football games: Sparrow's TD grab in final minute lifts Western Branch:

No. 3 Western Branch 21, Churchland 14 CHESAPEAKE

Javanti Sparrow notched three touchdowns — the last happening with 32 seconds remaining to lift the Bruins over neighborhood rival Churchland in a non-district season opener for both teams.

Quarterback Michael Brown shrugged off a Trucker defender, rolled out to his right and heaved a pass to the deep right corner of the end zone. Sparrow leaped and snagged the ball for the winning score. It was the Bruins’ 12th consecutive victory in the series.

Sparrow had given the Bruins a 7-0 lead, taking the opeing kickoff right down the middle 85 yards.

Craig Brooks then fired a pass to Jarrell Young, who scampered 83 yards for a TD for the Truckers with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Churchland then took a 14-7 lead with less than three minutes remaining after Brian Smith bounced out to the right for a 12-yard scoring run.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Bruins scored two plays later when Brown hit Sparrow down the middle.

But the Bruins still trailed 14-13 after a bad snap on the extra point.

Key stats: WB—Sparrow 4-98, 2 TDs receiving; Brown 9-24-0-171, 2 TDs passing. C—Brooks 4-6-0-109, TD passing, 15-43 rushing; Smith 13-51, TD rushing.

He said it: “Some of the sloppiness is relatdd to the rivalry. But hats off to my kids who played all 48 minutes.” — Bruins coach Scott Johnson

— Reported by Scott Baxter

King’s Fork 29, Norview 15

SUFFOLK

A.J. Harper rambled for 175 yards and two touchdowns to make a winner out of coach Joe Jones in his first game with the Bulldogs.

The victors scored twice in the second quarter of the non-district struggle to take the lead for good at 22-15.

Daniel Church passed for both Norview touchdowns. The Pilots are 0-1.

Key stats: KF—Harper 16-175, 2 TDS rushing; Laray Kindred 4-7-1-61, 1 TD passing. N—Stephen Sims 18-107 rushing; Church 12-33-2-152, 2 TDs passing; Marcus Hall 6-52, 1 TD receiving.

He said it: “The benefit game we played last week against Lafayette really prepared us for this one,”—King’s Fork coach Joe Jones.

— Reported by Dan Moore

Lakeland 34, Hickory 7 SUFFOLK

Quarterback Neil McKoy connected with Donavan Wright for three touchdown passes as the Cavaliers beat Southeastern District foe Hickory for the first time in six years in the season opener for both teams.

The game marked the head-coaching debuts for both Hickory coach Tim Sitterson and Lakeland coach Glenwood Ferebee.

Cedric Johnson added a pair of touchdown runs following bad snaps by the Hawks’ punting unit.

Wright finished with four receptions for 126 yards, and the Lakeland defense limited Hickory to 44 total yards.

The Hawks got on the board in the fourth quarter when Scott Fahey scooped up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.

Key stats: L—Neil McKoy 7-21-0-162, 3 TDs passing. H—C.J. McGriff 12-41 rushing.

He said it: When I saw it i thought make a big play. That’s all coach says is make a big play. — Lakeland’s Donovan Wright on his four catches.

— Reported by Charlie Baumgardner

Grassfield 35, Nansemond River 6 CHESAPEAKE

The Grizzlies took advantage of a disastrous evening of special teams play by the Warriors to record their first victory on their home field in the Southeastern Distict opener for both teams.

Grassfield led 21-0, set up by ideal field position each time thanks to punts of 8 and 20 yards and a fumble recovery after a botched snap on a punt. In the second half, Roy Daniels blocked a punt in the end zone for a Grizzlies’ TD and Corey Gwynn returned a punt 35 yards to set up another Grassfield score.

Four different runners scored for Grassfield, which is in its second year of existence.

Key stats: G—Tucker Spruill 12-54, 1 TD rushing; Bruce Smith 8-54, 1 TD rushing; Terrell Johnson 6-12-0-78, 1 TD passing; Zach Millertich 3-29 receiving. NR–Lamont Brown 18-91 rushing; Willie Ponder 3-103, 1 TD receiving; Steve Skinner 7-210-129, 1 TD passing.

He said it: “Awesome. Exciting. It’s a weight off our back.” — Grizzlies Martin Asprey on his team’s first win on its home field

— Reported by Dan Cooley

Bethel 35, Granby 3 NORFOLK

Jontal Evans rushed for three touchdowns as the Bruins rolled in a non-district season opener for both teams at Powhatan Field, spoiling the coaching debut of Granby’s Curt Brown.

Evans had a 2-yard TD plunge late in the first quarter and then added a 22-yard scoring dash midway through the second quarter as Bethel built a 21-3 halftime lead.

The Comets opened with a 3-0 lead on Paul Melshen’s 34-yard field goal. Granby recovered the opening onside kick near midfield and drove to the Bethel 17 before Melshen hit his field goal.

Key stats: B—Evans 12-117, 3 TDs rushing, Ray Bradley 6-41, TD rushing. G—Telvion Clark 7-36 rushing, INT; Dayzonte Williams 3-57 receiving.

He said it: “It was a good start. The offensive line carried us.”— Bethel coach Jeff Nelson

— Reported by Rich Salzer

Franklin 50, Northampton 0 FRANKLIN

The Broncos pounded out 384 rushing yards to romp in their non-district Group A season opener against the Yellow Jackets.

Leading rusher Isaiah Hudson turned his two carries into 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Franklin, which scored on its first four possessions, didn’t attempt a pass. The Broncos’ defense limited Northampton to 85 yards and six first downs.

Key stats: N—Herbert Lane 19-84 rushing. F—Donzell Shearin 3-92, 1 TD rushing; Martinez Hill 12-84, 2TDs rushing; Hudson 2-94, 2 TDs rushing.

— Reported by Quentin Deloatch