Football: Friday's other games

Lakeland 35, Hickory 7

Cedric Johnson rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns as the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2001 with a Southeastern District road victory Friday night.

Johnson helped Lakeland (2-0 district) rush for more than 300 total yards and race away from a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Cavaliers pulled away in the fourth quarter when Johnson picked off a pass on defense. On the ensuing drive, he dodged seven tackles en route to a 62-yard touchdown run.

On Lakeland’s next possession, Johnson broke the game open with a 43-yard scoring run.

The Hawks produced just eight first downs.

Key stats: L—Johnson 28-211, 4 TDs rushing; Walter Boykins 14-25-0, 104 yards passing; H—George Godfrey 9-53, TD rushing.

He said it: “I challenged him this week; he had problems with fumbles the first two weeks. He came to play tonight.” – Lakeland head coach Glenwood Ferebee, referring to Johnson.

– Reported by Dan Cooley

Great Bridge 24, Western Branch 21

Quarterback Brad Hudson connected with Marc Meier for two touchdown passes to help the Wildcats (2-0, 1-0) endure a fourth-quarter frenzy and top Southeastern District foe Western Branch for the first time in almost two decades.

Hudson caught the Bruins (0-3, 0-2) snoozing and quickly fired a pass to Meier, whose 51-yard jaunt to the end zone put Great Bridge ahead 24-14 with a little more than a minute remaining.

Great Bridge had not defeated Western Branch since 1990.

DeMarte’ Johnson pulled Western Branch to within three points when he hit Larry Wilson for a 28-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left.

Nathanial Nelko recovered the ensuing onside kick for the Wildcats, who led 10-0 entering the final quarter.

The Wildcats visit Lakeland next Friday in a district battle of unbeaten teams.

Key stats: GB—Hudson 15-21-1-246, 3 TDs passing; Meier 8-159, 2 TDs receiving; Dominique Davis 13-82 rushing. WB—Johnson 10-23-0-152, 2 TDs passing.

He said it: “It was a great win – sometimes it’s harder to beat the history than the team.” – Wildcats coach Pete Gale

– Reported by Scott Baxter

Deep Creek 17, Indian River 14

Derrick Boone’s 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter helped the Hornets snap a four-game losing streak dating to last season.

Deep Creek (1-2, 1 -1 Southeastern District), playing at home, led 10-0 with four minutes remaining. But Indian River’s Corwin Cutler hit Kevin Lewis on a 51-yard scoring strike and Corey Payne recovered a fumble in the end zone to give the Braves (0-3, 0-2) a brief 14-10 lead.

The Hornets picked up their first win of the season and first over Indian River since 2006.

The Braves are off to their worst start since their winless 2001 campaign.

Wilson 13, Nansemond River 6

DeAndre’ Beslow’s 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter secured the Presidents’ second victory – and propelled them to 2-0 in their new stadium.

Wilson (2-1), which led 7-6 at halftime, is off to its best start in more than a decade. The Warriors fell to 0-3.

“They guys are excited right now,” Presidents coach Carlton Thomas said. “Just having a place to really call home gives the guys a big boost. They have a place their can call their own and defend.”

Granby 20, Gloucester 17

The Comets picked up their first victory of the season when Gloucester couldn’t handle a snap while trying to run out the clock.

Granby returned the fumble 85 yards in the closing seconds to improve to 1-2.

Gloucester, playing at home, fell to 0-3.

Nansemond-Suffolk 34, Norfolk Christian 0

The Saints (2-1) rolled as their strong rushing attack, led by Will Crenshaw, earned them a win over Norfolk Christian (1-3).

Nansemond-Suffolk controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game and rushed for 224 yards and five touchdowns.

The Ambassadors were shut down offensively, gaining only 51 total yards. They were also sacked five times.

Key stats: NS—Crenshaw 8-123, 2TDs rushing; Kenny Rice 11-63 rushing; Ryan May 7-30, 2TDs rushing; Josh Todd 3-58 receiving.

Portsmouth Christian 21, Brunswick Academy 0

The Patriots (3-1) recorded their second shutout of the season, holding Brunswick (1-3) to 81 total yards.

Portsmouth Christian’s Dustin Rouse and Ryan Ellenberger led the defense with 10 tackles each.

The Patriots’ offense produced 83 passing yards and 58 rushing yards in the victory.