By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

LEXINGTON — North Rowan quarterback Jeremiah Alford accounted for four more touchdowns, adding to his contributions to the school and county record books.

But Lexington’s lefty QB Jaylen Henderson was able to match Alford’s prodigious production.

The draw between the signal-callers was a win for Lexington, which displayed surprising offensive punch on Friday at home after being stymied at Salisbury the previous week on the road.

It was projected to be the game of the night locally, and that proved to be true. The Yellow Jackets were able to outscore the Cavaliers 34-33 in a thriller on the shiny new turf at historic Philpott Memorial Stadium.

Lexington made only one PAT, but it provided the margin of victory. It was that kind of night.

“Our kids played hard and they were resilient,” North head coach Josh Sophia said. “We just made too many mistakes.”

It was a breakthrough for Lexington in a 1A/2A Central Carolina Conference struggle that was in doubt until several Yellow Jackets pulled Alford to the turf on the final snap. Lexington, head-coached by former Catawba DB Charles Morman, beat North for the first time in five years and handed the Cavaliers their first league setback of the season.

Both teams are 6-3 overall. Both are 4-1 in the conference. If they played 10 times, they’d probably win five apiece. Lexington is 22nd in the 2A West RPI rankings, while North is 13th in the 1A West RPI rankings.

Alford ran for two touchdowns and threw for 178 yards, with both TD passes going to Emari Russell, who had five catches for 96 yards. Jo Jo Tarver carried 17 times for 138 yards.

Henderson ran for a touchdown and threw for 207 yards and three TDs for the Jackets. Lexington also got 202 combined rushing yards from quick backs Naquel Wood, who got a touchdown, and Qwazil Owen. Rahzel Ewart made six catches, some of them amazing, for 112 yards. He had two TD grabs.

North had the better of things in the first quarter. Alford connected for a TD pass to Russell and Yasir Wactor bulled for a rushing TD. Lexington had a rushing score between the Cavalier touchdowns, but failed to convert the PAT, so the Cavaliers led 14-6.

Lexington owned the second quarter. After a field goal snaked through the uprights to cut North’s lead to 14-9, another rushing TD put the Yellow Jackets ahead 15-14 at halftime.

The third quarter was wild, seemed to last forever, and included five touchdowns. Lexington got two TDs in a flurry early in the quarter. Henderson threw a TD pass for 21-14. North blocked the PAT, but after North lost a fumble, Henderson put six more points on the board to put the Cavaliers in a 27-14 hole.

Alford sparked the Cavaliers’ comeback. His 8-yard rushing TD sliced the deficit to 27-20. Then the Cavs were successful on their third straight PAT kick by Salim Shamman to get back to 27-21.

When Jaiden Brown knocked the ball loose from a Lexington ballcarrier moments later, the Cavaliers recovered near the Lexington 40. The DB covering Russell fell down two plays later, and Alford hit him down the sideline for a 27-all tie, but the PAT attempt sailed wide left.

Lexington sruged back ahead before the third quarter ended. Henderson rolled left, threw toward the middle of the end zone and was rewarded with a diving catch. Then Lexington kicked its lone PAT of the night for a 34-27 advantage.

North battled back with a 13-yard scrambling touchdown by Alford, who had moved North into scoring position with completions to Russell and Dyzarious Carpenter.There were still 10 minutes left in the game. North opted to kick the point to tie, but again it went wide left, leaving the Cavs behind 34-33.

North’s offense got two more chances to change the outcome

North drove to the Lexington 35, but a North lineman jumped early, and a fourth-and-3 situation at the 35 became fourth-and-8 at the 40. Alford fired downfield, but Lexington made the breakup and took possession of the ball.

After North’s defense forced a punt, time was running low, but the Cavaliers still had a shot,

Alford moved the Cavaliers to the Lexington 27, but then he was sacked at the 31. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, North had time for one more play. Alford decided to take off when receivers were covered and he saw a crease up the middle, but he was tackled at the 35. Tine expired, and jubilant Yellow Jackets celebrated.

Rivalry games are next. North takes on Salisbury this Friday with the opportunity to create a three-way tie for first place with an upset of the Hornets. Lexington should be able to handle traditional rival Thomasville and will cheer for the Cavs to make it a three-way tie at the top.