Bethel Christian rolls past Northeast-Hobgood behind Sutton's big night
Bethel Christian’s Josh Sutton carved up the Northeast-Hobgood Academy defense for 316 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 60-22 win Friday. Photo by Laieke Abebe / Neuse News
For Bethel Christian, Friday was a banner night for their football program.
The Trojans rolled past Northeast-Hobgood Academy 60-22 thanks to a big performance by senior running back Josh Sutton. He had over 250 yards rushing in the first half and finished with 22 carries for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
“We remembered how we lost to them last year,” Sutton said referring to the Trojans’ 30-26 defeat in the state semifinals. “We had to come out with a lot of energy and I just wanted to help get my team ready. My teammates did a great job blocking for me and we were able to move the ball effectively.”
Bethel Christian scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions of the game, led by two Sutton runs and another by senior quarterback Connor Williams. The Trojans were able to run the ball with ease against the two-time defending NCISAA Division I state champions and led 22-0 going into the second quarter.
It seemed like momentum was favoring the Eagles as they had the ball trailing 22-6, but Williams’ pick-6 halted any chance of a comeback. Williams had a fumble recovery and intercepted two passes, Easton Truett had a pair of interceptions and Andrew Stonebreaker blocked a punt in the second half.
“I’m so proud of how we played,” Trojans head coach Brick Crowder said. “Our offensive line and tight ends blocked really well for most of the night. They have a proud program over there, so we had to play a complete four quarters of football and we did that tonight.”
Williams threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Quan Hamilton midway through the second quarter and Sutton’s third rushing touchdown late in the first half gave the Trojans a 46-14 lead at halftime. Four different Trojans scored a touchdown on the ground as junior Zack Boyd and freshman Jaylen Sims each found the end zone in the second half.
Bethel Christian will travel to face Wayne Christian/Goldsboro Home School next Friday in a non-conference matchup. For now, Sutton and the Trojans want to continue to build more momentum
“We have to keep working hard in practice” Sutton added. “If we work hard, the results will come, so we want to get better everyday.”
BETHEL CHRISTIAN 60, NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD 22
Northeast-Hobgood 0 14 0 8 — 22
Bethel Christian 22 24 0 14 — 60
First quarter
BCA — Josh Sutton 19 run (run failed), 10:38
BCA — Connor Williams 2 run (Jeremiah Washington pass from Williams), 7:09
BCA — Sutton 60 run (Sutton run), 4:58
Second quarter
NE-H — J.T. Simmons 12 run (pass failed), 11:52
BCA — Williams 60 interception return (Sutton run), 9:32
NE-H — Simmons-Zi Matthewson 50 pass (Cole Lanier-Michael Smith pass), 7:46
BCA — Quan Hamilton 40 pass form Williams (Williams run), 6:43
BCA — Sutton 17 run (Sutton run), 1:33
Fourth quarter
BCA — Zack Boyd 32 run (run failed), 6:28
NE-H — Josh Simmons 14 pass from J.T. Simmons (J.T. Simmons run), 5:00
BCA — Jaylen Sims 19 run (Gabe Gurley pass from Easton Truett), 2:39
NE-H BCA
First downs 10 24
Rushes-yds 34-65 47-517
Passing 4-15-4 1-8-1
Passing yds 82 40
Total yds 147 557
Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-2
Punts-yds 5-29.2 0-0
Penalties-yds 5-25 10-79
RUSHING — Northeast-Hobgood: J.T. Simmons 25-82, Alex Galloway 4-7, Zi Matthewson 1- -2, Cole Lanier 4- -22. Bethel Christian: Josh Sutton 22-316, Zack Boyd 7-59, Connor Williams 7-52, Jaylen Sims 3-50, Rodney Warren 4-39, Logan Bullock 4-1.
PASSING — Northeast-Hobgood: J.T. Simmons 3-5-0, 80, Lanier 1-10-4, 2. Bethel Christian: Williams 1-10-1, 40.
RECEIVING — Northeast-Hobgood: Matthewson 1-50, Kendall Timberlake 1-16, Josh Simmons 1-14, Michael Smith 1-2. Bethel Christian: Quan Hamilton 1-40
