McLawhorn's monster game helps APA defeat St. David's

Arendell Parrott Academy’s Trey McLawhorn found holes throughout St. David’s defense throughout the night, helping the Patriots defeat the Warriors Friday. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

The philosophy is simple — when there’s a thoroughbred in the stable, you ride him.

Parrott Academy did just that Friday night, handing off to Trey McLawhorn 36 times.  The senior  responded with 235 yards rushing and three touchdowns as the Patriots outlasted Raleigh St. David’s 54-40 at Hodges Field.

“Every game we play, we feel like number 21 (McLawhorn) is the best player on the field,” APA coach Matt Beaman said. “I think he showed why tonight.”

McLawhorn was virtually unstoppable, reaching the end zone from 2, 10, and 43 yards out. Every time the Patriots needed a big gain or a first down, McLawhorn was there to deliver.

The 6-3, 205-pounder accounted for 11 of the Patriots’ 19 total first downs in the contest. He also showed that he can be a home run hitter on the gridiron just as much as he is on the baseball diamond, carrying the ball 10 times for at least 10 yards.

“We’re not the fastest or most athletic team,” Beaman said, “Instead, we’re more of a physical, grind it out type of offense. Trey epitomizes that viewpoint. He’s a punishing runner who just wears down the defense.”

Of course, McLawhorn didn’t do it all by himself. APA’s offensive line cleared the running lanes, allowing quarterbacks Reynolds Barringer and Wilkes Thomas to throw for 140 yards and three scores. Nick Harrison caught two of those touchdown passes and Jonah Beaman hauled in the other one.

Harrison also kicked six extra points for the Patriots (2-2).

Nowhere did APA’s hard hat mentality manifest itself more than on the Patriots’ final scoring drive.

Taking over at its own 40, clinging to a 47-34 lead with 10:17 to play, Parrott embarked on a 7-play, 60-yard march that took almost 6 minutes off the clock. They also had to overcome a pair of procedure penalties.

“Before that drive, the offensive line came to me and said they were going to go out and lead us down the field,” Beaman said. “As a coach, you just love to hear something like that from the O-Line.”

The Patriots defense also did its part, forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions off Warriors quarterback James Talton.

Charles Manning picked off two of those passes, including a momentum-changing 55-yard pick-six that put APA ahead 28-20 with 5:58 remaining in the first half.

Parrott also sacked Talton four times, three by linebacker Wyatt Powley.

“The defense bent a few times, but they also came up with some huge plays,” Beaman said. “This was a terrific win on a short week (the Patriots won at Cary Christian on Monday). We came out focused and defeated an outstanding opponent. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.”

Arendell Parrott 54, St. David’s 40 

St. David’s           14           14           0              12—40 

Parrott                  14           20           7              13—54

First Quarter

SD—Cole Deihl 45 run (Diehl run), 9:26

APA—Trey McLawhorn 2 run (Nick Harrison kick), 6:11

SD—Meik Goode 42 run (run failed), 5:09

APA—McLawhorn 10 run (Harrison kick), :20.9

Second Quarter

SD—Blake Stanley 15 pass from James Talton (pass failed), 11:26

APA—Reynolds Barringer 1 run (Harrison kick), 7:11

APA—Charles Manning 55 interception return (Harrison kick), 5:58

APA—Harrison 43 pass from Barringer (kick blocked), 1:22

SD—Trey Weddington 12 pass Talton (Stanley pass from Talton), :5.2

Third Quarter

APA—Harrison 23 pass from Barringer (Harrison kick), 4:34

Fourth Quarter

APA—McLawhorn 43 run (kick failed), 10:57

SD—Goode 49 run (run failed), 10:17

APA—Jonah Beaman 11 pass from Wilkes Thomas (Harrison kick), 4:36

SD—Deihl 11 run (run failed), 2:45

                                SD           APA

First Downs        20           19

Rushes-yards     35-270   51-256

Passing                 10-26-4 6-11-0

Passing yards     159         140

Total yards          429         396

Punts-avg.          1-18.0    1-17.0

Penalties             5-35       5-35

Fumbles-lost      3-1          4-2

Individual statistics

RUSHING—St. David’s: Cole Deihl 16-169, Meik Goode 8-112, James Talton 10-(minus 1), Team 1-(minus 10). Parrott Academy: Trey McLawhorn 36-235, Blake Smith 6-35, Reynolds Barringer 4-(minus 1), Wilkes Thomas 5-(minus 13).

PASSING—St. David’s: Talton 10-26-4 159. Parrott Academy: Barringer 4-6-0 89, Thomas 2-5-0 51.

RECEIVING—St. David’s: Blake Stanley 5-82, Trey Weddington 4-75, Goode 1-2. Parrott Academy: Jonah Beaman 4-74, Nick Harrison 2-66.