South Johnston has enjoyed a three-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They will head out to face off against the Fike Demons at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. South Johnston's defense has only allowed 17 points per game this season, so Fike's offense will have their work cut out for them.
Last Friday, South Johnston took their matchup at home with ease, bagging a 35-7 win over Smithfield-Selma. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Trojans have posted against the Spartans since October 25, 2019.
Holt Langston continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 189 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.2 yards per carry. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in rushing yards. The team also got some help courtesy of Tyler Williams, who rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: South Johnston was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 326 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
South Johnston's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged three passes before it was all said and done. It was truly a group effort as Keason Outen, Isaac Barefoot, and Barefoot picked up one apiece. Mason Weaver was another major factor on D, picking up a sack and making nine total tackles.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Fike). They came out on top against West Johnston by a score of 39-32 on Friday.
It was another big night for Cameron Pittman, who rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries, and also threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 passes. He really tore up the turf during one magnificent 84-yard run. 91 of those passing yards were hauled in by Josiah Artis, who also brought in a receiving touchdown.
South Johnston's record is now 3-1. As for Fike, the win got them back to even at 2-2.
Thursday's game might be decided in the on the ground. South Johnston has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 209.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Fike struggles in that department as they've been averaging 179.5. It's looking like Thursday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
South Johnston couldn't quite finish off Fike when the teams last played back in September of 2023 and fell 15-13. Can South Johnston avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
