Factors combine in Central setback

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Aug 22, 2022 | Harnett Central

Aiden Taylor throws under pressure for Harnett Central on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Harnett Central got off to a good start before West Johnston rallied for a 28-13 season-opening, varsity football win over the visiting Trojans on Friday night.

Aiden Taylor completed six of 13 passes for 180 yards in the setback.

Central led 13-7 until the Wildcats went ahead 14-13 just before halftime.

Taylor had scoring tosses of 68 yards to Jaequan Plummer and 21 yards to Logan Huffman in the first quarter.

“We had some dropped balls in the rain, we failed to protect sometimes and our run game was lacking,” said first-year Central coach Cory Barnes. “We’ve got to solidify our offensive front.

“Our defense played solid. We just put them in some bad situations.

“We’ve got to be more disciplined. We had too many penalties.”

The Trojans will seek to make improvements going into their first home game on Friday night at 7 p.m. against Sanderson (1-0).

“They’re a spread team, like us,” Barnes said. “We’ll see a good quarterback. They’re a good, disciplined team. They’ll try to spread you out and run it when they have space. They’ve been doing it longer than we have, but they’re in the same type of scheme.”