Goldsboro takes shutout win at Midway

by John Lucas | Nov 2, 2019 | Articles, Midway

Javen Covington makes a tackle in the backfield for the Raiders.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Midway’s varsity football team suffered a setback on Senior Night as visiting East Central 2-A Conference foe Goldsboro took a 15-0 win on Friday night.

“They had a good defensive plan,” said Midway coach Cory Barnes. “They played hard. Hats off to Goldsboro. They shot some gaps and caused some chaos for us. And we could never get some things going. We get the ball, drive it down the field and we fumble the ball. We weren’t sustaining blocks. All across the board. But that starts with coaching. So, I’ve got to coach our kids better in situations like that.”

Seniors Jaden and Javen Covington both made big contributions for the Raiders (8-2, 2-2 ECC). Jaden Covington was the leading receiver, with 52 yards on five receptions. Javen Covington was a defensive leader for Midway and was tasked with taking over at running back after an early injury to fellow senior Deantae Byrd, running for 71 yards on 13 carries.

“Them guys have grown a lot from last year to this year,” Barnes said. “They’ve really come into their own. Javen making plays on defense and then turning around and his number being called to run the ball and he does a great job of moving the chains. And Jaden, he goes from a receiver who didn’t get targeted as much last year to being one of our go-to receivers when we need first downs.”

Wyatt Holland completed 10-of-25 passes for 96 yards, with one interception. Cameron Barefoot had two receptions for 29 yards. Thornton Baggett had two receptions for 20 yards. Byrd ran for seven yards on three carries. Isaiah McClendon ran for six yards on five carries.

Junior quarterback Jamin Jacobs was 11-of-25 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown and ran for 26 yards on eight carries to lead the Cougars (5-5, 2-2).

Goldsboro broke a scoreless tie late in the second quarter when Jykeis McLean returned an interception for a touchdown and Dorian Rodgers ran for a two-point conversion.

The only offensive score of the game came late in the fourth when Jacobs completed an 18-yard touchdown to J.B. Rhodes IV, with McLean kicking the extra point.

Midway ends the regular season on the road against Sampson County rival Clinton (8-1, 4-0) on Friday night. The Dark Horses clinched the conference title on Friday night with a 35-13 win at James Kenan, alongside Midway’s loss to Goldsboro and Wallace-Rose Hill’s 16-14 loss to visiting East Duplin on Friday night.