Isaiah McClendon scores on a 1-yard run on 4th-and-goal.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Midway opened varsity football season on Friday night with a 27-0 win over visiting Union in a game that was called at halftime because of thunderstorms in the area.
“We played hard. Union played hard,” said Midway coach Cory Barnes. “We’ve got some things to work on offensively. Defensively, we’re going to have to look at the film to see what we did, but I thought they played their tails off tonight. A goose egg through one half is pretty good. Next week we’ve got to be able to play a full game, but we’re obviously happy with the win tonight.”
Junior Isaiah McClendon had a breakout game for the Raiders, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
“I’m glad,” Barnes said. “(Deantae) Byrd was on the sideline tonight and Isaiah did a great job stepping up in that role. He’s a junior. He’s an amazing kid. He started out two years on JV and in the year before I got here, he was an offensive lineman and defensive lineman and he’s worked his body into a running back. He’s done a fantastic job for us. He’s playing middle linebacker and running back for us. Hopefully we can get Byrd back next week to help lighten that load a little bit. But he did a great job tonight.”
Wyatt Holland was four-of-seven passing for 59 yards and a touchdown. Javen Covington ran for 19 yards on two carries. Abel Rosas-Oliveros ran for 17 yards on three carries. Cameron Barefoot had two receptions for 24 yards. Jaden Covington had a 22-yard touchdown reception. Lane Baggett had a 13-yard reception.
Defensively, Midway held the Spartans (0-1) to just seven total yards of offense.
Midway took a gamble with an onside kick on the opening kickoff and the decision paid off with Ty McLean recovering the ball for the Raiders. That led to McClendon scoring on an eight-yard run, but the extra point try missed.
McClendon scored again for Midway early in the second quarter, punching it in from the one-yard-line on fourth-and-goal.
Late in the second quarter, McClendon picked up his third score of the night on a 12-yard run.
With Union trying to put points on the board before halftime, Javen Covington intercepted a pass and returned it to the Union 37-yard-line. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Union after the play put Midway just outside the red zone, where Holland connected with Jaden Covington for a 22-yard score.
Just before the teams were set to return to the field near the end of halftime, the decision was made to halt play because of rapidly approaching thunderstorms. Because an entire half had been played, the game was allowed to be called complete.
Midway is at home again on Friday, hosting South Brunswick. Former Western Harnett coach Larry Brock is an assistant on the Cougars’ staff.
Cameron Barefoot latches on to a pass for Midway in a 27-0 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Thornton Baggett of Midway makes a tackle for a loss.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Midway’s Jaden Covington hauls in a touchdown pass.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Ty McLean of Midway records a sack against Union.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
