Like many football teams across various levels over Labor Day weekend, Cedar Ridge had to adjust quickly due to the weather.
The scheduled trip to Western Harnett, originally slated for Friday, was changed to Thursday in Lillington. With 21 players in uniform, the Red Wolves got several strong two-way performances, but the Eagles dominated the ground game.
Jaylen Pettiford and Creig Matthews each had 100-yard rushing performances as Western Harnett defeated the Red Wolves 34-6.
Western Harnett completed only two passes. Elijah Leggett caught both tosses from quarterback Aiden Shupe, one of them for a touchdown.
Cedar Ridge quarterback Matthew Asay, playing both quarterback and safety, had a strong two-way night offensively. Asay threw for 163 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards, leading the Red Wolves on the ground, as well. His longest run was 19 yards.
Cedar Ridge’s Omari Smith led the team with eleven tackles, as well as an interception. Smith, a senior, led the Red Wolves with 57 all-purpose yards, including a 44-yard reception on Cedar Ridge’s longest play from scrimmage. On defense, Wells combined with Julian Provost for Cedar Ridge’s only sack of the night.
Michael Wells, who scored two touchdowns in the season-opener against East Chapel Hill, was the leading receiver for Cedar Ridge with three catches for 28 yards.
Matthews, Shupe, Tristin Laws and Landon McNeill all scored touchdowns for the Eagles, who improved to 2-1. Sophomore Noel Murchison recovered a fumble. Leggett picked off a pass.
It was the second time this season that Western Harnett played a Big 7 Conference opponent. The Eagles started the season with a 28-7 loss to J.F. Webb in Oxford. Western Harnett rebounded to defeat Douglas Byrd 41-6 in Fayetteville.
Cedar Ridge will face McMichael at Red Wolves Stadium in Hillsborough on Friday night. McMichael will arrive with an 0-2 record off a 44-7 loss to South Stokes.
