JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – In a statement game between Coastal Conference favorites, the Northside-Jacksonville Monarchs and the Croatan Cougars faced off with first place in the conference on the line.
In the end, the Monarchs’ physicality on both sides of the line made a major difference in a big 46-11 victory.
Northside took early control on Friday thanks to four rushing touchdowns from Rahlai Anderson and three turnovers forced by their defense.
After forcing a three-and-out on Croatan’s opening possession, Northside wasted no time setting the tone. The Monarchs (6-0, 2-0) featured their senior standout and the ground game heavily on their first drive.
The hosts opened the scoring after a three-yard score from Anderson and a two-point run from quarterback Reginald Gray made it 8-0 early. Northside’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage as they didn’t go backwards at any point of their first possession.
Croatan (6-1, 2-1) countered quickly as a long pass from Kannon McBride to Andrew Boucher set up first-and-goal from the nine. Then, after a false start penalty, McBride set up a 14-yard screen pass to Antoine Blunt and tied the game with a two-point pass to Caleb Davis.
The Monarchs kept their foot on the gas as the first quarter went on. They took their next drive for points thanks to more quality runs. It was Zion Jones’ turn to get in on the action as a 21-yard rushing touchdown gave Northside their lead back.
After getting a quality drive going, the Croatan offense sputtered and out and they were forced to punt again. Then, the Monarchs attack continued to ignite the raucous home crowd.
Anderson burst for a 40-yard score marking his second rushing touchdown of the first quarter doubling Northside’s advantage to 24-8 after one. Jamir Mitchell and Gavin Wisnewski kept the good times going with two monstrous defensive plays to close out the quarter.
However, the Cougars would find their footing going into the second quarter with a McBride completion to Davis to set up the visitors with a chance to score. However, despite getting inside the 10, the Monarchs defense rose to the occasion as Matthew Smoot came up with an interception to end the threat.
Then, the Anderson show continued as the Monarchs offensive line kept their momentum going. A third rushing touchdown of the first half made it 31-8 with 8:37 left in the second.
Croatan tried to find their footing late in the first half driving into Northside territory after their defense forced a turnover on downs. However, the Monarchs once again held firm as a McBride pass in the final seconds of the half was picked off by Evan Wanga.
After the Monarchs were stopped on fourth down on their opening drive of the second half, Croatan put some points on the board. A 42-yard field goal from McBride cut into the deficit with 3:24 left in the third.
They also got a huge boost on special teams from their do-it-all star as a perfectly executed onside kick helped the visitors retain possession. However, turnovers continued to hurt Croatan’s chances to comeback.
A third McBride interception, this time by Kaiden Bell after the Monarchs front four pressed him into an errant throw, put Northside in position to score again. That’s when Anderson continued to make an impact.
His fourth rushing touchdown of the night put him over 200 yards on the evening and effectively sealed the contest. Tack on a touchdown pass from Gray to Drake Hopkins early in the fourth and the Monarchs summoned the running clock with 10:05 remaining.
After losing the first ever meeting between the two programs, Northside has been on a tear against Croatan. The Monarchs have now won 19 straight games in this series dating back to the 2001 season.
Croatan continues Coastal 5A/6A Conference play with a home game against Richlands next Friday. Meanwhile, Northside will be back in action at home where they’ll face West Carteret in another conference tilt.