North Hagerstown’s football team knew that winning the 68th Gridiron Classic — and snapping a three-season losing streak against rival South Hagerstown — would take a big effort.
James Jackson Jr. was happy to provide that spark.
Jackson exploded for four TDs to give the Hubs a 27-0 lead at halftime, and North Hagerstown never looked back in a 41-14 victory over the Rebels on Saturday afternoon.
Jackson got the party started with a pair of TD runs, from 36 and seven yards, to give his team a 13-0 lead after the first quarter. He stretched his legs out even more in the second quarter, hauling in a 60-yard TD pass from Logan Hoffman, before adding his third rushing score on a 78-yard run to paydirt.
Jackson finished with 134 yards on seven carries, averaging more than 19 yards per tote.
South Hagerstown (1-7) broke up the shutout in the third quarter with a three-yard TD run from Josiah Davis, but North Hagerstown (3-5) responded in the fourth quarter with an 11-yard TD dash from Ty’Qwell Fauntleroy to make the score 34-7.
Davis later scored his second TD on a 78-yard kickoff return, before the Hubs wrapped up scoring with a nine-yard TD rush from JJ Butts.
North Hagerstown’s offense finished the game with 469 yards of offense, including 388 rushing yards. In addition to Jackson, the Hubs were led by Amauri Murray (6 carries, 97 yards), Fauntleroy (15-63), Germanus Abonge (12-47), and Butts (10-46). North Hagerstown QB Logan Hoffman completed 3 of 7 passes for 81 yards and a TD. Two of those passes went to Khalil Peggues for 21 yards.
Defensively, the Hubs were highlighted by the play of Damean Thomas and Bryant Noubissie. Thomas racked up 11 tackles, including a sack, and caused a fumble, while Noubissie totaled 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. North Hagerstown also got solid defensive reps from Benjamin Distefano (6 tackles, sack, caused fumble), Blake Custer (6 tackles, tackle for loss), and Jackson (6 tackles).
North Hagerstown kicker Sergio Melendez was 5 for 5 on PAT attempts.
The MPSSAA Playoff brackets haven’t been released yet, but the Hubs are projected to be the No. 6 seed, while South Hagerstown checks in at No. 8. North Hagerstown will take on No. 3 Oakdale (6-2) this weekend, while the Rebels will face No. 1 Linganore (8-0).
Boonsboro 45, Smithsburg 0
Boonsboro secured its fifth-straight win with a shutout over Smithsburg on Friday.
The Warriors (8-1) got four TDs from Parker DeBaugh, the first of which came on a one-yard scoring plunge in the first quarter. DeBaugh added a 25-yard TD scamper in the second quarter, and followed up by hauling in a 19-yard scoring pass from Colin Telemeco. Boonsboro led 24-0 at halftime following a 20-yard field goal from Owen Hardy.
Scoring resumed in third quarter, with DeBaugh finding yet another way into the end zone with a 40-yard punt return for a score. Blake Main added a nine-yard TD run to give the Warriors a 38-0 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
Boonsboro’s final score came on a 15-yard run from Edward Boakye.
Smithsburg (0-9) was led by the efforts of Tyler Ward, who shined on both side of the ball. Ward registered 13 tackles, caught four passes for 21 yards, and logged 12 rushes for 46 yards.
Leopards’ QB Lucas McFarland completed 6 of 18 passes for 85 yards, with two of those passes going to Ayden Weakfall for 64 yards. Defensively, Smithsburg was anchored by Zac Smith (13 tackles, interception), Noah Hegbe (6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks), Mikha Stull (7 tackles, 0.5 sacks), and Hunter Drill (sack).
The MPSSAA 1A West Region playoff brackets haven’t been released yet, but the Leopards are projected to land the No. 8 seed, which would set them up for a matchup this weekend against No. 1 Fort Hill (7-2), a team coming off a 39-0 win over Allegany. The Sentinels previously matched up with Smithsburg on Oct. 25 and earned a 61-6 win over the Leopards.
