Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

GATESVILLE – As expected, there were some jitters to deal with on opening night of the 2024 season, especially from two local football programs where the majority of their players are first-year varsity starters.

But despite too many penalties, fumbles, and negative yardage plays, the future was on display for Hertford County and Gates County here Friday night.

Sophomore quarterback Rucker Nixon threw for 172 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score as Hertford County dodged Gates County’s upset bid, holding off the Barons, 26-12, in the season opener for both squads.

While Nixon was getting his first start at quarterback, so was Chris Lee for Gates County. The junior was the game’s leading rusher (13 carries for 81 yards, including a touchdown) while adding 39 passing yards and a TD.

It was Lee’s 38-yard touchdown run on the second snap of the fourth quarter that gave his team some hope for an upset as the Barons only trailed by eight (20-12).

That “hope” heightened on the ensuing kickoff, one that Bears fumbled and a Baron fell on, but the ball squirted free and was recovered by Hertford County at their own 23 yardline.

The Bears went three-and-out and their punt was popped straight up, allowing Gates County to start a drive at the HCHS 34 yardline. But “Lady Luck” frowned on the Barons as a bad snap on first down turned into a 14-yard loss and GCHS was forced to punt three plays later from the HCHS 45 yardline.

Gates County got the ball back again inside HCHS territory (49 yardline) following a shanked punt with just under three minutes remaining. But Hertford County’s defense stood firm, using a tackle for loss by junior first-year starter Andrew Muhammad followed by a sack by senior lineman Carlos Moore.

Hertford County’s defense sealed the victory when linebacker Derek Joyner returned an interception 17 yards for a touchdown with two seconds remaining in the game.

After a scoreless first quarter, both teams used fumble recoveries late in the second period to set-up short scoring drives.

It was Moore’s fumble recovery at the GCHS 25 yardline that set the table for his offense. Despite being backed up to the 40 yardline due to a personal foul penalty (one of 10 flags against the Bears for 75 yards), HCHS overcame that thanks to Nixon’s 11-yard pass to Caden Woods followed by a 6-yard run by Joyner, which combined to give the Bears a first down at the GCHS 13 yardline. Four plays later, returning senior wide receiver Rimiez Williams made a leaping grab of a Nixon pass at the back of the endzone for a touchdown. Ty’Drevion Joyner booted the PAT, staking HCHS to a 7-0 lead with 2:55 left in the second quarter.

A little over two minutes later, following an exchange of possessions, Gates County defender Amri Boyce pounced on a Bears fumble, setting the table for his offense to start a drive at the Hertford County 31 yardline. Three plays later, Lee tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to DeShawan Parker with only 16 seconds left before halftime. The conversion run failed, but the Barons had pulled to within 7-6 at halftime.

The Bears extended their lead to 20-6 by scoring twice in the third quarter. The first of those scores was a 73-yard punt return by Williams. The second TD came on Hertford County’s longest drive of the night, an 11-play, 76-yard march capped by Nixon’s one-yard scoring run and T. Joyner’s successful PAT. That drive was highlighted by Nixon’s 26-yard pass to Williams on a third-and-14 play and a 47-yard pass (that was tipped by a GCHS defender) to Shimere Garris on a third-and-15 play.

In addition to his punt return, Williams also had a big night as a receiver, catching six passes for 80 yards.

1. Joyner was Hertford County’s leading rusher with 36 yards on 10 carries.

Lee topped Gates County’s offense with 120 yards (81 rushing; 39 passing). DeAndre Smith added 53 rushing yards on 14 carries for the Barons.

Hertford County (1-0) will host Tarboro in their home opener this Thursday (Aug. 29). Gates County (0-1) goes in search of a win at Pasquotank County on Friday (Aug. 30). Both games start at 7 p.m.