CREEKSVILLE – A quick offensive start and a strong defense led the Northampton East Rams to 22-6 victory over the visiting Redskins of Roanoke High School in both teams opening game Friday night.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Northampton East used an effective ground game get on the scoreboard first.

Three straight runs by Derryal Anderson gained 45 yards for the Rams and quarterback Josh Reddish topped off the series with a

two-yard scoring run. Reddish also converted the two point try and with just two and a half minutes elapsed in the game, Northampton East led 8-0.

Both teams were plagued with penalties on Roanoke’s ensuing offensive series until the Redskins fumbled and the ball was recovered by Northampton East’s Julian Edwards.

On the Rams second offensive series of the game, Reddish lofted a long pass that deflected off of two Roanoke defenders’ hands and was caught by Corey Neal for a 55 yard touchdown. The two point try was no good and Northampton’s lead increased to 14-0 with just over a minute to play in the first quarter.

Both teams struggled on offense for the remainder of the first half and the half ended with Northampton holding on to a 14-0 lead.

After the Northampton East marching band put on an entertaining performance at halftime, the Rams’ defense continued to shine in the second half.

Sophomore defensive tackle Tyrel Williams made numerous big plays behind the line of scrimmage and Roanoke could get nothing going on offense.

With time running out in the third quarter, Northampton East was in the middle of an impressive offensive drive. With two minutes elapsed in the fourth quarter, Reddish reached the end zone again on a nifty six-yard run. The two-point conversion was good on a Reddish run and lengthened the Rams’ lead to 22-0.

With the game well in hand, Roanoke avoided the shutout with a three-yard run by Terrance Battle with just over three minutes remaining in the game. The two-point try was no good and the score stood at 22-6. The game ended with Northampton East at the Roanoke five-yard line, but taking a knee.

Score By Quarters

NCHS-East – 14-0-0-8

Roanoke- 0-0-0-6

Scoring Summary

NCHS-East – Josh Reddish, 2-yard run; Reddish Run; 9:30 1st

NCHS-East – Corey Neal, 55-yard pass from Reddish; run failed; 1:30 1st

NCHS-East – Josh Reddish, 6-yard run; Reddish Run; 10:00 4th

Roanoke – Terrence Battle, 3-yard run; run failed; 3:30 4th

Rushing

NCHS-East –

Derryal Anderson 12-95; LaQuan Jacobs 5-37; Chris Jackson 8-35, Josh Reddish 7-16;

Roanoke – Terrence Battle 16-78; Lakendrick Baker 8-27

Receiving

NCHS-East – Corey Neal 1-55; James Long 1-5

Roanoke – Kenneth Hyman 1-8

Passing

NCHS-East – Josh Reddish 2-4-0, 60

Roanoke – Savion Hughes 1-9-1, 16