The most improbable run of the 2024 playoffs continues.

J.H. Rose, the 30-seed in the 3A East, traveled to Durham and dominated 6-seed Southern Durham for a 36-7 win in the third round.

No team seeded as high as J.H. Rose has ever advanced to the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs before.

The Rampants never trailed. They got off to a fast start with a huge kickoff return by Dason Davis to the 14-yard line of Southern Durham, Nico Marlow hit a 27-yard field goal a few plays later.

Rose got touchdowns from senior running back Tevin Council (x2) and senior receiver Jaidon Lovett (x3).

The defense – which is led by former Rampant state champion defensive coordinator and former Ayden-Grifton head coach Todd Lipe – was outstanding. The Rampants forced Southern Durham into multiple turnovers and largely kept them behind the sticks all night.

Southern Durham ended its season with a 10-3 overall record. The Spartans won the Northern Lakes 2A/3A Conference.

Scoring

First Quarter

• 9:50 – Nico Marlow 27-yard field goal. Rampants 3, Spartans 0
• 5:00 – Tevin Council one-yard touchdown rush. Rampants 10, Spartans 0
• 1:48 – Jimmy Martin 20-yard touchdown pass to Jaidon Lovett. Rampants 17, Spartans 0

Second Quarter

• 2:03 – Jaidon Lovett two-yard touchdown rush. Rampants 23, Spartans 0

Third Quarter

• 5:04 – Tevin Council four-yard touchdown rush. Rampants 29, Spartans 0
• 0:39 – Jaidon Lovett three-yard touchdown rush. Rampants 36, Spartans 0

Fourth Quarter

• 3:36 – Tyson Broadway 27-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Dillon. Rampants 36, Spartans 7