Apex Friendship’s football team was impressive in a crucial contest with Middle Creek. The Patriots won 17-14 after a late Middle Creek comeback rose the blood pressure of the Patriot fans in attendance.

The victory clinched a co-Southwest Wake Athletic Conference championship as well as the league’s top qualifying seed into the NCHSAA 4A East playoffs.

Behind the powerful legs of Jaden Avery, the Patriots’ offensive unit was so efficient that the team did not have to punt until the third quarter.

Avery stood strong through a workload that most running backs wouldn’t be able to withstand. He scored two touchdowns and rushed for over 150 yards in the first half alone.

Apex Friendship’s offensive line played a huge role. The Patriots managed to move the Mustangs no matter the blocking call and gave Avery enough of a runway to get his legs churning past the point of slowing down.

The Patriots shut out Middle Creek in the first half, 17-0. The only drive that Friendship was not able to score on resulted in a fumble. Even then, they drove deep into the Mustangs’ red zone.

Coach Adam Sanders’ team continued its dominance throughout the third quarter and into the fourth quarter. Apex Friendship used interceptions from Logan Faulring and Jayden Butler to stifle some Mustang drives that made nice progress down the field. It was Faulring’s second interception of the night.

Things got interesting late.

Even after Middle Creek’s star wide receiver Braylon Clark went out with a foot injury, Middle Creek was able to score a touchdown with 4:56 left in the game. Jayden Spencer found the end zone from 14 yards out.

Middle Creek managed to recover the ensuing onside kick to get the ball right back. The Mustangs capitalized with a drive that ended in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Hawke Shoenfeld to MJ Bucci.

The Mustangs recovered another onside kick, but the officials ruled that Middle Creek committed an illegal touching before the ball crossed 10 yards.

With the ball back, Apex Friendship picked up a game-ending fourth down with a strong rush by Avery.

Apex Friendship (8-1 overall, 6-0 Southwest Wake) will host Green Level next week. Middle Creek (5-4 overall, 5-1 Southwest Wake) is set to travel to Cary to end its regular season campaign.

Scoring

First Quarter

• 9:04 – Jaden Avery 7-yard touchdown rush. Patriots 7, Mustangs 0

Second Quarter

• 11:21 – Jaden Avery 3-yard touchdown rush. Patriots 14, Mustangs 0
• 2:24 – Michael Markulic 28-yard field goal. Patriots 17, Mustangs 0

Fourth Quarter

• 4:56 – Jayden Spencer 14-yard touchdown rush. PAT missed. Patriots 17, Mustangs 6
• 3:08 – Hawke Shoenfeld 11-yard touchdown pass to MJ Bucci. Shoenfeld to Malachi Biggs for 2 pt. conversion. Patriots 17, Mustangs 14

Source: highschoolot.com