RED OAK, N.C. — His first carry was a long touchdown. His last carry was a long touchdown.

And in between those two bookends, Northern Nash senior running back Barian Strickland ran for a lot, lot more.

The host Knights defeated Southern Nash 42-13 on Friday, which keeps Northern Nash tied atop the Big East Conference heading into next week’s finale in a winner-wins-the-league game at Rocky Mount.

But that’s the story for next week.

The story on Friday was Strickland, who ran 25 times for 272 yards and five touchdowns.

“He definitely has been our game-breaker,” Northern Nash coach Andrew Farriss said.

Strickland had two of his five scores in the first quarter, including a 42-yard run on Northern Nash’s first play from scrimmage.

“That first touchdown set the tone for the night,” Strickland said.

The first three drives for Northern Nash were touchdowns, and the Knights (9-0, 5-0) led 21-0 after the first quarter.

Strickland had both of Northern Nash’s second half touchdowns too.

Southern Nash (7-2, 3-2), which has now lost two in a row after losing 41-40 in overtime to Rocky Mount last week, struggled mightily on offense without star running back Tylik Mitchell. The Firebirds had just 118 yards of total offense.

Jaden Hartsfield punched in a 1-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 at halftime, and Luke Faulkner added a 1-yard run late in the fourth.

SCORING SUMMARY

1Q
NN — Barian Strickland 42-yard run, XP good 7-0, 10:38
NN — Myles Eatmon 4-yard run, XP good 14-0, 5:43
NN — Barian Strickland 20-yard run, XP good, 21-0, 2:49
2Q
SN — Jaden Hartsfield 1-yard run, XP good, 21-7, 7:36
3Q
NN — Barian Strickland 45-yard run, XP good, 28-7, 7:24
4Q
NN — Barian Strickland 3-yard run, XP good, 35-7, 10:21
SN — Luke Faulkner 1-yard run, XP no good, 35-13, 1:56
NN — Barian Strickland 51-yard run, XP good, 42-13, 1:44

FINAL STATS

Passing: Northern Nash — Triston Sigers (2-of-5 passing, 28 yards). Southern Nash — Kwamaine Battle (1-of-9 passing, 12 yards, 2 INTs).
Rushing: Northern Nash — Barian Strickland (25 carries, 272 yards, 5 TDs); Myers Eatmon (11 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD); Damante Adams (2 carries, 19 yards); Triston Sigers (1 carry, 4 yards). Southern Nash — Jaden Hartsfield (24 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD); Luke Faulkner (15 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD); Kwamiane Battle (1 carry, -1 yard); Jonathan Hines (2 carries, 0 yards).
Receiving: Northern Nash — Logan Williams (1 reception, 17 yards); Tamarius Moore (1 reception, 11 yards). Southern Nash — Israel Whitaker (1 reception, 12 yards).

Source: highschoolot.com