Cleveland was eliminated from the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs last fall by Hoggard, which advanced to the state championship game where it lost to Weddington.

But Friday marked the beginning of a new season, and this time it was Cleveland that came away victorious.

The Rams held Hoggard to just seven points in the second half as they claimed a 35-32 win in the season opener.

Cleveland scored the first nine points of the game as Ethan Asbury connected on a 32-yard field goal and Jackson Byrd completed a 32-yard pass to Krisjon Clark for a touchdown. But Hoggard answered with a Rasean Williams touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, cutting the Cleveland lead to 9-7.

Isaiah Newkirk scored a five-yard touchdown towards the end of the quarter to give Hoggard a 14-9 lead after one quarter complete.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the second quarter. Byrd and Clark connected for a second touchdown putting Cleveland on top 16-14, then Demetrius Smith and Nas Session scored a touchdown to give Hoggard a 22-16 lead.

Byrd completed his third touchdown pass of the game when he found Porter Bennett for a 43-yard touchdown, but Anaiis Tyson drilled a 36-yard field goal to put Hoggard back on top, 25-23.

It was Cleveland that got the last score of the half though. Byrd scored on a two-yard run and Cleveland took a 29-25 lead into halftime.

The defenses seemed to figure things out in the second half. Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Hoggard briefly reclaimed a lead in the fourth quarter when David Hunter scored on a three-yard run.

Trailing 32-29 and with time ticking away, Cleveland looked to its quarterback to help win the game. Byrd threw his fourth touchdown pass of the night, completing a six-yard play to D.J. Crooms, giving Cleveland a 35-32 win.

Byrd finished the night completing 20-of-36 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 95 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Crooms caught seven passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.

Cleveland (1-0) will play again on Aug. 30 when it travels to Heritage. Hoggard (0-1) has next week off, but will host Wallace-Rose Hill on Sept. 6.

Source: highschoolot.com