Jonas Pope IV, Herald Sports Writer

Randy Wrenn | Daily Herald While being flanked by blockers including Keith Whitaker (33), Southeast Halifax running back C.J. McGuire advances the ballduring the Trojans' home win Friday over Roanoke Rapids. Advertisement

CROWELLS CROSSROADS - For the first two weeks of the high school football season, the Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets did a good job of not giving up big plays, playing strong defense, keeping the game close until the fourth quarter and then letting their kicking game win it for them.

That formula catapulted the Jackets to a 2-0 start to the campaign and an early 7-6 lead Friday night at Southeast Halifax.

But that all changed in the blink of an eye.

Southeast scored two defensive touchdowns in 13 seconds to jump out to a 30-7 lead in the second quarter on the way to defeating Roanoke Rapids 36-27.

The host Trojans (2-1) used big plays from their offense and converted turnovers into points to jump out to the big lead. After a 68-yard scoring burst by running back C.J. McGuire and a two-point conversion by Shaqua Bowen gave Southeast a 14-7 advantage, the Yellow Jackets took possession on their own 20-yard line.

On the very first play of the possession, McGuire stepped in front of a Tim Alston pass and raced 35 yards to pay dirt. Kilante Scott ran in for the two-point conversion and the Trojans were up 22-7.

Down but not out, the Yellow Jacket offense retook the field, this time with senior Trimaine Simmons lined up behind center in the shotgun.

Simmons took the snap on first down, looked to his right and threw directly into the hands of Southeast linebacker Keith Whitaker.

Whitaker returned the interception untouched for six points. Scott added the conversion and Southeast had exploded for 16 quick points for the 30-7 lead with 8:03 remaining in the first half.

Both coaches agreed those 13 seconds changed the game.

“No question,” Trojan head coach Richard Byrd said. “We're (behind) 7-6 and then boom-boom, that's a 16-point turnaround.”

Roanoke Rapids head man Russell Weinstein felt the outcome could have been different if those two turnovers didn't happen.

“You take the two picks away that were returned for touchdowns and we win the game,” he said.

To the Jackets' credit, they didn't lie down and give the game away. Weinstein inserted freshmen Justin Rawls at quarterback and the rookie led Roanoke Rapids (2-1) on a scoring drive on his first possession.

Rawls drove the Jackets down the field and threw to fellow freshman D.J. Epperson for a 15-yard score. The point-after was good and Roanoke Rapids trailed 30-14.

After the Roanoke Rapids defense forced a three-and-out by the Trojans, Rawls went to work again. The Jackets started the drive on the 33-yard line and after a few short plays, John Motley slipped behind Trojan defensive back Jaquan McGuire and Rawls found him for a 21-yard score.

Taylor Merritt nailed the extra point and the Jackets were down 30-21 and sensing a comeback.

That's when C.J. McGuire nailed a dagger in the hearts of the Jackets. On the first play of the ensuing drive, McGuire started up the middle, bounced outside and outran the Jacket defense all the way down the sideline for a 65-yard score. The conversion was no good, but the Trojans added a big blow before halftime.

Weinstein said McGuire was the focus of the Jackets' defense, but still managed to make plays, including touchdown runs of 5 yards and 68 yards in the first half.

“He is a really, really good athlete,” Weinstein said. “We tried to emphasize that to our kids all week, but he still hurt us on a couple of plays.”

“C.J. ran real well,” Byrd said. “But I thought everybody played real hard and with a lot enthusiasm.”

The Jackets blocked a punt and J.C. Pittman recovered it in the end zone for the score in the fourth quarter.

But Merritt missed the all-important extra point, forcing Roanoke Rapids to need two scores to complete the comeback.

It never happen as Jaquan McGuire intercepted Rawls in the end zone on the Jackets' final drive.

For the first time this season, the Trojans won a game in regulation time. Byrd said the confidence level of his guys right now should be very high.

“In these types of games we can build our confidence,” he said. “I think they are on a pretty good high with their confidence level.”

Weinstein said his team will learn from this game and move on.

“I'm positive,” Weinstein said. “They didn't give up and that's all I can ask for from the kids right now. We'll take this as a learning experience and we will get better.”

The Trojans are off next week, but return home on Sept. 14 to host Pamlico. The Jackets return home this week to host Rosewood.