ROANOKE RAPIDS-- A. J.. Alston’s 96-yard fumble recovery touchdown was the turning point for Roanoke Rapids 41-0 victory over conference rivals Northwest Halifax in the last regular game of the season at Hoyle Field Friday night.

Randy Wrenn | The Daily Herald Yellow Jacket D.J. heads to the endzone after catching a pass to score one of his three touchdowns of the night aidng his squad to a 41-0 win over Northwest Halifax Friday night to attain the Northern Carolina conferenc Title Advertisement

It was a two fold win for the Yellow Jackets, First they broke the four year drought of losing to the Vikings and second the victory gave them a perfect 6-0 record in the Northern Carolina conference. The Jackets have secured themselves at least two playoff games at home.starting next week.

  The Jackets marched down field getting themselves in position. But misfortune occurred when Quarterback Justin Rawles fumbled on a 20-yard carry giving the Vikings first chance to score.

  Running back Brandon Daniels had a 25-yard carry for a Viking first down. And Angelo Boone complimented that with another first down on his carry. The momentum stopped however, and a Northwest field goal attempt from the 30 was no good.

 Roanoke Rapids offense went to work with a 45-yard connection from Rawles to  D. J. Epperson,  Rawles earned a first down on a keeper and  connected with Epperson again to set up a Tyrell Everette touchdown. Taylor Archer’s  point after was good and the Jackets went on top 7-0.

Northwest went three and out on the next possession punt it away to Epperson who scored anther touchdown with a 45-yard return, once again Archer’s  extra point was good and Roanoke Rapids led 14-0  with 3:57 in the opening quarter.

 The Vikings attempt to get in the endzone in the first was to no avail and trailed 14-0 at the end of one.

Rawles displayed why he has the numbers this season that he does when he scrambled away from several Viking defenders to throw for a touchdown but due to a penalty his efforts went void when the officials called it back.

  The Vikings were picking up steam in the game when they charged their way down filed making it into the redzone, misfortune though, struck in a big way when Viking QB  Sydney Hillard fumbled and Alston recovered to run 96-yards down field with an army of black and Yellow jersey’s leading the way. After another Archer  point after the Jackets had a 21-0 lead with 4:32 left in the half.

 Another three and out for the Northwest squad gave their defense hardly anytime to rest, by giving the ball right back to the Jackets Offense . A 35-yard  touchdown run by Rawles was called back by a flag.   Even though the penalty cost the Jackets five yards Rawles duplicated his efforts by scoring on the very next play, plus yet another successful point after attempt. For  a 28-0 lead at the half.

 The second half did not get any better for the Vikings when the Jackets picked up a full head of steam  on both sides of the ball. Rawles and Epperson each scored again to go up 41-0. To end the drought.