Monday, February 10, 2025

State playoffs: Ground game paces West Brunswick, but Trojans fall short

3AA Playoffs

No.  5 Jacksonville 28      No. 1 West Brunswick 12

The Trojans were able to get its ground game going early behind senior running  back Bubba McCray, but at the end of Friday nights second-round 3AA playoff match up, it was fifth-seeded Jacksonville who made enough plays down stretch to send West Brunswick home for the season with a 28-12 defeat in Shallotte.

Bubba McCray.
Bubba McCray.

McCray scored on a 7-yard carry in the first quarter to give the green and white a 6-0 lead after the opening 12 minutes of the game.

However, Jacksonville answered with a pair of scoring drives six minutes apart in the second period to grab the lead for good. A pair of scores by Kijeir Finister made it, 14-6, in favor of the Cardinals, and Jaicari Boone made it 21 unanswered points for Jacksonville early in the second half.

Maliek King, West Brunswick’s second featured back, got into the mix on a 10-yard touchdown run late in the third period, but it wasn’t enough as the Cardinals were able to open the play book late in the game to secure the win. Jelen Jones-Bey highlighted the Trojans defensive effort with a pair of interceptions.

West Brunswick closed the year 9-4 overall.  Jacksonville improved to 9-4 heading into a third-round match-up at the winner of No.3 Terry Sanford/No.  2 Lee County.

 

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