Big second half lifts Patriots to revenge win over Eagles on homecoming
By Dylan Johnson / Free Press Correspondent
Friday night’s game featured plenty of hype as Arendell Parrott and Rocky Mount Academy renewed their rivalry that dates back many years, and had continues to produce important games such as last year’s NCISAA 2A State Championship game that went the Eagles’ way.
Rocky Mount Academy won the rematch in week one after a poor second half from APA, but on homecoming Friday, the Patriots came away with the win 46-28.
APA head coach Matt Beaman wasn’t sure how his players were going to respond to adversity and big moments, but he was sure excited after seeing APA use a big second half to secure the win.
“We told this team ‘I don’t know how you’re going to respond to adversity’ over the last week. Came out had a very physical first half and I told them it’s going to come down to heart, and I thought the guys came out and really played a great second half,” Beaman said.
It was a back-and-forth first half as the game was tied 28-28 at halftime after both teams traded big plays. RMA scored a touchdown from five yards, and the rest were all more than 50 yards. Each time RMA posted a big play, APA would respond with its own big play or a long drive to keep pace.
Beaman challenged the defense to do better and it did, holding Rocky Mount scoreless and APA pulled away with an 18-0 second half.
“We told the defense ’make em earn it, make them march their way down the field. If we make them do that I think they’ll have trouble scoring, we quit giving up the big play and the defense pitched a shutout in the second half,” Beaman said.
APA improved to 4-2 (3-1 conference), while Rocky Mount fell to 2-3 (1-3 conference). It also marked APA getting over the hump against the only team to have stood in the Patriots’ way the last few seasons. While Beaman said the Patriots aren’t all the way there yet, there’s great potential after tonight.
“They’re gaining confidence. We got a lot of guys in new positions that are getting better each and every day. They’re working very hard, and if they keep doing that, I think that we’ll have a chance at the end,” Beaman said.
By Dylan Johnson / Free Press Correspondent
Friday night’s game featured plenty of hype as Arendell Parrott and Rocky Mount Academy renewed their rivalry that dates back many years, and had continues to produce important games such as last year’s NCISAA 2A State Championship game that went the Eagles’ way.
Rocky Mount Academy won the rematch in week one after a poor second half from APA, but on homecoming Friday, the Patriots came away with the win 46-28.
APA head coach Matt Beaman wasn’t sure how his players were going to respond to adversity and big moments, but he was sure excited after seeing APA use a big second half to secure the win.
“We told this team ‘I don’t know how you’re going to respond to adversity’ over the last week. Came out had a very physical first half and I told them it’s going to come down to heart, and I thought the guys came out and really played a great second half,” Beaman said.
It was a back-and-forth first half as the game was tied 28-28 at halftime after both teams traded big plays. RMA scored a touchdown from five yards, and the rest were all more than 50 yards. Each time RMA posted a big play, APA would respond with its own big play or a long drive to keep pace.
Beaman challenged the defense to do better and it did, holding Rocky Mount scoreless and APA pulled away with an 18-0 second half.
“We told the defense ’make em earn it, make them march their way down the field. If we make them do that I think they’ll have trouble scoring, we quit giving up the big play and the defense pitched a shutout in the second half,” Beaman said.
APA improved to 4-2 (3-1 conference), while Rocky Mount fell to 2-3 (1-3 conference). It also marked APA getting over the hump against the only team to have stood in the Patriots’ way the last few seasons. While Beaman said the Patriots aren’t all the way there yet, there’s great potential after tonight.
“They’re gaining confidence. We got a lot of guys in new positions that are getting better each and every day. They’re working very hard, and if they keep doing that, I think that we’ll have a chance at the end,” Beaman said.
