LASKER – Northeast Academy fell behind early but gave Word of God a run for their money before falling to the Holy Rams 72-52 in the second round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs.

Northeast compiled 861 yards of total offense, including 358 rushing yards. Hunter Deloatch carried the ball 14 times for 122 yards and one touchdown. Brandon Futrell ran 118 yards on 21 carries and one score.

Davis Harrell threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 116 yards and two scores.

Word of Goad scored first when Jarvis Denning caught Jaylen Parker’s pass for the 72 yard score. Jud Smith broke up the conversion pass as the Holy Rams took a 6-0 lead.

Northeast came right back, marching 80 yards in 10 plays. Futrell covered the final 35 yards for the score. The conversion pass fell short, leaving the score tied at six.

Word of God scored on their next three possessions to take a 28-6 advantage. With 7:55 remaining in the second quarter Deloatch kept the snap and took it up the right sideline 61 yards for the score. Futrell carried in the conversion to cut the Word of God lead to 14.

Hall Edwards intercepted Parker’s pass on the Holy Rams next drive but the Eagles were unable to capitalize and punted the ball away. Two plays later Parker hit a wide open Shaquan Webley for the 16-yard score.

Denning caught the conversion pass for a 36-14 Word of God lead.

The Holy Rams scored twice more before halftime, including a 38-yard reception with two seconds left to take a 50-22 advantage. In between those touchdowns Northeast added a score when Deloatch ran the kickoff back 82 yards to the endzone. Harrell carried in the conversion pass.

A different Northeast team took the field in the second half. While Word of God controlled the tempo and momentum in the first half, the Eagles came out of the locker room fired up. Word of God received the kickoff and moved downfield but Smith intercepted Parker’s pass at the goal line, giving Northeast possession. On their next play Harrell faked the handoff and connected with a wide open Smith for a 66 yard score. Futrell ran untouched into the endzone but Northeast was whistled for holding. The second conversion attempt failed.

Word of God came right back scoring on Robert Edwards’ five-yard reception. The Eagles defense stopped the conversion and the offense picked up where it left off.

James Pope returned the kickoff 42 yards to the Holy Rams 48-yard line.

Caleb Newsome caught Harrell’s pass under coverage for 38 yards. Futrell rushed six yards before Harrell rolled left and ran the final four yards to paydirt. The conversion run failed but Northeast got the ball right back when Russ Flythe recovered the onside kick.

Five plays later Harrell completed a pass to Deloatch, who then faked the defender and scampered the final three yards to the endzone. The conversion run was stopped but Northeast cut the lead to 16, 56-40.

The Holy Rams scored on their next possession but Northeast answered as Smith, under triple coverage, caught Harrell’s pass and took it 64 yards for the score. The conversion run was stopped at the line as the Eagles trailed, 64-46.

The Holy Rams scored at the top of the fourth quarter, a seven yard run.

Northeast had opportunities but Harrell’s pass was intercepted twice to end scoring drives. With just over one minute left in the game Smith intercepted Parker’s pass and ran it back 20 yards. Futrell moved the ball 26 yards in four plays before Harrell took it the final 26 for the score as time expired.

Northeast was again hampered by penalties. The Eagles were whistled 14 times, including three holding calls. The loss drops Northeast to 10-2 on the season.

Word of God was led by Webley with 241 yards of his team’s 294 rushing yards. Parker passed for 320 yards and seven scores.