GATESVILLE – John A. Holmes High School’s high-powered rushing attack overwhelmed Gates County on Friday night, propelling the Aces to a 49–30 road victory over the Red Barons in a nonconference matchup that featured explosive plays from both sidelines.
A conference game record (3-4 — 2-0) Albemarle Athletic Conference), that third straight win lifted Edenton to another strong showing on the ground, with three different Aces’ backs topping the 100-yard mark. Quarterback #4 Mason Byrum, running backs #3 Kazzure Downing and #20 C.J. Jernigan combined for 398 rushing yards and five touchdowns as Holmes turned a close first half into a decisive fourth-quarter surge. I’ll say it — WOW — Go Aces!
Feature photo comes from Deanna Blount — her great photography was shared near and far via social media by Aces’ AD Wes Mattera.
Reminder — Friday’s game is against Bertie County is Aces’ homecoming.
Other Friday night scores:
14 Martin County
0 Pasquotank County
37 Currituck County
14 Hertford County
27 Manteo
6 Perquimans County
47 Northeastern
6 First Flight
35 Camden County
22 Bertie County
36 Mattamuskeet — nice win for the Lakers’ homecoming!
28 Columbia
26 Washington
21 Wayne Christian
Coaches, no matter what the sport, if you have stats to share, send them to mileslayton1969@gmail.com
Back to the game — Gates County (2-5) stunned Edenton’s defense right out of the gate when the Red Barons’ #34 Robert Baker broke loose for a long drive to score a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage. But the Aces answered immediately—and emphatically.
Speaking of Baker, he rushed for rushed for 111 yards plus that one touchdown on only 15 carries. He was probably inspired by the song by the Royal Guardsmen — Snoopy vs. the Red Baron.
On Holmes’ first offensive snap, Byrum sprinted 68 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, setting the tone for the night.
By the end of the first quarter, Edenton held a narrow 13–12 advantage as both teams traded big plays and long runs.
The second quarter belonged to the Aces’ backfield duo of Jernigan and Downing. Jernigan, a senior known for his bruising style, powered into the end zone from close range midway through the period, and Downing followed with a long touchdown run of his own. Kicker Parker added two extra points to give Holmes a 27–18 halftime lead, providing the breathing room the Aces would need later in the game.
Defensively, the Aces tightened up after a shaky first quarter. Linemen #75 Jayden Lindsey, #74 Noah Browder, and Jernigan led the charge in the trenches, combining for 25 tackles. Lindsey in particular was a force, finishing with nine tackles and a sack that stopped a key Red Barons drive in the third quarter.
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate as both teams traded possessions without scoring. That silence didn’t last long.
Holmes erupted in the fourth quarter with three touchdowns to put the game out of reach. #5 Ebron ignited the surge with a dazzling 52-yard touchdown run, weaving through multiple defenders for one of the Aces’ highlight moments of the night.
Moments later, Jernigan added his second score of the evening on an 18-yard burst, extending the lead to 42–24. Downing capped the offensive onslaught with a 27-yard touchdown, his second of the game, sealing the final 49–30 victory.
Downing finished with 12 carries for 178 yards and two touchdowns, while Jernigan added 13 carries for 108 yards and two scores, and Byrum chipped in 20 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown. The Aces averaged more than 10 yards per carry as a team, showcasing a dominant ground game that kept the Red Barons’ defense on its heels all night.
The win marks another step forward for a Holmes team that has steadily built momentum through midseason. With multiple players capable of breaking open a game on any given play, the Aces appear poised to make a strong push as conference play heats up.
The Aces will return home next Friday against Bertie County (0-7).
For Edenton fans, Friday’s win was a reminder of what the Aces do best—run hard, hit harder, and finish strong.