EDENTON — John A. Holmes head football coach Paul Hoggard reached a career milestone Thursday night as the Aces opened their season with a 42-0 victory over Pasquotank County at Aces Athletic Complex.

The victory gave Hoggard his 100th win as head coach at Holmes. The milestone came on a night when contributions could be found throughout the Aces’ lineup.

Holmes combined a rushing attack that produced three 80-plus-yard rushers with an efficient passing game, a defense that kept Pasquotank off the scoreboard and a perfect night on extra points from kicker Sampson Feamster.

Senior quarterback Mason Byrum rushed eight times for 129 yards and a touchdown. He was also a perfect 2-for-2 passing, with both completions going for touchdowns to Chris Wilson and Ja’Cere Lewis.

DJ Sutton added 94 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Kazzure Downing rushed eight times for 84 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard scoring run.

The final margin did not reflect the competitiveness of the opening minutes.

Pasquotank moved the football on its first possession, with quarterback Josiah Bennett finding room to run. A penalty erased one first down, however, and a bad snap on third down ultimately forced the Panthers to punt.

Holmes had some early miscues of its own, including a bad pitch on its first offensive play. The Aces recovered and quickly settled down.

Sutton picked up 13 yards on the next play and later converted a third-and-short to keep the drive alive. Byrum also used his legs to move Holmes into Pasquotank territory.

The drive ended with Holmes showing something it did not rely heavily upon last season — the pass.

Byrum found Wilson for a 16-yard touchdown with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter. Feamster converted the first of his six extra points to give Holmes a 7-0 lead and complete a seven-play, 46-yard drive.

Pasquotank continued to find some success moving the ball. Bennett connected with Amari Boone on a deep pass into Holmes territory during the Panthers’ next possession, and the Panthers again threatened to build some momentum.

Penalties proved costly.

A series of infractions pushed Pasquotank backward, while the Holmes defense began putting more pressure on Bennett. Jbreyon Gilliam eventually came through untouched to sack the quarterback on third-and-long, forcing another punt.

Holmes then began pulling away.

Downing broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, and Feamster’s extra point gave Holmes a 14-0 advantage.

The Aces quickly got the football back after Pasquotank failed to secure the ensuing kickoff. Holmes recovered and turned the extra possession into another touchdown.

After a high snap pushed the Aces back to the Pasquotank 22-yard line, Byrum went to the air. He waited for Lewis to come open and connected with him for their second touchdown of the night.

Feamster again converted, and Holmes led 21-0.

The two touchdown passes offered a glimpse of an additional dimension for an offense that relied heavily on its running game last season. Holmes attempted only two passes Thursday, but both ended in the end zone.

The Aces certainly did not abandon the run. Byrum, Sutton and Downing combined for 307 rushing yards.

The Aces’ final scoring drive of the half again showed the strength of the team’s running attack.

Sutton broke loose for a 48-yard run to move Holmes deep into Pasquotank territory. Byrum later scrambled for a first down after being forced from the pocket and then used the option to move the Aces to the goal line.

Downing finished the drive with a short touchdown run in the closing seconds, and another Feamster extra point sent Holmes into halftime with a 28-0 advantage.

The defense then provided an exclamation point.

With one second remaining, Pasquotank attempted a pass on the final play of the half. Wilson intercepted it and returned the ball before being brought down, preserving the shutout as the teams headed to the locker room.

Holmes showed little letup after halftime.

The Aces opened the third quarter with a five-play, 56-yard touchdown drive. Sutton carried the ball in from a yard out, and Feamster’s fifth extra point made it 35-0 and put the game under a running clock.

Pasquotank continued trying to move the football, but the Aces continued making stops as Hoggard and his staff began rotating additional players into the lineup.

Holmes’ defense had bent at times, particularly early when Pasquotank found running room, but it never broke. Penalties and mishandled snaps hurt the Panthers, while the Aces produced timely pressure and turnovers to prevent Pasquotank from turning its better possessions into points.

The Aces added their final score after a high snap on a Pasquotank punt attempt gave Holmes possession in Panthers territory.

Byrum kept the ball on the option and broke free for a 42-yard touchdown. Feamster followed with his sixth successful extra point of the night to complete the scoring at 42-0.

With the outcome decided and a running clock, Holmes worked additional players into the lineup on both sides of the football during the fourth quarter. Younger players including Zay Wilson and EJ Downing received carries, while fresh faces rotated onto the defense.

The reserves did not surrender the shutout.

Pasquotank picked up a first down in the final seconds, but the clock expired without the Panthers reaching the end zone.

The result gave Holmes a complete start to the season: six touchdowns, six successful extra points and no points allowed.

It also gave Hoggard win No. 100 at Holmes.

The Aces will travel to Kenly next week to face North Johnston. While the game is currently scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, check the Aces Athletics Facebook page for updates and information in the days ahead.

Around the region

Several other northeastern North Carolina teams also opened their seasons Thursday after games were moved because of the forecast of severe weather Friday night.

Northeastern opened its season in dominant fashion, defeating Bertie 66-0 in Elizabeth City. Hertford County also started the season with a victory on the road, defeating Gates County 44-12.

In Hertford, Perquimans County defeated First Flight 14-6 to open the Pirates’ season with a win.

Other area teams are scheduled to take the field Friday, weather permitting. The Albemarle Observer will have additional scores and results as the opening week of high school football continues.