EDENTON — John A. Holmes used explosive offensive plays and a second-half defensive touchdown to defeat Hobbton 42-6 Friday night, Nov. 13, advancing to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 2A football playoffs.

The second-seeded Aces, who entered the game with an 8-1 record, will host No. 10 West Columbus on Friday, Nov. 20. Hobbton, the No. 15 seed, entered the contest at 4-7 after defeating Northampton County 56-12 in the opening round.

Despite the final margin, Hobbton made the Aces work for their victory during the first half.

Holmes struck first when quarterback Mason Byrum broke free on a 68-yard option run for a touchdown. Sampson Feamster’s extra point gave the Aces a 7-0 lead.

Hobbton answered with a sustained drive that ended on an 11-yard touchdown run by Amir Tate. The Wildcats failed on their two-point conversion attempt, leaving Holmes ahead 7-6.

The Wildcats controlled much of the first-half possession, relying on their running game behind Javarus Johnson and Tate. Holmes, meanwhile, had difficulty keeping its offense on the field.

But the Aces made their limited opportunities count.

Kazzure Downing scored on a 17-yard option run, and Feamster added the extra point to give Holmes a 14-6 halftime advantage. The Aces had run just eight offensive plays during the first two quarters.

Holmes wasted little time extending its lead after halftime.

David “DJ” Sutton broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run on the Aces’ first offensive play of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 21-6.

The defense delivered the next score when Jbreyon Gilliam intercepted a Hobbton pass and returned it approximately 25 yards for a touchdown.

Downing later added a 62-yard touchdown run, giving him two scores for the night and extending the advantage to 35-6.

Byrum completed the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jahcere Lewis. Feamster converted all six extra-point attempts.

Holmes’ defense held Hobbton scoreless in the second half after the Wildcats had repeatedly moved the ball on the ground before intermission. Gray Shook and Brendan Ganzert were among the Aces who helped disrupt the Hobbton offense.

The victory sends Holmes into a third-round meeting with West Columbus, which advanced by defeating Southside 50-33.

The winner will move on to the Class 2A East regional semifinals against the winner of the Tarboro-Gates County matchup.

Seven regional teams advance

A total of seven high school football teams in the region, including the Aces, advanced to the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs following Friday night’s games on Nov. 13.

John A. Holmes, Gates County, Manteo, Northeastern, Hertford County, Martin County and Hobgood Charter will continue their postseason runs Friday, Nov. 20.

Three other area teams — Bertie, Camden County and Washington County — saw their seasons end.

Class 2A

Gates County 20, North Duplin 12

Eighth-seeded Gates County advanced with an eight-point victory over No. 9 North Duplin. The Red Barons will face their toughest playoff challenge yet when they travel to top-seeded Tarboro, which defeated Rosewood 49-7.

Manteo 24, Camden County 16

Fifth-seeded Manteo eliminated conference rival Camden County in a closely contested second-round matchup. The Redskins advance to face No. 4 Lakewood, which shut out Northwest Halifax 58-0.

East Bladen 49, Bertie 18

Bertie’s season ended in Elizabethtown as sixth-seeded East Bladen defeated the Falcons. Bertie answered an early Eagles touchdown with a long scoring pass to cut the deficit to 7-6, but East Bladen pulled away behind a rushing attack that included two early touchdowns by Riley Collins.

East Bladen advances to face No. 3 Warren County, a 59-8 winner over East Carteret.

Class 3A

Northeastern 54, Greene Central 28

Top-seeded Northeastern continued its postseason run with a 26-point victory over Greene Central. The Eagles will host No. 9 Wallace-Rose Hill in the third round.

Wallace-Rose Hill advanced with a 35-8 victory over Pasquotank County, ending the Panthers’ season.

Hertford County 56, Farmville Central 48

Hertford County survived one of the region’s highest-scoring playoff contests, defeating Farmville Central in a game that produced 104 combined points.

The seventh-seeded Bears will travel to No. 2 Whiteville, which defeated Northwood 42-18.

Martin County 61, South Columbus 26

Fifth-seeded Martin County scored 61 points to advance past South Columbus. The Knights will travel to No. 4 James Kenan, which defeated Louisburg 42-7.

Class 1A

Hobgood Charter 48, Weldon STEM 6

Second-seeded Hobgood Charter advanced with a commanding victory over Weldon STEM. The Raiders will host No. 3 Sallie B. Howard in the third round.

Northside-Pinetown 56, Washington County 6

Washington County’s playoff run ended against top-seeded Northside-Pinetown. The Panthers will host No. 4 North Edgecombe in the third round.

All third-round NCHSAA games are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20.