Source: Main Street Preps
Author: Russell Vannozzi
Photos: Joel Clinger
To see a full photo gallery from the Nolensville - Rockvale Football game.... click here!
Samson Johnson wasn't pleased at halftime of Friday's game against Rockvale.
The Nolensville senior running back felt his team could be doing more on offense despite leading by a touchdown.
"We started off slow, and even though we had 21 points at the half, we know how explosive our offense can be," Johnson said. "We cleaned some things up, got it rolling and you saw what happened."
The Knights (6-0) left little doubt in the second half, piling on 28 points to run away with a 49-27 win to remain unbeaten.
That included a Nolensville interception, six penalties and a season-low 307 total yards. Rockvale briefly held a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
"I told (the players) I was proud of their grit and the way they kept battling and fighting," Nolensville coach Paul Derrick said. "It wasn't perfect or pretty, but a win's a win. I'm never going to be upset about winning a football game."
Johnson rushed for 58 hard-earned yards and three touchdowns, all of which came from inside the 10-yard line. Classmate Coby Walton finished 21-of-37 passing for 253 yards and connected with Chance Fitzgerald (8 yards) and Dylan Northcutt (11 yards) for scores in the second half.
Nolensville built its lead by taking what it could against Rockvale's stingy defense that was fresh off a dominant showing in a 20-7 win over Riverdale.
"It was a lot of short routes and us giving the ball to Samson," said Fitzgerald, who had 12 receptions for 101 yards. "(Rockvale) was playing so far back."
The Rockets (4-2) were at a disadvantage almost from the opening kickoff.
Starting quarterback Brennan Mayhew suffered an apparent leg injury while being sacked on the first play from scrimmage. He left the field on crutches and did not return.
"They took him for X-rays. We'll just have to see what happens," Rockvale coach Brian Guthrie said. "It's football, and that stuff happens. I hate it for him. He's such a great kid and has done a great job as a leader for our football team."
Mayhew was replaced by sophomore Malachi Telin, who completed 19 of his 31 passes for 271 yards and three scores but also threw five interceptions. Nolensville senior Derrick Burroughs nabbed three of those turnovers and took one for a touchdown on a 45-yard return in the second quarter.
"We've got one of the best defenses in the state," Johnson said. "Without them, 49 points is not easy. They gave us the field position, and we finished the drives."
Nolensville has high hopes for the rest of the year, especially since Fitzgerald, Johnson, Northcutt and Walton are all seniors. The Knights are averaging more than 40 points per game even after their less-than-ideal start against Rockvale.
"We want to be more consistent on offense," Walton said. "Coach Derrick preaches that to us a lot. We have the talent – we just have to go do it now. We don't want to waste that talent."
Derrick was in no mood to nitpick on Friday. He sees a team that is finding different ways to win.
That trait will be helpful as the Knights play three Region 6-5A contests over the next five weeks, including an Oct. 7 showdown with Page (6-0) at home that could decide the league title.
"Even if it's not perfect and we make mistakes, we keep playing hard and together," Derrick said. "We believe that we can win. That's what I saw tonight. We kind of willed ourselves to this victory."
Nolensville 49, Rockvale 27
R 14 0 7 6 – 27
N 7 14 14 14 – 49
Scoring Summary
First quarter
R – Nolan Dunkley 4 pass from Malachi Telin (4:47), Eban Brasier kick
N – Samson Johnson 2 run (1:36), Reese Miller kick
R – Jaylan Morgan 74 pass from Telin (1:02), Brasier kick
Second quarter
N – Derrick Burroughs 45 interception return (10:50), Miller kick
N – Johnson 6 run (8:46), Miller kick
Third quarter
N – Chance Fitzgerald 8 pass from Coby Walton (10:18), Jack Veinbergs kick
N – Johnson 5 run (4:13), Veinbergs kick
R – Morgan 79 pass from Telin (0:56), Brasier kick
Fourth quarter
N – Dylan Northcutt 11 pass from Walton (8:02), Veinbergs kick
N – Jaeden Wyatt fumble recovery (3:01), Veinbergs kick
R – Mar'caseus Midgett 9 run (0:00)