When Robeson plays Julian on the first Sunday of the high school football season each year, it’s always something special. It’s a game that honors two programs with a great history and two great coaches: former Julian head coach J.W. Smith and forme
When Robeson plays Julian on the first Sunday of the high school football season each year, it’s always something special. It’s a game that honors two programs with a great history and two great coaches: former Julian head coach J.W. Smith and former Robeson head coach Roy Curry.
This year proved to be no different as the two schools battled once againm, with Robeson pulling out a 30-6 victory.
“This was a great win for us,” said Robeson head coach Fabray Collins. “Anytime you play against an archrival like Julian, you never know what to expect, but our kids came out and played well.”
Leading Robeson to the victory was junior wide receiver Martinez Young, who caught a pair of touchdown passes.
Red Raider quarterback Shawn Pipkins also had an outstanding day, throwing for 146 yards.
On defense, linebacker Chris Sessions had seven solo tackles and three quarterback sacks while defensive tackle Maurice Davis had eight solo tackles.
“Our defense stepped up and got the job done,” Collins added.
Julian scored their lone touchdown on a 76-yard bomb from quarterback Ray Reese to wide receiver Darnell Phillips.
Also at Gately Stadium Sunday, running back Joseph Wright rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Tashaun Johnson threw for three touchdowns as Harlan romped to a 52-0 win over Bowen.
In other key games during the first weekend of the high school season, Morgan Park played well but dropped a tough 24-20 decision to Brother Rice in the Kickoff Classic at Soldier Field.
Morgan Park played the game without all-state defensive end Craig Drummond and quarterback Victor Scott because of injuries.
The Mustangs were able to cut a Brother Rice lead to 24-20 on a 19- yard touchdown pass from DaRon Brown to Calvin Brookins on the first play of the final quarter but couldn’t get any closer.
Meanwhile, Leo got off to a good start on the season as the Lions defeated Gordon Tech, 36-23.
Quarterback Darwin Rogers led the way for Leo by tossing four touchdown passes.
“A lot of people are putting pressure on us to do well this season,” said Leo head coach Michael Holmes. "That doesn’t bother us because we are putting a lot of pressure on ourselves.”
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