By Joe Crowe, For the Tribune
FAIRFIELD – The Center Point High Eagles returned to the positive side of the win-loss column Friday night with a non-conference win over Class 5A Region 5’s Fairfield Tigers.
The Eagles’ Julius Finnerson, got the team on the board in the first quarter, with a three-yard run resulting in a touchdown.
In the second quarter, Therman Deon Moore uncorked two passes that both resulted in touchdowns, then ran one in himself. First up, a 43-yard pass to Jeremiah Jackson resulted in 6 more points. Then Moore tossed a 6-yard pass to Antonio Garfield – then Jaquoryae Busby completed a two-point conversion.
Not much later, Moore sprinted for the end zone himself, carrying the ball 46 yards to bring the score up to 26-0, Center Point.
After the half, Terence Tubbs caught another pass from Moore and completed the two-point conversation, setting the score at 34-0.
Fairfield’s vital signs improved dramatically when Cedarian Clemon made a 75-yard kickoff return, getting on the board for 6 points.
Moore got back on point then, delivering a 64-yard pass to Busby. After that, Daemon Canty rang up another two-point conversation. The score was 42-6 Center Point going into the final quarter.
Fairfield’s Justin Murray took center stage in the fourth. He executed a 10-yard run and a 2 point conversion, bringing the score to 42-14.
Then Murray made another 6-yard run, adding another six points to the Fairfield total. The final score: Center Point 42 ended a final-quarter surge 20.
On the night, Moore finished 9 of 12 for 181 yards and four passing touchdowns to go with 61 yards on 7 carries for another score. J Jackson was just shy of the century mark on the ground, gaining 91 yards on 11 carries while catching two passes for 43 yards, one of them being a touchdown.
Head Coach George Bates was proud of his team’s performance, but wants to see more consistency at the end of games. “With a few adjustments with personnel by the staff, the kids responded well by executing with more consistency. I’m proud of the first two and a half quarters for sure, but we have to finish strong and that includes our subs late in games. We are really looking forward to Senior Night Friday.”
Center Point improves its record to 4-2, while Fairfield falls to 1-5.
Next week, Center Point returns to the Eagles Nest for a Class 6A Region 6 bout against Shades Valley on Senior Night.
The Eagles are 1-2 in region play while Shades Valley is a little higher up with a 1-1 region play record. The Mounties come off of a tough 41-40 win over Bessemer City this past Friday night.