DENVER, N.C. — East Lincoln turned a takeaway on the opening play into a touchdown and built a 49-point halftime lead Friday night, defeating Forest Hills 49–16 in the second round of the NCHSAA 5A football playoffs.
Forest Hills fumbled on a designed quarterback run from its own 2-yard line, and East Lincoln standout Jaxon Dollar recovered the ball and scored just 16 seconds into the game. The Mustangs kept the pressure on, reaching halftime ahead 49–0 and triggering a running clock in the second half.
Quarterback Davis Beam completed 10 of 15 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 46 rushing yards and two more scores. Tyson Maggs caught five passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, and Dollar finished with five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Cooper Harpster rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns. East Lincoln’s starting offense did not play in the second half after the Mustangs took control before the break.
Dollar left the game in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on his shoulder following a reception. Coach David Lubowicz said afterward that the team would continue evaluating the injury ahead of its next playoff game.
The victory improved East Lincoln to 10–1 and sent the Mustangs into a third-round matchup at Franklin on November 20.
Leave a Reply