Simply put, Michael Stewart was just too much for the Thomas Johnson Patriots — and his own team’s record books — to handle.
North Hagerstown’s star running back had a monster game on Friday, exploding for five TDs and nearly 300 yards of total offense to lead the Hubs to their first victory of the season, a 35-14 triumph over the Patriots.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Stewart etched his place into North Hagerstown gridiron history as the first Hub to score multiple rushing (3) and receiving (2) TDs in the same game. He ran for 225 yards and hauled in 72 more receiving yards.
With Stewart spearheading the attack, North (1-2) erupted for 472 yards of total offense, including 388 on the ground. Hubs QB Ronnie Savage ran for 86 yards, and threw for 84 more, while the offense also got solid rushing efforts from Mykai Bostic (47 yards) and Carter Croft (33).
Chase Garver went 5 for 5 on PATs, while Carter Hillegas paced the defense with a forced fumble and three tackles for a loss, including a sack.
North Hagerstown built a 21-7 lead at halftime on the strength of three TDs from Stewart, before the Hubs finished the job with two more scores from their standout back in the second half.
North will be looking to keep its momentum going on Friday, when it visits Central Woodstock (0-3), a team coming off a 44-7 loss to Broadway.
Smithsburg 36, Berkeley Springs 20
Seven different Smithsburg players — Luke Scott, Nicolas Roncone, Zach Linn, Noah Hegbe, Marquis Weakfall, Dakota Sowers, and Walker Clark — factored into the scoring column as the Leopards jumped to 3-0 for the first time since 2008.
Quarterback Scott completed 7 of 17 passes for 64 yards, including a 38-yard TD strike to Sowers, while Roncone carried the ball 20 times for 159 yards and a score. The Leopards also got rushing TDs from Linn (12 carries, 91 yards), Hegbe (6-23), and Weakfall (2-4), while Clark converted 3 of 5 extra points and drilled a 38-yard field goal.
Smithsburg’s Riley Carr was a terror in the backfield of Berkeley Springs (1-3). He registered eight tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Hegbe contributed 10 tackles, while Jack Rawlett and Cadyn Nesbitt both pulled down interceptions.
The Leopards will be going for 4-0 on Friday, when they play host to Brunswick (0-3), a squad coming off a 42-7 loss to Boonsboro.
Frederick 38, South Hagerstown 12
South Hagerstown’s Lucas Semler had a hand, and foot, in both of his team’s scores, but the Rebels could not keep pace with Frederick on Friday night.
Semler plowed into the end zone from five yards out and threw a 30-yard TD pass to Percell Clay.
South Hagerstown fell to 0-3, while the Cadets improved to 1-2.
The Rebels will try to rebound on Friday, when they host Thomas Johnson (1-2), a group coming off a 35-14 loss to North Hagerstown.
Boonsboro 42, Brunswick 6
Powered by the arm of Blake Main, Boonsboro surged to a blowout victory over Brunswick on Friday.
Main threw for four TDs, two of which were hauled in by Jadon, with Jayden Paugh and Evan Tall accounting for the other scores. The Warriors (2-1) also got rushing TDs from Landen Sallerson and Brody Honeycutt.
Boonsboro’s defense was highlighted by the efforts of Mason Galloway, who recorded an interception.
The Railroaders fell to 0-3.
The Warriors return to action on Friday, when they play host to Catoctin (0-3), a team coming off a 21-0 loss to Williamsport.
Cumberland Valley 21, Chambersburg 0
Injuries to starting QB Cam Green and his backup Jashaun Palmer, who doubles as a top receiver, forced Chambersburg to turn to third-stringer Justin Deneen in Friday’s Commonwealth Division contest against Cumberland Valley.
While Deneen played admirably, completing 14 of 26 passes for 120 yards, the Trojans (0-4, 0-3 Commonwealth) couldn’t dent the scoreboard against the Eagles (2-2, 2-1), who boast one of the division’s top defenses.
Following a scoreless first quarter, Cumberland Valley took a 14-0 halftime lead on rushing TDs from Cole Hockenberry and Colton Stamy. The Eagles put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 41-yard TD pass from Stamy to Torin Lang.
Deneen finished the game with completions to nine different receivers: Isaiah Ferguson (3 catches, 25 yards), Malachi Tasker (2-24), Lucas Ocker (2-14), Seth Gilliam (2-14), Cam McNew (1-14), Bryce Deneen (1-9), Brock Chlebowski (1-8), Sebastian Laughlin (1-8), Nathan Chambers (1-4).
Chambersburg’s defense was able to keep the game close, largely due to interceptions from Mason Mowen and Deakon Snavely.
One team will get its first win of the season on Friday when the Trojans travel to take on Central Dauphin (0-4, 0-3). The Rams are coming off a 48-6 loss to Harrisburg.
Shippensburg 24, Waynesboro 13
Waynesboro led 7-3 after one quarter, but could not hold on in Friday’s Keystone Division contest against Shippensburg.
The Indians (0-4, 0-3 Keystone) were led by the efforts of Anthony Ausherman, who posted 101 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Mason Costolo had a solid game for the Greyhounds (2-2, 2-1), completing 12 of 22 passes for 183 yards. Damien Horan caught six of those passes for 101 yards, while Mark Carothers Jr. ran the ball 22 times for 64 yards.
Waynesboro will be seeking its first win on Friday, when it hits the road to take on Palmyra (2-2, 2-1), a squad coming off a 24-17 loss to Hershey.
Susquehanna Township 42, Greencastle-Antrim 0
Fueled by three rushing TDs from Sincere Littlejohn and a defense that allowed just 122 yards of total offense, Susquehanna Township rolled to victory in Friday’s Colonial Division opener against Greencastle-Antrim.
The Indians (2-2, 1-0 Colonial) led 28-0 by halftime, and capped off their scoring with TDs in the third and fourth quarters.
The Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1) were highlighted by the play of Wyatt Hull, who caught four passes for 62. Robert Sanders and Ryan Schick each logged three tackles and a pass defense.
Greencastle will be seeking to get back on track on Friday, when it travels to take on Boiling Springs (0-4, 0-1), a team coming off a 38-13 loss to West Perry.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division: 1. Harrisburg (4-0 overall, 3-0 division), 1. State College (4-0, 3-0), 1. Altoona (3-1, 3-0), 4. Bishop McDevitt (3-1, 2-1), 4. Cumberland Valley (2-2, 2-1), 6. Cedar Cliff (1-3, 1-2), 6. Carlisle (1-3, 1-2), 8. CD East (0-4, 0-3), 8. Chambersburg (0-4, 0-3), 8. Central Dauphin (0-4, 0-3).
Mid-Penn Keystone Division: 1. Northern (3-1 overall, 3-0 division), 2. Gettysburg (3-1 overall, 2-1 division), 2. Palmyra (2-2, 2-1), 2. Shippensburg (2-2, 2-1), 2. Mechanicsburg (3-1, 2-1), 6. Lower Dauphin (1-3, 1-2), 6. Hershey (2-2, 1-2), 6. Red Land (2-2, 1-2), 9. Waynesboro (0-4, 0-3), 9. Mifflin County (1-3, 0-3).
Mid-Penn Colonial Division: 1. Trinity (2-2 overall, 1-0 division), 1. Susquehanna Township (2-2, 1-0), 1. West Perry (4-0, 1-0), 1. Milton Hershey (1-3, 1-0), 5. Middletown (2-2, 0-1), 5. Boiling Springs (0-4, 0-1), 5. Greencastle-Antrim (2-2, 0-1), 5. East Pennsboro (1-3, 0-1).
Washington County: Smithsburg (3-0), Williamsport (2-1), Boonsboro (2-1), Saint James (2-1), North Hagerstown (1-2), Clear Spring (1-2), South Hagerstown (0-3).
