Over the weekend, Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente said “The first rule of special teams is don’t have a terrible thing happen.”

Unfortunately, Northern Nash didn’t get that memo Friday night.

The Knights punting unit cost them 17 points in the first half against Orange, which isn’t unusual for a young team in the season opener. But having a player as special as Payton Wilson is unusual, and Orange rode its thoroughbred to as often as possible as he begins his final lap.

Wilson had 244 punt return yards and 127 receiving yards to push the Panthers past the Knights 40-6 on a sultry Friday night in Death Valley. Marvante Beasley rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns, his 12th 100-yard rushing game.

Orange has now won 17 consecutive regular games and 21 straight nonconference games.

Of course, few times run on all cylinders in its season opener and Orange was no different on Friday night. New head coach Van Smith, in his first game, watched his new offense sputter, at times. The Panthers have junked the double wing offense for the en vogue spread attack installed by new offensive coordinator Steve Burdeau, who arrived to Hillsborough after two seasons at Richmond County.

With seniors Rodney Brooks and Brenden Huss sharing time at quarterback, the results were hit and miss. Brooks was more eager to keep the ball on zone-reads, rushing for 18 yards on five carries in front of an offensive line with only one returning starter.

The one thing both players had in common was who they viewed as the top target: Wilson.

On the opening possession, Knights punter Travis Smith had the ball snapped over his head, setting up Orange from the Knight 12-yard line for the opening possession of the season. On third-and-goal from the Nash 7-yard line, Brooks found Wilson for the opening touchdown in the right corner of the end zone.

It was the start of a exhausting night for Wilson and Beasley, who endured the hottest weather they’ve ever played in.

“It was crazy out here,” said Wilson. “It wasn’t just hot, it was like you could barely breathe because it was so humid. We were in better shape, obviously. It was rough out here today. I’m ready for that fall weather.”

“I was about to die,” said Beasley. “I don’t sweat a lot but I’ve never played in a hotter game in my life.”

In the 2nd quarter, Wilson returned a punt 55 yards, leading to Francisco McKinley’s 23-yard field goal. On the subsequent possession, Wilson received another punt, which he returned 50 yards before fumbling at the Nash 30-yard line. Panther upback Colin Guentensberger picked up the loose ball and ran the final 30 yards for a touchdown.

Wilson, who had five punt returns for touchdowns last season, was surprised Nash continued to kick it right to him.

“After the first one, I thought they would kick it out of bounds like most teams do,” said Wilson. “But they kept kicking it to me.”

“Punt returns are definitely the most tiring,” said Wilson. “On defense, I give it my all because I try to make every play. I’m already tired when I walk back to return punts. Sometimes I run it back 50, 60 yards, so that’s what really tires me out.”

Orange opened the second half with Wilson making a gorgeous diving catch for 32 yards down to the Knight 1-yard line. Beasley scored his first touchdown of the season two plays alter.

“I felt like we were firing off the ball in the second half better,” said Beasley. “It cooled down a lot in the second half and we executed better. We focused much better.”

Later in the third quarter, Beasley scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. McKinley kicked a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, doubling his season total from 2016 in the opening game.

Nash scored its only touchdown when quarterback Davontae Wiggins threw to Trevor Sledge for a 36-yard score.

Orange plays its only nonconference home game on Friday night against Wilmington Hoggard, who hammered Holly Springs 48-7 on Friday night.

“Hoggard is always supposed to be pretty good,” said Wilson. “We need a real good week of practice. Me and Marvante and everyone else worked very hard this offseason, so it means a lot to us. We out to go out every game the same.”

On a sweltering night in Rocky Mount where the heat index reached over 100 degrees at kickoff, Orange defeated Northern Nash 40-6 in Death Valley. Marvante Beasley rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Payton Wilson had 244 punt return yards as the Panthers claimed its 21st straight regular season victory over a nonconference opponent.

Payton Wilson & Marvante Beasley Discuss a Hot Night in Rocky Mount

With the heat indexes over 100 degrees at kickoff, Orange endured a sweltering night to defeat Northern Nash 40-6 on Friday night in Rocky Mount. Payton Wilson had 244 yards on punt returns while Marvante Beasley rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns. It was the 12th time Beasley has rushed for over 100 yards.

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The Cedar Ridge football team is coming off its first winning season since 2010. Now, they start the 2017 season with three new running backs in its triple option attack, along with many new interior lineman. Coach Scott Loosemore discusses playing Carrboro on Friday night at Cedar Ridge, a game you can hear on HillsboroughSports.com with Nathan Bernstein.

Cedar Ridge Football Coach Scott Loosemore Prepares for Friday’s Season Opener vs. Carrboro

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Cedar Ridge defeated Eastern Alamance on Wednesday night 3-0. Macy Henry finished with 25 assists as the Red Wolves finished a strong opening week of the season. They start conference play next Thursday against Northwood, but first take on Durham School of the Arts on Monday.

Cedar Ridge’s Macy Henry Discusses the Red Wolves 2-0 start

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In volleyball, this is what statistical domination looks like.

10 block points, nine aces, 29 kills in three sets. That’s what Cedar Ridge amassed in sweeping Eastern Alamance 3-0 on Wednesday night in the Red Wolves’ home opener on scores of 26-24, 25-23 and 25-17.

Cedar Ridge is 2-0 after a thrilling five-set win over Durham School of the Arts on Monday in Sykes Gymnasium. In 2016, the Red Wolves didn’t earn its 2nd win of the season until September 1st, seven games into the season.

Senior Alexa Pagnanelli piled up ten digs, 12 service points and four aces. Tori Zielke registered eight kills and one block. Sarah McCuiston had seven kills, four solo blocks, two block assists and two aces. Macy Henry finished with 25 assists. Emma Downing totaled two solo blocks and one block assist.

The Red Wolves enjoy the rest of the week off, but have three games next week. They have a rematch against DSA at Red Wolves Gymnasium next Monday. Cedar Ridge starts Big 8 Conference play at Northwood next Thursday.

Ward and Milner each had two victories on Wednesday in Cedar Ridge’s season-opening 9-0 win over Eastern Alamance. Ward and Milner captured their respective singles matches. Ward teamed with Ivy Garner to win at #1 doubles. Milner joined Nora Sayers in a victory at #2 doubles.

Olivia Ward and Kate Milner on Cedar Ridge Tennis’ Win over Eastern Alamance

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Cedar Ridge had to wait 48 hours longer than expected to earn its first tennis win of the season, but it was worth the wait.

After Monday’s match against Bartlett Yancey was rained out, the Red Wolves stormed past Eastern Alamance 9-0 on Wednesday at Red Wolves Tennis Courts.

Ivy Garner earned her 1st win at #1 singles for Cedar Ridge, winning her match 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Olivia Ward racked up two victories on the day, taking her singles match 6-0, 6-1. Ward teamed with Garner for a 8-0 win in doubles, which was the final match of the day.

Kate Milner captured her first singles match of the season 6-0, 6-2. Milner also teamed with Nora Sauers for a 8-1 doubles win. Sauers easily took her #4 singles match 6-0, 6-4.

Maddy Werner was also victorius at #5 singles 6-2, 6-1. Natalie Marochak earned her first varsity singles win 6-3, 6-4.

Marochak and Werner teamed to win at #3 doubles 8-2.

Cedar Ridge will have a short turnaround. They face Durham School of the Arts on Thursday. DSA was the only team to defeat Cedar Ridge in the regular season in 2016.