Week 5 Games of the Week Top Offensive Performers

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Offensive Performances – Carolina Recruits Week 5</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 5 did not disappoint. With the season edging closer to its midpoint, several players across the Carolina Recruits region elevated their games and delivered <strong>career-best outings</strong> when their teams needed it most. From quarterbacks lighting up defenses with precision passing to running backs carrying the load with explosive ground attacks, these athletes put on a show that reminded everyone why Friday nights in North Carolina are so special.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some players broke records, others cemented themselves as leaders of their squads, and a few newcomers proved they belong among the elite with statement performances. As the competition heats up and playoff positioning starts to come into focus, these offensive stars are separating themselves as true game-changers who can tilt the outcome of a contest with the ball in their hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scotland 21 Pinecrest 36</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663571"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d11cd70889e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663571' first='Chris' last='Najm']</strong> was the difference-maker in Pinecrest's Week 5 win over Scotland County, delivering a career night in his <strong>first game as the team's primary ball carrier</strong>. Najm shouldered the load with <strong>33 carries for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns</strong>, setting a personal best while keeping the offense steady in a rivalry game that was tied 7–7 at halftime. His bruising runs wore down Scotland's defense and his ability to finish drives gave Pinecrest the spark it needed to pull away. The performance not only showcased Najm's toughness and durability, but also marked his emergence as a senior leader capable of carrying the Patriots' offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Nash 44 South Central 33</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["618689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d11cd70893d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Myles Eastmon (RB, Northern Nash, c/o 2026)</strong> was a big-play machine in Week 5, breaking off several long runs to keep the offense rolling before sealing the game in dramatic fashion. Eastmon found the end zone twice on the night, including a <strong>walk-off 30-yard touchdown run</strong> that lifted Northern Nash to victory. His blend of speed and explosiveness made him the difference-maker, and his ability to shine in clutch moments shows why he's quickly becoming one of the region's most dangerous backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Forsyth 30 Richmond County 36 OT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Evan Hodges ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Richmond County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d2192c30d4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Evan Hodges (QB, Richmond County, Senior)</strong> once again proved to be the steady leader the Raiders needed, guiding them to a thrilling <strong>36-30 overtime win over West Forsyth</strong>. Hodges was sharp and efficient, completing <strong>12-of-17 passes for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns</strong> against just one interception. In a back-and-forth battle, his poise under pressure and ability to finish drives with touchdowns were the difference, helping Richmond survive in a tough matchup and keep momentum alive heading into the second half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671870"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d2192c30dc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671870' first='Mozes' last='Morris'] (RB, West Forsyth, Senior)</strong> was nothing short of dynamic in his team's narrow <strong>30-36 overtime loss to Richmond County</strong>. Morris carried the offense on his back, finishing with <strong>25 carries for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns</strong>, showing both power between the tackles and explosiveness in the open field. Even in defeat, he was the best player on the field at times, keeping West Forsyth in the fight until the final whistle and proving why he's one of the region's most reliable senior backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacksonville 35 East Duplin 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895409"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d2192c30e19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson'] (RB, Jacksonville, c/o 2027)</strong> made the most of every touch in Week 5, racking up <strong>133 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 19 carries</strong>. The sophomore back showcased both patience and burst, consistently finding lanes and punishing the defense when he hit the open field. His efficiency stood out, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry, and his ability to finish drives with scores gave Jacksonville a reliable spark in their offensive attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Bern 15 Hough 53</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254550"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d2192c30e61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal'] (QB, Hough, c/o 2027)</strong> put together a near-flawless outing in Week 5, showing poise and big-play ability against a tough defense. The sophomore signal-caller went <strong>11-of-20 for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns</strong>, with just a single interception. Royal's efficiency stood out — he didn't need high volume to carve up the secondary, instead capitalizing on explosive plays and keeping Hough's offense rolling. Performances like this solidify him as one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the Carolina Recruits region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Wayne 6 Southern Nash 57</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DJ Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southern Nash","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d2192c30efb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>DJ Baker (RB, Southern Nash, Senior)</strong> didn't need a full night to make an impression. In limited action — with the game decided early — Baker made the most of his touches, breaking off chunk plays and finishing with <strong>6 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown</strong>. His explosiveness was on full display, showing that even in short spurts he can be the most dynamic player on the field. For Southern Nash, Baker's efficiency and ability to change the game with just a handful of opportunities make him a valuable senior presence in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->