Contributed by Jimmy McDonald Pinecrest quarterback Dwayne Simpson rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns in his final game.

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RAEFORD — In a rematch from a game played just a week earlier, Pinecrest did its best to turn the tables on Hoke County.

After losing by 28 in the season finale, the Patriots were leading by seven just moments before halftime when the Bucks’ Detrez Newsome broke free for a 52-yard run to set up the game-tying touchdown and give the home team momentum going into the second half.

Hoke used it to advance to the second round of the state 4AA playoffs with a 24-14 victory over Pinecrest.

Newsome finished the game with 118 yards and a pair of 1-yard touchdowns. For the season, Newsome has now eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark, running for 2,048 yards and 35 scores.

Pinecrest quarterback Dwayne Simpson recovered from an injury suffered against the Bucks in the first contest to run for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

“There are not enough words to express my appreciation for their efforts,” Pinecrest coach Chris Metzger said to The Pilot. “You’re talking about a group of kids that played the toughest schedule in the state and battled and battled. It was a valiant effort.”

The Bucks will travel to Jack Britt 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Buccaneers knocked off SEC member Lumberton 28-14 in their opening-round contest. The Patriots end their season with a 5-7 record.

JACK BRITT 28, LUMBERTON 14

FAYETTEVILLE — Jack Britt weathered a Lumberton first-quarter offensive outburst to defeat the Pirates for the third time in the playoffs in four years and ended the coaching career of Mike Brill.

Eric Carter rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and quarterback Mark McRae threw for 218 yards and two scores in the victory. McRae connected with Jalen McDaniel for a 42-yard touchdown and later found Chris Jenkins for a 30-yard score.

The Pirates (5-6) jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first 12 minutes behind the running of Daniel Robinson. The senior had touchdown runs of 1 and 21 yards and finished the contest with 164 yards on 23 touches.

“Our players did what we asked and left it all out there,” Brill said to The Robesonian. “They out-athleted us a couple of times and that was the difference.”

The Buccaneers (10-2) will play host to Hoke County 7:30 p.m. Friday in the second round.

“That’s important” McRae said to the Fayetteville Observer. “Because we’ve never lost a playoff game at home.”

SCOTLAND 40, EAST CHAPEL HILL 5

LAURINBURG — Scotland began its defense of the 4A state title in style.

The Fighting Scots racked up 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter alone en route to a 40-5 victory over East Chapel Hill. The Wildcats ended the season with a 5-6 record.

“I’m only basing this game on the first half when our starters were playing,” Scotland coach Richard Bailey said to the Laurinburg Exchange. “We simply handled business out there but things get exponentially harder for us going forward.”

Scotland (10-1) will welcome Lee County (9-3) to Pate Stadium 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Yellow Jackets eliminated Terry Sanford 57-35.

— Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at sstinson@heartlandpublications.com.