By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Jonathan Paylor of Cummings is on the national scene as a much-evaluated recruit.
In terms of scoring credentials, the multi-purpose back might be overshadowed going into the third round of the Class 2-A state playoffs.
Cummings (8-3), the No. 8 seed in the East Region, goes to top-seeded Princeton on Friday night.
Princeton’s Christian Perris leads the state with 286 points, most of those coming on his 46 touchdowns. The senior has racked up 2,703 rushing yards.
“It’s going to get everyone’s attention,” Cummings coach David Grimm said of those numbers in an interview with The Alamance News.
The Bulldogs (11-1) have scored 640 points for an average of 53.3 per game. The high mark came in last week’s 71-34 victory against Heide Trask.
Cummings has a high-powered offense, sparked by Paylor, running back Marione Enoch, quarterback Johnniyus Sharpe and key receiving targets.
“We have a lot of speed,” quarterback Sharpe said. “I feel we’re ready. There’s a lot of confidence.”
The Cavaliers have taken considerable steps throughout the season. They’ve been making it count in the postseason with their deepest run in the playoffs in 11 years.
“Embracing the moment,” Sharpe said. “It’s just taking it all in.”
Princeton uses a single-wing offense.
“They’re big and strong up front,” Grimm said. “I like the way our defense has been playing.”
The run-oriented approach used by Princeton has similarities to Cummings opponents Southern Alamance and North Moore. The Cavaliers lost to both of those teams, but Grimm said he figures his team learned from those experiences along the way.
