Linden blasts Akron 76-8

AKRON — Linden (4-3, 4-1) clinched a first round home playoff game Friday night with a 76-8 win over Class 1A, Region 4 foe Akron.

“We were just looking for consistency,” Linden coach Andro Williams said. “We were looking for guys to come in and compete and get after it. We’ve got to work to try and continue to get better as a team. We’ve got to work to continue to get better as a team in all three phases of the game.”

Linden saw significant playing time from its reserve units in the game, something Williams said he believes will be beneficial to his team in the not-too-distant future.

“I was real pleased with a lot of our younger guys as they competed over the course of the game,” Williams said.

D.J. Charleston paced the Patriots in the contest, going 7-for-10 through the air for 235 yards and three touchdown passes to go along with a 2-yard rushing score.

Jaleel Jones led the team in receiving with three catches for 85 yards including touchdown receptions of 30 and 35 yards. Jones also made an interception on defense.

Javaris Goings had a 40-yard touchdown catch. C.J. Robinson scored on a 1-yard run. Cordarius Scruggs had a 25-yard touchown run. Keishaun Scott had a 22-yard scoring run while Davontae Knox scored on a 29-yard run. Steve Edwards also had a 15-yard touchdown run for the Patriots.

Tywon Smith returned a fumble 35 yards for touchdown while Prentiss McQuiston had a 25-yard fumble return score.

The Patriots are set to wrap up region play next Thursday night with a visit to Sunshine High School. The game is expected to be the final home football game for the school, which is expected to close before next season.

Friday’s game is also expected to be the last home football game for Akron High, which anticipates closure at the end of the current academic year.