Asheville – The festivities of Parents’ Night, Senior Night, and the final game of the regular season were capped off with a big Cougar victory at Asheville High Memorial Stadium last Friday.  Asheville (8-2, 5-1) stunned North Buncombe (8-3, 4-2) in a 62-6 lopsided victory, giving Asheville coach Danny Wilkins his 80th career win, and Asheville a share of its third straight conference championship.  Cougar fans and players alike were surprised and upset after last week’s 21-20 loss at Franklin, and took out their aggression against the Blackhawks.

North Buncombe drew first blood, with a 73-yard scoring drive capped off by a 2 yard touchdown run by QB Randy Pressley.  Asheville quickly responded, and took the lead for good. Quarterback Rahkeem Morgan’s first carry resulted in a 42-yard touchdown run.  Spenser Clement, Giovanni McKnight, Greg Ray and Marcus Thorpe also had touchdown runs for the Cougars.  Phillip Lamy caught Morgan’s only touchdown pass of the night.  On defense, Antonio Carson and Jamal Johnson each returned an interception for a touchdown.  The Asheville defense also caused five Blackhawk turnovers.

Rahkeem Morgan now has 2,513 career passing yards, nearing the school record of 2,760.

Asheville advances to the first round of the NCHSAA 3A Playoffs as the #4 seed. The Cougars’ first round draw is #13 Tuscola, who was defeated by Asheville 3 weeks ago during Homecoming, 39-7.  Also competing in the playoffs from the MAC are #7 North Buncombe vs. #10 Franklin, and #6 T.C. Roberson vs. #11 Mooresville.