Jordan pulls away from Apex Friendship in NC high school football playoffs | PHOTOS

It was big-play day for Jordan on Friday, and thanks to a handful of chunk plays, the Falcons are soaring into the third round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.

Amareon Blue, an Eastern Michigan commit, ripped off three touchdown runs — two of more than 60 yards — and junior quarterback Landon Melton threw for two scores and ran for another to lead Jordan past visiting Apex Friendship, 41-14.

The No. 8 Falcons will move on to face East No. 1 Cleveland in the Round of 16. The Rams edged No. 32 Heritage in the first round of the playoffs, then held off No. 16 Ashley of Wilmington, 21-3, on Friday.

Jordan (10-2) did not face Cleveland (12-0) in the regular season.

Apex Friendship (10-2) struck first Friday, about seven minutes into the first quarter, when Dominick Parrinello found David Lozada for a 16-yard touchdown. Michael Markulic’s kick gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead.

Jordan replied in short order, marching from its own 24 for a quick touchdown thanks to a 63-yard catch-and-run on a pass from Landon Melton to Joe Griffin. Asher Holland’s PAT squared the game at 7-7, where it remained through the end of the opening frame.

The pendulum swung back in Apex Friendship’s favor early in the second. Parrinello completed his second TD pass of the night, this time to Andrew Elko, to put the Patriots back in front.

And for the second time in as many quarters, Jordan’s offense may have given stadium spectators whiplash: The Falcons tied the game again with another big play. This time, Blue lugged the ball 70 yards for the score for the quick answer, tying the game again at 14-14.

Apex Friendship drove into the red zone on its next possession, but turned the ball over after a missed field goal.

Cue the Falcons’ big-play machine: Blue took the handoff and rumbled for 90 yards and another score, giving Jordan its first lead of the game. With the ensuing extra point, the home team led, 21-14, with about two minutes remaining in the first half.

Melton posted yet another big play for the Falcons when he scampered 79 yards for a touchdown to open the second half, helping Jordan open up a two-score advantage.

Jordan’s special teams blocked a field goal attempt for the second time in as many tries later in the third quarter. Taking over at their own 6-yard line, the Falcons moved quickly into Apex Friendship territory as Blue galloped for another big gain inside the Patriots’ 10-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Jordan cemented its advantage when Melton found Griffin for the duo’s second passing TD to push the home team’s advantage to 35-14.

Blue capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with his third TD, a 4-yard run to make it 41-14.