With nearly 2,000 yards rushing, humble NC high school football star churns toward playoffs

High school athletes imitate what they see from pro athletes on TV. That’s a given, and Apex Friendship’s football team provided corroboration Friday night as the clock ticked down to the Patriots finishing off Green Level, 33-7.

A group of Patriots hoisted a Gatorade bucket to celebrate improving to 9-1 overall and clinching the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference (7-0). They snuck up behind unsuspecting head coach Adam Sanders and drenched him. A large crowd, adults and students, roared approval.

Yes, it’s a cliché copied from TV, but bravo the enthusiasm from the sideline to the grandstands. In only nine seasons of varsity football, the school has developed the traditions that define Friday Night Lights and its unique slice of Americana.

“I think it all goes to the foundation that has been set by the coaching staff,” said senior running back Jaden Avery, who is within range of a 2,000-yard season. “Our foundation statement is getting better every day. Whether that’s on the field or not, we try to grow. We have a lot of sayings like that.”

The regular-season finale traditions on display included a dominant player, with Avery as the face of a winning team; a full complement of cheerleaders and the dance team performing; a packed student section behind a banner proclaiming “The Pit;” and the Marching Brigade, fresh off winning awards at a band day competition in Delaware, entertained with music, flags and murals on wheels rolled onto the field.

Next up are the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs, although most schools are off this week until the official first round begins on November 15. The playoff brackets will be announced Sunday.

Avery is in his third varsity season after coming up to the varsity midway through his freshman year. He also attended Apex Friendship Middle School, which is next door to the high school campus, so he’s viewed closely the program’s growth.

But Avery has delivered to program a new ingredient this season as a prolific workhorse. He doubled his output from his junior year, although he measures only as a 5-foot-9, 185-pounder. Through 10 game he’s carried 250 times for 1,779 yards and 22 touchdowns.

“I couldn’t be prouder of a kid,” Sanders said. “I don’t think we’ve leaned on one player like we have this year. It’s not an ideal situation, but he has shown he can handle it with his hard work. He’s a humble kid.”

Avery plays bigger than his size a low center of gravity. He has shown a knack for knocking back bigger tacklers.

“I’ve always been a low runner,” he said. “When I brace for contact and I’m the lowest, I usually win. I try use all the work I put into my advantage.”

Avery’s approach to his expanded role this season included aiding his recovery with quiet weekends, soaks in Epsom salt and stretching. His durability was never more valuable than the Patriots’ win two weeks ago over Middle Creek, 17-14. He carried 48 times for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Many of the carries were late in the game to bleed the clock.

The victory positioned Apex Friendship to clinch the outright conference title, to maintain its lead over Middle Creek (6-4, 6-1). The Patriots started slowly against Green Level, leading only 6-0 at halftime, but Avery finished the night with 22 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

However, there’s a Middle Creek fifth quarter to the story. His recovery weekend to refresh for Green Level didn’t begin until after he helped clean up the locker room following the Middle Creek celebration.

“True story,” said Sanders.

Avery shrugged his shoulders.

“I think that goes to being the best leader I can be,” he explained. “The locker room was a mess. Someone had to take care of it. I think that comes from my parents (Matt and Neva). They raised me well to be the best kid I possibly can be. When something like that happens, I always make sure I’m the bigger person in the that case.”

As for Avery’s college future, his body size has limited interest from Football Bowl Subdivision schools, but Sanders says Avery has potential at the right school. He sees him as a fit at the military academies, Army, Navy and Air Force in the FBS, or at a Football Championship Subdivision member. He also has a 4.4 grade-point average for Ivy League potential.

But the immediate future means the 4A playoffs. The Patriots hope they have a few more locker rooms to clean up.

Avery was asked for one word to describe Friendship’s supportive campus:

“Togetherness.”