A sloppy field and first round playoff opponent, Raleigh Millbrook High, couldn’t slow the Fuquay-Varina Wing-T running attack as the Bengals rushed for 414 yards, led by junior fullback Cory Hunter's 135, to beat the Wildcats 27-13 and advance to the second round of the NCHSAA 4AA state playoffs. With the area’s leading rushing offense, the Bengals don’t mind duking it out in the mud. As long as they hang onto the ball, rain and soggy conditions don’t bother the Bengals. So, the decision to play the home playoff opener on schedule Friday night after a week of soaking rain was an easy one.

"I think football is a game played outside," Fuquay coach, Ryan Habich said. "Offensively and defensively, you've got to be prepared to play in these weather conditions."

Junior wing back, Eric Powell was plenty prepared and he gave Fuquay an early lead on a 25-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the game. Powell rushed for 94 yards on 15 carries, while still playing his linebacker position on defense and taking care of kicking chores for Fuquay. Senior quarterback, Nate Budde, who ran for 105 yards, scored on the Bengals next possession as Fuquay went up 14-0.

Budde was at it again on Fuquay's first possession of the third quarter, getting loose for a 38-yard run. Then he capped the 78-yard Bengals drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.

After a frustrating first half, the Wildcats passing attack got a little traction. Millbrook quarterback, Trey McFarland threw a 5-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. McFarland threw for 230 yards, but the Bengals defense harassed him into a 17-45 performance on the night, and they held the Wildcats to just 31 rushing yards.

The Bengals came right back on the next possession getting a 42-yard kickoff return from Malcom Thaxton to give Fuquay a short field at the Wildcats' 47 yard line. Hunter ran for a 15-yard score to finish off a quick, five-play Fuquay drive.

McFarland and the Wildcats had a little bit left, though. He found Dontre Price in the endzone to make it 27-13 with just over six minutes remaining.

"Offensively and defensively, our kids are running to the football," Fuquay coach, Ryan Habich said. "They're playing solid, fundamental football. And offensively, I thought we did a pretty good job of running the football."

The Bengals defense limited Millbrook to just 31 yards on the ground and harassed McFarland into a 17-45 passing night.

Fuquay-Varina (10-2) will travel to fourth seeded Southern Pines Pinecrest High (10-2) on November 20 for a second round matchup. Pinecrest downed Durham Jordan High 28-0 on Friday night to advance. The Bengals and Patriots had just one common opponent this fall. Fuquay beat West Johnston 41-14 on September 4, and then West Johnston fell to Pinecrest a week later, 27-14. The Patriots are led by quarterback, Ben Williams and running backs Brett Toomer and Damion Pride.

Hunter continues to lead the way for the Bengals, averaging 166 yards per game. Hunter has scored 31 touchdowns. Budde is averaging 92.5 yards per contest and has scored 16 times. The Fuquay defense is allowing just over 15 points per game, while the Bengals are scoring at a 31.8 points per game clip.