Heading into the final week of the regular season for high school football in North Carolina, Fairmont remains the hottest team in the county as winners of seven straight games.

The Golden Tornadoes led the winners of this past week’s slate of games with a dominating victory at St. Pauls. Lumberton got its first Southeastern Conference win with an emotional 48-19 victory over Purnell Swett and Red Springs won 49-12 over South Robeson.

With the final Friday of the regular season approaching, here are the performances that stood out this past weekend.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Fairmont: With a 42-21 road win against St. Pauls this past Friday, the Golden Tornadoes put themselves in position to claim a second straight Three Rivers Conference championship in a winner-take-all contest at South Columbus this week. Nursing a 20-14 lead at the half, Fairmont came out in the second half to outscore the Bulldogs 22-7 behind the strong play of quarterback Julius Caulder and running back Halijah McLean. With a win on Friday, the Golden Tornadoes won’t have to share the trophy this season with the Stallions or Whiteville.

EYE-POPPING PERFORMANCE

Julius Caulder, QB, Fairmont — Accounting for five touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing) in the win over St. Pauls, Caulder continues to prove he’s the best quarterback in the county, getting the ball to his playmakers and creating opportunities in the running game week in and week out. The senior quarterback passed for 246 yards and rushed for 15 more. Coming out of the half against the Bulldogs, Caulder led the Golden Tornadoes on a six-minute touchdown drive capped with a run by Halijah McLean. His 47-yard bomb to Jarique Moore and 6-yard run helped Fairmont seal the deal late in the game on Friday night. Another performance like that could also lock up a third County Heisman for Caulder.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

Al’Drique Thompson, RB, Purnell Swett — Rushed for 223 yards and had three touchdowns.

Jarique Moore, WR, Fairmont — Had six catches for 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also snagged an interception.

Jordan Waters, WR, Fairmont — Finished with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Derrick Arnette, WR, Fairmont — Had five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. Also reeled in an interception.

Halijah McLean, RB, Fairmont — Rushed 14 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Montrez Howell, RB, Lumberton — Scored two rushing touchdowns and had 105 yards.

Toddrick Lockhart, QB, Red Springs — Threw for three touchdowns.

Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Fairmont quarterback Julius Caulder accounted for five touchdowns in the Golden Tornadoes’ 42-21 win over St. Pauls on Friday, leading the top performers in the county from this past week.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_DSC_1037.jpgRodd Baxley | The Robesonian Fairmont quarterback Julius Caulder accounted for five touchdowns in the Golden Tornadoes’ 42-21 win over St. Pauls on Friday, leading the top performers in the county from this past week.
Tornadoes leads top football performers

By Rodd Baxley

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Rodd Baxley can be reached on Twitter @RoddBaxley.