Linden High School advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a 39-7 victory against Kinston.

“We have to continue to do the little things right and execute in all phases of the game,” Linden head coach Andro Williams said.

Linden didn’t waste any time putting points on the board after Marquise Shelton scored on a 98-yard run for a TD. A successful PAT brought the score to 7-0 with 8:04 left in the first quarter.

Anthony Robinson Jr. scored Linden’s second TD for the night on a long 85-yard run. A kick for the extra point made the score 14-0.

Despite a few mistakes with penalties and two turnovers in the first half, Linden closed out the half with a 14-0 lead.

The Patriots continued to roar over Kinston in the second half after Jamal Lewis ran 18-yards to set up the 1-yard run by Shelton for the TD. A missed field goal made the score 20-0 with 7:17 left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter opened many opportunities for the Patriots to capitalize on some Kinston mistakes.

An interception thrown by the Bulldogs quarterback set up a Linden touchdown drive. Shelton added more points to the scoreboard on a 71-yard run with 10:49 left in the fourth quarter. A blocked PAT made the score 26-0.

Linden would soon see its first touchdown in the air on a 45-yard pass from Anthony Robinson Jr. to Jalen Lewis to make the score 33-0.

The Patriots final score was made with the defense on the field. Jamon Evans scooped up a missed snap from Kinston’s quarterback and returned the fumble for 72-yards to seal the Patriots score at 39.

However, Kinston fought to the end scoring their first touchdown for the night on a 11-yard run with 1:35 left in the game closing the score at 39-7.

Linden advances to the second round of the playoffs next week.