FAYETTEVILLE - Fayetteville’s Jack Britt High School ran its shutout string to five consecutive games on Friday night as it handed visiting Cary a 31-0 loss in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4AA football playoffs.

Britt, which has allowed only nine points in its last six games, will be at home against Middle Creek, a 34-20 winner over Fuquay-Varina, in the third round next week.

Cary was allowing only 10.2 points per game before the game and battled Britt almost evenly in the first period.

The Bucks got all the points they needed when Kenny Jenkins returned a first quarter punt 47 yards for a touchdown.

Jenkins stung the Imps in the second quarter with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Mark McRae.

Britt then took advantage of a Cary fumble to drive 28 yards for a 1-yard touchdown run from Lindon Watkins to build a 21-0 halftime lead.

“The punt return killed us,” said Cary coach Ben Kolstad. “I didn’t know coming in if the kids had the confidence and then we made too many mistakes and Britt takes advantage of every mistake.”

The Imps (9-3) went to the postseason for the 10th straight season.

This was the first time since 2006 that Cary had advanced past the first round.

Still, Kolstad had hoped his team would’ve made it more of a contest on the offensive side of the ball.

“I honestly thought we could move the chains and score,” Kolstad said.

Britt coach Richard Bailey was impressed with Cary’s defense.

“They have a very good defense, too,” he said. “In a defensive battle, a big play on defense is huge."