RALEIGH — Middle Creek nearly toppled Leesville Road Saturday night, but the Pride scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and escaped with a 35-28 win, denying the Mustangs their victory of the season.

Leesville quarterback Thomas Wilson completed 21 of 36 passes for 345 yards and five touchdowns. Middle Creek’s Nate Harris rushed 13 times for 113 yards.

Harris scored on runs of 48 and 32 yards to give the Mustangs (0-4) a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Leesville Road (4-0) answered with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns, and the teams entered halftime tied 14-14.

The Pride took a 21-14 lead in the third, but Middle Creek responded with two more touchdowns.

David Thomas caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Brett Burnette, then Burnette scored on a 2-yard run to put the Mustangs on top 28-21.

But Middle Creek ran out of gas in the fourth.

Wilson threw his fourth and fifth touchdowns passes of the night in the final quarter to give the Pride the come-from-behind win.

Middle Creek begins Tri-Eight Conference play Friday against Green Hope.

East Wake 36, Holly Springs 28

WENDELL — Holly Springs enjoyed a 21-point second-quarter lead at East Wake Saturday, but the Warriors outscored the Golden Hawks 31-7 the rest of the game to win 36-28.

Both teams entered the Greater Neuse River Conference opener winless.

The 28 points were the most Holly Springs (0-5, 0-1) has scored in a game this season, and it surpassed their season total for their first four games (23).

The Golden Hawks will continue their pursuit for their first varsity win this Friday at West Johnston.

Information from The News & Observer was used in this report.