Two of the top running backs in the state were on display Saturday in the Fayette County-Mt. Zion Jonesboro game: Fayette's Matt Daniels, who has committed to Duke, and Mt. Zion's Derrick Ward, who has committed to Georgia.

Both made a significant impact in the game, but it was Fayette, led by Daniels, that came away with the victory, 21-12.

Daniels carried 22 times for 96 yards and one touchdown, and he caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

"All of Daniels' runs were tough yards," Fayette coach Tommy Webb said. "He did a good job of picking up yards against a good defensive team."

Daniels opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Ward, who ran for 150 yards on 29 carries, scored on a long run in the second quarter, but Mt. Zion missed the point after.

Daniels reached the end zone again in the third quarter, hauling in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Boykin.

Fayette's defense added to the team's lead later in the quarter, with defensive lineman Brian Ediomioya scoring on a 35-yard fumble return.

Ward scored on a long run in the third quarter to make it 21-12, but Fayette's defense clamped down on Ward and the rest of Mt. Zion's offense the rest of the way to hold on for the victory.

Fayette's defense forced three fumbles and one interception. It also had two goal line stands. The defense was led by linebackers Evan Reid (seven tackles, seven assists) and Ed Bexley (six tackles, five assists, one fumble recovery), defensive back Cecil Level (four tackles, five assists) and safety Daniels (four tackles, three assists, one interception).

"We did a good job of playing physical football," Webb said. "We played well in all three phases of the game.

"Other than the three fumbles we had, offensively, we did a good job of controlling the ball. Defensively, we forced some turnovers and really stepped up against a tough Mt. Zion team."

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