Fuquay-Varina’s defense came to play on Friday night in Cary, and the Imps went scoreless through three quarters to fall 19-8 to the Bengals. The win improves Fuquay to 4-1 overall, 3-1 in the Tri-9 conference.

The Bengals grabbed three interceptions, including Garrett Suggs’ fifth of the season. On the other side of the ball, Fuquay quarterback, Evan McNeill threw touchdown passes to Suggs and to Hayden Read. Kyle Smith also scored on a 20-yard touchdown run.

This Friday night’s game at home against Panther Creek has surely been circled on the calendars of many Fuquay fans since last season’s two losses at the hands of the Catamounts. Panther Creek won the 2010 regular season meeting in overtime, then outlasted the Bengals in a second round 4-AA state playoff game.

Fuquay’s only loss this fall came at Middle Creek in double overtime on September 2^nd. The Mustangs (3-2, 2-0) and Catamounts (4-1, 3-0) are the only Tri-9 teams that own better conference records than Fuquay following Friday night’s action. The next two weeks of conference play could either sort out the conference race or create a log jam.

Middle Creek hosts Cary (4-1, 2-1) this Friday night, then the Mustangs travel to Panther Creek on September 30. Add in the Fuquay-Varina – Panther Creek matchup this week, and the Tri-9 race gets very interesting.