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REIDSVILLE - After almost three quarters of frustration he was completely unaccustomed to, Tyrell Houghton finally found himself in a familiar place.

Reidsville's senior quarterback broke off two long touchdown runs in the second half to overcome a career-high three interceptions and lead his team to a 26-0 victory over Kinston in the 2-AA Eastern Regional championship Friday night.

Outside of Houghton's interceptions and five fumbles (one lost), everything else was done in typical Rams fashion. The underrated defense shut down its opponent, the ground game piled up 291 yards and - as always the Rams won.

Reidsville (15-0) ran its winning streak to 47 games (fourth longest in the state) en route to earning a shot at its third consecutive NCHSAA title. The Rams will face Newton-Conover at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill next Saturday.

The third-seeded Rams got off to their usual hot start, scoring four plays into their opening drive. Houghton's first pass attempt went for 35 yards to his favorite target, wide receiver Kenzel Doe. The completion set up E.J. Foster's 3-yard touchdown run and Doe caught Lavert Butchee's 2-point pass to give Reidsville an early 8-0 lead.

But Kinston (12-3), playing its fourth straight road playoff game, was not deterred by the deficit. The Vikings converted two fourth downs and chewed over seven minutes off the clock on its second drive, but a holding penalty followed by a sack forced a punt.

Reidsville's turnovers set up a short field for Kinston on several possessions, but the Rams' defense kept the big play in check and sacked Kinston quarterback Dory Hines five times.

"Your offense isn't always going to be clicking, but hopefully your defense will be," first-year head coach Doug Robertson said. "We kind of picked each other up tonight."

The Rams offense didn't look like the unit that entered averaging a state-best 49.3 points per game, until Houghton went untouched on a keeper for a 46-yard touchdown.

"That was a major confidence booster," Houghton said of the first touchdown. "I know if they call on me to pass and it's not there, I have that second option to run."

The Rams ran well after the score, racking up 291 yards on the night while Kinston managed only 128 yards of total offense.

"The bottom line we got some points on the board and we eventually held them out," Robertson said. "We just leaned on each other like we have all year."

The Rams will now try and win an unprecedented third straight title on Saturday.

"We've been there before and we know what to do," Houghton said. "It's just like another game and there shouldnt be any pressure on us."

R- E.J. Foster 3 run (Kenzell Doe pass from Lavert Butchee)

R - Tyrell Houghton 46 run (run failed)

R - Houghton 28 run (pass failed)

R - Foster 21 run (run failed)