A year ago, Washington’s Stevie Green fought his way into the end zone against Farmville Central twice — two scores that proved to be the difference in the team’s first ever Eastern Plains Conference matchup.

Following a class demotion (3-A to 2-A) that sparked much debate, Green’s 159-yard night, accompanied by Markel Spencer’s and quarterback Brodie West’s 100-plus rushing yard performances, was a fitting start to the new era of Pam Pack football, one built on a winning philosophy.

Gone are they days of West under center and Green in the backfield, but that mentality has carried over to this season, supported by under new leadership.

Last season’s game against the Jaguars was an excellent starting point, but hardly garnered much regional attention. This season’s contest, one that was decided by a last minute 89-yard touchdown run from Markel Spencer, drew hundreds of fans and statewide attention. The game went as advertised and is evidence of just how far this conference has come in a year.

“I think it’s a pretty good conference full of well-coached, hard-nosed, improved football teams,” Sawyer said.

Farmville Central, a team accustomed to the gutter of the standings over the last eight years, has fully recovered, head coach Scott Garner finally being rewarded for years of toughing it out. The Jaguars were ranked No. 4 in the class leading up to the Oct. 10 showdown with Washington and even after the crushing one-point home loss, the team still boasts a No. 9 ranking, while the Pam Pack is holding onto a No. 6 spot in the Associated Press prep football poll.

Washington’s 7-1 record is the best start in the Sawyer era and one of the best in school history. Last season, the strength of schedule was an all-too common excuse for the Pam Pack’s success. That is not the case this year.

Coming off an 8-5 finish and a first round playoff win, Beddingfield currently sits at 4-4 and has proven it can win ballgames. At 5-3, Southwest Edgecombe is much improved over last season and almost pulled off a huge upset in Washington Friday night.

Even North Johnston, which went winless last season, has managed to win a game.

Yes, as expected, Washington has taken control of the conference since joining last season, but as a result, the rest of the table seems to have gotten better as well.

With its toughest games behind them, the Pam Pack is primed to finish the season with just one loss and, as a result, receive an opportune playoff seed.

However, as always, Sawyer is focusing on the moment, taking it one game at a time, never letting his team show any signs of overconfidence. He’s ignoring the high ranking, noting that it’s “the final one that matters,” and is keeping his team humble.

Washington will face Beddingfield in Wilson on Saturday. A win will place the team in excellent position to take its second Eastern Plains Conference title, one that will hard earned and well deserved.