By SAM AVOLIS

New Bern Sun Journal

BAYBORO — On Northside’s very first play from scrimmage, James Barrow darted up the middle of the field and went untouched on his way to a 65-yard touchdown. Barrow set the tone for the Panthers Monday night, and they rolled to a 34-16 victory over the Pamlico Hurricanes.

“It’s a ‘W’, and we’re happy to be back on the winning side. That’s what we were looking for,” said Northside Pinetown head coach Keith Boyd.

Barrow amassed 189 yard on 17 touches, scoring two touchdowns for the Panthers.

Northside scored its second touchdown of the game early in the second quarter. The Panthers marched 65 yards down the field, capping off the long drive with a Matthew Marslender touchdown run from a yard out. It pushed Northside’s lead to Hurricanes 16-0.

Pamlico, winless on the season outside of a forfeit, answered the early deficit with a touchdown of its own. Caleb Barron took a handoff around the right side of the line of scrimmage 7 yards for the touchdown, followed by successful 2-point conversion run by quarterback Lamont Murray.

Trailing 16-8, the Hurricanes recovered a fumble on the kickoff following the touchdown, setting themselves up with excellent field position. The Hurricanes were unable to capitalize, though, as they turned the ball over on downs.

With 50 seconds to play in the first half, Northside looked to stay aggressive with the mindset to score again before the halftime break. Pamlico had ideas of its own when Lamont Murray picked off Jackson Midgette and took it the other way for the pick six. Converting the 2-point conversion, the Hurricanes had the momentum with the game tied up 16-16 at the end of the first half.

“We were a little sloppy there in the first half, but we came out in the second half and got some things going,” Boyd said.

The second half featured a Northside team which was determined to control the clock. Getting the ball first, the Panthers started with an eight-minute drive. It ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by Barrow.

Early in the fourth quarter, Midgette took a quarterback keeper 5 yards for a touchdown, extending the Panthers’ lead 28-16.

Pamlico only had four offensive series in the second half, and came away with zero points.

Tyrece Taylor put the finishing touches on the victory for Northside. He bulldozed his way into the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run halfway through the fourth quarter, dragging multiple Hurricane defenders with him.

“It’s been four weeks since we’ve tasted victory. It’s good to have everyone back smiling and happy,” Boyd said.

The Panthers travel to Jones Senior Friday night, while Pamlico will travel to Lejeune.