By MICHAEL HELD

News & Observer

 

KENLY — North Johnston shot out to an early lead and then dominated in all facets of the game to upend Washington, 33-6, giving itself a shot to share the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference title with a win in the last week of the regular season.

Trey Whitley helped the Panthers build a 15-0 lead in the first quarter as North Johnston got into rhythm early for a perfect start.

Whitley found Jonathan Gonzalez down the sideline for a 33-yard touchdown toss on the Panthers’ first possession of the game to stake the hosts to the 7-0 lead.

After Washington’s Tyler Harrell’s punt was blocked, setting up North Johnston at the Pam Pack 2-yard line, Whitley used his legs on a quarterback keeper, and then on the 2-point conversion to give the Panthers the 15-0 lead.

“Special teams — we really worked on that this week and it looked like that backfired on us,” Pam Pack coach Sport Sawyer said.

Washington drew to within 15-6 on a Hykeem Ruffin touchdown run in the second quarter, but was stymied by an imposing North Johnston run defense.

North Johnston won the special teams battle as the Panthers blocked a punt and recovered an onside kick, while Washington left points on the board with a missed field goal and extra point.

“Turnovers were the difference,” Sawyer said. “We were trying to move the ball and trying to make some plays and turnovers cost us.”

In addition, the Pam Pack turned the ball over twice in the second half. The biggest blow came when North Johnston’s Trey Whitley ended a promising Pam Pack drive late in the third quarter with an interception.

“We’re disappointed in tonight, but at the same time, if we win next week, we’re co-conference champions and you can make the playoffs and everything, so there’s still a lot to play for,” Sawyer said. “That’s up to the individual players. If they want to play, they’ll fight and play. If they don’t, then this season’s over.”