The first week of football season is complete. Beaufort County’s teams excelled in one way or another. Leading the first week was Southside’s statement performance in a 26-0 win in its first-ever meeting with Ayden-Grifton.

Northside started the 2017 season on the wrong foot. The Panther offense sputtered over and over again in the first half against Perquimans. A few halftime adjustments saw Northside erase an 18-6 deficit in the fourth quarter for a 22-18 win.

Washington’s new era under first-year coach Jon Blank saw the Pam Pack let a 13-point fourth-quarter lead slip away in a 28-27 loss at East Carteret. Regardless, it was an exceptional showing for a revamped offense against a perennial 1-A powerhouse.

Here are the standouts from Week 1:

 

GRANT JENSEN, SOUTHSIDE

Senior defensive back Grant Jensen did more than his fair share in leading Southside’s defense in its blanking of Ayden-Grifton. The Seahawks limited the Chargers to 2.9 yards per play. They also came up with four turnovers.

Jensen led the Seahawks with seven tackles (four solo). He also chipped in on special teams with two punt returns for 40 yards. Trey Carter and Trajan Rhome trailed Jensen with six tackles apiece.

 

JOHNATHAN CLARK, NORTHSIDE

Johnathan Clark’s fourth-quarter offensive explosion lifted Northside to its comeback win against Perquimans. He scored twice in the fourth quarter — and ripped off some long runs to set up those touchdowns — to take the Panthers from trailing 18-6 to a 22-18 win.

However, the junior running back made plays on defense, too. The Pirates were making a late push before defensive back Tanner Alligood came up with a crucial interception. Clark’s deep coverage played a part in forcing the pass Alligood picked off.

 

HYKEEM RUFFIN, WASHINGTON

Power back Hykeem Ruffin played an important role in Washington’s offense keeping pace with a high-octane East Carteret club. Ruffin had 11 touches for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

He opened the scoring with a 35-yard run in the first quarter. After the Mariners found the end zone twice, Ruffin responded with consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Pam Pack a 20-14 lead at halftime.

 

AMARI PEELE, SOUTHSIDE

Amari Peele showed no signs of rust after missing last season. The shifty Southside running back carried the ball nine times for a modest 31 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in a 77-yard bomb from junior quarterback Will Warren, who was making his first varsity start.

The Southside rushing corps ran 52 times for 219 yards. The committee approach saw Jamison Bennett, Trajan Rhome and Brandon Sullivan each get at least seven carries, too.

 

TRENT LINTON, NORTHSIDE

One of the second-half adjustments Northside coach Keith Boyd made was giving sophomore Trent Linton more time at offensive guard. He gave the Panthers the jolt they needed when it came to blocking up front, helping to open things up for the likes of Johnathan Clark and Raydarius Freeman.

Improvement on the line coupled with the Panthers’ skill players settling down a bit allowed for them to make the fourth-quarter comeback to win the game.