Week 7 was kind to Washington as it manhandled North Lenoir with explosive efforts on the ground. The duo of Hykeem Ruffin and Ka’ci Foreman tore through the Hawks time and again as the Pam Pack cruised to a 45-12 win. Their talents helped their side to its best offensive performance since scoring 53 against Southwest Edgecombe nearly two years ago.

Southside wasn’t as fortunate. It fell behind, 21-8, after three-straight Pamlico County touchdowns. A late surge gave the Seahawks a 22-21 lead with 4:49 left, but the Hurricanes responded and made a goal-line stand to hang onto the win and deal the visitors their third loss in a row.

Here are the standouts from Week 7 after the Pam Pack broke Beaufort County’s two-week losing streak:

HYKEEM RUFFIN, WASHINGTON

Hykeem Ruffin has become arguably the most consistent and explosive running backs in Beaufort County. Friday marked the second time this season he rumbled for four touchdowns to lead Washington to a win. He last did it at Northside.

Ruffin finished off two drives with shorter touchdowns. He also broke off big runs to blow the game open. The Pam Pack senior had not one 86-yard touchdown, but two. The first came after Washington’s defense forced a punt. Ruffin got loose on the second play of the ensuing drive.

 

TRAJAN RHOME, SOUTHSIDE

Southside running back Trajan Rhome was as effective as any Seahawk has been running the ball in the last three weeks. He finished Friday with 18 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. His score from 10 yards out was what gave Southside a 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately, Rhome was stopped short as he tried to leap over the pile of humanity and into the end zone in the waning seconds of the game. Even so, he was a significant factor in Southside having a shot to win the game at the end.

KA’CI FOREMAN, WASHINGTON

Ka’ci Foreman put it all together against North Lenoir on Friday. He was a standout for the Pam Pack last season at the junior-varsity level. Fast-forward a year and he has seemingly hit his stride when Washington needed him to the most.

Foreman played a significant role in putting the Pam Pack in striking distance for some of Hykeem Ruffin’s four touchdowns. The swift junior also scored two of his own. The most impressive was a 42-yard sprint into the end zone that gave Washington a 21-6 lead with seven minutes until halftime.

 

DAVID VINES, SOUTHSIDE

Southside’s defensive backfield was tested by a group of Pamlico County athletes more than capable of breaking into the secondary. The Seahawks gave up their fair share of explosive plays, including a 64-yard touchdown by Lamont Murray, but had David Vines helping to keep those chunk plays at a minimum.

The senior safety finished with a team-high 11 tackles (eight solo). His work in the back helped hunker down a Southside defense that is hoping to return to form and break this three-game skid.