There were must-win games on the slate for Beaufort County in Week 11. Southside finished up its regular season, but couldn’t get past South Creek to give itself slightly more favorable seeding for the playoffs.

Washington hoped that senior-night would provide an injection of emotion and intensity that would lead to a win against Kinston. It led to one of the Pam Pack’s best defensive showings of the season, but the offense couldn’t capitalize on scoring chances early on.

Northside picked up the only win of the penultimate week, and did so in convincing fashion with a 56-6 shellacking of Jones Senior. In perhaps the most important area game in terms of postseason implications, the Panthers were firing on all cylinders. Their stars helped set up a second-place showdown with Pamlico County next week.

Here are the standouts from the second-to-last week of the regular season:

 

MATTHEW MARSLENDER, NORTHSIDE

Northside needed to go to a winless Jones Senior and get the job done. It did just that, picking up a 56-6 win that lets the Panthers fight for second place behind 1-A Coastal Plains Conference behemoth Tarboro.

Marslender not only led the Panthers with two touchdowns in the blowout win, but he was effective in facilitating the overall explosiveness. He helped the likes of Johnathan Clark, Tyree Blount, Raydarius Freeman and Cameron Cahoon get to the end zone, too. He also did so while keeping the ball safe.

 

TAIWAN EBRON, SOUTHSIDE

Taiwan Ebron has quietly put together some impressive performances over the last two weeks. The senior defensive back notched his second interception in as many games. He also had a pick against Northside last week.

Ebron also excelled on offense. He made the most of his limited chances by hauling in a 37-yard pass from junior quarterback Will Warren. The score came in the last minute of the first half, closing the gap to 14-12 before South Creek struck again with seven seconds left.

 

DREW FERGUSON, WASHINGTON

Senior defensive end Drew Ferguson was a man possessed during his final regular-season game in “Choppy” Wagner Stadium. He spearheaded an aggressive effort that kept Kinston off the board until early in the fourth quarter.

Ferguson jumped on a fumble caused by Nazzir Hardy. He came up with his second turnover of the first half when he split off the line and picked off a pass. Washington’s defensive dominance tapered off in the fourth quarter, though, and the Vikings were able to strike thrice.

 

FREDERICK HOLSCHER, WASHINGTON

Frederick Holscher, who scored one of Washington’s two touchdowns, showed resolve and determination typical of a team leader in Friday’s senior-night loss. He, along with many other Pam Pack players, took hard hits in the physical encounter with Kinston.

Holscher was knocked out of the game during Washington’s desperate attempt to get back down field late in the fourth. He had the passing game clicking, was effective running the ball, but had to let Hunter Hall handle the last few snaps.

 

TYLER MODLIN, NORTHSIDE

The lopsided win allowed Northside to give playing time to tomorrow’s stars. Tyler Modlin capitalized on the chance by scoring a late touchdown as the Panthers’ offense piled on the points.

The Panther freshman, and other junior-varsity players that had their numbers called, got experience that will pay off down the road.

 

TRAJAN RHOME, SOUTHSIDE

Even as Southside has struggled in recent weeks, Trajan Rhome continued to be a consistent presence in the backfield. He led the Seahawks with 60 yards on the ground and scored twice in the one-possession loss to South Creek.

Rhome was the first to score for the visiting Seahawks. He answered South Creek’s opening touchdown by scooting into the end zone from 3 yards away. He did so again in the third quarter, setting up Jonquil Haywood’s touchdown that produced Southside’s only lead of the game.