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Pungo Christian Academy opened its first ever girls tennis season with a 9-0 loss at Bear Grass Charter.

The Raiders had several close matches as seventh grader Lily Keech lost 9 – 7 at number six singles, while the number two and three doubles teams of Reese Blackman/Reagan Spruill and Kaitlyn Williamson/Juliette Pence also lost by two.

The Raiders have matches at Northeast Academy and Ridgecroft School this week.

Football:  PCA hosted Brunswick Academy in the Raiders second non-conference 8-man football matchup of the year.

The Vikings came out hot, scoring 5 touchdowns in the first quarter. The Brunswick defense stifled the Raiders in the first quarter, even with Pungo starting in good field position thanks to kick returns from Quay Artis and Conner Sweet. Things kept getting worse for PCA when starting QB Ethan Mann was ejected from the contest with one minute remaining in the first quarter.

Freshman Austin Gibbs replaced him after scoring three touchdowns the night before in the JV 42-16 victory over Faith Christian. The 5’7” freshman brought a new mojo to the Raiders offense, throwing two long touchdown strikes to Conner Sweet to end the first half. Gibbs would continue to lead the offense in the second, throwing a third touchdown to Sweet before taking one in himself to end the Raiders scoring. Pungo would fall 61 – 26, but the play of the freshman certainly gave the Raiders a positive outlook on what is to come. Gibbs finished with 237 yards through the air with 3 scores and 67 yards on the ground with a TD. Conner Sweet had five receptions for 187 yards and three TDs. The Raiders will host Mattamuskeet Friday at 4:00.

Volleyball: The Lady Raiders defeated Christ Covenant, 3-0, at home, then dropped road matches at John Paul II in Greenville and Faith Christian in Goldsboro.

Senior hitter Reagan Stoop is out with a sprained ankle and the Raiders felt her absence in both matches as Pungo lacked a dominant presence at the net. PCA fought hard in both matches but came up short twice, dropping their record to 7 – 3. The Raiders take on Arendell Parrott Academy, Epiphany School and Kerr Vance Academy this week.

Cross County:  The Raiders boys and girls Cross Country teams traveled to Albemarle School for their first TIC meet of the season. Luke Rouse and Ginny Grace Pugh led the way for both teams again, with both runners recording top 5 finishes. The Raiders will host the TIC Meet next week.

Soccer: PCA couldn’t overcome four first-half goals at Crossroads Christian in Wilson and lost 5-0.

The Raiders bounced back with a 5-2 home victory over Oakwood School Thursday. Davis Lee notched his second hat trick of the season, tallying four goals on the day. The Raiders are 2-2 and face Columbia School and Washington Montessori this week.