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It took most of the first quarter for the Northside Panthers to get rolling against Martin County at home Thursday, but they eventually found their footing in a 47-7 rout.

Northside recovered the on-side kick to start the game, then fumbled at the Martin County five yard line. They turned the opportunity into a 95-yard touchdown drive for the early lead, but the Panthers (3-2) ground out two rushing touchdowns and quarterback Hunter Chrisman found Max Vansant for a 30-yard scoring pass just before halftime for a 20-7 advantage.

Check out a photo gallery from Northside’s win against Martin County.

“That was a huge play for us that gave us some momentum for the second half,” coach Keith Boyd said. “We made some blacking adjustments on the offensive line and that helped us run the ball better in the second half.

Northside rolled us 403 rushing yards and posted 27 points in the second half to ice the win.

Senior Jamie Corprew led the way with 212 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns. Vansant had 72 yards on seven carries while Sincere Columbus had 66 yards on six carries with a touchdown. TJ Squires also found the endzone and Chrisman went 7-9 passing and ran for a touchdown.

“We were efficient with our passing game tonight and that opened some holes for our ball carriers,” Boyd said. “Our defense played well again and we’re not terrible when we don’t’ shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers.”

The Panthers have a Homecoming date with East Carteret next Friday.

West Craven 49 Washington 12: The Eastern Plains Conference opening didn’t go as planned for Washington as penalties, turnovers and a big dose of the Eagles offense got in the way of their third straight victory.

Jerai Davenport caught a 32-yard scoring pass on fourth and 12 from Cameron Whitley for a 7-6 first quarter deficit, but the Eagles (3-3, 2-0) scored for a 14-6 lead, then returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown to take a 20-6 advantage. Whitley answered with a 72-yard scoring pass to Jamel Corey, then Corey recovered the on-side kick at the West Craven 48.

However, the Eagles defense forced a fumble on the next play and converted for a 30-12 halftime lead.

“That a big turning point for us,” coach Matt Taylor said. “It killed our momentum and put us in a hole we couldn’t crawl out of. I think West Craven is the best team we’ve faced so far and we can’t commit penalties and turnovers against good teams and expect to win.”

Washington is 2-3 overall and hosts Farmville Central for Homecoming next Friday.