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CHOCOWINITY, N.C. – It was a high school football game between Southside and Washington County played mostly in the rain that had more than its fair share of ups and downs.

It only lacked a victory on the scoreboard by the Seahawks, who fell 6-0 in four overtimes. The loss was painful for Southside (0-2), which left it all on the field both physically and emotionally. At the same time, it was a big step forward for the Seahawks.

Washington County (2-0) connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth overtime then held on as Southside got to the Panthers’ 1 but could not punch it into the end zone. As the Seahawks gathered to discuss the outcome, there were disappointed faces and broken spirits. However, while falling short, the game provided a boost to a young team still working to find its identity.

It was a loss in the record books but a big leap forward, especially after a 50-8 setback at North Duplin a week earlier.

“We learned a lot tonight,” Southside coach Jeff Carrow said. “We’re very green in a lot of areas. But the fight these guys had tonight, I can’t be more proud of them.

“Obviously, we have football stuff to clean up. The effort and heart these guys showed, for them to be able to push through four overtimes, I’m extremely proud of their effort.”

Southside’s defense made several big stops as the offense tried to put things together to get the ball in the end zone. A Seahawks drive ended at the Panthers’ 1 after a fumble on the first offensive series. The next three series of the first half ended on fourth-down stops by Washington County’s defense. Southside’s Devonelle Brimage broke up a pass at the last second to stop a Panthers’ drive with 8:20 left in the half and an interception by MyQuan Clark ended the first half.

Both teams traded missed opportunities in the second half as a driving rain made things slippery and caused several players on both sides of the ball to suffer leg cramps and other nagging injuries. Regulation play ended with Southside at its own 7 after stopping a late drive by the Panthers.

Washington County missed a 22-yard field goal and Southside fumbled the ball away in the first overtime. Both teams could not convert pass plays on fourth down in the second overtime. In the third overtime, Southside blocked a field goal attempt then fell a yard short of scoring a touchdown.

The Panthers scored their touchdown in the fourth quarter on the second play from the 10. Southside executed a beautiful reverse to get to the Panthers’ 1 on its last offensive series.

The Seahawks have Friday off and hope to use next week to build upon what was done in this game. At the same time, Carrow said they will work to fix the problems that exist, get healthy and continue to grow and develop.

“It helps heal up a little bit after a long game like this,” Carrow said. “It gets us back, refocused, especially the young guys’ mindset. It’s a long season, and we’ve got to keep pushing and growing together.”

 

D.H. Conley 42, Washington 12

GREENVILLE, N.C. – It was a tale of two halves. Conley scored 21 points each in the first and third quarters while Washington got its two touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters.

The Vikings (1-1) used three touchdown passes covering 1, 35 and 32 yards for a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Conley also benefited from a Washington fumble that later led to their third touchdown of the first quarter.

Keondrick Melton rambled 45 yards for a rushing touchdown for the Pam Pack (0-2) to cut the margin to 21-6 at the half. Conley extended its lead to 42-6 with two rushing touchdowns and an interception for a touchdown in the third.

The Pam Pack got their final score in the fourth when quarterback Evan Makepeace hit Jarryn Payne on a 14-yard pass.

Washington is off this Friday and returns home on Sept. 13 against Kinston.

 

North Duplin 21, Northside 7

YEATESVILLE, N.C. – North Duplin scored three first-half touchdowns, the first on the first play of the game from 62 yards out in Thursday’s game.

The Panthers missed out on scoring opportunities due to dropped passes and a busted play on third-and-goal at North Duplin’s 9. Northside did score a touchdown with 8:36 left in the third quarter when Chase Hewitt hit Holden Boykin for a 34-yard scoring strike.

The Northside defense also rose to the occasion in the second half, recovering a fumble after the Rebels’ offense put together a 15-play drive. The Rebels also had a 10-play drive in the fourth quarter that Northside’s defense stuffed on fourth down at the Panthers’ 31.

Northside goes to Martin County on Friday.

 

Pungo Christian off

BELHAVEN, N.C. – Pungo Christian (1-1) had a bye week after dropping a 36-14 decision to St. David’s last Friday. The Raiders return to action this Friday at home against Mattamuskeet. The game is slated to start at 4 p.m.