Washington drops heartbreaker to Kinston in driving rain; Northside wins, Southside falls

Published 7:12 am Saturday, September 14, 2024

By Jason O. Boyd

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WASHINGTON, N.C. — The only thing missing from Friday’s high school football game at Washington’s Choppy Wagner Stadium was a victory by the Pam Pack … and maybe Noah’s Ark.

The Pam Pack battled Kinston tooth and nail in a driving rainstorm that left the field flooded in some parts and torn up from play on others. Fans and players endured the continuous soaking downpours that only a mother duck could appreciate. The Pam Pack played their best defense of the season and truly left it all out on the field in an all-around effort to get on the scoreboard and in the win column.

Kinston left Choppy Wagner Stadium with a 12-6 win despite a rousing effort by the Pam Pack.

“It’s a very emotional game and our kids did so well,” Washington head coach Matt Taylor said. “They handled it the right way and they played the game the right way and that’s where it becomes difficult.

“But just the conditions, it kind of overtook the game and we couldn’t ever get anything going offensively. Defensively, we played our butts off. So we’re going to go back to the drawing board and see what we can fix and see what we can build upon and go from there.”

Both teams got through most of the first quarter before the monsoon-like conditions hit. Players were sloshing, slipping and sliding as heavy rain continued to fall, making the situation a mega challenge. Ironically, both teams scored all of their points in the second half, resorting most of the time to running the ball with passing at a premium.

Kinston (2-2) broke a scoreless game with a 51-yard touchdown romp by Alex Moore around the right side with 3:02 left in the third. Washington (0-3) tied the game with 10:01 left when Keondrick Melton — who was a bull in a china shop with all his sparkling runs — pounded it in from the Kinston 2. The score came after a fumble recovery by Landen Jones at the Kinston 16.

That brought life back to the Pam Pack sideline, but Kinston responded on the next series to take the lead. Tyreek Copper converted a pass for a 60-yard score to give the Vikings a 12-6 lead. Copper is the son of former Washington star Terrance Copper, who also played in the NFL. Terrance is an assistant coach with the Vikings.

“And that’s the testament to them,” Taylor said of Kinston’s second score. “It’s just tough, man. That’s what this game does.

“It’s very difficult. We played our butts off tonight.”

Washington goes to Pamlico County on Friday.

After the first quarter, Washington recognized retired teacher Bill Gore by naming the press box in his honor. Gore has called Pam Pack games for 31 years. We’ll have more on his recognition in our next edition.

 

Northside 25, Perquimans 22

HERTFORD, N.C. — The Panthers bounced back into the win column after losses to North Duplin and Martin County the past two weeks. It also marked the first loss of the season for Perquimans (3-1).

Northside (2-2) had big performances on defense and in its run game as both teams battled the wet conditions. Zy’Marian O’Neal had six tackles and three fumble recoveries, one for a 48-yard touchdown. Trexler Gray led the team with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery while Max Vansant had six tackles along with 66 yards rushing and a 27-yard touchdown run.

Holden Boykin had eight tackles and an interception while Jack DeHoog also had an interception and three tackles.

On offense, the Panthers kept it on the ground for all but three plays. Sincere Columbus led the way with 139 yards and a 12-yard touchdown run. Malachi Moore chipped in 103 yards and a 17-yard score.

Northside hosts Rosewood this Friday.

 

Southside’s Isiah Knight gives chase to Martin County’s Mari Larry during Friday’s game. (Jason O. Boyd, Washington Daily News photo)

Martin County 47, Southside 8

CHOCOWINITY, N.C. — Martin County eventually pulled away after Southside got within a touchdown early in the second quarter Friday.

The Gators (3-1) scored two first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead. A fumble on a pitch to the left side by Southside (0-3) led to Martin County’s Michael Lee Jr. scooping and scoring for an 8-0 lead with 9:58 left in the opening quarter.

Gators quarterback Jysen Shepherd hit tight end Noah Congleton twice in the first half for touchdowns. The first came with 3:51 left in the first quarter and stretched the lead to 14-0 after the missed conversion.

Southside answered back when Jayvonn McCall rambled in from the left side to cut the margin to 16-6 early in the second quarter. Congleton’s second scoring catch extended Martin County’s lead to 20-6. Southside got a safety with a minute to go in the first half and trailed 20-8.

Jah Sheppard scored on a rushing touchdown with around eight minutes to go in the third for a 26-8 Gators lead. It was part of a 27-point second half for Martin County.

Southside goes to Gates County next Friday.

 

Pungo Christian pushed to Monday

BELHAVEN, N.C. — Pungo Christian Academy’s football team was the only one in Beaufort County that made the move due to the weather.

The Raiders (2-1) were scheduled to play at Community Christian (3-1) out of Wilson on Friday. Instead, the two teams will play Monday at 6 p.m.

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