Washington locked up its second-consecutive Eastern Plains Conference title on a chilly Halloween night with a 32-7 victory over North Pitt.

Running back Markel Spencer celebrated senior night in style, recording 189-yards rushing and three touchdowns on 25 carries. It’s the third-straight game and fourth time this season Spencer has crested the 150-yard rushing mark.

Despite another overly productive performance from the Pam Pack’s leading rusher, the game was far from flawless. Washington turned the ball over three times on fumbles and once on a muffed punt return, while North Pitt quarterback Nytrell Chapman was picked off twice.

“We have to fine tune some things. I thought we were a little sloppy tonight, but the guys are playing hard,” Sawyer said. “We need to cut down on the penalties and connect on more passes. Turning the ball has not been a problem for us this year until tonight.”

After a fumble cut the first drive of the game short for Washington, the defense would force a quick four-and-out, putting the ball back into the hands of Spencer. The senior back broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run on the second play of the ensuing drive. Three minutes later, a timely interception by safety Hasaan Credle placed the Pam Pack offense on the Panthers’ 22-yard line. Again, after a couple short gains, Spencer found the end zone on a 12-yard run.

In the second quarter, offsides and pass interference penalties had the Panthers offense creeping into the red zone. Chapman dropped back and found Person on a slant route for a 14-yard touchdown — the only score North Pitt would manufacture for the remainder of the contest. And on the next possession, Spencer and senior Xzavier Clark began picking up yards in chunks. Eventually, Clark found a seam and scored on a 10-yard run.

Up 19-7 at the half, sloppy play on both sides resulted in a scoreless third quarter, but the Pam Pack ballooned the lead in the fourth with two more touchdowns — a nine-yard run from Spencer and a booming 59-yard sprint down the near sideline by senior Stepfon Rodman, compensation for the muffed punt earlier.

North Pitt head coach David Boal gave backup quarterback Tyron Warren some snaps through the final 10 minutes. The senior connected with tight end Justin Williams twice, but was picked off by Credle on what was the final offensive series for the Panthers.

“You have different goals you set during the season and the first is always winning the conference. It’s great to do that,” Sawyer said. “We play next week, but after that it’s the big goal. There are still things we need to work on to achieve the big prize.”

With the win, Washington improves to 9-1 (4-0 EPC) and will face North Johnston in Kenly for the final game of the regular season.

 

EAST CARTERET 52, NORTHSIDE 46

BEAUFORT — In a battle between the Mariners’ passing game and running back Rockne Butler, head coach Keith Boyd and the Panthers dropped a back-and-forth affair on the road Friday night.

After notching 235 yards on the ground last week against Jones Senior, Butler followed up with a career-high six-touchdown, 362-yard performance against East Carteret, making up 85 percent of his team’s total offensive output.

Northside led 16-7 after 12 minutes of play, but the defense would implode in the second quarter, allowing East Carteret to find the end zone four times and take the lead. The Panthers were able to tie the game at 38 heading into the final 12 minutes; however, they were unable to close.

Quarterback Noel Howson finished with 37 yards on eight carries, while James Barrow picked up 12 yards on four carries.

With the loss, Northside drops to 3-7 (1-3 CPC) and will face winless Lejeune at home next week.

 

SOUTHSIDE 55, LEJEUNE 8

CAMP LEJEUNE — The Seahawks rolled over the Devil Pups Friday night, aided by another strong showing from the defense and productive night from five different backs.

Junior Matt Baxter led all rushers with 119-yards, while junior Lawrence Brown found the end zone twice and finished with 87 yards on the ground. Brandon Sullivan, Zikajah Crawford and Donshae Miller recorded a combined 173 yards of Southside’s 440 yards of total offense. Even quarterback Marshall Medlock threw for a season-high 74 yards.

Southside hit the ground running in the first quarter and never looked back, as fullback Donshae Tatum, Baxter and Brown all had an opportunity to celebrate in the end zone. But it was the secondary that kept the offense on the field. For the second-consecutive week, Southside finished with four or more interceptions.

Two touchdowns in the second quarter and two in the third put the game out of reach.

With the win, Southside moves to 8-2 (4-0 CPC), setting up a virtual conference championship game with Pamlico County in Bayboro next week.