Southside picked up a win on the road at South Creek on Friday. Washington wasn’t as fortunate in Monday’s rescheduled meeting with Kinston. However, both the Seahawks and Pam Pack proved what they’re worth in the defensive phase of the game.

The Seahawks jumped out to an early lead on Friday. The hosting Cougars answered back quickly and, thanks to a two-point conversion, took an 8-6 lead. That was the last time South Creek would score until a garbage-time touchdown with 3:27 left in the game. Southside’s 41-8 lead before that score made it inconsequential.

While Washington dropped its fifth game in as many tries this season, the Pam Pack defense showed up in a big way against a Vikings club that went to the state championship last season.

After allowing two touchdowns in the first eight minutes of action, the defense time and again negated Kinston’s efforts. It came up with two fumble recoveries and an interception, and the front seven was able to pressure Kinston signal caller Kam’Ryn Webster.

Here are this week’s standout players:

 

TRAJAN RHOME

One of the beauties of Southside’s system is that it allows for any talented player in the backfield to make an impact. Such has been the case for Trajan Rhome. After weeks of consistent efforts running the ball, the powerful Seahawk fullback exploded for a pair of touchdowns against South Creek.

Rhome led Southside’s offensive effort with 97 yards on a dozen carries. At 6-foot and 183 pounds, he was able to use his strength and speed to exploit the Cougars’ lack of depth. Only Joe Myers (10.7 yards per carry) and Kyle Hill (8.4 yards per carry) gained more turf each time they had the ball in their hands.

COOPER ANDERSON

Washington’s defensive backs had a good night against a Kinston offense that is capable of moving the ball through the air. They allowed a handful of explosive plays early on en route to a 12-0 deficit in the first quarter, but bounced back with a shut-down effort.

Cooper Anderson played a key role in that. He broke up a third-and-9 pass on Kinston’s second drive of the game to force the Vikings three and out. The junior safety also tipped the pass that was intercepted by Nazzir Hardy late in the first half. He helped lead a secondary that held Kinston receiver Daenard Branch to just 21 yards in the second half after he hauled in three passes for 125 yards in the first.

ZIKIJAH CRAWFORD

While Rhome led the Seahawks with a pair of touchdowns, Zikijah Crawford was one of three other running backs to score in the 41-16 walloping of South Creek.

Crawford did so by continuing to be his consistent self. He’s proven through five games that he’s speedy and smart. He amassed 77 yards on the ground on 10 carries, which was second best on the team. His 27-yard touchdown run gave Southside a 26-8 lead heading into halftime.

SUAE POE

Washington is in its second week after reverting to its more traditional run-first approach on offense. Running back Suae Poe has excelled under the revamped system, as evidenced by his 89 rushing yards against Kinston on Monday.

However, Poe and the offense came up short of touchdowns multiple times. They found themselves a yard out of the end zone near the end of the first half, but turned the ball over on downs.