The man who led Washington to the 2-A state championship game just two years ago leaving the program is one of the Washington Daily News’ Top 10 stories of the year.

Sport Sawyer announced on Nov. 14 that he was stepping down as head coach of the Pam Pack football team. Sawyer had been with the team for two decades and served as its head coach since 2004.

The decision boiled down to Sawyer’s belief that a change in leadership was necessary considering the team’s direction since losing in the state championship by one point in 2014. Washington went on to win a share of the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference championship in 2015, but was shut out by Northside-Jacksonville in the first round of the playoffs that year.

Things took a turn for the worse this season. The Pam Pack started the season 0-6. It ran into some juggernauts in Havelock, Tarboro, Conley and Plymouth, but still struggled to win games that were within reach. The losses to Roanoke Rapids and Plymouth were both by one possession, and the defense kept a televised game against Kinston close.

“You put a lot of time and effort into this program, and so did the other coaches and the players,” Sawyer said after telling the team about his resignation. “You look at every aspect of what you’re doing. This is a great program. We’ve got good support from the school system, the administration, and you’ve got to look at the big picture. … Right now, a little change is needed.”

In a dozen years at the helm, Sawyer became the second most winningest coach in program history, trailing only the legendary J.G. “Choppy” Wagner. His tenure coaching the Pam Pack was a dream come true for the Belhaven native.

“I’ve always looked up to Washington,” Sawyer said. Being from Belhaven, he always believed Washington to be a big city. “It’s been an honor to be able to coach here and be a part of the program. It’s really hard. It’s the end of a chapter.”

But when one thing ends, another begins. Exactly three weeks after announcing his departure, Sawyer accepted the head coach position at Manteo. The timing worked out because longtime Redskins coach Eddie Twyne retired, leaving the vacancy Sawyer filled.

Sawyer had met Walt Davis, a Manteo coach, during the 2010 East-West All-Star Game. Conversations they’d had about Manteo stuck with the former Pam Pack skipper.

“I remember him talking about Manteo and how he really liked the area, the players and the coaches,” Sawyer said after he accepted the role coaching the Redskins on Dec. 5. “That just stood out over the years. I’m an eastern North Carolina guy, so those things kind of stood out.”

Sawyer will be getting settled as head coach soon. He said earlier in the month that he planned to meet with the current staff after Christmas, and hopes to get going in the New Year.

“The goals are to go there and try to put the team the best we can there, have some fun and win some football games,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer has since moved on, but Washington’s hunt for a new head coach continues. It’s the end of an incredible era for Pam Pack football, but coaches and players alike hope to be back on top in no time.