BEAUFORT — Hykeem Ruffin did what Washington couldn’t do in its first three games last season when he struck first with a first-quarter touchdown. He found the end zone three times on 11 carries for 85 yards, but the Pam Pack saw East Carteret erase a 27-14 deficit to win, 28-27, on Friday.

After Ruffin drew first blood, the Mariners answered with two touchdowns of their own. Ruffin, the Pam Pack’s power back, then scored twice more — including a 3-yard punch-in just before halftime — to give Washington a 20-14 lead at the break.

Junior Kaci Foreman scored from five yards out in his varsity debut, extending Washington’s lead to 27-14 late in the third.

Both Washington coach Jon Blank and East Carteret’s B.J. Frazier were making their head-coaching debuts. Washington will have its work cut out as it seeks its first win next week in its home opener against Tarboro.