SouthWest Edgecombe proved to be too much to handle for Washington on Friday in the first round of the 2AA state playoffs in a 50-21 loss for the Pam Pack. The No. 2-seed Cougars repeatedly ran the ball down the Pam Pack’s throat, with S.W. Edgecombe’s running backs breaking multiple tackles per carry and constantly driving the pile forward. A gang of Washington defenders was seemingly needed to bring down any of the Cougar runners on a night when S.W. Edgecombe ran for 349 yards and six TDs on 26 carries. The Cougars brought that same physicality on the defensive side of the ball, never allowing Washington to establish its running game.

IMPACT PLAYERS

While Cougar running back Jareil Collins had an impressive game with 118 rushing yards, it was teammate Darntrell Council who really set the tone for S.W. Edgecombe. The senior repeatedly gashed the Washington defense for 145 yards on the ground and four TDs on 10 carries. Even when the Pam Pack managed to put a hit on Council, he kept his legs churning and seemed to always pick up 5-10 additional yards after contact.

While Washington struggled to cope with the Cougars for most of the night, the same can’t be said for Pam Pack running back/defensive back Ka’Ci Foreman. The senior scored Washington’s first TD of the game on a 10-yard run as the first quarter expired to make the score 14-7 in S.W. Edgecombe’s favor. While being the only Pam Pack running backwho was effective carrying the ball, Foreman also made plays in the passing game, helping convert on fourth down several times. One of those instances set up Washington’s final score of the game, as Foreman, on fourth and 10, came up with a diving catch in the middle of the field to pick up 14 yards and put Washington inside the Cougar 10. Unfortunately for Foreman and the Pam Pack, he was forced out of the game with an injury in the third quarter.