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Some second half defensive adjustments led to the Demons pitching a shutout in the final two quarters to prevail over Greene County Middle School, 50-28, Tuesday night in Snow Hill to win at least a share of the division title and a three-way tie for the conference title.

P.S. Jones and the Rams matched each other score for score in the first half. Zy’Mari Perry scored three times in the first two quarters, twice on the ground and once through the air with an acrobatic catch in the end zone. The play was made with a great throw from Joshua Gordan. Hunter Baldree scored a receiving touchdown as well with a pass down the seam from quarterback Spencer Davenport.

Defensively, the Demons surrendered 28 first half points, resulting in a 2-point deficit at halftime.

Head coach Elizabeth Dyer gave the team a pep talk on the bus before they trotted back on the field for the second half.
“I think we were sleeping that whole first half. It was a long bus ride, and we always seem to struggle after long bus rides, but I talked them up at halftime and told them the better defense was going to win,” Dyer said. “I just told them, ‘We’re not playing the way we normally play. We haven’t played this bad all year.’ Among some other things.”

The Demon defense responded. They wouldn’t give up another score in the ball game, while forcing an interception and two turnover-on-downs to seal the victory in the fourth quarter.

Perry had two, second half touchdowns as well, bringing his total to five scores on the evening.

Gary Payne did a lot of the dirty work. He earned some tough yards to take his team down the field, usually resulting in Perry breaking free later on in the drive. Payne came up with a couple of two-point conversions in the contest.

“We were playing shaky at first. We were missing a lot of tackles,” Payne said after the game. “(Coach Dyer) just told us that we didn’t drive over an hour to come out here and get smacked. Told us to pick up the intensity and play like we’ve been playing, and that’s what we did.”

P.S. Jones capped off their season with a 7-1 record, and will have a share of the division title in the Pitt County Middle School Athletic Conference. If both Hope Middle and Ayden-Grifton lose their remaining game, the Demons will earn sole possession of the conference title.

Coach Dyer was given an ice bath from her players after the game. However, they managed to spill half of the cooler in pursuit of their coach before getting to her. Coach Dyer explained that she loved her team, and wants the best for their futures.

“I just want them to be successful like all the other guys I’ve coached that have moved on to Washington High School,” Dyer said. “That’s what we’re for, to be a feeder program for them. We work with them and try to run some of the same stuff. I just love being on the sideline on Friday night’s to watch these guys grow from boys to men.”