By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Sport Sawyer is hoping his Washington Pam Pack can treat tonight’s homecoming crowd to a victory over the D.H. Conley Vikings in the Coastal Conference opener for both teams.
The Pack, which holds an 11-9-1 series lead, posted a 20-6 win over the Vikings last year for its second straight win in the series. D.H. Conley’s last win over Washington was a 22-21 nod in 2004.
The Pack (3-1), which has won two straight, currently finds itself tied with West Craven atop the Coastal standings. D.H Conley, J.H. Rose and New Bern are all a game back with 2-2 overall marks, followed by Havelock (1-3), West Carteret (1-3) and South Central (0-4).
Washington, coming off a 30-7 win over Nash Central, should be a little fresher than D.H. Conley. Because of adverse weather conditions last Friday, the Vikings were forced to play Monday. They ended up losing a wild 58-37 game with Ayden-Grifton to snap a two-game win streak.
The Vikings ran for 375 yards in the loss.
Conley, which runs a Wing-T offense, spread the ball around. Jeremy Worsley leads a three-pronged attack with 314 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 45 carries. Josh Mularski has added 271 yards and three scores on 31 totes, while Derrion Moore has scampered for 110 yards on 28 tries.
Conley quarterback Tyler Nichols has completed 10-of-25 passes for 202 yards. He’s thrown four touchdowns and one interception.
Sawyer said that Pack senior running back Travis Daniels, who suffered a partially separated shoulder in the win over Nash Central, is “good to go” for tonight’s game.
Daniels leads the Pack with 831 yards and 10 touchdowns on 86 carries.
Quarterback Austin Thompson has hit 22-of-48 passes for 279 yards. The junior has thrown five touchdowns and one interception.
Senior Jamont Jones has been Thompson’s favorite target. Jones has 11 catches for 122 yards and two scores.
Other top receiving threats are Mike Moore (five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns) and Dakuan Spencer (six catches for 23 yards and a score).
Kicker Justin Meekins has booted 18 of his 19 PATs this season.
Defensive leaders for the Pack include Tony Turnage (three interceptions), Jones (three interceptions) and Chase Tripp (three fumble recoveries).
Kickoff at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.