By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Dakuan Spencer spent nearly as much time in the end zone as he did on the sideline.
Washington’s playmaker accounted for four touchdowns — three receiving and another by interception return — in the Pam Pack’s 33-12 season opening win over North Pitt.
Spencer, who hauled in five passes for 132 yards and three scores, nearly had a fifth touchdown. However, a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was brought back by penalty.
The first time Spencer touched the ball, it went for a score. After the Pack forced North Pitt to punt, Washington took over at the Panther 31-yard line.
Pack quarterback Austin Thompson pump-faked to his right, then lofted a perfect strike to a streaking Spencer down the left sideline for a 69-yard touchdown.
Spencer was also on the receiving end of a 24-yard touchdown pass from Mike Moore in the first quarter and a 26-yard strike from Thompson in the second.
The junior, who also picked off two passes and had five tackles, completed his big night by returning a Wesley Warren interception 22 yards for a score.
Washington (1-0) has now won its last four season openers, all coming against North Pitt (0-1). Pack coach Sport Sawyer said getting off to a good start is big.
While the Pack won, North Pitt coach David Boal was pleased with his team’s effort. The Panthers made it 26-12 at one point, and were threatening to pull closer, but turnovers proved costly.
The Panthers got a big night from Vontrell Moss, who scored on a 97-yard kickoff return and on a 31-yard run off a reverse.
Washington came out of the gates strong, scoring on four of its five possessions. Already up 7-0 after Thompson’s TD toss to Spencer, the Pack took a 9-0 lead when junior linebacker Weasel Moore stuffed Maurice Williams in the end zone for a safety.
A little trickery helped push Washington’s lead to 16-0. Moore (two catches for 20 yards) took a pitch from Thompson, stopped and then delivered a 24-yard strike to Spencer.
Moss answered with his kickoff return to get the Panthers on the board.
The lead grew to 23-6 when Thompson (9 of 14 for 164 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) hit Spencer for the second time. Spencer made a nice diving grab in the end zone for his third score of the night.
Justin Meekins blasted a 41-yard field goal to cap the scoring in the first half, putting Washington up 26-6.
The Pack came out sloppy in the second half as running backs fumbled the ball on the first two carries, and mounting penalties kept Washington from gaining any momentum.
Spencer’s interception return late in the fourth sealed the deal.
Tony Turnage, who picked off two passes from his defensive back position, led Washington’s ground attack with 39 yards on 11 carries.
Weasel Moore, David Tyson and Cedrik Summers all had double-digit tackles for the Pack.
Washington returns to action next Friday night at Tarboro in the annual Victory Bell Bowl.
North Pitt Washington
8 First Downs 12
34-101 Rushes-Yards 34-68
34 Passing Yards 188
15-5-4 Pass-Comp-Int 15-10-1
3-28.5 Punting 3-33.3
0-0 Fumbles-Lost 4-0
5-55 Penalties 11-85
North Pitt 6 0 6 0 — 12
Washington 16 10 0 7 — 33
Scoring Summary
W – Austin Thompson 69 pass to Dakuan Spencer (Justin Meekins kick), 7:45, 1st
W – Safety; Weasel Moore tackled Maurice Williams in end zone, 3:37, 1st
W – Mike Moore 24 pass to Spencer (Meekins kick), 0:46, 1st
NP – Vontrell Moss 97 kick return (run failed), 0:32, 1st
W – Thompson 26 pass to Spencer (Meekins kick), 8:21, 2nd
W – Meekins 41 field goal, 4:50, 2nd
NP – Moss 31 run (run failed), 1:58, 3rd
W – Spencer 22 interception return (Meekins kick), 2:17, 4th