By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Austin Thompson and the Washington Pam Pack offense got off the snide in a hurry. After going through six quarters without a touchdown, Thompson led his team to five touchdowns in its first six possessions in Monday’s 41-12 victory over the Northside Panthers at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium.
Thompson, who was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for four touchdowns and 168 yards, was more pleased with the team’s win than his stats. The senior quarterback added 31 yards rushing and another score on six carries.
While Northside coach Keith Boyd wasn’t pleased with the final result, he was happy about the heart his team showed in the second half.
The third-year Panther coach said size was the difference. The Pack plays in the 3A Coastal Conference, while the Panthers play in the 1A Atlantic Conference.
Thompson was especially effective in the first half, connecting on all eight of his passes for 157 yards and all four scores. Mike Moore (five catches for 67 yards) caught two touchdown passes, while Tony Turnage (two catches for 58 yards) and Michael Godley (two catches for 43 yards) each caught one.
It was quite a contrast from a week ago when Washington was blanked by Tarboro. On Monday, the Pack (2-1) built a 34-6 halftime lead and racked up 282 yards of offense to just 47 for the Panthers (1-2).
With such a commanding lead, the head coaches agreed to run a continuous clock in the second half.
Washington’s defense, led by the likes of Chase Tripp, David Tyson, Weasel Moore, Cedrik Summers and Cole Hartley, limited the Panthers to 87 yards of total offense and five first downs.
Tripp, a senior defensive end, was a force. After missing the first two games with an ankle injury, Tripp was especially hungry to play the Panthers.
Northside did have a couple special moments. Sophomore quarterback Darrius Murray, who ran for 58 yards on 11 carries, broke off a 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The Panthers added a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, coming on a 45-yard scamper by Daykuan Mackey. Murray said he was proud his team didn’t fold in the second half.
Washington freshman Kashief Foreman, who led the Pack’s ground attack with 85 yards on nine totes, scored the first touchdown of his high school career. He rumbled 37 yards to the end zone at the end of the first half.
Both teams are off this Friday. The Pack returns to action Sept. 19 at home against Nash Central in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Northside is also at home on Sept. 19 as the Panthers play host to North Edgecombe.
Northside Washington
5 First Downs 16
26-87 Rushes-Yards 30-191
0 Passing Yards 168
4-0-0 Pass-Comp-Int 9-9-0
6-30.1 Punting 2-41.0
4-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
4-45 Penalties 9-70
Northside 0 6 6 0 — 12
Washington 14 20 0 7 — 41
Scoring Summary
W – Austin Thompson 14 pass to Mike Moore (Justin Meekins kick), 9:06, 1st
W – Thompson 32 pass to Moore (Meekins kick), 0:35, 1st
NS – Darrius Murray 16 run (pass failed), 11:15, 2nd
W – Thompson 57 pass to Tony Turnage (Meekins kick), 11:02, 2nd
W – Thompson 35 pass to Michael Godley (Meekins kick), 7:09, 2nd
W – Kashief Foreman 37 run (kick blocked), 0:06, 2nd
NS – Daykuan Mackey 45 run (run failed), 5:20, 3rd
W – Thompson 11 run (Meekins kick), 9:30, 4th