By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Washington kept West Craven’s explosive offense in check, but the Pam Pack’s heavy arsenal imploded.
While the Pack defense held highly-touted Eagles quarterback Brett Mooring to a sub-par performance, five turnovers did Washington in during Friday night’s homecoming game at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium. The No. 6 Eagles recorded four interceptions, recovered a fumble and blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown in a 16-6 victory in Coastal Conference play.
The win kept West Craven (7-0, 3-0) at the top of the conference standings, while the Pack (4-3, 2-1) fell into a second-place tie.
Mooring, who entered the game as the state’s leader in passing yards, was stymied by the Pack defense. The senior completed 8 of 20 passes for 124 yards. He was picked off twice, coming at the hands of Donte Moore and William Ellegor.
Mooring did do some damage with his feet. He ran for 45 yards on nine carries, including a 44-yard burst late in the fourth quarter. His 1-yard touchdown sneak in the second quarter, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead, was the lone offensive touchdown for the Eagles.
Without the usual passing numbers (Division I-prospect Erik Highsmith was held to 12 yards on two receptions), West Craven coach Clay Jordan was happy his team could ground out a win.
Though the West Craven offense couldn’t generate much, the defense was lights out. The Eagles forced five turnovers, including four interceptions by Pack senior quarterback Austin Thompson (16 of 34, 115 yards). Jaquan Crouell, who recovered a fumble, Thomas Ward, Justin Bryant and Bobby Cox all had picks.
West Craven’s special teams accounted for the team’s final nine points. Ryan Murphy booted a 38-yard field goal on the final play of the first half for a 10-0 advantage.
Midway through the third quarter, Justin Hardy broke free and blocked a punt by Justin Meekins. The ball rolled into the end zone and Hardy plopped on it for a 16-0 lead.
Washington’s lone score came on a 99-yard drive. Ellegor picked off Mooring in the end zone and was then tackled at the Washington 1-yard line.
Thompson hit Tony Turnage with a 27-yard pass and Dakuan Moore (six catches, 38 yards) found Mike Moore open for a 20-yard gain to get into West Craven territory.
On the Eagle-16, Mike Moore took a pitch, rolled to his left and looked to pass the ball. He didn’t like his options so he tucked the ball away, reversed field, got a couple of key blocks and then scampered into the end zone for a touchdown.
Though Sawyer was obviously displeased with his team’s performance, Jordan came away impressed with the Pam Pack.
Washington is home again next Friday night against the J.H. Rose Rampants. It’s the final conference game against the 4A Rampants, who move into a new conference next year.
West Craven Washington
11 First Downs 16
27-104 Rushes-Yards 30-96
124 Passing Yards 135
20-8-2 Pass-Comp-Int 35-17-4
5-45.2 Punting 5-32.6
4-0 Fumbles-Lost 3-1
7-75 Penalties 4-20
West Craven 0 10 6 0 — 16
Washington 0 0 0 6 — 6
Scoring Summary
WC – Brett Mooring 1 run (Ryan Murphy kick), 11:33, 2nd
WC – Murphy 38 field goal, 0:00, 2nd
WC – Justin Hardy blocked punt, end zone recovery (kick failed), 6:25, 3rd
W – Mike Moore 16 run (pass failed), 9:03, 4th