By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — Williamston moved one step closer to clinching the Atlantic Division title on Monday as it ran by Northside 40-21 on Monday.
The Tigers’ ground game gashed through the Northside defense and picked up 310 yards on 32 attempts, and was the perfect recipe for success on a cold, rainy night in Yeatesville.
Williamston quarterback Emery Griggs led the charge as he had touchdown runs of 32 and 47 yards, and also threw a 16-yard TD pass to Kareem Bell.
Northside, which was celebrating its homecoming, was playing without its starting quarterback Isaiah McCullor, and could only muster 160 rushing yards on 25 carries.
Northside’s Shakira Fields was named homecoming queen at halftime.
Senior Deonte Artis filled in for McCullor and did a decent job running the offense. However, the Panthers, playing with their third QB of the season, had trouble getting in the end zone.
After the game Northside coach Keith Boyd said he was happy with Artis’ and the team’s effort.
On Monday, the Tigers looked like they had speed to spare, and were not slowed down a bit by the rain on either side of the ball.
The Tigers got on the board first as they were able to recover and capitalize on a Northside fumble at the Panthers’ 32-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage Griggs ripped of a 32-yard TD run, which after a two-point conversion put the Tigers up 8-0 in the first quarter.
Another Northside fumble would come back to haunt it as it led to a Griggs’ 47-yard TD run.
The wet conditions combined with a tough Tigers’ defense contributed to five Panthers’ fumbles, three of which they lost.
The Panthers were able to string together a drive late in the first quarter, and reached the end zone when Grant Faith dashed 12 yards for a touchdown.
The two teams battle back and forth in the second quarter, but Williamston was able to add another score with under three minutes left in the half on a Derek Everett six-yard TD run to go into the break up 24-7.
Williamston broke the game open in the third, as it got a 43-yard TD run by Kareem Bell. Bell would also score on the Tigers’ final TD on 16-yard slant pass from Griggs.
Northside’s Bradley Slade gave the home fans something to cheer about when he dashed 74 yards for a touchdown.
The Panthers’ final TD was scored by linebacker Trent Midgette, who recovered a fumble and ran 35 yard for the score.
The Panthers will be back in action next Friday at Roanoke, while the Tigers will be on the road at Southside.
Williamston Northside
11 First Downs 8
32-310 Rushes-Yards 25-160
43 Passing Yards 30
3-5 Pass-Comp-Int 1-5-1
1-30 Punting 2-24
3-2 Fumbles-Lost 5-3
7-60 Penalties 2-20
Williamston 16 8 16 0 — 40
Northside 7 0 6 0 — 13
Scoring Summary
W — Emery Griggs 32 run (Derek Everett two points), 8:11, 1st.
W — Griggs 47 yards (Everett two points), 6:15, 1st.
N — Grant Fath 12 run (Cecilio Cota kick), 1:31, 1st.
W — Everett six run (Jamane Mackey two points), 2:30, 2nd.
W — Kareem Bell 43 run (Kenny Brown two points), 9:38, 3rd.
W — Kareem Bell 16 pass from Griggs (Griggs two points), 2:48, 3rd.
N — Bradley Slade 74 run (two points failed), 0:00
N — Trent Midgette 35 fumble recovery (Deonte Artis two points), 8:20, 4th.