By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
ROBERSONVILLE — Roanoke coach Brian Paschal was concerned about Perquimans’ potent offense heading into Friday night’s NCHSAA Class 1A East opening round playoff game.
On Friday afternoon, Paschal’s Redskins learned that the Pirates’ defense can pack a powerful punch itself.
While Perquimans’ offense managed to find the end zone on just two occasions on a sloppy afternoon in Robersonville, the Pirates’ defense put on an impressive display, scoring five touchdowns and recording a safety, as the Pirates steam-rolled the Redskins, 51-0, to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
The Pirates’ onslaught began in the opening quarter as Nate Downing stripped Roanoke quarterback Tyreek Cooper and raced 62 yards into the end zone on the fumble recovery.
Late in the first quarter, Pirates’ defender Jamelle Warren came up with a punt block at the Roanoke 16-yard line, and one play later Michael Frieson darted into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
Midway through the second quarter, Perquimans’ defense came through again.
With Roanoke driving down the field, Pirates linebacker Josh Chestnutt stepped in front of a Cooper pass attempt at the Perquimans 22-yard line and raced down the right sideline, breaking several tackles along the way, for a 78-yard interception return.
On the final play of the first half, the Chestnutt closed out the scoring with a safety in the end zone.
The Pirates added two more defensive touchdowns in the third quarter to break the game wide open. Downing scored on his second fumble return of the day as he picked up a fumble by Tavin Sheppard and raced 55 yards into the end zone, before Donny Carns made it 37-0 with a 61-yard interception return.
After David Outlaw scored on an eight-yard touchdown run for the Pirates, Perquimans capped the scoring on the game’s final play as Doug Frierson intercepted reserve quarterbackDwayne Morning and returned it 96 yards to make the final score 51-0.
Perquimans (7-4) will travel to Creswell next weekend for its second round playoff game. The Tigers toppled Rosewood, 27-8 on Friday.