By Staff
KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
VANCEBORO — The up-and-down season continued for the Washington Pam Pack. Justin Hardy used his feet and his arm to lead the West Craven Eagles to a 24-12 win over the Pam Pack in Friday’s Coastal Conference game.
The Pack (3-3, 1-1) pulled within five points with just under four minutes to play, then forced a West Craven (5-1, 2-0) punt a short time later, but the Pack couldn’t capitalize. A late touchdown by the Eagles with just under a minute to play iced it.
Hardy led the Eagles with 120 yards rushing and a score on 19 carries. He also threw for 105 yards and another score, though the senior completed just 6 of 13 attempts.
Pack sophomore quarterback Trey Harris, making his first start since injuring his ankle in the second game of the season, was solid. He completed 9 of 21 passes for 167 yards and a pair of scores. His receivers didn’t do him many favors as they combined to drop five balls.
Hardy scampered in from 8 yards out on West Craven’s first offensive possession, making it 6-0.
Ryan Murphy converted the first of his three PATs for a 7-0 advantage. Hardy hit Chris Person (4 catches, 59 yards) for 33 yards, and added an 18-yard run on the opening drive to set up his score.
Tyree Dawson (16 carries, 101 yards) had a 21-yard run on West Craven’s next possession, setting up Murphy’s 32-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
After stalling at the West Craven 14-yard line a drive earlier, the Pack found the end zone with just over a minute to play in the half. Harris scrambled for a nifty 24-yard run to set up his 23-yard TD toss to Josh Brown (2 catches, 78 yards), who made a nice leaping catch in the end zone. Washington, missing the PAT, pulled within 10-6 with the score.
A defensive breakdown led to West Craven’s next score. Hardy found a wide open Tony Cox for a 40-yard scoring strike and a 17-6 lead midway through the third quarter.
Taking advantage of a Kevin Chapman fumble recovery (Ronnie Woolard also had a fumble recovery), the Pack pulled within 17-12 on another Harris touchdown toss. After a 55-yard strike to Brown, Harris found Tony Turnage (4 catches, 70 yards) in the end zone from 14 yards out with 3:46 to play.
The Pack defense forced a West Craven punt, and got the ball back with 2:46 to play. However, Murphy intercepted a Harris heave, which set up Luis Castro’s 12-yard run with under a minute to play to seal it for the Eagles.
Sawyer is hoping his team can bounce back next week when it plays at Havelock. Just like West Craven, the Rams have an explosive quarterback in Daniel Webster.
William Ellegor led the Pack’s ground attack with 58 yards on eight carries.
Clay Jordan, Raymond Mabry, Gary Blount and Creed Mills were inducted into West Craven’s Hall of Fame during halftime.
Washington West Craven
15 First Downs 20
31-126 Rushes-Yards 41-260
167 Passing Yards 105
22-9-1 Pass-Comp-Int 14-6-0
4-31.0 Punting 3-43.0
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 3-2
7-59 Penalties 9-68
Washington 0 6 0 6 — 12
West Craven 7 3 7 7 — 24
Scoring Summary
WC – Justin Hardy 8 run (Ryan Murphy kick), 6:52, 1st
WC – Murphy 32 field goal, 10:10, 2nd
W – Trey Harris 23 pass to Josh Brown (kick failed), 1:19, 2nd
WC – Hardy 40 pass to Tony Cox (Murphy kick), 7:54, 3rd
W – Harris 14 pass to Tony Turnage (run failed), 3:46, 4th
WC – Luis Castro 12 run (Murphy kick), 0:53, 4th