By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Hoping for a little homecoming happiness, the Washington Pam Pack plays host to the White Oak Vikings in a key Coastal Conference game.
Pam Pack coach Sport Sawyer is looking for his team (3-4, 1-2) to snap its two-game skid. A win tonight would square Washington’s overall and conference mark with four games left to play.
“These next four games is a new season,” Sawyer said. “It’s a key four-game stretch for us. If we want to have a successful season, it starts Friday night.”
The Pack is coming off consecutive losses, falling at Havelock 29-10 last week and 24-12 at West Craven two weeks ago.
Sawyer is hoping that the homefield advantage will be a factor in tonight’s game.
“I’m asking the fans to come support us, no matter what the weather might be like,” Sawyer said. “These young men have been working hard. I’m asking the fans of Washington to come out and support us.
“I’m hoping there will be a big Homecoming crowd for the game.”
This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, and the first since 1999. Washington holds a 6-1 series lead, which includes a 14-11 victory in 1999. White Oak’s lone win came a year earlier, 18-6.
White Oak (4-3, 2-1), coached by Bob Blick, has won two straight, both in convincing fashion. The Vikings knocked off West Carteret 31-7 two weeks ago, and blitzed D.H. Conley 54-0 last week.
Tamari White ran for 183 yards and two scores on 30 carries in the win over D.H. Conley. He has rushed for 1,008 yards this season.
Darius Edwards added 157 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on 12 carries.
Sawyer is expecting a heavy dose of the ground game from the Vikings.
“They are a smashmouth football team,” Sawyer said. “They come right at you. They also run a little bit of wildcat.
“Defensively, they move people around.”
The Pack will look to mix it up offensively. Sophomore quarterback Trey Harris has clicked on 21 of 47 passes (44.7 percent) for 346 yards, tossing four touchdown passes and four interceptions.
His favorite target has been senior Tony Turnage, who has 10 receptions for 180 yards and three scores.
William Ellegor (221 yards) and Lindsey Harris (172 yards) will likely get the bulk of the carries tonight.
One weapon Trey Harris won’t be able to use is Johnny Broadway, a receiver/defensive back/kicker out with an injured shoulder.
Ronnie Woolard has been the leader of the Pam Pack defense. The senior linebacker leads the team in tackles (65), fumble recoveries (5) and sacks (3, tied with Amiar Johnson).
Cole Hartley and Marquin Hill have 44 tackles apiece, while Johnson has 41.
Turnage’s four interceptions lead the team.
The Pack plays its final away game next Friday night at D.H. Conley. Washington concludes the regular season with home games against South Central on Oct. 30 and against West Carteret on Nov. 6.
Tonight’s game at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium kicks off at 7 p.m.