By By GREG KATSKI
Community Editor
YEATESVILLE — The Northside football team put forth a hard-nosed effort against the first-place Manteo Redskins on homecoming night, but came up short in the end, 25-0.
The Panthers (0-4, 2-6) couldn’t get anything going on offense against a strong Manteo (4-0, 8-0) defense, turning the ball over five times (three fumbles, two interceptions). Several of Northside’s turnovers came with the Panthers driving into Redskins territory.
Manteo put pressure on the Panthers from the outset, going for an onside kick to start the game that was recovered by Northside at its own 40 yard line. Northside senior quarterback Isaiah McCullor ran two straight plays to set the Panthers up with a first and 10 at the Redskins 45 yard line, before Northside was stuffed and forced to punt.
Manteo fielded the Northside punt at the 19 yard line and set up its offense. Much like the Panthers, Manteo ran the ball its first two plays to get in a rhythm. On the second play from scrimmage, Redskins quarterback Elliott Midgett ran the ball for 17 yards to Manteo’s 49 yard line, before throwing a strike to Levi Curles to get the ball to the 33 yard line of the Panthers. Midgett busted out another run to the 10 yard line to set up a first and goal and then pitched the ball to C.J. Bailey for a 12 yard touchdown run. After a failed two-point conversion, the Redskins took an early 6-0 lead.
Northside’s Benji Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff to the 30 yard line. McCullor continued to keep the ball and run and got a initial first down on a 10 yard run on third and 6. But, the Panthers were forced to punt again after another three straight runs.
While Northside’s ground game was struggling, Manteo continued to put together drives with big runs. After fielding the ball at its own 46 yard line, it took Manteo two scampers to get the ball to the 1 yard line. Following an illegal procedure call on the Redskins, Bailey ran it in for another Manteo touchdown. The Redskins went up 12-0 after another failed two-point conversion.
Northside took over in good field position at its own 49 yard line when Manteo elected to go for another onside kick. Powerful running back Dee Martin broke off an eight yard run, before McCullor executed a nice option pitch to Damount Harvey for a first down at the 42. But on the next play, McCullor coughed up the ball and Manteo recovered at the 49. The Redskins almost gave it right back with a fumble of their own before Bailey took the ball straight up the gut for a 60 yard touchdown run, putting the Redskins up 18-0.
With minutes left in the first half, the Panthers got a drive going with a 14 yard pass from McCullor to lanky wide receiver Kevin Johnson on third and 5 from the Redskins 45 yard line. But McCullor threw a pass picked off at the 5 yard line on fourth and 10.
In the second half, Northside seemed to figure out the Redskins option-run game, limiting Manteo to one score. The Panthers also got their passing game going, highlighted by a 60 yard pass from McCullor to Martin at set Northside up at the Redskin’s 42 yard line. After a false start penalty, the Panthers were faced with a fourth and 15, but McCullor laced a perfect pass to Thomas Midgette for a first down at the 28 yard line. Northside’s best scoring chance of the night went by the wayside when Manteo recovered a Panthers’ fumble at the 30.
The Redskins kept sole possession of first-place in the Four River Conference, while the Panthers remain winless in conference play. Northside returns to action next Friday with a game at Williamston.
Whitney Lewis was crowned Northside's homecoming queen.