By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The Riverside Knights football team recorded the first win in school history in style as Romelle Lanier made one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone with :03 left to play in regulation to hand the school a 28-21 win over Ayden-Grifton on the road on Friday.
Riverside coach Asim McGill said he was happy to pick up a win in the school’s first-ever football game.
“It feels good, getting that first ‘W’ is good for the kids and the community,” McGill said. “It wasn’t the prettiest win, but an ugly win is always better than a pretty loss.”
Lanier caught two touchdown passes on the night, while running back Quenton Lawrence and quarterback Luke Mathews each ran for one score.
Nate and Cameron Price each had an interception to lead a Riverside defense that held Ayden-Grifton scoreless the entire second half. The two teams went into halftime tied at 21 all, until the final seconds of the game.
Plymouth 41, Farmville Central 14
The Vikings busted out of the gate in their season opener as they rushed for over 400 yards in their 41-14 win over Farmville Central on Friday.
Ronnell Blount led the charge as she gashed Farmville for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Carl McCray also broke the hundred yard barrier (104) and scored a TD, while Cevin Norman rushed for 95 yards and Elmer Cooper racked up 73 yards and two scores.
Quarterback Akeem Cooper connected with Chris Rogerson for a 47 yard TD pass. Rogerson also went a perfect 5-for-5 on PAT attempts.
Plymouth held a 21-14 lead at halftime, then blew the game wide open with its rushing attack. The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday night when they host West Montgomery (Charlotte) at 7:30 p.m.
Southside 22, North Duplin 0
It looked like the good old days for Southside are back as DeWayne Kellum led his team to a 22-0 victory over North Duplin in his return to the Seahawks’ sideline.
Southside rushed for 336 yards, while holding North Duplin to 139 on Friday to improve to 1-0.
Running back Marcus O’Neil led the way as he carried the ball 14 times for 105 yards, while Brandon Jordan and JV call-up Rakeem Miller turned in a big night for the Seahawks rushing the ball as well.
Quarterback Terrill Moore scored on runs of 12 and 24 yards, while Johnny Pender scored the team’s third touchdown. Pender, the strong side linebacker, also had 15 tackles.
Southside will be back in action on Friday when it hosts Creswell.
Northside 30, Creswell 20
The Panthers headed back to the place their season ended in 2009, and avenged their playoff loss with a 30-20 win over reigning Tideland champions Creswell on Friday.
DeMarquez Martin paced the Panthers as coach Keith Boyd estimated his speedy back rushed for over 200 yards in the team’s 2010 debut.
Martin had three touchdown runs, including one that went over 65 yards, while Tony Peele added a 65-yard kickoff return for a score.
The Panthers will be back in action on Friday when they play at Pamlico, while their JV team will host Pamlico on Thursday.