By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The Pam Pack’s football season got off to a rough start as turnovers severely hampered Washington in its 28-15 loss to North Pitt on the road Friday night.
Washington looked strong early as it rode the back of running back William Ellegor, who scored both of the team’s touchdowns and an extra-point, to an early lead.
After Ellegor’s second touchdown, the Pam Pack (0-1, Coastal Conference) held a 15-13 advantage over the Panthers (1-0, Eastern Plains Conference) with a minute left to go in the half. However, North Pitt raced up the field and punched one in to take a 19-15 halftime lead.
Washington received the ball at the start of the second stanza and pieced together a lengthy drive before it committed another turnover. Overall, the Pam Pack fumbled three times and threw one interception.
“We played good at times but we just had several key turnovers,” Washington coach Sport Sawyer said. “They made a big difference, you’re not going to win a game when you turn it over four times.”
Washington’s new run-orientated offense seemed to be effective as the team put together drives that crossed the North Pitt 40, 30 and 10-yard line in the second half, but each one was foiled by a turnover.
On a positive note, Washington was able to grind out yards on the strength of some good offensive line play and running by Ellegor.
“He had a good night, he hit some holes and ran hard,” Sawyer said. “Jimmy Williams had a few good runs too.”
Aside from the turnovers, Sawyer said he was pleased with the way his team played Friday, but mentioned he might tinker with the lineup.
“We might have to move some people around to some new positions,” Sawyer said. “There are a few moves we might make on both offense and defense.”
The Pam Pack will be back on the road next week as it will take on Tarboro.