By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sun Journal Staff
BAYBORO – Northside held an 8-6 lead at halftime, but the Panthers couldn’t overcome a fumble returned for a touchdown and a number of cramps in Friday’s 34-8 loss to the Pamlico Hurricanes.
Eric DeOlivera returned a fumble 30 yards for a score early in the second half, giving Pamlico (2-0) a 12-8 lead on the Panthers (1-1). That sparked a 28-0 run over the final two quarters.
The Hurricanes ran for 298 yards in the game, including 113 yards and two scores by Antonio Jones. Cody Molosky rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Worth Cowell added 21 yards and a score.
“They were a little bit quicker than we thought they were,” Northside coach Keith Boyd said. “They were just flying around and we couldn’t get off their blocks. They started driving us off the ball a little bit in the second half.
“They’re a good team. They’re quick where you need to be quick and they’re quick up front. They’ve got some strength up front.”
Boyd said the key was the fumble return for a score.
“We just couldn’t overcame that,” Boyd said.
A number of players, including quarterback Taequan Mackey and receiver Damount Harvey, went down with cramps. Boyd said his team had a difficult time overcoming that as well.
“That kind of surprised me,” he said. “We played the first game and we didn’t have that problem at all. It’s just one of those things that happen.”
The Panthers took an 8-6 lead in the second quarter. DeMarquez Marin, who ran for 91 yards on 16 carries, scored on a 3-yard run. His 31-yard run earlier in the drive set up the score. A scrambling Mackey found Harvey in the end zone for a 2-point conversion and the lead.
However, Pamlico scored the final 28 points.
Mackey ran for 48 yards on 16 carries, while Brandon Ussery ran for 45 yards on 11 carries. Tony Peele picked up 17 yards on three totes.
The Panthers return to action next Friday night against the Washington Pam Pack.
“These kids will bounce back,” Boyd said. “It’s their county rivalry.”