By By BRIAN HAINES, Sport Writer
Washington coach Sport Sawyer had to be pleased with what he saw from his team last Friday in its 27-21 win over Jacksonville in its Coastal Conference opener.
Now the trick is for crew to duplicate that same effort Monday when it hosts West Craven at 7 p.m. on the Washington Walk of Fame night.
This year’s inductees include Joe Randolph (football, track and field) Earl Randolph (track and field), Ed Lucas (football) and Justin “Weasel” Moore (wrestling), who will each be honored at halftime.
After a tough loss to Goldsboro in Week 5, the Pam Pack (2-3, 1-0) responded with a staunch defensive effort that produced three picks and a rushing attack that allowed William Ellegor to run for over 100 yards.
“After going 1-3 in the non-conference we needed to find ourselves a little bit and get some positive momentum starting off conference play and I think it was a big win for us,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer said a strong play on all three sides of the ball contributed greatly to the win.
“Special teams was a big key in that game, and getting turnovers; it was really an overall team game,” Sawyer said. “All aspects did well. The special teams had a blocked punt and brought kickoff return back to the 1-yard line.”
Sawyer and his staff have spent a large portion of their non-conference schedule trying to get the right faces in the right places.
As the Pam Pack heads into its Week 7 matchup with the West Craven, Sawyer said his tinkering is all but done.
“We’ve got a good solid 9-10 starters (on both sides of the ball), there is one guy or so on offense and defense that we are still looking at,” Sawyer said.
One thing Sawyer said he was especially pleased with was the energy his team put forth against Jacksonville.
“I think we turned the corner on that, there were a lot of guys who were very hyped and played hard,” Sawyer said. “That games was a hard fought game that went up and down. The guys maintained that positive attitude where in some other guys we might have gotten down and the score would snowball. In this game we stayed focused and got a win.”
The Pack should have no problem finding motivation tonight as several Pam Pack legends will be in attendance to watch the Walk of Fame ceremony.
“It means a lot to come out and play and put forth a good effort because there will be so many former Pam Pack players and so much Pam Pack blood and tradition in the stands,” Sawyer said.
Tonight’s contest will be a matchup of contrasting styles as the newly turned I-formation offense of the Pam Pack will take on the spread attack of West Craven.
“They like to throw the ball a lot, they run the spread and really throw the ball around,” Sawyer said. “They got some good receivers and have some team speed. … Defensively, they run 4-3 where the safeties will come up a lot. They are very athletic. … I think they are young and learning as well. It will be one of those games where whoever executes properly will be the team that wins.”