By By BRIAN HAINES,Brian@wdnweb.com, Sports Writer
The Pam Pack is riding high after its 42-41 overtime victory over Coastal Conference foe D.H. Conley last Friday on Washington’s Senior Night.
There was a lot to like about last week’s game. Washington (5-4, 4-1) continued to flex its muscles via the ground game as the offense was carried by the legs of tailback William Ellegor, fullback Marquin Hill and quarterback Jimmy Williams. The trio made numerous big plays and have consistently performed all season long for coach Sport Sawyer. Last week they played a critical role in leading the Pam Pack in last-second drive to tie D.H. Conley and force overtime.
“I’m very proud of the team. We jumped out to an early lead and then stumbled for a bit and let Conley take the lead,” Sawyer said. “Then with about a minute left in the game (the Rams) scored and were up but we came back and tied it. In overtime they scored first but we were able to answer. Emotions were up and down all night long but we were able to stick with it and fight.”
A key element in Washington’s late fourth quarter drive was the play of Williams. The quarterback heaved a 60-yard pass on third down that deflected off of a Rams’ defender and into the hands of Keane Graham to get the team across the field, then made a critical fourth down run to keep the drive alive and set up the final score of regulation.
“He saw the receiver behind the DB and put it up there and Keane made a heck of a catch. He made a throw when we needed it,” Sawyer said. “Last year he was on JV and he has just developed so much and he is developing each week. His field vision is so good. When he drops back if no one is open he can run it.”
Washington will have to have its running game in high gear tonight as it takes on Coastal Conference rival South Central (6-3, 4-1) in a battle of two teams locked in a tie for second place behind Havelock (7-2, 5-0).
“They are very well coached, they run a lot of option and double wing plays and on defense they have a lot of speed and some fast linebackers that fly around. This is a very good team,” Sawyer said of the Falcons.
Sawyer in order to be successful against the South Central it will take a disciplined effort by his team.
“They don’t throw a whole lot so on defense we have to make sure we have the option covered,” Sawyer said. “Offensively, we just need to protect the ball and make the right reads. It will also come down to who is more physical. Right now I like our guys, they’re playing some good physical ball so we have to make sure we continue to do that Friday night.”