By JOSH WALFISH

Rocky Mount Telegram

 

PINETOPS — Washington took advantage of two special teams miscues from Southwest Edgecombe to blitz its conference rival, 53-13.

Jarquez Keyes took the second offensive play of the game 48 yards for a touchdown, and the Pam Pack held the Cougars to a punt. But a gang of rushers blocked Dylan Hodges’ attempt and fell on top of the football at the 1-yard line.

Keyes powered through the line for his second score of the night two plays later to set the tone.

But it was the next Southwest Edgecombe mistake that proved to be too much to overcome for the Cougars.

Washington forced a three-and-out and this time the snap went over Hodges’ head and was recovered by Lexroy Brown in the end zone.

“Our guys played with a lot of emotion (Friday),” coach Sport Sawyer said. “The special teams and getting the ball inside our goal line was big.”

The Pam Pack’s defense played well all night, limiting SouthWest Edgecombe to just 178 yards on the ground. The only two explosive plays the unit allowed were Marcus Williams’ 56-yard rush that set up a score and a 40-yard bomb to tight end Quontellas Norwood which resulted in a touchdown.

Keyes led the Pam Pack with 106 yards and three scores. Clinton Pope had 82 yards including a long, winding 53-yard touchdown.

With the win, Washington improves to 5-3 (2-0 Eastern Plains) and will face Beddingfield at Choppy Wagner Stadium next week. There will also be a special halftime ceremony to honor the five recent Walk of Fame inductees.