Eastern Wayne Dominates North Pitt

Written by: Joe Myers

GOLDSBORO — In a choppy and disjointed affair, Eastern Wayne defeated North Pitt 45–12. The first half featured an astounding nine possessions by each team, but the Warriors took control early.

It started out inauspiciously for Eastern Wayne. On the first play after the opening kickoff, the Warriors fumbled the ball away to the Panthers. However, good fortune quickly returned their way — two plays later, they intercepted a pass and returned it to the North Pitt 11-yard line. One play later, Izeiah Oates connected with Jeremiah Faison for an 11-yard touchdown and an early 6–0 lead.

After a turnover and two punts, Oates connected with Kamron McDaniel for a 40-yard gain, then capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run — his first of four rushing touchdowns on the night.

Following two consecutive three-and-outs by the Panthers, Oates added two more rushing scores, from 3 and 15 yards out, to give the Warriors a commanding 25–0 lead. Just before halftime, after an interception deep in North Pitt territory, Oates powered in from 1 yard out to make it 33–0 at the break. North Pitt managed only 58 yards of offense and committed two turnovers in the first half.

In the third quarter, Oates connected with Faison again — this time for a 72-yard completion — and Eastern Wayne capped off the drive to extend the lead to 39–0. The lone highlight for North Pitt came on the ensuing possession, when Bryce Cox hit Davonne Hudson at midfield, and Hudson outran the defense for a 72-yard touchdown. Both teams traded scores late to reach the final 45–12 margin.

Oates accounted for an incredible six touchdowns on the night, finishing with 292 yards passing, two passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns for 28 yards. Faison added 110 yards receiving and two touchdowns for the Warriors.

For the Panthers, Cox threw for 104 yards and one touchdown, Dontarius Roberson contributed 61 rushing yards and one touchdown, and Hudson added 78 receiving yards and one touchdown.