Rams' defense dominates North Pitt

Published in Sports on October 10, 2004 9:49 AM

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BETHEL -- Greene Central defensive ends Dashon Bynum and Rodney Wilkes spent most of Friday night in North Pitt's backfield as the defense paved the way for the Rams' 16-6 football victory in the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference opener for both squads.

"We've got two outstanding defensive ends," Ram coach Jim Bob Bryant said about Bynum and Wilkes. "I think both of those guys have nine or 10 sacks apiece on the season.

"They've been able to bring blitzes from all over the place. It really frees them up when the offensive line gets confused and doesn't know who to block. Both of those guys are good enough athletes to get upfield and make a play."

The Rams (4-3, 1-0) cracked the scoreboard early in the second quarter. Dreyan Willis turned a short pass from quarterback Travis Rouse into a 41-yard gain to the North Pitt 8. Two plays later, Rouse took it two yards up the middle for a touchdown. On the Rams' next possession, Mario Brown waltzed in from 13 yards out to extend the margin to 13-0.

North Pitt's Jeremy Taylor found Aaron Strong on a 43-yard strike to the Greene Central 10. Two plays later, Jeremy Wilder bulled his way in from five yards out to cut the margin to 13-6 with 9:24 left in the third.

Tino Fernandez pushed the lead back to 16-6 with a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

North Pitt travels to Tarboro next Friday, while Greene Central hosts North Lenoir.

Greene Central 0 13 0 3 -- 16

North Pitt 0 0 6 0 -- 6

Second quarter

GC -- Travis Rouse 2 run (Fernandez kick), 8:51

GC -- Mario Brown 13 run (kick fail), 6:14

Third quarter

NP -- Jeremy Wilder 5 run (kick fail), 9:24

Fourth quarter

GC -- Tino Fernandez 20 FG, 11:19

GC NP

First downs 11 12

Rushes-yds 98 38

Pass yds 56 150

Total yds 154 188

Att.-Comp.-Int. 21-6-1 23-11-1

Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-0

Penalties-yds 14-85 9-70

Punts-avg 7-27 5-20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Greene Central -- Damian Phillips 18-61.

PASSING -- Greene Central -- Travis Rouse 6-21-1 154.

RECEIVING -- Greene Central -- Deryon Willis 2 -49.