SW-Hoggard

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on September 4, 2005 2:16 AM

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By BRIAN MULL

Courtesy Wilmington Star-News

WILMINGTON -- Sophomore sensation Anthony Council -- the area's leading rusher -- topped the 100-yard mark again Friday night at Hoggard, but Southern Wayne could not punch the ball into the end zone as the Saints were blanked 14-0 by the Vikings.

Council -- who has rolled up 487 rushing yards in three games -- carried the ball 27 times for 106 yards, but two Southern Wayne fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown doomed the visiting Saints, who fell to 1-2 this season.

It was the season-opener for Hoggard (1-0).

Vikings quarterback Brandon Miley scored on a 1-yard sneak, and Hoggard senior defensive back Wes Steinman snared a pass intended for Southern Wayne receiver Marcus Oates, then sped 45 yards down the sidelines for a second-quarter touchdown to account for the night's scoring.

The Vikings held Southern Wayne to 164 yards total offense and stopped a fourth quarter drive inside the 5. Junior defensive lineman Dominique Williams applied crunching blows to force two Southern Wayne fumbles. Defensive end Mark House recovered one of those in the first quarter and returned it 12 yards to the Saints 34, setting up the touchdown by Miley.

Hoggard also struggled offensively, managing 163 total yards -- including just 29 in the second half.

Miley, who passed for more than 2,100 yards last season as a sophomore, had just 75 yards through the air on this night.

Southern Wayne quarterback Emmanuel Hinton was 2-of-6 passing for 14 yards and an interception.

The Saints return home on Friday to take on Western Harnett.