East Duplin nips North Lenoir

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 27, 2006 2:09 AM

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BEULAVILLE -- East Duplin squashed a two-point conversion attempt in the final 2 1/2 minutes and nipped rival North Lenoir 27-26 on Friday evening.

The Hawks suffered their fifth consecutive season-opening defeat.

North Lenoir rallied from a 20-7 deficit on Paris Lee's 85-yard kickoff return and Andrew Manning's 20-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius Mills.

East Duplin converted a crucial fourth down a few series later and scored to go back in front 27-20. The Hawks climbed within 27-26 on Lee's 50-yard touchdown grab from Manning. The Panthers snuffed the conversion attempt.

North Lenoir attempted an onside kick and East Duplin recovered. With 40 seconds remaining, the Panther quarterback appeared to take a knee and Hawks coach Wayne Jackson thought his team would get the ball back.

However, the umpire said the quarterback's knee never touched the ground. The quarterback lunged forward and got the first down, and East Duplin ran out the clock.

"It was just a game where we made entirely too many mistakes," said Jackson, who is 2-5 all-time in season-opening games. "You could tell they had a game under their belt and we didn't."

Zach Carter added a 10-yard TD run for the Hawks.

Penalties hampered North Lenoir all evening and caused one touchdown to get called back. The Hawks also missed a 30-yard field goal.

North Lenoir entertains Kinston (1-1) next Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Bullock Field.