North Duplin improves to 3-0

Published in Sports on September 17, 2006 2:19 AM

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CALYPSO -- If North Duplin loses a football game this year, its opponent will have to find a way to stop the Rebels' dynamic tandem of quarterback Doug Lloyd and running back Michael Schilling.

The duo combined for 143 yards rushing in the Rebels' 35-0, non-conference conquest of Holly Ridge Dixon at H.E. Grubbs Field on Friday. Directed by first-year coach Hugh Martin, North Duplin remained unbeaten in three outings.

Lloyd accounted for three touchdowns -- a 99-yard blocked field goal return, a three-yard scamper and a 37-yard strike to Schilling. Schilling, coming off a career-best effort two weeks against Topsail, rambled for 104 yards and a touchdown on 12 totes. He caught three passes for 50 yards.

However, there was no shortage of heroes for the Rebels in this game. Junior Billy Mello returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown, blocked a Dixon punt and averaged 42.3 yards on three punt attempts.

North Duplin rang up 285 yards of total offense against a Bulldog defense that yielded all 35 points in the first three quarters.

"I was pleased with our execution," said Martin. "One of our goals in our spread offense is to make our opponent cover as many areas as we can."

The Bulldogs (0-4) threatened to score on their initial possession of the game. Michael Washington returned the opening kick to the North Duplin 39, but the Rebel defense stiffened and forced a 40-yard field goal attempt.

The kick was partially blocked and rolled dead at the North Duplin 1-yard line. Both teams assumed the play had ended and began to trot toward the sidelines.

Lloyd alertly picked up the ball and galloped down the left sideline 99 yards for the touchdown. Lloyd added his 3-yard run later in the opening period to give the Rebels a 13-0 advantage.

Schilling ran up the middle untouched for his short touchdown run in the second quarter.

"Michael is running the ball for us more this year. He is getting better and better each week," said Martin. "He is making the right cuts and running through the holes."

Dixon didn't put up a threat the remainder of the half and trailed 28-0 at intermission.

Lloyd teamed up with Schilling on their touchdown pass in the third quarter for the Rebels' final score of the game.

The North Duplin defense controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the 48-minute contest. Martin said the team's offseason workouts are beginning to pay dividends.

"The guys have worked hard in the weight room and now they are seeing the results of their labor," he said.

However, Martin lamented the Rebels' inability to eliminate mistakes -- particularly penalties. Officials flagged North Duplin for 100 yards on 12 infractions.

"We were a little disappointed in the penalties," Martin said. "In a tight game those are the things that come back to hurt you. We will begin to work on that Monday."

North Duplin, which equaled its 2005 win total with the victory, entertains long-time rival Hobbton next Friday.

"We have played them for a long time," said Martin. "We know a lot of them and they know a lot of us. It is definitely a game to look forward to."

Dixon 0 0 0 0 -- 0

North Duplin 13 15 7 0 -- 35

First quarter

ND -- Lloyd 99 blocked FG return (Guzman kick), 7:58

ND -- Lloyd 3 run (kick failed), 2:32

Second quarter

ND -- M. Schilling 3 run (M. Schilling run), 4:52

ND -- Mello 44 interception return (Guzman kick), 2:54

Third quarter

ND -- M. Schilling 37 pass from Lloyd (Guzman kick), 4:29

Dixon N. Duplin

First downs 7 9

Rushes-yds 43-146 26-160

Passing yds 0 125

Total yards 146 285

C-A-I 0-2-2 8-12-1

Fumbles-lost 3-2 2-0

Punts-avg 4-28.5 3-42.3

Penalties-yds 1-5 12-100

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Dixon -- Michael Washington 18-75; Tony Scott 12-22; Hunter Bruton 8-30; Cody Bradshaw 5-19. North Duplin -- Michael Schilling 12-104, TD; Doug Lloyd 6-39, TD; Pepe Gomez 3-1; Alan Schilling 2-1; Akeem Cox 3-12.

PASSING -- Dixon -- Cody Bradshaw 0-2-2 0. North Duplin -- Doug Lloyd 8-12-1 125, TD.

RECEIVING -- North Duplin -- Sherman Hyatt 1-6; Ryan Killette 2-63; Demetrius Vann 1-7; Michael Schilling 3-50 TD; Billy Mello 1-(-1).