Spring Creek doubles up North Johnston, takes C/TRC's No. 1 seed for soccer playoffs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 27, 2006 2:14 PM

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Spring Creek men's soccer coach Russell Stephens might not be a registered psychologist, but his strategy certainly proved beneficial Thursday afternoon.

Stephens told his team that Class 1-A Carolina/Tar-Roanoke Conference rival North Johnston had the better offense and that defense -- Spring Creek's strength this season -- wins out every game.

The Gator offense ... well ... took offense to Stephens' remark.

Ricky Range tallied two goals and Spring Creek doubled up North Johnston 4-2 at Branch Pope Field on the Rosewood High campus. The Gators clinched the league's No. 1 seed for the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs, which begin Nov. 1.

"Going into the game, I told our team defensively that we were the better team," said Stephens. "I said North Johnston probably had the better offense. Our offense took it a little personal."

Octavio Huerta and Diego Riveras each tallied goals for the Gators.

Keeper Angel Sanchez recorded 12 saves.

"It was just a total team effort; best game we've played all year," said Stephens.

Spring Creek improved to 12-2 overall, while North Johnston dropped to 16-5-2. The Panthers entered the game ranked No. 7 in the latest N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll.

JV football

Warriors earn

share of ECC title

PIKEVILLE -- Danny Smith collected the game-winning touchdown in overtime as Eastern Wayne nipped Charles B. Aycock 20-18 at Hardy Talton Stadium.

The Warriors (8-1) remained unbeaten in four Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference outings and earned a share of the league title. They conclude regular-season play at home next Thursday against Kinston.

Aycock quarterback Zack Poole started the overtime with a touchdown pass to Dalton Lewallen. The two-point conversion failed.

Eastern Wayne took over at the 10-yard line and needed just two plays to score. Smith's 2-yard run tied the contest at 18-18. Hassan Best ran in the two-point conversion to preserve the Warriors' unblemished record in conference play.

Best, Smith, Stephen Hall and Brian McCullen each rushed for 60 yards. McCullen uncorked a 55-yard touchdown run and Smith contributed a touchdown in regulation.

Warriors head coach Jerry Pelt said that Brian Corbett, Brandon McCullen and Zack Besser all "played a great game for us on defense."

Eastern Wayne had 270 yards of total offense.

Poole threw two touchdown strikes to Lewallen. Dominique Young led the Golden Falcons' rushing attack with 162 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Aycock plays host to Southern Wayne in the regular-season finale for both teams next Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Cougars claim

EPC 2-A thriller

Enrique Moses hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds remaining in regulation, and Goldsboro upended defending Eastern Plains 2-A Conference champion North Lenoir 24-20.

The Hawks grabbed a 20-16 lead with four minutes remaining on a short touchdown run. They appeared to have the Cougars in trouble until A.J. Parker connected with Moses on the game-winning halfback option pass on a 3rd-and-15 play.

Moses finished with 119 yards receiving, including a 53-yard scoring strike from quarterback Dustin Uzzardo early in the first quarter. Uzzardo completed 7 of 12 passes.

Goldsboro's Ivory Harris added a 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and Moses recorded a safety in the third quarter.

Parker emerged the Cougars' defensive leader with 10 solo tackles and four assists. Harris contributed eight solo stops and five assists. Strong safety Antwon Pope and Josh McCoy each provided five tackles and three assists.

Derrick Smith posted five tackles and two assists.

Goldsboro (8-1, 3-1 EPC) concludes EPC play next Thursday at North Pitt.

Golf

Lane Tree Ladies

Golf Association

Betty Jean Gurley claimed game-of-the-week and low-net honors for weekly play ending Oct. 16 at Lane Tree Golf Course. Nan Jarrell won low putts.

Linda Cannon emerged the game-of-the-week and low-net winner for week play ending Oct. 9. Bunkie Parker took low putts.

Middle schools

Spring Creek volleyball d. Mount Olive -- 25-17, 25-12, 8-25, 15-25, 15-3 -- Mallory Frederick recorded four kills and five aces in the Gators' win. Mitzi Arteaga, Stacie Dawson and Hannah Brown each served two aces. Spring Creek improved to 5-8 overall. The Gators entertain Brogden on Monday.

Rosewood volleyball d. Grantham 25-19, 23-25, 25-9, 25-11 -- Rebecca Fail, Jenna Aycock, Heather Silvani, Kristen Lynn, Rachel Kornegay, Kerri Jo Gurley, Kayla Ormond, Summer Jones and Haley Newell paced the Eagles' service attack. Rosewood (10-3) travels to Mount Olive on Monday.

Dillard football d. Greenwood 40-6 -- Deonte Lender scored touchdowns on runs of 30 and 10 yards for the Tigers, who improved to 6-1 overall. Darrius Currie and Freddie Jones each contributed touchdown runs of 30 yards. Michael Sawyer intercepted two Greenwood passes and returned one pick 70 yards for a touchdown. Corteiz Sprangle also picked off a T-Bird pass. Dillard concludes regular-season play next Thursday at Grantham.