Elkin defeats North Duplin in 1-A western final

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 3, 2006 2:02 AM

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From staff reports ELKIN -- Defending state champion Elkin forced four turnovers and eased past North Duplin 21-6 in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A (small-school) western regional final Friday evening.

Dustin Miles rushed for a game-high 149 yards and one touchdown for the Buckin' Elks, who earned their fourth western championship in their last five tries. Elkin (12-3) faces eastern champion Manteo for the state title next Saturday at UNC Chapel Hill.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

North Duplin concluded the year 11-3. It was the Rebels' first regional appearance since 2003 and eighth overall since 1972.

Miles paced an Elkin offense that piled up 265 yards -- 208 rushing and 57 passing. North Duplin had held six of its last seven opponents to less than 200 yards of total offense, and had allowed just one touchdown in three postseason games.

Keith Whitman and quarterback Tyler Transou also scored for the Buckin' Elks, who seized their ninth consecutive postseason victory. Transou completed four passes and threw one interception.

North Duplin misfired on three possessions inside Elkin's red zone. The Rebels fumbled twice and turned the ball over on downs inside the 1-yard line late in the opening half.

The Rebels avoided the shutout on Doug Lloyd's 7-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Demetrius Vann. Lloyd finished with 61 yards passing on 7 of 14 attempts.

Michael Schilling paced North Duplin's ground game with 120 yards on 25 attempts.