Rebels dominate possession time

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 21, 2007 2:03 AM

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By BRYAN C. HANKS

Kinston Free Press Sports Editor

AYDEN -- North Duplin didn't burst into Ayden-Grifton on Friday evening and dazzle the Chargers with spectacular plays and a flashy offense.

The Rebels played fundamental football which translated into a 21-8 victory. Ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press Class 1-A prep poll, North Duplin exited 9-0 overall and seized sole possession of first place in the Carolina Conference at 3-0.

The No. 6-ranked Chargers (7-2) fell to 2-1 and had their seven-game home win streak snapped. They amassed just 200 yards of total offense compared to 300 for the Rebels.

"We just tried to be fundamentally sound and tried to take the shot when we needed to," said second-year North Duplin coach Hugh Martin.

The teams only had seven possessions each in the game as North Duplin dominated the time of possession battle. The Rebels controlled the ballfor 31:19 of the game, compared to only 16:41 for Ayden-Grifton.

"Their defense is good, but their offense is awesome because they justcontrol the ball," said Ayden-Grifton coach Paul Cornwell.

Following a scoreless first quarter, North Duplin struck first with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Doug Lloyd to Ryan Killette at the 9:26 mark of the second quarter.

After forcing an Ayden-Grifton three-and-out, North Duplin ate up 6:10 of the clock on a 11-play, 54-yard drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Lloyd. The senior's score gave North Duplin a 14-0 lead at halftime.

"When you can get some momentum like that early lead and then hold onto it, it affects everything you do," Martin said.

The Rebels extended their cushion to 21-0 on another long, time-consuming drive after Ayden-Grifton's Jeremy Hardy fumbled the ball away on his team's fourth play in the second half. Junior Akeem Cox ended a 13-play, 57-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run with 2:44 left in the third quarter. That drive ate 7 minutes and 45 seconds off the clock.

The Chargers finally scored on their final possession of the game when senior quarterback Matt Dougherty hit Perseus Williams on a 1-yard pass. Dougherty connected with Zack Pipkin for the two-point conversion with 6:23 remaining in regulation.

Ayden-Grifton didn't touch the ball again as North Duplin ran the ball 12 straight times to run the clock out.

"It's frustrating but that's North Duplin's style of play," Cornwell said. "They dictated the game tonight and did exactly what they wanted to do and you have to give them credit for that."

Cox was the workhorse for the North Duplin offense, carrying the football 32 times for 161 yards and his one touchdown. Lloyd completed six of seven passes for 92 yards, while Killette led all receivers with 51 yards on two catches.

Williams was Ayden-Grifton's lone star on offense, as he finished with nine carries for 62 yards and three catches for 29 yards. Dougherty only completed six of 15 passes for 65 yards as the Chargers lost to North Duplin for the second consecutive year.

"We played real hard tonight and I'm just pleased," Martin said.

North Duplin 0 14 7 0 -- 21

Ayden-Grifton 0 0 0 8 -- 8

Second quarter

ND -- Killette 44 pass from Lloyd (Guzman kick), 9:26

ND -- Lloyd 3 run (Guzman kick), 1:11

Third quarter

ND -- Cox 7 run (Guzman kick), 2:44

Fourth quarter

AG -- Williams 1 pass from Dougherty (Pipkin pass from Dougherty), 6:23

N. Duplin A-G

First downs 16 14

Rushes-yds 47-206 33-134

Passing yds 94 66

Total yards 300 200

C-A-I 6-7-0 6-15-1

Fumbles-lost 3-1 2-2

Penalties-yds 12-105 6-50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- North Dupln -- Akeem Cox 32-161, TD; Doug Lloyd 11-38, TD; Billy Mello 4-7.

PASSING -- North Duplin -- Doug Lloyd 6-7-0 94, TD.

RECEIVING -- North Duplin -- Quentin Graham 1-6; Robert McCullen 1-16; Ryan Killette 2-52, TD; Chris Graham 2-20.