Rebels scalp Cherokee

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on November 14, 2009 11:05 PM

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CHEROKEE -- The 300-plus mile, one-way trip didn't bother North Duplin.

The 10th-seeded Rebels kept their mistakes to a minimum and upended seventh-seeded Cherokee 14-7 in their opening-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A western football playoff game Friday evening.

North Duplin forced four turnovers and committed just miscue.

Devin Oliver rushed for 141 yards on 23 carries and tallied the game-winning touchdown, a 34-yard romp, that broke a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter.

Senior quarterback Alan Schilling added 46 rushing yards and completed three passes for another 48 yards. Schilling hooked up with Shayne Deaver for a 38-yard, first-quarter scoring strike.

"We started off real good and we moved the ball real well," said Rebels head coach Hugh Martin. "We had a turnover as we were about to score. We did well defensively and got the ball back. Alan hit Shayne on a nice pass for a score. It was just a great night being able to control the ball a little bit."

Cherokee tied the game in the second quarter.

North Duplin (5-7 overall) travels to second-seeded Elkin in a rematch of the 2006 western regional championship game.

"We're going to prepare like we usually do," said Martin. "We're going to break everything down this weekend and put together what we want to do. There's no magic or secret to it. We're going to do the same thing we do week in and week out."