Trojans pass Saints

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 24, 2010 1:51 AM

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DUDLEY -- A lethal passing combination and a solid complimentary ground game proved too much for Southern Wayne to handle in a 52-21 loss at the hands of Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference rival South Johnston on Friday night.

Trojan quarterback Michael Booker completed 17 of 21 attempts, including his final 14 passes, for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those scores went to wide receiver Chris Crumity, who finished with 186 yards receiving.

"We have played some pretty good games this season, but tonight was not one of them," said Southern Wayne head coach Bob Warren. "I think we got down a little bit when a couple plays didn't go our way and that is something that you can't have happen."

Early in the game it appeared the teams were headed for a shootout as both offenses moved the ball with relative ease. Southern Wayne got on the board first when Jesus Rodriquez booted a 23-yard field goal.

South Johnston immediately answered with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Booker to Crumity. A second field goal from Rodriquez, a 33-yard attempt, cut the deficit to one point, but the momentum was short-lived.

The Trojans' Quentin Williams returned the ensuing kick 94 yards for a touchdown.

Booker's second strike to Crumity extended the Trojans' lead to 21-6, and Aaron Hall added three more points on a field goal in the final seconds before the half. With just two ticks remaining, Saints running back Andrew Matthews returned a kickoff 65 yards for a Saints touchdown.

"I thought we did some good things in the first half," said Warren. "We ended the half on a high note, but we just couldn't get anything going in the second half."

The Trojans dominated the third quarter as Booker recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns and South Johnston put the game out of reach. Two additional second half scores by tailback Uneck Ford capped the visitors' scoring.

Tyshawn Vann added a late touchdown for the Saints.

Kenyon Nembhard led the Saints with 70 yards rushing on the night. Quintae Bradshaw added 55 yards and Quintin Smith finished with 50 yards on seven totes. Sam Ferrell completed one pass for four yards. The Saints turned the ball over four times in the game.

"With our offense, we cannot have penalties and turnovers and tonight we had both," said Warren. "We have a good group of guys that want to win, but tonight our focus just wasn't there."

Southern Wayne (2-7 overall, 1-2 ECC) entertains Eastern Wayne on Friday.