Rebels' defense has challenge of containing Gators' Hammonds

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 7, 2013 1:48 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- When North Duplin head coach Hugh Martin looks at Spring Creek on film he doesn't see the same Carolina 1-A Conference rival he's coached against for years.

The Rebels have beaten the Gators in each of the last seven meetings by an average of 31 points. Despite what history suggests, Martin sees a team that has shown marked improvement.

Spring Creek (3-7 overall, 2-3 CC) has won three games this season for the first time since 2005.

"They get off the ball real well and they have more size than they've had in the past," Martin said. "They've thrown the ball successfully and they have a couple of good receivers. Offensively, (Tre) Hammonds has made some good decisions running the option. Defensively, they do a good job of getting to the perimeter."

Hammonds has played a leading role in Spring Creek's success this season. The junior quarterback has rushed for 777 yards and six touchdowns, and thrown for another 488 yards and seven scores.

His ability to ignite a Spring Creek offense that has averaged 30 points in its three wins should prove to be critical on Friday night.

"Every time Tre takes snaps he gets a little better and he continues to make progress," Gators' head coach Aaron Sanders said. "When Tre goes our offense goes, and he's done a good job of taking what the defense gives him and when it's his time to act he's done that. Whenever he needs to distribute the ball somewhere else he's gotten better at it."

North Duplin (3-7, 1-4) snapped a seven-game losing streak last week with a 35-13 win over Hobbton. The Rebels racked up 270 yards of total offense despite losing a fumble and getting flagged for 106 yards in penalties.

Senior running back Daron Goodman is North Duplin's leading rusher with 916 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomore Emiliano Mora, who is closer to 100 percent with an ankle injury, has supplied 515 yards and six scores.

Avoiding long third-down situations, sustaining time consuming drives and finishing possessions with touchdowns are all goals of the Rebels.

"We need to control the ball and do what we do on offense and not turn it over," Martin said. "At times we've moved the ball, but we've had a holding penalty here or there. Limiting the possessions of our opponent is something we work on going into every week."