Warriors capture first postseason victory since 1978

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 16, 2013 11:43 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

It may have taken 35 years, but Eastern Wayne finally has its second playoff win in program history.

Mitch Pike tossed three touchdown passes to Dayshawn Pridgen and the Warriors defeated West Carteret 35-14 in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association class 3-A (small-school) state playoffs Friday evening.

Eastern Wayne (9-3 overall) last won a postseason game in 1978.

"Our kids set their goals on (getting a playoff win)," Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams said. "Now they've got to set their goals on getting another one. They've been trying to set the program to new levels all year and they've got to continue to do that."

The Warriors recovered a Patriots' fumble at the Eastern Wayne 26-yard line late in the first quarter. Pike cashed in the turnover with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Pridgen.

Intent on slowing down West Carteret's run-oriented offense, Eastern Wayne accomplished its goal in the first half. The Patriots managed just 57 yards in the first two quarters and 144 total rushing yards, 70 less than their average during the regular season.

The Warriors' defense also recovered a pair of fumbles.

"They're big and they power you up front, and you've got to put pressure on their offense and make them make big plays to beat you," Williams said. "We got them behind the chains a couple of times defensively and got stops. We tackled well tonight and we did well assignment wise."

Eastern Wayne forced a Patriots punt and pieced together a 7-play scoring drive midway through the second quarter. The possession covered 57 yards and ended on Lavoris Vick's 3-yard touchdown run, which extended the Warriors' lead to 14-0.

Just before halftime, Eastern Wayne took over at the West Carteret 41-yard line and Pike used his feet buy some extra time on a fourth-down play. The junior quarterback patiently waited in the pocket for Pridgen to get behind the defense, and then fired a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Pridgen and Pike connected on an 8-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Pike concluded the night 9 of 14 passing for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Eastern Wayne tallied 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a team. Chris Allen led the ground attack with 69 yards on 12 carries. KK Best provided a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

The Patriots finally got on the scoreboard on Devon Godette's 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. West Carteret quarterback Jake Freeman added a 4-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds.