Prep notebook: Gators' offense takes what Devilpups' defense gives

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on September 1, 2014 1:48 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- While Spring Creek's offense didn't have any flashy plays, it definitely took what the Lejeune defense offered Friday evening.

The Gators amassed 164 yards of total offense.

Senior fullback Gary Williams and senior quarterback Logan Miller each rushed for 38 yards on a combined 33 offensive plays. SC ran 44 total plays for the game.

"We ran the ball up the middle all the time," Miller said. "Gary is a great fullback. If the line blocks good and I read it right, we can get yards up the middle all day."

Spring Creek converted 4 of 12 third-down plays including a 74-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Nick Strickland just 12 seconds into the second period.

Good 'D'

Eastern Wayne defensive end Romello Hamilton had his way against Goldsboro's offensive line Friday evening. The 6-foot-1 senior registered three quarterback hits and disrupted the Cougars' backfield all night.

"He's been somebody big for us all year," Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams said. "He's been a leader for us on that line and he did some great things for us today."

Talk about good defense.

Goldsboro quarterback Nashir Bowden couldn't find the connection he had with Joe Baker against Franklinton. Baker, a senior wide receiver, caught just two passes for 15 yards.

Time to bounce back

Five reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association state champions endured losses on Friday evening.

Havelock, the three-time 3-A state title-holder, endured a 25-21 loss to New Bern. James Kenan, the 1-AA champ, dropped a 45-33 decision against county archrival Wallace-Rose Hill.

Murphy, which won the 1-A crown, fell 28-24 to Franklin.

Butler upended defending 4-AA champ Mallard Creek, 28-27. High Point Andrews (2-AA) stumbled 19-18 in overtime against Southwest Guilford.

Good start

SPIVEY'S CORNER -- A rare victory over Midway led to another first in Derrick Minor's three-year career as head varsity football coach at Princeton.

The Bulldogs are 2-0 for the first time since 2009 when Princeton, led by then-quarterback David Gurganus, reeled off four consecutive wins to start the season. Gurganus set numerous passing records during the 10-win campaign that included a semifinal-round appearance in the 1-A (small-school) western playoffs.

Ironically, that team had its four-game streak snapped by Midway.