FOOTBALL: North Duplin keeps conference title hopes alive

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on November 6, 2016 1:45 AM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

CALYPSO -- Do. Your. Job.

North Duplin used the now-popular refrain with calculated efficiency on Friday night, executing cleanly over four quarters to dispatch Carolina 1-A rival Spring Creek, 35-19, at H.E. Grubbs Field.

From the outset, the triumph was an exercise in downhill running.

North Duplin (6-4 overall, 4-1 CC) tipped its hand early, moving Spring Creek at the point of attack on its first drive. The activity created cavernous running lanes for tailback Terrion Addison, who darted and weaved his way for 51 hashmarks and the game's first score.

It was a bit of foreshadowing from a unit that would shine all evening.

"Offensively, we did a lot of good things," said North Duplin head coach Hugh Martin. "(We) executed, took care of the ball... a lot of emotion."

Spring Creek (3-7, 2-3) responded by punctuating an 11-play, 80 yard drive with a two-yard scoring plunge by Collion Kittrell. The Gators saw their extra point attempt blocked, however, and trailed 7-6 after the opening stanza.

The second quarter developed into a wild, catch-me-if-you-can affair that saw both teams angle in the direction of their skill players.

North Duplin's Addison powered his way for scoring bursts of 16 and four yards, respectively. Spring Creek answered with balance, getting a six-yard pylon grab from Jessie Casper and a four-yard touchdown pass from Landon Smothers to senior Najee Young to close the first half.

The Rebels led 21-19.

But any chance of a good old-fashioned, early November nail-biter disappeared with the Rebels' first drive of the third quarter.

Facing third-and-12 from his own 48-yard line, ND quarterback Will Archer sold a fake to fullback Colby Bass and found wideout Luke Britt over the middle -- with nary a soul around him. The 6-foot six junior did the rest, hauling in the luggage and racing untouched to the barn.

The 52-yard strike -- one of two touchdown passes on the night for Archer -- officially let the air out of the Gator's sideline and extended the homecoming crowd's banner night.

"Credit them, their staff," remarked Spring Creek head coach Aaron Sanders. "(They) had a lot of success moving the football... (the) defense made adjustments, took us out of what we wanted to do."

North Duplin's victory parade slowed a bit over the final 12 minutes, as play became chippy and both teams saw their share of handkerchiefs for personal fouls after the whistle. In fact, the only bit of normalcy was provided by Archer, who found senior Colby Craig for a 29-yard touchdown with 9:01 remaining that officially stamped the evening in green-and-gold.

The signal-caller's effort, a masterful mixture of the Rebel playbook, was duly lauded by Martin.

"He keeps growing as an option quarterback," the coach said. "His understanding, making checks... he's a tough runner and his reads keep getting better and better."

ADDISON & CO.

* The senior tailback established the game's tone in the first half, running behind a dutiful offensive line for 83 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. Overall, the group contributed mightily to the Rebel cause, which featured 365 yards of total offense.

FLAGS EVERYWHERE

* First quarter. Second quarter. Third quarter. See where this is going...? In total, Spring Creek and North Duplin were whistled for 20 penalty flags -- including four personal fouls on two plays -- yes, just two plays -- late in the second half.

PICKOFF ARTISTS

* The North Duplin secondary played well in the second stanza, courtesy of Malik Cobb and Arthur Pigford. The duo picked off Spring Creek on consecutive possessions, flipping field position and helping secure a Rebel victory.

WHO'S GOT NEXT

* North Duplin, who will be the guest of Rosewood next Friday, still maintains an outside shot of winning the Carolina 1-A league title. Spring Creek, seeking its third victory in league play, will end its regular season at Princeton.