THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160198
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 46 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: HERTFORD LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
The Edenton-Holmes and Perquimans County football game is billed every year as a big rivalry, at least among the fans. The Aces, however, have prevailed time and again over the years. This year was no exception. Edenton, the larger of the two schools, won once more, 13-0.
The rivalry has been downplayed over the years by the players, and in particular Perquimans head coach Harrell Thach, who likens the game to a learning experience for his 1A team.
The Aces gave the Pirates a lesson in defense. The Edenton-Holmes defense held Perquimans County to just 57 yards of offense in the second half and took advantage of Perquimans penalties.
The first half was dominated by defense on both sides of the ball, in particular guard Carlos Jordan of the Aces and defensive back De-Madre Jennings of the Pirates, who were both all over the field.
After a scoreless first half, the Perquimans defense seemed to wither a bit. Edenton took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards in seven plays for its first score. Jamie Jackson, who gained 73 yards on 18 carries, ran five yards for the touchdown at 8:45 of the third quarter. Shaun Williams kicked the extra point for the 7-0 lead. The drive was aided by a Perquimans facemask penalty which moved the ball from the Perquimans 46 to the 31.
After holding the Pirates, the Aces pushed the ball 71 yards on 11 plays for another score. On a third and 5 play from its own 35, Shaun Williams ran around the outside for a 21-yard gain. The Pirates were also called for an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play, bringing the ball down to the Perquimans 20. Jackson gained six yards on a handoff to bring the ball to the Perquimans 14.
Runs by Jackson and Mitchell Stanley failed to gain any ground and the Aces faced a fourth and 5 from the 15. On the first play of the fourth quarter, quarterback Cliff Hudson hit Stanley with a first down pass to the 5, his only completion of the evening.
Another personal foul call on the Pirates put the ball at the three. Jackson then took a handoff from Hudson and scored with 11:03 to play. Williams' extra point kick was blocked and the Aces led 13-0.
Both teams blew chances to score in the first half. The Aces had a 14-yard touchdown run called back on a reverse by Williams on a holding penalty with under six minutes left in the first half.
Late in the first half, starting from their own 1, the Pirates' Tykensten Wood exploded through the middle for a 63-yard run, but was stopped at the Edenton 36 by Williams who caught Wood from behind. The Pirates could not move the ball and with 19 seconds to play in the half, Clint Eley's 54-yard field goal attempt fell short. Eley had made a 50-yard field goal earlier in the season.
Edenton head coach Jay Swicegood was happy with his team's defense, particularly since the Pirates had scored over 100 points in two games.
``To a have a `0' against a team like Perquimans, we did a great job on defense,'' Swicegood said. ``We gave them a little bit and kept them from the big play and that's tough to do against Perquimans.''
Swicegood said he kept his running backs fresh by alternating them. Tony Downing rushed for 89 yards on 15 carries for the Aces.
``Jackson and Downing did a great job,'' Swicegood said. ``Alternating kept them fresh. Our offensive line also took control in the second half.''
Perquimans head coach Harrell Thach played down the loss to the bigger school.
``This game means not a darn thing. I'm not getting caught up in the rivalry. Too much emphasis is placed on this game. It doesn't get you to the playoffs,'' he said.
Thach said he did not run the Pirates' patented no-huddle offense which confused many opponents last season.
``We're going to go back to the no-huddle,'' he said. ``We didn't use it last year until the conference games. Tonight it was important to try different things and just play it as a non-conference game.'' ILLUSTRATION: Close, but not a winner
Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Camden High School running back T.J. Thornton outruns Currituck
High's Larry Hoffman during a Sept. 9 game at Camden. The Knights of
Currituck won, 14-13.
by CNB