THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511020212
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
DATELINE: EDENTON LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
WHEN YOUR top two running backs combine for 330 yards in one game, there's no need to pass the ball.
Such was the case for Edenton-Holmes this past week in a shocking 33-8 win over Manteo in Northeastern Conference football action.
Edenton quarterbacks Clifton Hudson and Garfield Gilliam attempted just three passes all night, all unsuccessful. But Mitchell Stanley rushed for 173 yards on 24 carries and Shelton White ran for 157 yards on 20 carries, including three touchdowns, for the Aces.
While the Aces fought to stay alive for a 2A playoff berth, the Edenton offensive line smashed gaping holes in the Manteo defense. Stanley and White were busting runs of seven to 10 yards on a regular basis.
Stanley gave credit to his running partner and the Edenton offensive line for his performance.
``Both backs ran hard and the line did a good job of blocking,'' Stanley said. ``Our line was blowing them off the ball. Shelton did a good job of blocking, too.''
Edenton took command of the game on its opening drive. The Aces rolled 71 yards in seven plays and hit paydirt with 6:14 to play in the first quarter on White's one yard run. The extra point kick by Stephen Mitchener was blocked. The drive was highlighted by a 42-yard scamper up the middle by White.
Manteo quarterback Patrick McNeely was intercepted by Garfield Gilliam to set up Edenton's next score less than three minutes later. Starting at the Manteo 13, White ran four yards for a touchdown to end the two-play drive with 3:45 to play in the first quarter. Quarterback Clifton Hudson ran the two-point conversion to up the Aces' lead to 14-0.
After Manteo went four and out, the Aces made it three-for-three. Edenton drove 64 yards on nine plays. Hudson ran it in from one yard out on a keeper with 10:21 to play in the first half. Mitchener's extra point gave the Aces a 21-0 halftime lead.
Edenton opened the second half by scoring on its first two possessions. Stanley scored on a seven-yard run with 5:11 to play in the third quarter and White burst two yards for his third touchdown with 1:02 left in the third quarter.
Manteo finally got on the board with four seconds to play on an eight-yard run by Jeff Wescott.
The Edenton defense also held its ground. Manteo rushers looked like they were in slow motion as the Aces filled up the holes quickly. Wescott, Manteo's top rusher, was held to just 24 yards and the Manteo offense managed just 48 yards on the ground.
Before last week, Edenton had been struggling after losing four straight games.
``We did a lot tonight that we haven't been doing,'' said Edenton head coach Jay Swicegood. ``We were well prepared for what Manteo wanted to do. We're a better football team than what we've showed people.''
Swicegood said that Edenton is usually more of a finesse team on offense than it showed against Manteo.
Steve Basnight, Manteo head coach, said his team was dominated from start to finish.
``They outplayed us from whistle to whistle,'' he said. ``Our defensive lineman stood up, and we allowed ourselves to get blocked and we didn't tackle well. Maybe it was nerves. We simply didn't play our game.'' by CNB