CREEKSVILLE – While Hurricane Earl passed off shore and the Outer Banks was fairly unscathed, folks here were not as fortunate.

The Hurricanes from Northampton-West blew into town and battered the Rams of Northampton-East by a score of 41-8 last night (Friday).

Northampton-West amassed 348 yards on the ground and 59 in the air to overwhelm the Rams.

Matthew Peebles seemed to run at will through the Rams’ line, gaining 151 yards in the first half and a total of 245 for the game.

After taking the opening kickoff, the Rams could do little and had to punt.

The first possession for the Hurricanes ended in a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zack Broadnax. It capped a six-play drive covering 51 yards with most of the yardage gained by Peebles.

After a kickoff return of 20 yards by Je’Wuan Boone, East then seemed to go backwards and they were forced to punt.

Following a West fumble, East took possession at their own 37-yardline and moved the ball to the Hurricanes’ 18 where a penalty and sack backed the Rams up and West took over on downs.

As the second quarter began, West ran off a drive of 11 plays before an interception by De’Quan Boone gave East the ball back.

Again East was forced to punt and West took over at their own 23-yardline.  The Hurricanes then drove 77 yards on 10 running plays as Peebles scored from one yard out.

East again was four-and-out and West took over on downs with 1:46 to go in the first half.

A four-play drive culminated in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Zack Broadnax to Jamaris Rooks.  Following a missed extra point, the Hurricanes had a 20-0 lead with 1:18 left in the half, but they weren’t through.

Following an interception, the Hurricanes scored again as the Broadnax to Rooks play worked again for 20 yards, and Peebles ran twice for the final 13 yards leaving the score 28-0 after the two- point conversion.

The second half started a bit better for the Rams.

Shawn Pugh recovered a Hurricanes’ fumble on the Rams 31- yardline. The Rams then moved 69 yards to score on a one-yard touchdown run by Je’Wuan Boone.

Following a 23 yard kickoff return by Peebles, the Hurricanes then scored on a 58 yard drive with the last 49 yards coming courtesy of Peebles’ scamper.

East again turned the ball over on downs and West took control of the ball just prior to the fourth quarter. West then began to eat the clock as they drove the ball 87 yards eating over six minutes off the clock.  West used five different runners on the drive with Broadnax carrying the final yard for the score.

East had two more opportunities to get a score, but couldn’t move the ball.

The Hurricanes picked up their first win of the season, while their rival from across the county is still in search of that first victory.

Next week, Northampton-East will travel to Windsor where they will square off with their former coach Greg Watford, who now leads the gridiron fortunes of Bertie High School. Both teams will be looking for win number one.

(By Willie McLawhorn, Sports Writer)