CREEKSVILLE – On a brisk, fall night here the Rams of Northampton East came up short in their battle against the Warriors of North Edgecombe by a 44-8 score.

The Warriors got on the scoreboard first with a 60-yard return of an interception by Montrezl Harrell. The try for two extra points failed and the Warriors had a 6-0 lead as the first quarter was winding down.

Neither team was able to move the ball for the rest of the period and for much of the second quarter.

North Edgecombe did get on the board twice more late in the second quarter as Devonte Lloyd scored at the 5:48 mark on a one-yard plunge.  The Warriors covered 70 yards in five plays with the bulk of the yardage coming on a 60 yard run by Johnnte Ward.

The Rams again could find no offense and had to punt.  The kick was blocked by Montrel Edmond of the Warriors and they set up shop at the Rams’ five-yardline. Two plays later, Ward scored from three yards out and the Warriors led 20-0.

This time, the Rams were able to move the ball, but time ran out before they could cross midfield.

The second half began with the Rams’ Brian Lassiter taking the kickoff and returning it 27 yards to the Rams’ 43-yardline. However, offsetting penalties led to a rekick.  This time, the Warriors pulled off a successful onsides kick and, following a 15-yard penalty, set shop at the Rams’ 38-yardline.

A three-yard run by Ward, an incomplete pass, and a 35-yard touchdown scamper by Nathaniel Epps along with a two-point conversion gave the Warriors a 28-0 lead with 10:40 left to play in the third quarter.

Another East punt was followed by a Warrior fumble which was recovered by the Rams’ Tre’von Daye on the East five-yardline.

A 48-yard pass from Warrior quarterback Marquavis Battle to Keltsey Richardson had set the Warriors up at the East five, but the fumble stopped that drive.

After the turnover, East gave the ball right back as Lloyd intercepted a Lashawn Pittman pass and returned it to the 10-yardline.

Morris Armstrong, then powered in from the 10 for the Warrior score.  The two-point conversion was again good and North Edgecombe held a 36-0 lead with 5:34 left in the third quarter.

For the remainder of the period and through most of the fourth quarter, the teams either punted or turned the ball over on downs.

The Warriors final score came as a result of a 53-yard run to paydirt by Mark Moore giving them a 44-0 lead with 3:16 left to play.

The Rams mustered one last drive which ended in a 13-yard touchdown run by Tyrell Powell with 38 seconds left on the clock.  Quarterback Lashawn Pitman had a run of 27 yards on the drive. The two-point conversion was successful and the Warriors ran out the clock.

North Edgecombe ups their record to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Tar-Roanoke Conference play. They travel next week to take on KIPP Pride at Gaston.

For the Rams of Northampton-East, their record falls to 1-7 overall and 1-2 in the Tar-Roanoke Conference.  They are at home next week to face the Weldon Chargers.

(By Willie McLawhorn, Sports Writer)