By Willie McLawhorn

Sports Writer

GATESVILLE –  The Northampton County-West Hurricanes blew into town and spoiled Homecoming for the Gates County Red Barons Friday night.

In a game that was suspended for one and a half hours due to lightening, the ground game of the Hurricanes was too much for the Red Barons.

Led by the three touchdown, 216-yard rushing performance of Matthew Peebles, NCHS-West pulled out a 20-7 victory.

The first half was a defensive struggle for both teams as each squad mounted drives that were stalled by offensive penalties and turnovers.

However the Red Barons were able to break through and score first on a six-yard scamper by DaShawn Stokley with 4:32 left in the first half.

The Red Barons went into half-time with a 7-0 lead.

Following a three-and-out by Gates to start the second half, NCHS-West moved the ball downfield using 10 plays to score.  Peebles carried the ball over from five yards out.  The two-point conversion failed and the Red Barons held a 7-6 lead.

NCHS-West then mounted a seven-play drive that culminated in another score with 10:53 remaining in the game.  This 70-yard drive was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown run by Peebles.  The two-point conversion was successful and the Hurricanes took a 14-7 lead.

After another three-and-out by Gates, the Hurricanes took over at the Red Baron’s 42-yard line when lightening halted play for an hour and fifteen minutes.

Following a brief warm-up time for both teams play resumed with 8:42 left on the clock. Peebles carried the ball twice gaining four yards, and then breaking off another long touchdown run of 38 yards scoring with 8:01 left on the clock making the final score 20-7.

NCHS gets their second conference win and is now 2-1 in Tar-Roanoke Conference play and 2-4 overall.  Gates falls to 1-2 in the league and 3-4 overall.