North Johnston pounds Union 41-12
August 18th, 2007 Posted in High School Football
By Greg Baker:
On Friday night, the Spartans of Union High School, located just outside of Clinton, played opening season host to the Panthers from North Johnston. The home team appeared to be pumped and ready to play as they took the field with a fireworks display, smoke and cannon fire. However, as far as positive highlights for the home team, there were not many fireworks left. The play of the North Johnston Panthers, combined with the oppressive heat and the unholy stench of surrounding hog houses, made it a really rough opening night for the Spartans and the home crowd.
After receiving the opening kick off and taking possession at their own 26. North Johnston full back Charles Pipkin, took the hand off from QB Cliff Holloman, and proceeded to set the grass on fire with a 74 yard touchdown sprint into the end zone. That was just a sign of things to come. Mid way through the first quarter, while driving down the field, Holloman hit (Pre-Season All State) Pierre Dickerson with a pass in the flat. Dickerson was promptly hit on the 8 yard line where he fumbled the ball only to have it recovered in the end zone by team mate Travis Pope for another touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 14-0, and the fans were sensing that North Johnston steamroller was warming up.
On the first series of the second quarter, Mr. EJ Knight decided it was time to hold his coming out party. Just a sophomore, Knight is playing both sides of the ball at linebacker and running back. To say he was more than effective would be a gross understatement. After a 21-yard pass play from Holloman to tight end Emmuel Lewis, Knight began to pound the pigskin closer and closer, finally scoring the third Johnston TD of the evening on a five-yard push up the middle. The offensive line did an excellent job of opening holes all night. At times, Spencer Hardison and his fellow North Johston Hogs looked like they were directing traffic at an accident scene, and North Johnston went to the locker room with a 20-0 halftime lead.
Receiving the kick off to begin the second half of action, Union showed a flicker of hope. Union returned the ball all the way to the NJ 37, and the visitors side of the field got a little quieter. The Spartans methodically marched their way down the field while eating a ton of time off the clock and scored on a three-yard run to close within two touchdowns.
However, North Johnston was far from done. Did I mention EJ Knight? On the fourth play from scrimmage following the Union score, Knight hit the jets and rushed for a 60-yard TD score. Trust me, he ain’t done yet…Did I also mention that Mr. Knight plays a little defense? Before the evening was over he also returned a fumble for an 18-yard score.
The North Johnston defense played inspired ball all night. Michael Creech, Tyler Hayes and Jocob Price and their partners in crime on the D-line never quit looking for opportunities to swipe a ball out of a runners hand. Midway through the fourth quarter, Creech appeared to simply remove the ball from the possession of the opposing running back, and take it into the end zone for a North Johnston touchdown.
With five minutes and change left in the game, Coach Tom Nelson called off his starters and sent in the warriors in training. Holloman was replaced at QB with Junior Joe Harned and Sophomore Glenwood Watson showed good balance and running strength in several opportunities in the tailback spot.
When all was said and done, it would appear that some of the pre-season hype of high expectations for the Panthers may well be deserved. The defense was stout and handled the run well; the offense showed no ill effects from losing last years starters at QB and RB and may even be better. The final score of the evening was 41-12.
I spoke with Coach Nelson immediately following the game. He said that he was pleased with the overall effort of the team and that it was “ a heck of a lot better start than last year at this time”.
Game photos will be posted to the North Johnston football TeamCard later this weekend:
North Johnston football TeamCard
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