Ayden-Grifton Chargers jolt North Johnston
November 3rd, 2007 Posted in High School FootballBy Greg Baker:
The story on tonight’s game between North Johnston and Ayden-Grifton is rather short. If there has ever been an instance where a single play set the tone for an evening it happened this night. The Panthers took to the road this week to challenge the Chargers of Ayden-Grifton. Both AG and NJ entered the final game of the regular season with a single conference loss, both to North Duplin, so the match up figured to be entertaining and possibly a bit of a defensive battle. Yet, in the blown call of a single referee the evening turned into a “who ran over me with that truck scenario”. Yes, I know for a fact it was a blown call because it happened right in front of me, and the zebra that called it was 20 yards down field.
Allow me to paint the pivotal picture for ya. It’s midway through the first quarter and neither team has scored yet. AG has the ball on North Johnston’s 42-yard line. The quarterback rolls left out of the pocket and throws a prayer as he is being chased toward the end zone. The throw is a floater, and the NJ defender is in the perfect position to intercept the ball on the 2-yard line. The NJ player, #3 Mario Williams, does in fact intercept the ball. However, the AG receiver has climbed over his back, and reaches for the ball as they both fall to the ground. Williams comes up with the ball cradled in his right arm and the celebration begins. But hold on to your hat folks, the afore mentioned zebra standing twenty some yards down field says that both players had possession of the ball, and that the rule of dual possession applies, thus giving the ball to the offensive player. To say that the NJ fan base, the coaches and one fat reporter who was dead on top of the play were upset would be a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
That single play told the story of the night. NJ never got over it and the Panthers most likely still would have lost the game. Nevertheless, the effect the NJ mindset was very apparent. On the Panthers next possession, #25 EJ knight fumbled the ball on the ten-yard line, and by halftime the score was 21-0.
Knight never did get on much of a streak this night. The wind greatly limited the passing game, and there was no doubt as to who would be toting the pigskin. Knight did burst for ten or fifteen yards here and there, but the defense was ready for that challenge. Late in the third quarter, the Panthers were able to move the ball and Knight rushed in for a two-yard TD to score NJ’s only points of the game. The fourth quarter proved to be less than spectacular as well. After running for his life on several occasions, #14 Cliff Holloman threw an interception that led to another AG touchdown. The game ended with a final score of Ayden-Grifton 28 – North Johnston 7. Both teams will be in the playoffs starting next week with seeding and matchups to be determined this week.
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