JACKSONVILLE – The East Columbus Gators notched 226 rushing yards and registered 14 first downs Friday night but it wasn’t nearly enough as they fell to Eastern N.C. 2A football power Southwest Onslow 38-6 in the 2006 season opener for both squads.
Southwest Onslow, the holder of state 2A championships in 2000, 2003 and 2004, powered its way to a 32-6 halftime lead with its big-play offense.
East Columbus, which lost its 16th straight game dating back to the 2004 season, got its only score of the night on a 20-yard pass interception return by Demetrius McKelvie in the second quarter.
The Gator offense, which got 102 yards on 22 carries by quarterback Alex Williamson, twice lost the ball on turnovers while inside the Stallion 10-yard line. It marked the sixth straight year that the Gators have opened their season with a loss to Coach Phil Padgett’s Southwest Onslow team.
The big sparkplug of the night was Jamal Williams, who ran for 186 yards on only six carries, including first-half touchdown runs of 78 and 64 yards. Justin Williams added first-half TD runs of two and three yards while Ra’Kim Hardison caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Justin Mearkle. Hardison caught three passes for 111 yards.
“Southwest Onslow made four plays in the first half that really made the difference,” said second-year Gator head coach Travis Conner. “They are very talented and a very physically strong team. This is the last time they will be on our schedule as far as I’m concerned.”
The lone score in the second half came on an eight-yard run by the Stallions’ Brian Martin.
The Stallions had a total of 438 yards total offense. They were penalized 10 times for 70 yards.
East Columbus will play host to county rival West Columbus this Friday night at 7:30.
|
EC
|
SWO
|
|
| First downs |
14
|
11
|
| Rushes-yards |
42-226
|
36-300
|
| Yards passing |
15
|
138
|
| Passes |
5-15-0
|
4-6-1
|
| Fumbles-lost |
2-2
|
2-1
|
| Penalties-yards |
4-30
|
12-95
|
| Punts-avg. |
3-28
|
2-37
|
| E. Columbus |
0
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
6
|
| SW Onslow |
13
|
19
|
0
|
6
|
-
|
38
|
SWO – Jamal Williams 78 run (Brian Humphrey kick).
SWO – Justin Williams 2 run (kick failed).
SWO – Ja. Williams 64 run (kick failed).
SWO – Ra’kim Hardison 56 pass from Justin Mearkle (Humphrey kick).
EC – Demetrius McKelvie 20 interception return (kick failed).
SWO – Ju. Williams 3 run (kick failed).
SWO – Brian Martin 8 run (kick failed).