LAKE WACCAMAW – The Pender Patriots had the advantage in size and strength Friday night as they posted a 20-0 Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference football victory over the host East Columbus Gators.

It was the second straight shutout loss for East Columbus since their impressive 30-14 victory over North Brunswick on Sept. 29.

Pender improved to 6-4 for the season and 3-2 in the conference while clinching the conference’s top state 1A playoff berth. The shutout was the fourth of the season for Coach Tom Eanes’ Patriots, including its third in conference play.

Pender got all the points it needed on a first-half run by standout back James Henry and the score remained the same at halftime.

Henry added a touchdown run in the second half and Pender added another TD on a fumble return by Daniel Hewitt.

Coach Travis Conner’s East Columbus team, now with a 1-3 conference record and 2-7 season mark, will travel to meet South Brunswick this Friday before closing regular-season play with a Nov. 4 home game with Heide Trask.

East Columbus is still looking for its first road victory since the 2003 season.

Pender has an open date Friday before closing regular-season play with a Nov. 3 home game with South Brunswick.