West Columbus running back Travis Leggett (44) tries to break a tackle by Whiteville defensive back David Mosley in Friday’s 43rd football meeting between the two schools at West Columbus. Whiteville D.J. Phillips two-yard fumble return off a muffed Viking attempt for the game’s only TD in taking a 7-0 victory.

Staff photo by Fuller Royal

CERRO GORDO - Whiteville High football coach Mark Little was quick to point out Friday night that his Wolfpack had been outplayed and that it was “very fortunate” to have escaped with a 7-0 victory over 43-year rival West Columbus.

“We got our touchdown on a fluke play right before the half, and we didn’t do much offensively the entire game,” said Little, whose squad played without three-year starting running back Jarrod McKinney.

McKinney severely injured a knee in Wednesday’s practice and could be out for the remainder of the season.

“Without Jarrod, we knew we wouldn’t be as effective, but West Columbus did a good job of shutting us down with their defense.”

The host WCHS squad limited Whiteville to 87 yards of total offense.

Whiteville, which managed to hang on for its fifth straight win over the Vikings, pushed its season record to 3-1 while West Columbus slipped to 0-4

Whiteville got the game’s only points when defensive end D.J. Phillips picked up a muffed WC punt attempt at the Viking two-yard run and ran it in for a touchdown with 12 seconds left in the first half. Zack Stanley’s extra-point kick made the halftime score 7-0.

West Columbus had two big scoring opportunities in the second half when it advanced the ball deep into Wolfpack territory. The first time, the Vikings fumbled the all away. The second time Whiteville halted the Vikings at the three-yard line on a fourth down play with just over a minute remaining when cornerback David Mosley brought down Viking back Sean Brown just short of the first-down marker.

“We had our opportunities, but didn’t take advantage,” said Viking head coach Vernon Brigman. “I was pleased with our team’s effort.

“It was a win we really needed, but we have to put it behind us and move on from here.”

West Columbus back Travis Leggett was the game’s leading rusher with 45 yards on 14 carries. The Vikings finished with 129 yards rushing.

Josh Lennon carried six times for 30 yards for Whiteville.

Both teams were 0-for-2 in passing attempts.

Lennon, Mosley and George Spearman paced the Whiteville defense to its second straight shutout.
Torres Newkirk, Kenyarta Smith and Tyre Lennon led the West Columbus defense.

Whiteville will play host to winless West Brunswick this Friday night while West Columbus will travel to play unbeaten South Columbus.

In Thursday night’s junior varsity game at Whiteville, West Columbus came up with a late interception to preserve and 8-7 victory over the Whiteville JV.

W - D.J. Phillips 2 fumble return (Zack Stanley kick).