New Hanover Runs All Over Northern Durham In Round One

Things got off to a shaky start for the New Hanover Wildcats Friday night in the opening round of the NCHSAA Football Playoffs.

Northern Durham, the eleventh seed at 5-6, took the opening possession right down the field and punched it in the endzone. After a couple of big pass plays, Jerone Holman’s touchdown run put the Knights up 6-0, just 1:36 after kickoff.

Uh-oh. Looking at the Northern Durham roster is like that of a SEC team. They have seven guys over 300 pounds. I was thinking maybe they were just a good “airport” team, but after that drive, it looked like the Cats were in for a first round exit.

The Wildcats, seeded fifth, bounced right back though, and responded with a drive of their own. After getting deep in Northern Durham territory, the Cats were stuffed when they went for it on fourth and goal.

After the Knights looked unstoppable on offense during their first drive, the Wildcat defense settled in.

After forcing a Northern Durham punt, Jermaine Jones scooped up the kick that had all but rolled dead, and took it all the way to the Knight five yard. Tray Brown then scored on the first play from scrimmage with 1:56 remaining in the first quarter; the point after was blocked, leaving the score tied at 6-6.

Jones set up New Hanover’s second drive with another good punt return on the last play of the first quarter, bringing the ball back to the Knight 45.

After Tray Brown’s big run brought the ball to the Northern 20, NHHS quarterback Jordan Betts hit Jones on a screen pass. Jones skirted the left-sideline, and went the distance to give the Cats a 13-7 lead.

From there on out it was New Hanover’s defense and running game that sealed the deal in a game that was played in a puddle.

With torrential rains spurting every so often, the track wasn’t ideal… unless you are New Hanover Head Coach Kevin Motsinger who called the conditions “perfect.”

With Jia Partee pounding the Northern Durham defenders with his power running game, and Tray Brown finding wholes and running room all night, this game which started… well not so well, was becoming a New Hanover route.

Brown’s second touchdown put New Hanover up 20-6 with 2:38 left in the second quarter. The Cats running attack was dominant as they ran the ball 23 times for 170 yards in the first half. And while they were chugging along on the ground… their defense was making all the big stops, a winning combination in high school playoff football.

A 31 yard field goal by Nick Esquire made the score 23-6 at halftime, and in the third quarter, it was just more of the same. Four minutes into the the second half, Tray Brown all but sealed the deal with a long touchdown run making the score 30-6.

By the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats had rushed for 250 yards and had made a definitive statement. After losing some valuable members of the offensive line from last year, Coach Motsinger sang the praises of his line which may have been vastly undersized against Northern, but the Cats clearly controlled the war in the trenches.

While the Cats ran the ball at will, the New Hanover defense held Northern to just 39 yards on 21 carries. As a result, New Hanover held the ball for over 30 minutes, while Northern’s TOP was just 17:53.

The defense, which played so well was rewarded with a token safety after a Northern Durham snap sailed over the quarterbacks’ head and he kicked it out of the endzone, making the final 32-6.

With Cape Fear’s upset win over Greenville Rose, the Wildcats will get a second round home game next Friday night. With the win, Cape Fear enters the game with a 6-6 record, and while New Hanover lost to Greenville Rose 15-14 earlier in the year, this is a game the Wildcats certainly can win… especially if the running game and defense are clicking again. New Hanover is playing their best football of the season, don’t be surprised if they advance to round three.
Photos: Chris Miranda; for photo inquiries, please visit capefearphotography.net

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT