Coming off a 61-6 loss vs Farmville Central, the Pamlico Hurricanes looked to bounce back, and get their first win of the season. However, Ayden-Grifton, led by legendary head coach Paul Cornwell, was looking for a bounce back of their own.
The Chargers (3-1) defeated the Hurricanes (0-4) 21-12.
It was a slow start by both teams as Ayden-Grifton started with a three-and-out, with the Hurricanes taking over at their own 49-yard line. However a few plays later on a 4th-and-14, a pass attempt by quarterback Jayden Williams was intercepted by Chargers' Jack Ewell, who returned it to the Pamlico 37-yard line.
On the ensuing drive following the interception Chargers' Zimere Nelson picked up a first down on a 10-yard carry giving the Chargers the ball on Pamlico’s 32 yard line. A few plays later, Ayden-Grifton attempted a backwards pass resulting in a fumble recovered by Pamlico's Tariq Barber.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Hurricanes kicked things off with an 18-yard run by Jayden Williams, followed up by a 22-yard run by running back Jaquan Johnson putting the Hurricanes in the red zone searching for the night's first points.
After a few unsuccessful tries, the Hurricanes were presented with a 4th-and-goal opportunity, eventually punching it in when Williams found the end zone on a one-yard QB keeper. Pamlico went for two and was denied but held a 6-0 lead with 8 minutes left in the second quarter.
The Charges would answer immediately on their next drive, kicking the drive off a 22-yard pass completed by quarterback Ashton Watkins to wide receiver Zimere Nelson. The Chargers then answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass, taking the lead after the extra point.
Pamlico would give the ball right back to Ayden-Grifton after a bad snap and the Chargers recovering the fumble. Ayden-Grifton made Pamlico pay when Watkins hit Ewell for a 17-yard touchdown, expanding the Chargers lead to 14-6 going into halftime.
The Hurricanes received the ball to start the second half, but would go three-and-out Pamlico would get the ball back after a Braylen Ollison interception but were forced to punt again. The Chargers drove down the field and looked primed to score again before linebacker Tyler Stevens forced and recovered a fumble at the Pamlico 11-yard line.
Unfortunately, the Charger's Niquel Morgan intercepted a Pamlico pass to close out the third quarter
The Chargers started off with the ball in the fourth quarter at Pamlico’s 13-yard line, and marched their way down to Pamlico’s 1-yard line setting up a 1 yard QB keeper touchdown by Watkins to extend the lead to 21-6.
The Hurricanes looked for some way to get back onto the scoreboard went to Koby Lane’s direction as he made a 32-yard catch and run play bringing Pamlico to Ayden-Grifton’s 30-yard line. After carries from Williams and running back Johnson, Pamlico found themselves at the Chargers 1-yard line. Williams would take it into the end zone himself making it 21-12 with 6 minutes left in the game.
Ayden-Grifton then proceeded to run the clock out leaving Pamlico no time for a comeback.
The Hurricanes will travel to face off against the Washington Pam Pack next week. The Chargers will open conference play against West Craven on Friday.
