Greene Central wins defensive battle

BETHEL — An unexpected defensive battle broke out in Bethel as the Greene Central varsity football team took home a 14-6 win on Wednesday night against North Pitt. 

The touchdown to seal the game for the Rams (3-3) came from Zakvil Smith’s 7-yard fumble return after Michael Johnson foxes the Panthers quarterback to fumble. The Panthers (1-5) lone touchdown came from a 66-yard kickoff return from On’Teds Harris on the ensuing kickoff. Greene Central’s defense has held opponents to eight points or less in three of the last four games.

“We’ve found a good combination of guys up front,” Greene Central head coach Jay Wilson said. “Defense really stepped up tonight.”

Wilson said his offense was able to do some things against the Panthers that they didn’t do against North Lenoir last week in their 22-8 loss like getting conversions on third and fourth down and finishing drives. Wilson was also happy with the contributions from Debo Pigford and Jaden Tyson who combined for 23 carries and 180 yards. For Tyson it was his first game on varsity and he scored the first touchdown from three yards out. For Pigford, it was the first time he was asked to play running back for the Rams. Perry Tingen was also big for the Rams in critical situations as he piled up six catches for 41 yards and showed to be a safety net for quarterback Cole Dawson; it was the first game Tingen got a chance to play offense this season. 

The Rams will now get eight days of rest before they play 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference foe South Lenoir on the 11th.

Greene Central 14, North Pitt 6

GC​0​6​8​0 — 14​

NP​0​0​6​0 — 6

Second Quarter

GC — Jaden Tyson 3 run (run failed), :58

Third Quarter

GC — Zakvil Smith 7 fumble return (Debo Pigford run), :10

NP — On’teds Harris 66 kickoff return (pass failed), :00

Individual statistics

RUSHING—Greene Central: Jaden Tyson 18-72, Debo Pigford 5-48, Hezekiah Pagan 6-29, Cole Dawson 5-6, TEAM 1-minus 5. North Pitt: Raheem Jones 12-29, Alex Espinosa-Johnson 5-14, Juqual Hyman 3-13, Travis Carmon 6-3, On’teds Harris 1-2.

PASSING—Greene Central: Dawson 11-18-0, 71. North Pitt: Alex Espinosa-Johnson 0-6-0, 0

RECEIVING—Greene Central: Perry Tingen 6-41, Pagan 1-20, Pigford 3-16, Tyson 1-minus 6.

Kai Jones

I grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, graduated from Wayne Country Day School and I love my hometown. I also love sports, and have turned that passion into a career. Through my time at the Kinston Free Press and Johnstonian News I got to cover Johnston and Greene Counties, and fell in love with both communities. I love the area I cover, and I hope I do the communities proud with this website.

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