KNIGHTDALE -- Wakefield protected the ball, threw the ball well and worked the clock when needed to win Friday's game at Knightdale 30-0 and give the home team its second straight shutout loss.
On the other end of the ball, the Knights (0-3) suffered the effects of eight first-quarter penalties and ended the game with 2 yards passing to Wakefield's 258.
Wakefield head coach J.D. Dinwiddie said he didn't know the game would turn out the way it did because the Wolverines (3-0) didn't have a great week of practice.
"I expected us to struggle a little bit more than we did tonight early on, but the kids surprised me offensively in the first half," Dinwiddie said. "I thought we were pretty disciplined. We took care of business when we were supposed to in the first half. I think we just got a little complacent, and the kind of week of practice we had showed in the second half."
The Wolverines' offense failed to produce in the second half, but the defense stepped up and left Dinwiddie happy with the outcome.
Wakefield's scoring began with a 12-yard pass from Connor Mitch to Daniel White just over three minutes into the game. The team's second score came after a lengthy streak of Knightdale penalties when Courtney Crews bowled through the Knights' line for a 1-yard touchdown.
About halfway through the second quarter Mitch struck again, hitting Alex Gasper in stride for a 31-yard reception, and then again with 49 second left in the half on a 19-yard pass to White in the left corner of the end zone.
Mitch finished the game 23-for-36 passing for 258 yards and the three touchdowns.
The only other score of the game came at the end of the third quarter. A punt blocked by the Wolverines flew out the back of the end zone, giving the visitors their final two points of the game and the ball.
Despite the shutout, Dinwiddie rated his team at seven out of 10 in the first half, and only four out of 10 in the second half.
"That first half was a very good first half," Dinwiddie said he told his team after the game. "The offense fell asleep in the second half, and it's a good thing the defense was there to cover."
The Wakefield coach said he would address the offensive inconsistency as the Wolverines prepare to host Greensboro Dudley next Friday.
