East Wake keeps rolling in 60-27 football win over Harnett Central

The East Wake Warriors are hot as they head into the playoffs next week. The Warriors defeated Harnett Central, 60-27, to end their season on a three-game winning streak.

The Warriors (7-4, 5-2 Greater Neuse River 4A) got contributions in all facets of the game, starting with a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown on Harnett Central’s opening possession. Facing a 4th-and-six, quarterback Mia’son Adams was hurried out of the pocket, and trying to avoid the sack, threw it right to Tevin Hedgepeth who ran it in.

“They’re a grinding team. You got to get your guys to play disciplined football to stop a team that’s just going to pound you like that,” said East Wake coach John Poulnott. “Luckily, we had a lot of turnovers and took advantage of those.”

Harnett Central (1-10, 0-6) finished their season with a ninth straight loss. The Trojans relied on running back Zaheed Stubbs, giving him the ball 28 times, which he gained 182 yards, and another 17 on three catches.

East Wake would get another big play, this time from Larry Harrington, who, on his first pass attempt, connected with Deandre Harris for an 85-yard touchdown, giving East Wake an early 14-0 lead.

The Trojans answered right back with a 70-yard score from Adams. But the Warriors scored just 30 seconds later when Harrington hit Chris Ajagbawa for a 59-yard touchdown pass.

“Our running game is always crucial,” said Trojan coach Dave Thomas. “The more time we can take off the clock, the better we are. We kicked ourselves in the mouth right out the gate and it was hard for us to recover.”

Keeping to the script, Harnett Central kept it on the ground in the second quarter. After finding themselves down by 21 points, Stubbs found the end zone for his first of two touchdowns.

But the Warrior defense clamped down, and scored twice to end the first half.

Ajagbawa had a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Jake Ellington had a blocked punt return for another score, giving East Wake a comfortable 48-14 lead at halftime.

They said it

Trojan head coach Dave Thomas: “That’s been our M.O. the whole year. The first two times East Wake got the ball, they scored touchdowns. We’re down right out the gate and it snowballed on us. If we can eliminate the early mistakes, I think we can be a lot more competitive.”

Three who mattered

East Wake defense: The Warrior defense forced three interceptions, two going for touchdowns, and two fumbles.

Larry Harrington, East Wake: Threw for 253 yards and four scores, and ran for another touchdown.

Zaheed Stubbs, Harnett Central: Was the offensive focal point, carrying the ball 23 times in the first half. The Trojans had two other rushers in the first half, carrying the ball a total of six times.

Out of bounds

Harnett Central went for a two point conversion, fumbled on the play and Keveante Crayton scooped it up and ran into the end zone for a successful two points. There was also a blocked punt and three blocked PATs.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 11:51 PM with the headline "East Wake keeps rolling in 60-27 football win over Harnett Central."