Page over HP Central, twice in three weeks

Thick fog blanketed the field at Page’s Marion Kirby Stadium. In a match up were both teams saw each other 2 weeks prior, anything could happen.

Both Page and HP Central started off sluggish in the first quarter. Will Newman did not start because of a sprained bone in his foot that he suffered in the 20-13 win over NW Guilford the week before, but he missed the first 2 offensive series for disciplinary reasons as well. Both teams shared four 3 and outs a piece in there 1st quarter possessions. Central’s QB Drew Adams got knocked out of the game after a clean hit right before the ball left his hand on a pass. Page would end the 3 and out streak and Newman would streak into the end zone on a 32 yard fake hand off keeper up the middle around the left side. 7-0 Page.

Desmeion Kennedy would take over at the QB position for the Bison after the Page drive and score. But he couldn’t get anything going before the half, a 4th and 1 attempt was put to rest by a illegal shift bringing up 4th and 6, and Page stopped the threat just before half.

HP Central would get the ball first at the beginning of the second half, and go 3 and out, and offensive pass interference call brought up 4th and 30.

Page would show how much they wanted to ball and drive down the field. Lenny Gordon with a bruising 15 yard run, and back to back Newman runs, one for 10 and one for 15, would ultimately set up a 38 yard run by Tim Clay around the right side. The PAT would be blocked making it 13-0. HP Central still had hope.

But, hope would be shot down as a Tony Rustin sack would lead to a another 3 and out for the Black Bison.

Page wouldn’t capitalize as they go for it on 4th and 5 on there next possession, a wide open Colin Daly jumped but couldn’t reach a Newman pass that was too high. Turnover on downs.

HP Central would look to score on there next possession. Back to back sacks by Rustin and Joe Dunzo, would bring up another Bison 3 and out.

On the following Page possession. Thuc Phan caught one of the nicest catches of the season. Newman fired a laser toward the sideline in between 2 Central defenders, and Phan turned around just in time to get 2 hands on it and pull it in. Newman would find Brad Workinger on the next play for a 30 yard catch and run. Setting up an Newman touchdown pass to Tim Clay for 17 yards. Lenny Gordon would plunge into the endzone for 2 to make it 21-0.

The Bison would put together a nice drive, four pretty passes by Drew Adams (His first series back in the game after injury) resulted in a 5 yard rushing touchdown by Kennedy. 21-7, and the Bison had life.

The Pirates would try to squash all Bison hope again, as two run plays set up 3rd and 5. Newman found Workinger for a 15 yard pick up, 1st down. But wait, a holding call would back the Pirates up to a 3rd and 10 situation. But, Newman would not be denied as he found Jeremy Collie for a 20 yard pick up, 1st down. On the Pirates next play, Newman found an opening through the fog around the right side for a 37 yard touchdown. 28-7.

Central’s next possession would be ended on a interception by Alonzo Campbell on the first play of the drive.

Page would then go 3 and out, draining time off the clock.

The Bison offense would have the ball for the rest of the game for 6 minutes. 2 pass interference calls would keep the drive alive. On one pass play late in the game, QB Drew Adams was hit very hard and was down for 5 minutes. I hope Drew is okay, he did walk off the field. Central could not find the endzone at the end of the ball game.

High Point Central finish their season at 6-6. Page moves on to the quarter-finals in the 4A West bracket. Page will host Fayetteville Westover.

13 seeded Westover beat 4 seeded Chapel Hill last night 16-13. Chapel Hill was on top for 3 quarters until Westover blocked a punt (or it was shanked) and none of the CHHS players covered it thinking that it went out of bounds. A Westover player picked it up, waited until the CH players thought the play was over and then trucked it down the field for the score. Westover was down 9-13 at the point in the game. At halftime it was 7-2 Chapel Hill. This wasn’t really a upset, Chapel Hill has played a soft schedule this year and Westover played teams like Richmond County, Jack Britt, 71st, Byrd, and other strong teams from the Fayetteville area.

HP CentralPage
First downs810
Rushes-yards30-7431-183
Passing yards12488
Comp-Attempts-Int10-22-15-8-0
Punts-average6-28.85-31.6
Fumbles-lost2-01-1
Penalties-yards9-757-65
High Point Central00077
Page0714728