Upcoming Events
Trojans beat Whiteville on Homecoming Night, improve to 4-0 in the conference
- Feelings remain strong for slain BCC basketball player
- Sheriff's office seeks fugitive
- Sweepstakes company files summons against Calabash, sheriff, DA
- Chili's gives back to BFA June 18
- Sheriff's office to provide no more info on baby death
- Teen rushes to aid of mom with CPR
- Shallotte restaurant and restaurateur make debut in next summer’s film ‘Tammy’
- West Green wins twice against Pender
The West Brunswick High School football team beat Whiteville 28-18 Friday on Homecoming Night and improved to 4-0 in the conference with two games left.
“We had so much riding on this game,” West coach Jimmy Fletcher said.
Running behind an offensive line of senior John Shipman, senior Matt Brayboy, sophomore Josh Dispirito, senior Tanner Sellers and Bobby McRainey, the Trojans used their hurry-up offense to score on drives of 70 yards (in 1 minute, 41 seconds), 80 yards (in 1:17, just before the half), 73 yards (in about 3:00) and 80 yards (in 2:31).
“I think they’re taking pride in it,” Fletcher said. “I think our pace is really, really helping us. We’re (repeating) so many plays in practice, we’re getting better and better. We’re running what we call ‘mash,’ and it is basically just wedge blocking, and Khalil scored from (16) yards.”
Senior tailback Markel Jones gained unofficially 153 yards. Senior fullback Khalil Gause scored two touchdowns and unofficially gained 180 yards.
“It is amazing,” Fletcher said. “That one run Khalil made, and then in the second half, the one that Markel made, I bet he made 11 guys miss. Those two guys are great players. We got a great offensive line, but those guys are doing some great things.”
Senior quarterback Dustin Darguzas scored on runs of 1 yard and 9 yards.
“I thought Dustin played probably his best game tonight, just reading the option, controlling everything,” Fletcher said.
“It was great offensive team win. Coach (Jordan) Lancaster and coach (Chris) Orrock are doing a great job.
“It’s definitely not a secret (we’re going to run). But that’s what I want: be a tough, hard-nosed football team that can run the football, control the ball.”
The Trojans scored twice in the second quarter, the first score on a 1-yard run by Darguzas. In the drive, Gause had a 21-yard run and Jones a 27-yard run. Daniel Locklear’s PAT put the Trojans ahead 7-0 with 7:19 left in the half.
Whiteville scored on its next possession, driving 75 yards and scoring with 1:48 left in the half. The PAT failed because of a low snap.
On its final possession of the half, West began a drive from its 20 with 1:29 left. Runs by Gause and Jones gave the Trojans possession at the Wolfpack 9, and Darguzas scored in the final seconds on a keeper to the left side of the field. Locklear’s PAT gave West a 14-6 lead halftime.
A turning point in the game occurred on the Trojans’ first possession of the second half. On a halfback option near midfield, Jones threw a pass that Whiteville intercepted, but Whiteville was penalized for roughing the passer.
“That was a big play in the ballgame,” Fletcher said. “We worked that play a lot, and he just underthrew it. That kind of turned it a little bit for us.”
West retained possession and Gause later scored from the 3. Locklear’s kick increased the West lead to 21-6 with 8:47 left in the quarter.
Whiteville scored with 10:18 left in the game and cut the lead to 21-12. West stopped the two-point run.
The Trojans scored on their next possession in an 80-yard drive. A key play was 21-yard run by Jones in which he twisted and churned to slip out of tackles and gained yardage to the Wolfpack 38. A 15-yard penalty on Whiteville gave West possession at the 16, and then Gause scored—breaking tackles up the middle and then high-stepping alone into the end zone. Locklear’s PAT gave West a 28-12 lead with 7:48 left and sealed the victory.
Whiteville scored with 4:27 left in the game—a 36-yard pass to an unguarded receiver gave it possession at the West 14—and cut the lead to 28-18. West stopped the two-point run.
“Don’t be satisfied,” Fletcher said he would tell the team in practices. “This team can do great things. We have to continue to tweak some things and keep working. We can be a special team.
“Defensively, we’re still making some strides. We’re not there yet. I thought we did some better things tonight.”
The Trojans, 4-4 overall, do not play this Friday. They play next Friday at winless West Bladen and then finish the conference season with a home game against South Columbus (3-0, 7-1).
“The first thing I told them (after the game),” Fletcher said, “was, ‘Be smart.’ Everybody is going to be telling them how good they are. Be smart about doing everything right over the weekend.”
Then he congratulated them for being the first West team in his 10 years at the school to be 4-0 in the conference.
“I told them I loved them,” said Fletcher, his eyes reddening. “I told them to go to church on Sunday and thank God for the opportunity they have.”
West JV wins
The junior varsity football team defeated Whiteville 28-22 Oct. 4.
“It was a really close game and the guys did an outstanding job playing the entire game,” coach Chris Orrock said. “They came from behind to win last night against a very well coached team.”
Nathan Gilbert recovered a fumble for a touchdown and Timmy King had an interception during the last minute of the game to secure the victory. Tavon Stanley had one touchdown and a two-point conversion. Jiaire Gamble had a touchdown and a two-point conversion and Dylan Howard had a touchdown.
Add new comment
Read and share your thoughts on this story
Ad Gallery
Copyright © 2013
The Brunswick Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Brunswick County, North Carolina and surrounding areas.