Shown here in a recent game, North Duplin running back Carrel Phillips tallied 111 yards and two touchdowns in a non-conference victory Friday against Dixon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — How would they respond?
North Duplin head football coach Hugh Martin thought that to himself after an offside penalty allowed Holly Ridge Dixon punch in a two-point conversion.
His Rebels trailed 8-7.
“We didn’t come off the field dejected, no fussing, no finger pointing,” Martin said. “I knew everything was okay because we have a fairly-experienced group and they did what I wanted to see us do.”
Poised and calm under center, quarterback Luke Kelly orchestrated a time-consuming possession that moved the sticks. The drive ended with Carrel Phillips’ 1-yard dive.
Jose Juarez provided the PAT and the Rebels hung on for a pivotal, 14-8 victory at H.E. Grubbs Field.
“They’re like us, run heavy out of the single wing,” Martin said. “[With the] physicality of it going in, you’re not sure how you’re going to hold up and I thought we did real well. It gave us an idea in terms of how we can respond and play against a physical team.
“[Their defense] exposed a few things we need to work on offensively, have to get fixed this week [and] make sure we execute as well as possible.”
Dixon recovered three fumbles.
Engaged in a scoreless battle for nearly 18 minutes, North Duplin found the end zone. Phillips plunged over from the 3-yard line with 7:07 left before halftime.
Dixon answered with Nick Olson’s 12-yard run. The Rebels jumped offside on the PAT, which set up JJ Gulat’s two-point conversion run with 9:26 left in the third.
“We responded well with a long, sustained drive that we needed,” Martin said. “We put the mistake behind us, which is something we communicate to them frequently … focus on what happens next and not dwell on it.”
Phillips ended the night with 111 yards on 18 carries. Kelly and Bryan Zambrano provided 31 yards apiece. Vance Carter had 10 carries for 21 yards, while Garris Warren picked up one yard.
North Duplin’s defense coaxed Dixon into two turnovers — a fumble recovery by Donovan Armwood and an interception by Warren. The Bulldogs amassed just 129 yards of total offense.
The Rebels (4-0 overall) continue a stretch of four consecutive home games Friday against Northwest 1A Conference member Alleghany. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
ND — Phillips 3 run (Juarez kick), 7:07
Third Quarter
D — Olson 12 run (Gulat run), 9:26
ND — Phillips 1 run (Juarez kick), 3:11
