North Duplin quarterback Luke Kelly (9) flips the ball to running back Vance Carter (7) during a game earlier this season. Carter scored a touchdown during the Rebels’ road conquest of Lejeune. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CAMP LEJEUNE — A long pass play caught North Duplin’s defense off guard early.
Once the Rebels made the adjustments and executed their normal offensive rhythm, they cruised past Lejeune, 62-14, in non-conference action Thursday evening.
Devilpups quarterback Connor Shea connected on an 11-yard scoring strike to Andrew Finnerty less than two minutes after kickoff. Later in the game, the duo hooked up again on a meaningless 55-yard TD play with the outcome already decided.
“They throw the ball so quick, so it’s hard to get a sack, but we were able to get some hurries,” North Duplin head coach Hugh Martin said. “He’s not sitting back there with a five-step drop. It’s hard to work on timing the routes.
“He puts it in the spot whether either his receiver is going to catch it or it’s not going to be caught.”
Shea never got into synch.
The staunch Rebels’ defense pinned its ears back.
Garris Warren recovered two fumbles and Rahmear Gates picked off a pass. The miscues led to 21 points.
Martin watched his team force three turnovers on downs and one punt.
“I thought we did some really good things defensively,” Martin said. “I thought our defensive line was really good … not necessarily getting sacks, but getting hurries and pressures on the quarterback. That opened our defense up to make some plays.”
North Duplin’s offense clicked with precision.
Carrel Phillips rambled for 162 yards and two touchdowns on runs 53 and 6 yards. Bryan Zambrano cranked out 76 yards and a second-quarter TD on 10 totes. Noa Quintanilla churned out 69 yards and a third-quarter TD, while Vance Carter scored once during his 47-yard performance.
Quan Stevens tallied North Duplin’s final touchdown.
In all, 11 backs toted the rock. The Rebels racked up season highs in rushing (459 yards) and total offense (476).
“Our fullbacks had some good runs, was good to see both Bryan and Noah have good nights,” Martin said. “Carrel has done what he’s done the first two games. Once he gets through the initial wave of blockers, he makes some happen and uses his speed to get up field. That’s a credit to our linemen up front, creating those lanes and opportunities for him.”
The Rebels claimed their 10th consecutive victory over the Devilpups and 12th overall in their last 20 meetings.
North Duplin (3-0 overall) begins a stretch of four consecutive home games next week against Holly Ridge Dixon. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at H.E. Grubbs Field.
“We’ve had a couple of long road trips and an open week, so it’s going to be nice to be home for a few weeks,” Martin said.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
L — Finnerty 11 pass from Shea (Finnerty kick), 10:28
ND — Phillips 53 run (Villalon kick), 9:10
ND — Phillips 6 run (Villalon kick), 8:04
ND — Carter 3 run (Villalon kick), 4:07
ND — Kelly 24 run (kick blocked), 0:06.7
Second Quarter
L — Finnerty 55 pass from Shea (Finnerty kick), 8:50
ND — Phillips 85 kickoff return (Phillips run), 8:37
ND — Zambrano 2 run (Villalon kick), 1:14
ND — Carter 1 run (Villalon kick), 0:27
Third Quarter
ND — Quintanilla 16 run (Villalon kick), 8:26
Fourth Quarter
ND — Stevens 10 run (kick failed), 3:56
