By Junious Smith III

LA GRANGE — North Lenoir’s strong second half was too much for South Lenoir to handle in the teams’ initial meeting Monday.

The Hawks defeated the Blue Devils 7-0, with North Lenoir continuing its torrid pace offensively. The Hawks (8-4-1, 5-1 Eastern Carolina 2A Conference) have scored seven or more goals five times this season, including three of their last four contests, and turned it on after being up 2-0 at halftime.

“We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing, getting all the goals,” Taiwan Hines said. “We’re trying to win conference, and that’s all we’re worried about now.”

Hines certainly aided the cause with a hat trick, including goals in the 4th and 21st minutes to provide the halftime margin. Overall, North Lenoir outshot South Lenoir (5-7, 2-4) 28-12 and started to break through when Jerrin Howell scored in the 50th minute. The Hawks would add four more goals in the final 15 minutes, including Hines completing the hat trick.

Howell said the focus is now on a trip to Snow Hill as the team faces Greene Central. North Lenoir won the first matchup in penalty kicks and the winner of this game will move to first place in the conference after the Rams upended Washington 5-3 Monday.

“Mainly, (we have to) keep pushing and keep up in conference — we’ve got a big game Wednesday,” Howell said. “Hopefully it’s not PK’s again (because) that was too much last time.”

South Lenoir coach David Whaley said this loss is squarely on him.

“We’ve got to play harder, work harder and play smarter,” Whaley said. “I’ve got to do a better job as a coach getting the team ready.”

South Lenoir hosts West Craven Thursday.