Darden, Chargers down North Pitt to remain undefeated

Ayden-Grifton started slow, but took care of business in the end.

The Chargers (4-0) knocked off North Pitt 44-12 on Friday night in Littlefield. Ayden-Grifton head coach Paul Cornwell and his team have started the 2019 season by outscoring their four opponents, 152-32. 

“We struggled early,” he said. “Coach Watford is doing a great job with his team and his kids are buying into what they’re doing. We made some adjustments at halftime, went back to the basics, and we had a lot more confidence in the second half.”

North Pitt (0-4) took an early lead when junior quarterback Alex Espinosa-Johnson found Devon Duncan for a 46-yard touchdown strike to go up 6-0. The Panthers fumbled on their next possession, leading to a 40-yard scoop-and-score from Chargers senior defensive lineman J.C. Darden. Darden also had an interception in the second quarter that set up a 34-yard touchdown pass from Josh Wright to Keshawn Best. 

“I saw an opportunity to get my team some momentum,” Darden said. “The fumble return seemed to get everyone going and my team sharpened up as the game progressed.” 

After taking a 16-6 lead at halftime, the Chargers came out and scored on their opening possession of the third quarter. Senior running back Michael Webb’s 16-yard rushing touchdown made it a three possession lead for Ayden-Grifton.

Espinosa-Johnson scored a 11-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter, only for Webb to run the ensuing kickoff back 81 yards to the house.

In the end, the Chargers athleticism took over as the game went on led by the offensive line that protected well all game long.

“We had to step up our game in the second half,” Chargers junior offensive lineman Vito Boyd said. “I think we were sharp and focused. It was all about going hat on hat and pushing the ball down the field.”

The Chargers would add two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Kevin Boomer scored on a 69-yard scamper and and Rahmik Moore added a 47-yard run of his own. 

Ayden-Grifton is off next week before they open their Eastern Carolina 2A conference schedule by hosting West Craven on October 4th.

Ayden-Grifton 44, North Pitt 12

NP         6           0              6              0 — 12  

AG         7           9              14             14 — 44

First Quarter

NP — Devon Duncan 46 pass from Alex Espinosa-Johnson (Run failed), 8:32

AG — J.C. Darden 40 fumble return (Christian Hernandez kick), 3:04

Second Quarter

AG — Keshawn Best 34 pass from Josh Wright (Hernandez kick), 8:46

AG — Ball snapped over punter for a safety, 5:44

Third Quarter

AG — Michael Webb 16 run (Hernandez kick), 7:47

NP — Espinosa-Johnson 11 run (pass failed), :37

AG — Webb 81 kickoff return (Hernandez kick), :25

Fourth Quarter

AG — Kevin Boomer 69 run (Hernandez kick), 4:52

AG — Rahmik Moore 47 run (Hernandez kick), 1:55

                             NP           AG

First Downs        11              9

Rushes-yards     35-111    22-208

Passing               6-10-2    2-5-1

Passing yards     76           45

Total yards          187         253

Punts-avg.          0-0.0      1-50.0

Penalties             7-60       3-25

Fumbles-lost      3-1          2-1

Individual statistics

RUSHING—North Pitt: Alex Espinosa-Johnson 12-55, Travis Carmon 12-30, Raheem Jones 5-11, Juqual Hyman 3-11, Jakevian Barnes 3-4. Ayden-Grifton: Kevin Boomer 6-82, Michael Webb 9-56, Rahmik Moore 1-47, Josh Wright 4-19, Marlon Cannon 2-4, Keshawn Best 1-1.

PASSING—North Pitt: Espinosa-Johnson 6-10-2, 76. Ayden-Grifton: Wright 2-5-1, 45

RECEIVING—North Pitt: Devon Duncan 1-46, Steven Carroll 1-16, Carmon 2-14, Hyman 1-2. Ayden-Grifton: Best 1-34, Webb 1-11.