Kinston drops first conference opener since 2012, falls to Washington

Kinston’s Josh Holloway races down the field for a kickoff return touchdown in Friday’s game against Washington. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

The Eastern Carolina Conference is no joke, and Washington didn't come to provide laughs Friday.

The Pam Pack defeated Kinston 27-14 in the EC2A conference opener, picking up their first win over the Vikings (3-3, 0-1) since 2014. Washington head coach Jon Blank said it was a big program win, especially with Washington (4-1, 1-0) being picked to finish fourth in the Neuse News EC2A Coaches Poll and Kinston slated for first.

This was the first time the Vikings dropped their conference opener since a 56-49 contest against SouthWest Edgecombe on Sept. 14, 2012.

“We built this program from the bottom up and a lot of these guys stayed to play JV last year,” Blank said. “We won a conference championship last year in JV and the guys developed a winning mentality. They expect this and they were playing with a chip on their shoulder tonight. We knew what we have here at Washington, and also knew there’s going to be a battle every week in this conference.

“These guys are built for those battles on Friday night.”

Washington outgained Kinston 163-65 in the first half, but couldn’t take advantage of early opportunities. The Pam Pack fumbled away one drive in Kinston territory, allowed a false start penalty halt another and had a 25-yard field goal attempt blocked on a third. On the other side, Kinston lost a fumble inside the Washington 35 and a 50-yard touchdown run form Josh Holloway with 3:37 in the second quarter was called back due to holding to keep the game scoreless on a drive Kinston later punted on.

The Pam Pack responded with a seven-play, 64-yard drive, aided by a 16-yard pass from Antwone Godley to Isaac Roberson-Cooper on a fourth-and-6. Terry Moore finished the drive with a touchdown run, but on the ensuing kickoff, Holloway raced to the end zone for a 75-yard score. The subsequent extra point was missed, allowing Washington to keep a narrow 7-6 advantage.

Washington’s defense forced an interception and a pair of three-and-outs in the third quarter for Kinston. Offensively, Godley found Xzaivious Moore for a 24-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-5 late in the third quarter, then Terry Moore scored from 47 yards out on the third play of the fourth. Washington then recovered an onside kick, but turned the ball over on downs.

Kinston’s Demetri Holmes answered, going 4 of 4 for 68 yards on a quick drive, finishing it off with a touchdown to Caleb Gooding to bring the Vikings within seven after Holloway’s two-point conversion. Washington put the game away on the ensuing drive, going on a 12-play, 75-yard march to chew up 6:24 and end with a 21-yard touchdown from Godley to Juan Rosario.

Kinston coach Ryan Gieselman said the focus is now on South Lenoir Oct. 4 and the team has to be better prepared.

“It starts with our focus all week long,” Gieselman said. “We’ve had so many distractions this week, but it’s got to stop. If we want to be serious about this and pursue a conference championship, we’ve got to get serious Monday through Thursday. Right now, we’re not there and that’s on me.”

WASHINGTON 27, KINSTON 14

W            0              7              7              13 — 27

K             0              6              0              8 — 14 

Second Quarter

W — Terry Moore 5 run (Ridge Zerniak kick), :31

K — Josh Holloway 75 kickoff return (kick failed), :19

Third Quarter

W — Xzaivious Moore 24 pass from Antwone Godley (Zerniak kick), 2:25

Fourth Quarter

W — T. Moore 47 run (Zerniak kick), 11:23

K — Caleb Gooding 6 pass from Demetri Holmes (Holloway run), 7:53

W — Juan Rosario 21 pass from Godley (kick failed), 1:31

W                            K

First Downs                        20                           7

Rushes                                 57-320                   19--8

Passing                                 4-7-0                      9-19-1

Passing Yards                     74                           182

Total Yards                          394                         174

Punts                                    3-29.7                    5-33.2

Fumbles                               2-1                          4-1

Penalties                             7-55                       11-101

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Washington: Terry Moore 31-209, Antwone Godley 9-61, Jaden Hambric 12-36, Kris Hill 4-11, Mykel Warren 1-3. Kinston: Iverson Ward 10-15, Josh Holloway 2-4, Caleb Gooding 1-minus 3, Demetri Holmes 5-minus 10, TEAM 1-minus 14.

PASSING — Washington: Godley 4-7-0, 74. Kinston: Holmes 9-19-1, 182.

RECEIVING — Washington: Xzaivious Moore 1-24, Juan Rosario 1-21, Isaac Roberson-Cooper 1-16, Hayden Anderson 1-13. Kinston: Will London 4-120, Holloway 2-34, Gooding 2-19, Khari Pitts 1-9.