4th Quarter TD lifts North Duplin over Cherokee
By Scott McKie B.P.
One Feather staff
TOO QUICK: Braves RB William Carmichael (#3), scoots past a North Duplin defender during Friday’s game. Carmichael passed for 117 yard and ran for 107 yards on the night, but the Rebels took the game 14-7 ending the Braves season at 6-6.
William Carmichael and Storm Sequoyah combined for more total yards than the entire North Duplin team on Friday night, but the Rebels were able to squeak out a 14-7 win over the Braves on a 4th quarter touchdown in the first round of the 1A State playoffs at home on Friday, Nov. 13.
On the night, Carmichael completed 3 of 8 passes for 117 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and rushed 22 times for 107 while Sequoyah caught 4 passes for 131 yards and 1 TD.
North Duplin got the ball first in this contest starting out in great field position at the Cherokee 46 yard line. Six plays later, they had driven down to the Cherokee 10 yard line, but on first and goal from just inside the 10, the Rebels fumbled the ball which was recovered by an alert Cherokee defenseman Christian Crowe.
Cherokee drove down the field on a 13-play drive, but stalled at the Rebels 36 yard line and turned it over on downs.
North Duplin punted on their next possession, and following a fumble on the punt return, they recovered the ball at the Cherokee 33 yard line. Two plays later and following a five-yard penalty, they were in the end zone as Shayne Deaver caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Alan Schilling. Nicholas Torres added the extra point and the Rebels led 7-0 with 1:24 left in the first quarter.
That was the end of scoring for the first half as neither team was able to get a sustained drive going.
Cherokee got the ball first in the second half. Following a pooch kick, Cherokee set up shop at their own 40 yard line. Five plays later, Cherokee would equalize the game as Carmichael his Sequoyah on a 56-yard touchdown strike. Sequoyah added the extra point and the game was tied at 9:49 in the third quarter.
Following several punts by both teams, the Braves found themselves 1st and 10 from their own 34 yard line as the quarter was winding down. Carmichael took the ball to the 45 yard line on first down, and following an incidental facemask call, Cherokee had a 1st and 5 from midfield. On the next play, Carmichael would seemingly break the game wide open as he jaunted 50 yards for a Braves score. But, it was not to be as a block in the back penalty would bring it all the way back and take the points off the board. Cherokee’s drive stalled and they were forced to punt to start the fourth quarter.
Carmichael was back to punt for the Braves and was knocked down while kicking, injuring his leg. A penalty was not called for roughing the kicker, and the Braves would be without their top offensive producer for most of the final quarter.
The Rebels started at the Cherokee 47 yard line, and on first down, Devin Oliver took the ball to the house on a 47 yard run. But, again, it was not to be as a holding penalty brought that touchdown back. However, five plays later, Oliver did get into the end zone on a 34 yard run with 8:52 left in the game. Torres added the extra point and North Duplin led 14-7.
Cherokee turned the ball over on an interception on their next possession and North Duplin set up shop at the Cherokee 44 yard line. On second down, Oliver ran 34 yards for what would appear to be the clinching touchdown, but another holding penalty brought that one back as well.
Two plays later, the Rebels fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Braves J.T. Wildcatt and Cherokee started from their own 28 yard line. They were unable to move the ball and turned it over on downs and North Duplin ran out the clock from that point.
