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Greyhounds rally, then shut down Raiders at goal line
Regan Hill
Statesville’s Stephon Willis (23) looks for running room with North Iredell lineman Nick Ottone in pursuit.
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Published: October 24, 2009
Statesville used a last-second goal-line stand to hold off North Iredell 14-12, capturing its first North Piedmont Conference victory.
The Greyhounds, down 10-0 entering the fourth quarter, took their first lead when freshman quarterback Carlis Parker scored on a seven-yard keeper with only three minutes left to play.
The Raiders, aided by a personal foul, began their last drive from midfield.
The Raiders methodically drove down the field then called time out with a third and goal at the 1-yard line with only 31 seconds remaining.
North inserted starting linebacker Ben Haynes into the fullback position, hoping he could use his size to bull his way into the end zone.
An inspired Greyhound defense stuffed Haynes on third down, sending North scrambling to line up for one last play as the clock ticked down.
Haynes got the carry again on fourth down and was stopped just shy of the goal line, setting off a wild celebration on the Statesville sideline.
"Ben's a bigger, heavier body and we were just trying to get some weight in there to push the line," said Raiders coach Shannon Ashley.
"I never would have thought that they could stop us two plays from the one-yard line with him in there," Ashley said. "They did and my hats off to them."
The Raiders completely dominated the first half, outgaining the Greyhounds 118 yards to 63 and controlling time of possession, scoring on a Bradley Moore field goal and Matt Ramseur five-yard touchdown scamper to send the Raiders into the break with a 10-0 cushion.
The third quarter was dominated by the defenses, setting the stage for a wild fourth quarter.
Parker sparked the Hounds to their first score, scrambling for 34 yards to the Raider 12. Two plays later Keyon Harris bulled in from three yards out to cut the lead to 10-6.
"It was Senior Night," Greyhounds coach Randall Gusler. "Our kids were playing off emotion. They wanted those seniors to go off this field with a win."
Next week North Iredell 1-8 (0-4 NPC) hosts East Rowan while Statesville 3-6 (1-3 NPC) travels to South Rowan.
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