Two exotic cats braved a Friday night monsoon in Pitt County. The Jaguars from home Farmville Central clawed past the visiting Wilson Prep Tigers, 28-14.

The loss was the first of the season for the Tigers, who should be a factor in the 1A East. With the win, Farmville improved its start to 4-0 overall.

The field was soaked from the start, thanks to earlier rain showers during the day. But new, heavy rain drops began to attack players, fans, and high school football reporters soon after the start of the second half and continued through the rest of regulation.

The wet conditions proved to be a challenge for both teams, but it was the Tigers who were the most affected.

Wilson Prep lost five fumbles on the night, including three in the first half that made it difficult for the Tigers to keep pace early.

There were other mistakes too: when Farmville gave Wilson Prep the ball in plus territory after a wild snap, the Tigers proceeded to turn it off by er on downs on the next series.

When Farmville Central lined up to attempt a punt early in the second quarter, the Tigers were caught off guard by an unbalanced formation and Jaguars punter Connor Kessler was able to complete a first down pass to Cameron Sessoms after a fake. The Jaguars proceeded to score on that drive and made it a 15-point game.

Farmville Central was paced by two rushing touchdowns apiece by a junior quarterback Benjamin Gardner and senior running back Elijah Able.

The star of the game for Farmville was senior safety/linebacker O’maurie Phillips, who made his presence felt to Wilson Prep inside the box on a routine basis. Phillips finds the ball fast and makes ball carriers pay. On a key fourth down play in the second half, Phillips jolted to break up a pass over the middle and get the ball back to Farmville.

The Jaguars’ defense was largely excellent. For the second consecutive week, the unit did not allow a score. Wilson Prep’s touchdowns this evening came on an interception return and a kickoff return.

Farmville Central (4-0 overall, 0-0 Eastern Plains 2A) will face a huge test to open up conference play next week on the road at SouthWest Edgecombe. Wilson Prep (2-1 overall, 1-0 Tar-Roanoke 1A) is set to travel to North Edgecombe for its second conference game on Sept. 20.

Scoring

First Quarter

• 8:54 – Elijah Able 26-yard touchdown run. 2 pt. conversion by Caleb Kelly. Jaguars 8, Tigers 0

Second Quarter

• 11:55 – Benjamin Gardner 2-yard touchdown rush. Jaguars 15, Tigers 0
• 11:40 – Nazir Vines 94-yard kickoff return touchdown. Jaguars 15, Wilson Prep 6
• 7:16 – Benjamin Gardner 2–yard touchdown rush. PAT blocked. Jaguars 21, Tigers 6
• 4:44 – Elijah Able 32-yard touchdown rush. Jaguars 28, Tigers 6

Third Quarter

• 0:41 – Xavier Williams 27-yard interception return for a touchdown. Travon Usher 2 pt. rush. Jaguars 28, Tigers 14

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Source: highschoolot.com