LUMBERTON — There were so many emotions at many different levels on Friday night in the Southeastern Conference football and Robeson County battle between Lumberton and Purnell Swett.
Both teams were in search of their first conference win of the season, it was a rivalry game and for home-standing Lumberton it was a return home after Hurricane Matthew left its lasting effects on the town. Through it all, the Pirates grabbed their first conference win of the year with a 48-19 over their cross-county rivals.
“This game is bigger than the SEC win,” Lumberton coach Mike Setzer said. “We lost some opportunities to play at home because of the storm; we’ve lost kids; we’ve lost homes and at times we’ve lost the excitement. Our community needed it and our kids and the community have rallied around us.”
Lumberton (3-7, 1-3 SEC) trailed for only 15 seconds early in the contest before all three phases for the Pirates took over. After a Purnell Swett (3-7, 0-4 SEC) touchdown on the opening drive, Tyreik McCallum returned the following kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-all, and then the Pirate defense went out and kept the Rams out of the endzone for the rest of the half.
While the defense held Purnell Swett to six plays on offense in Pirate territory, the Lumberton running attack was in full effect. Montrez Howell scored his two touchdowns on the night in the first half and Taevion Stephenson added another as the Pirates racked up a 28-7 lead late in the second quarter.
“I like the way they came out and executed,” Setzer said. “It’s been one of our better games as far as executing and staying with the plan. … I was really proud how they made a big play on us and we buckled down and adjusted.”
Senior Brandon Norris capped off a well-executed first half for Lumberton late in the first half with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Pirates a 36-7 halftime lead.
“I helped my teammates here on senior night, enjoyed the game and helped get the win,” Norris said. “It feels great to win after we’ve had a little bit of a losing streak and a little drought.”
“With him making plays like that, it’s just icing on the cake,” Setzer said of Norris’ performance on senior night. “It’s just a great way to go out as a senior.”
Purnell Swett junior running back Al’Drique Thompson was the lone bright spot for the offense on the night that amassed around 350 yards in total. Thompson scored each of the Rams’ three touchdowns and rushed for a game-high 223 yards while splitting time with the Rams’ other running backs.
Stephenson and Carey Carter added touchdowns in the second half on the ground for Lumberton.
Next week, Hoke plays at Lumberton and Richmond travels to Purnell Swett.
Red Spring rebounds with win over South Robeson
RED SPRINGS — Red Springs rebounded from its three-game losing skid in conference with a 49-12 win at home over South Robeson on Friday.
Toddrick Lockhart passed for three touchdowns with two going to Wade Monroe and one to Eric Graham. Graham also rushed for a score along with fellow running backs Lee McLean and Justin Locklear adding a rushing touchdown of their own.
Nichorie West returned a punt for a touchdown.
Red Springs host West Columbus and South Robeson hosts East Columbus next Friday.
