Mustangs win conference opener

The first two games of the season, the Mustangs, were trying to be the team they were the past two years, according to junior Colby Pennington. “We came in last week thinking we needed to do what we did last year and that we were the same team and were not the same team, were our own team,” said Pennington.

It was thought that this game was going to be a close one, and it was for the first half. After a scoreless first quarter, the Mustangs would get on the board first and after a good 2-point conversion, they would put 8 points up. Northwood didn’t take too long to answer back, but failed their 2-point attempt. The game remained close at half 6-8.

Halftime is when something changed. The second half would be all Mustangs. Pennington, Ritchie, Gillis would allow the offence to score 30 in the second half. Northwood would score late in the fourth, but the Mustangs would receive the kick-off and go into victory formation to run out the clock.

After last week’s shocking home loss, coach Carrouth described the mood this week as every one being mad. “Everyone was mad. They were flat out mad after last week. We didn’t play perfect tonight, we struggled a lot in a lot of different things. The second half, the will of these kids, they just said we refuse to get beat tonight,” said Carrouth.

Pennington took on a new role in the conference opener against Northwood. You can usually find the 6’6 senior playing tight-end and on defense. Friday he was taking snaps and running the ball as well. “We wanted Colby to touch the ball a little tonight. We wanted to get the ball in his hands a little. It gets us a little variation in there. We have four running backs if you count him that can touch the ball and do something,” said coach Carrouth.

The big win is credited to the entire team, running backs Kolby Ritchie ran in one touchdown. Jakarey Gillis and Colby Pennington ran in two touchdowns each. Mustang defence shut down Northwoods quarterback. He has used his arm and legs in the first two games of the season but couldn’t get the same momentum Friday at North Moore.

The Mustangs are now 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in the conference. This week will be their bye week and then won’t return home until October 6th. After next weeks bye the Mustangs will travel to Southeast Alamance.

Written by Curtis Self, Videos by Curtis Self, Photos by Stacy Self.