Rams defense dominant in shutout win over Farmville Central

Greene Central’s Zakvil Smith catches a touchdown pass while being contested by Farmville Central’s Dontavious Short in Friday’s game. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

SNOW HILL — Greene Central’s defense needed just two plays to produce its eye-catching turnover chain, modeled off the one made famous by the University of Miami.

And then the chain made another appearance. And another. And another. And another.

Eight times in all as the Rams defense snuffed and stuffed rival Farmville Central, earning GC coach Jay Wilson his second straight win and first shutout, 29-0 Friday at the James Fulghum Athletic Complex.

“The chain is a motivational tool, a rallying point, and the kids have a lot of fun with it,” Wilson said. “To be able to bring out so many times tonight, and against our rival just down the road, that was just awesome.”

The Rams (2-2) forced seven Farmville fumbles and recovered five of them. The GC secondary also generated three interceptions, two by Lamar Pridgen, including a 30-yard pick-six that gave the Rams a 16-0 lead with 8:39 left in the first quarter.

“That zero on the scoreboard says it all,” Wilson said. “Defensively, we were spectacular. Very few big plays, and, of course, all those takeaways.”

Greene Central’s Lamar Pridgen had two interceptions, including a pick-6 during the Rams’ 29-0 victory over Farmville Central. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

The Jaguars (0-5) managed just 117 total yards, but did drive twice inside the GC 10, where they, naturally, turned the ball over on both occasions.

Farmville’s dynamic Dontavious Short was held to 69 yards rushing on 20 carries, with just two runs of 10 or more yards.

“Our game plan was to keep No. 6 (Short) bottled up,” Wilson said. “He’s an explosive player, and we weren’t going to let him beat us with big chunk plays.”

Offensively, the Rams struggled themselves with just 154 total yards, but didn’t really need to do much given the numerous short fields they were provided by the defense.

Six-seven wide receiver Zakvil Smith was the best player on the field, hauling in four receptions for 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns from quarterback Cole Dawson.

His size made him unstoppable, although the Rams called off the dogs after building a 29-point lead in the third quarter.

“I would have loved for us to pass more, but the important thing is that we won the game,” Smith said. “Anytime you beat your biggest rival it’s a good thing. We’ve got bragging rights now for the next year.”  

Greene Central 29, Farmville Central 0

Farmville Central              0              0              0              0—0      

Greene Central                 16           7              6              0—29

First Quarter

GC—Quantavious Horne 15 run (Horne run), 10:27

GC—Lamar Pridgen 30 interception return (Hezekiah Pagan run), 8:39

Second Quarter

GC—Zakvil Smith 32 pass from Cole Dawson (Ulises Mora kick), 10:21

Third Quarter

GC—Smith 13 pass from Dawson (kick blocked), 9:49

                                FC           GC         

First Downs        9              8

Rushes-yards     32-70     30-68

Passing                 4-14-3   6-7-0

Passing yards     47           86

Total yards          117         154

Punts-avg.          2-30.5    4-32.8

Penalties             3-30       7-69

Fumbles-lost      7-5          3-2

Individual Statistics

RUSHING—Farmville Central: Dantavious Strong 20-69, Richard Peterson 7-14, Sam Barrow 5-(minus 13). Greene Central: Quantavious Horne 8-52, Jyvoe Austin 5-33, Hezekiah Pagan 13-5, Cole Dawson 2-(minus 24), Team 2-(minus 8).

PASSING—Farmville Central: Barrow 4-9-2 38, Short 1-5-1 9. Greene Central: Dawson 6-7-0 86.

RECEIVING—Farmville Central: Brandon Simmons 1-35, Anthony Suggs 1-9, Short 3-3. Greene Central: Zakvil Smith 4-76, Lamar Pridgen 1-5, Austin 1-5.