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| Josh Burcham (52) and Cody Clark (70) block for quarterback Garrett Benge. |
“This is the momentum we need rolling into conference,” Davie coach Doug Illing said after the final nonconference game. “We were doing things we’ve worked so hard to do. We need to play at a high level, and I think we’re getting closer and closer.”
“The nonconference definitely helped us a lot,” senior Quinton Faulkner said. “I thought Page was real good, but we played the way we’re supposed to play. It’s hard losing, but it’s better in the long run - if you learn from it.”
Anything less than Davie’s best wouldn’t have cut it against the Pirates, whose 2-4 record belies their talent level. They have a top-level D-line. Davie quarterback Garrett Benge threw for 182 yards on 13 of 23 accuracy. But Page showcased an equally formidable passing game with Will Newman going 13 of 24 for 186 yards and four TDs.
Davie’s second straight win squared its record at 3-3.
“They have one of the best defensive fronts we’ve seen all year, and that’s saying a lot,” Illing said. “They are very physical and very fast. It’s two similar teams. Offensively they do a lot of things that we do, and they did a good job of executing.”
James Mayfield scored three TDs. Matt Oswell blocked a field-goal attempt and watched Santana Arnold scoop it and race 55 yards for a score. Benge erupted for a 53-yard TD run. Tanis Jefferies (13 tackles), Jared Barber (10), Zach Long (10) and Oswell (10) all delivered double-figure tackles.
But the night will ultimately be remembered for a trick play that stunned Page and made the home fans go bonkers. It was fourth-and-18 at the Page 33, and Davie was nursing a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter when Davie called time. Benge ran an option left and pitched a reverse to Floyd Collins. The receiver declined a wide running lane, pulled up and lofted a pass to the end zone. Ryan Hutchinson was standing alone and squeezed a 33-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 35-21.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Illing said. “You can’t let the cat out of the bag too early. That’s what off weeks are for. You put in things to catch ... subscribe to the Davie County Enterprise Record, P.O. Box 99, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.