TARBORO —
Working on defense during the past week was a priority for the Tarboro Vikings and their coaching staff. Tarboro head coach Jeff Craddock made an adjustment to his defense which paid off Friday night. He moved senior defensive end Travonne Marshall to middle linebacker during practice and it paid off.
Marshall had four big tackles including a sack for a 12 yard loss.
"Our defense looked a lot better then it has been lately," Craddock said. "We are still moving people around to find the right fits. Moving Travonne to inside backer worked well for us. He made some big plays for us and that is what he does best."
Tarboro (4-0) held the Warriors to only 148 yards of total offense as the Vikings shut out North Edgecombe 49-0.
"It was a big team win and we played well in all phases of the game," Craddock said. "Anytime you play a county rival and come away with a win it is big. We played from beginning to end and that is a positive for us right now."
The Vikings biggest defensive stop of the game came when North Edgecombe had first and goal from the Viking one yard line in the fourth quarter. Craddock had taken all his defensive starters off the field during the Warriors possession on that drive. When North Edgecombe got to the one yard line for the first and goal play, Craddock inserted his first team defense back in the game and they stopped the Warriors on four consecutive plays.
The game wasn't a total loss for the Warriors and their head coach Keith Parisher, because he said he hopes his team takes the game and uses it as a learning experience when they begin conference play this week.
"it was a tough ball game but it is a good learning experience especially since we are as young as we are," Parisher said. "As a young team I knew we would have nights like this. My guys did what I asked them to do and they didn't give up and keep on playing."
Parisher is hoping that the loss will bring his Warriors closer together as a team. He is looking at dismissing a couple of players from the team after an incident that happened during the game on the sidelines.
"We will be a tighter group after I take care of the situation that happened on our sideline," Parisher said. "I have to do what I think is best for the team and that is one of the things that is just going to have to happen."
Marshall got things going for the Vikings on the offensive side of the ball as well when he scored on the first play of the game on a 53-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors fumbled on their first possession after Marshall made a big hit on Warriors running back Dominique Pittman. Tarboro defensive end Kris Evans recovered the fumble.
On the ensuing drive, Viking running back Radja Bobbitt scored from seven yards out to give Tarboro a 13-0 lead.
The Warriors turned the ball over on downs on the next possession and Tarboro began that drive from the 41 yard line. Three plays later and after a Warriors sack, Aaron Moore scored from 42 yards out to put Tarboro ahead 21-0.
North Edgecombe turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession and again Tarboro took advantage.
This time they put a six play drive together and capped it off with a Moore 43 yard TD run to put Tarboro up 28-0.
The Vikings scored on the opening series of the third quarter when Bobbitt scored on a 42 yard run to make it 36-0.
Moore also connected with Bobbitt on a 46 yard TD pass with 7:22 left in the third quarter to give the Vikings a 43-0 lead.
Tarboro's offense gained 351 total yards of offense.
Moore led all rushers for the Vikings with 96 yards on four carries, while Bobbitt had 77 yards on six carries.
Tarboro was without their top rusher Quentin Roberson. He was held out of the game due to a hamstring injury that happened against the Northern Nash Knights a week ago.
"We are trying to get people healthy," Craddock said. "We decided to sit him so he can be ready to play next week."
Roberson has gained 571 yards on just 40 carries this season and has scored seven TDs.
North Edgecombe was led by Quantravis Harris offensively. He gained 61 yards on 15 carries, while Antwoin Pittman rushed 16 times for 39 yards.
Pittman has been the Warriors work horse since senior Darius Phillips went down with a fractured foot. Pittman is only a freshman and has helped the Warriors offensive attack.
"Antwoin is a tough player," Parisher said. "He finally kept his head up in the second half and ran the ball better and after he got hit hard a couple of times. He is going to help us a lot this season."
North Edgecombe will begin conference play Friday when they host the Southeast Halifax Trojans.
"I am hoping to have a good week of practice and carry that into our game on Friday," Parisher said. "We will be fine because I am not worried about this group bouncing back. They are a tough group."
Tarboro will be back at home Friday when they host the North Pitt Panthers in an Eastern Plains Conference opener at 7:30 p.m.
"What we have done so far means nothing," Craddock said. "We want to be the better football team when we open up conference play Friday."
Sports
Related Photos
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Tarboro Vikings senior linebacker Travonne Marshall sacks North Edgecombe Warriors quarterback Clifton Dickens Friday night in Tarboro as Tyquan Lewis looks on. For The Daily Southerner
Vikings shutout Warriors 49-0
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