But it came at a cost.
Rams senior defensive back Travion Pearson suffered a season- and career-ending broken arm. One could argue that the unfortunate injury could’ve been avoided if the referee’s would’ve been quicker on the whistle.
With just over a minute left in the third quarter, Pearson intercepted a Hoke pass and began cutting upfield when a gang of Bucks collided with Pearson, who continued chopping his legs, fighting for yardage. More Bucks joined the thicket of tacklers and pushed Pearson back. And continued to push.
The play seemed dead, but no whistle sounded.
Subsequently, Pearson was pancaked by what looked like the entire Hoke team, and the weight of it all fractured his arm when he struck the field.
“I hate to be critical,” Swett coach Mark Heil said, “but he was tackled by seven guys and they just wouldn’t blow the whistle. They waited and waited and the kid’s got a broken arm because of it.
“They’re supposed to be on top of it, they’re supposed to protect kids … it cost our kid a broken arm.”
Pearson was a vital component of the Rams defense, which held an offense under 20 points for the first time in over a month against Hoke.
“It’s a costly loss,” Heil said. “He’s a senior. He won’t be able to play football again.”
Swett (4-5, 1-3) hosts rival Lumberton (7-2, 2-2) in Friday’s “Backyard Brawl”.
Lindsay gives South Robeson spark
ROWLAND — No area team was in need of a spark more than winless South Robeson, which had been outscored 60-2 heading into last week’s outing with Red Springs.
Usher in junior varsity call-up quarterback Daquinn Lindsay.
Despite South Robeson’s 43-18 loss, its ninth straight, Lindsay single-handily gave the Mustangs offense some much-needed life.
In the second half, the JV call-up threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran in another to lead three scoring drives. The 18 Lindsay-led points yielded the highest scoring output the Mustangs have had all season.
Lindsay finished with 110 yards through the air with two interceptions.
“I have never been so proud of a kid,” South Robeson coach Garron Warwick said. “It wasn’t just about the stats. The most impressive thing was his calm under pressure. It was as if he was a two-year starter.”
Warwick said that Red Springs coach George Coltharp even took notice when his defense applied extra pressure on Lindsay.
“George even told us, ‘We brought some heat on that kid to see what would happen and he handled it’,” Warwick said.
Lindsay’s next test comes Friday as South Robeson (0-9, 0-4) gets its last chance at a win when it travels to East Columbus (3-6, 1-3).
Bulldogs defense making marks
ST. PAULS — Through its three-game winning streak, the St. Pauls defense has allowed only 18 points while the offense has produced 98.
And lately, the defense has been providing a chunk of that scoring.
In last week’s 30-2 win over West Columbus, the Bulldogs scored on an interception return, a blocked punt in the end zone and a safety.
“Our guys stepped up on defense. Defensively, we’re playing at a high level,” St. Pauls coach Trey Sasser said.
The Bulldogs’ string of non-offensive scoring all came in the second quarter.
While holding a slim 6-2 lead, St. Pauls’ Ladarrius McQueen picked off a pass and returned it eight yards for the score. Minutes later, Devonta Mallory blocked a punt in West Columbus’ end zone. St. Pauls defense forced a safety to end the onslaught.
The Bulldogs (6-4, 3-1) get a shot at a share of the Three Rivers Conference title when it faces undefeated Fairmont Friday.
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