Published 3:09 am Saturday, August 31, 2024 By Jason O. Boyd CHOCOWINITY, N.C.
– It was a high school football game between Southside and Washington County played mostly in the rain that had more than its fair share of ups and downs. It only lacked a victory on the scoreboard by the Seahawks, who fell 6-0 in four overtimes. The loss was painful for Southside (0-2), which left it all on the field both physically and emotionally.
At the same time, it was a big step forward for the Seahawks. Washington County (2-0) connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth overtime then held on as Southside got to the Panthers’ 1 but could not punch it into the end zone. As the Seahawks gathered to discuss the outcome, there were disappointed faces and broken spirits.
However, while falling short, the game provided a boost to a young team still working to find its identity. It was a loss in the record books but a big leap forward, especially after a 50-8 setback at North Duplin a week earlier. “We learned a lot tonight,” Southside coach Jeff Carrow said.
“We’re very green in a lot of areas. But the fight these guys had tonight, I can’t be more proud of them. Southside is stopped on fourth-and-1 by Washington County’s defense on the last play of the fourth overtime.
(Jason O. Boyd, Washington Daily News photo) “Obviously, we have football stuff to clean up. The effort and heart these guys showed, for them to be able to push through four overtimes, I’m extremely proud.