By Brian Pitts
sports@salisburypost.com
WELCOME ó Just when you think youíve seen everything in Adam Smithís reservoir, the Davie quarterback comes up with another can-you-believe-what-he-just-did play. And Nate Jones is often right in the middle of those head-shaking plays.
North Davidson scored on a 5-yard pass with 19 seconds left in the first half to cut visiting Davieís lead to 14-10. There was no concern on the Davie sideline. Hey, 19 seconds is plenty of time for Smith and his offense, even 65 yards from the end zone.
Smith threw incomplete on first down. On the last play of the half, Smith unloaded a moon ball. Jones caught it in stride behind everyone and completed a 65-yard TD with all zeroes on the clock. North, down 21-10 instead of 14-10, never recovered in a 31-16 loss to the War Eagles.
This was a showdown for a share of first in the Central Piedmont Conference. Davie rolled to 8-3 and 4-1 in the CPC, tying Mt. Tabor for first. North, losing to Davie for the ninth time in 11 meetings, fell to 8-3, 3-2.
Illing and the War Eagles dedicated the victory to Illingís father, who passed away earlier in the week.
ěHeís been a big part of Davie football, and he would have been very proud and excited tonight,î he said. ěI know he was here, and I know heís up there smiling right now.î
The CPC title marks Illingís eighth in 14 years at Davie, but Davieís first since ë07.
ěIím really proud of that,î Illing said. ěWe challenged the seniors at the beginning of the year to do something that hasnít been done in a long time and go out with a boom.î
Davie certainly started with a boom, driving 73 yards in 17 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Running back Stephon Smoot churned out 53 of his 164 yards on that tone-setting drive.
The War Eagles intercepted Chase Mitchell five times, giving them 10 picks in two weeks. A.J. Blaskievich had the first pick, and it translated into points for Davie as Smith ran 15 yards for a 14-0 lead in the first.
North clawed to 14-10, but Smith and Jones hooked up for the 65-yard TD that knocked the air out of North.
ěWe stole one there,î Illing said. ěWe thought they would be in a prevent. We called the wheel route, Nate was wide open and Adam hit him dead in stride.î
With the score 21-10 in the third, Jones made his presence felt on defense, intercepting a long pass in the end zone. Three minutes later, Jones made a fabulous 30-yard TD catch over Northís Payton Boles to all but put North away at 28-10.
Jones had two INTs to go with 95 receiving yards.
D-lineman Jamal Lackey and linebacker A.J. Blaskievich were equally electrifying as Davie limited dangerous Tevin Tuttle to 29 yards on nine carries.
ěTheyíre both all over the field,î Illing said. ěTheyíre tough.î
North boasts two highly-regarded d-linemen in Andrew Mayton and Shy Tuttle, but Northís defense had no answer for Davieís line, which paved the way for Smoot and Smith (74 rushing yards). Smith threw for 147 yards without getting picked and without getting sacked.
ěThat front five really did well,î Illing said. ěTheyíve got to rank up there among the best.î
When asked if Smith is worthy of CPC Player of the Year, Illing said: ěHe certainly deserves it. I donít think thereís a team in the conference that he hasnít either thrown for big yards or run for big yards.î