North Duplin improved to 4-1

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 1, 2006 2:16 AM

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CLINTON -- North Duplin took every offensive snap in the third quarter and Michael Schilling rambled for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 27-13, non-conference victory over Union.

The Rebels (4-1) received the second-half kickoff and drove inside the Spartans' 30-yard line. Union's Travis Williams picked off quarterback Doug Lloyd and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown, but the extra-point attempt failed.

North Duplin took the ensuing kickoff and began a time-consuming drive. Schilling capped the eight-minute possession with a 4-yard touchdown run. The PAT failed and the Rebels led 20-13 with just over nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Union (4-2) finally took its first offensive snap after North Duplin had held the ball an incredible 14 minutes and 31 seconds. The Spartans drove down inside the Rebels' red zone, but turned the ball over on downs after getting stopped on a 4th-and-2 play.

"I don't know what the total time of possession was, but Union's defense stayed on the field an awful long time," said Skip Tucker, a spokesman for North Duplin.

The Rebels, again, drove the length of the field and Schilling posted his third touchdown -- a 15-yard romp -- with 1:21 left in the contest. Schilling concluded the night with 117 yards rushing on 21 totes and another nine yards receiving.

Schilling put North Duplin on the board with a 13-yard run in the first quarter. Billy Mello, who gained 23 yards on five carries, provided a 1-yard run in the final half minute of the opening period.

The Rebels accumulated 389 yards of total offense. Lloyd rushed for 121 yards and passed for another 128 yards on 14 completions to four different receivers.

Union had 205 yards of total offense.

North Duplin kicks off its Class 1-A Carolina Conference campaign Friday at defending champion North Johnston. Union begins Super Six 1-A Conference play at Midway.

Each game begins at 7:30 p.m.