Unbeaten, state-ranked Rebels skin Wildcats

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 23, 2007 2:19 AM

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NEWTON GROVE -- Akeem Cox rushed for three touchdowns and North Duplin's defense forced three turnovers in a long-awaited, 28-12 victory over Hobbton on Friday evening.

The Rebels, ranked No. 10 in the latest Associated Press Class 1-A prep poll, beat the Wildcats for the first time since 2001.

Cox rambled for first-half touchdowns on runs of 8 and 14 yards. He added a 21-yard run in the fourth quarter and finished with 144 yards on 33 carries.

North Duplin compiled 364 yards of total offense, including 259 yards rushing. Quarterback Doug Lloyd contributed 80 yards, while Billy Mello rushed for 25.

Lloyd also completed six passes for 105 yards. He also picked off a Wildcat pass in the fourth quarter to help preserve the Rebels' unbeaten record (5-0 overall).

The Rebel defense limited Hobbton to just 209 yards of total offense and six first downs.

North Duplin returns to action Oct. 5 at North Johnston in the Carolina Conference opener for both teams. The two teams, along with Ayden-Grifton, shared the league championship last season.

North Duplin 6 6 7 7 -- 26

Hobbton 0 6 0 6 -- 12

First quarter

ND -- Cox 8 run (kick failed), 8:21

Second quarter

ND -- Cox 14 run (pass failed), 10:08

H -- Williams 22 run (kick blocked), :42

Third quarter

ND -- Lloyd 1 run (Guzman kick), 5:20

Fourth quarter

ND -- Cox 21 run (Guzman kick), 9:14

H -- Williams 34 run (pass failed), 7:15

ND H

First downs 17 6

Rushes-yds 49-259 27-146

Passing yds 105 63

Total yards 364 209

C-A-I 6-10-0 5-8-1

Fumbles-lost 0-0 5-2

Penalties-yds 6-40 4-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- North Duplin -- Akeem Cox 31-144, 3 TD; Doug Lloyd 13-80, TD; Billy Mello 5-25.

PASSING -- North Duplin -- Doug Lloyd 6-10-0 105.

RECEIVING -- North Duplin -- Ryan Killette 4-88; Chris Graham 1-6; Quentin Graham 1-11.