Pinecrest's 6-1 lead over Union Pines in the series that was resumed in 2001, doesn't represent how competitive the games have been. The outcome of five of the seven contests has been in doubt in the fourth period, and the 2003 and 2007 games were decided in the final 30 seconds. The junior varsity games have also provided plenty of thrills. Pinecrest was a 42-36 overtime winner in 2004, and prevailed 34-32 in two extra periods in 2005.

2007 -- Pinecrest 33, Union Pines 27

Pinecrest shocked the home team by scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. But Union Pines stormed back behind the running of John Gallimore's 183 yards on 24 carries to tie the game at 27-27 with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. A blocked extra point attempt after the last touchdown, and later a missed field goal, deprived the Vikings of a chance to take the lead. A fumble set up the winning score on a three-yard run by Patriot quarterback Josh Scales with 29 seconds left in the game. Brandon Durant gained 150 yards on 22 atttempts, and James Baldwin caught four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown for the Patriots.

2006 -- Union Pines 14, Pinecrest 8

The deciding points came on a 14-yard touchdown run by Gallimore with 2:35 left in the game. The second interception of the contest by Cole Parris wrapped it up. The win was the first after five losses to the Patriots and ended the team's 31-game losing streak.

2005 -- Pinecrest 20, Union Pines 14

Early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots' Keith Core daringly scooped up a short Viking punt and put his team in front with a 52-yard touchdown run. The Pats' Derek Wike carried the ball 17 times for 214 yards and two TDs, one on an 88-yard run.

2004 -- Pinecrest 28, Union Pines 20

The Patriots trailed 13-12 at halftime, but took the lead with 16 unanswered points. Quarterback Robert DeBernard scored both second-half touchdowns on sneaks. Torrey Patterson and Wike for the Pats, and Devon Person and D.J. Patterson of the Vikes chewed up yardage on the ground.

2003 -- Pinecrest 28, Union Pines 7

All of the points were scored on the first half of the only one-sided game in the series. Quarterback Brandon Ringgold of the Patriots completed 11 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two TDs. He also rushed 10 times for 66. Stephone Covington caught five of his passes for 101 yards and two TDs.

2002 -- Pinecrest 36, Union Pines 31

A 30-yard field goal by Chris Kelso put the visiting Vikings in front 31-28 with 2:03 left in the game. But Ringgold led an 80-yard Patriot drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antwon Murchison with five ticks left on the clock. Until then it was a contest of the running backs with the Pats' Torrey Lowe and the Vikings' Erik Hamer each scoring three touchdowns. Lowe gained 212 yards on 13 carries and Hamer carried 30 times for 190.

2001 -- Pinecrest 21, Union Pines 8

In the Battle of the Pines I held at Wilhoit Stadium, Patriot quarterback Drew Anker completed 20 of 30 passes for 279 yards and 2 TDs. Wide receiver Eric Reaves grabbed 12 of his tosses for 180 yards and two scores.