Fueled by a pair of early fumble returns by the defense, the Pinecrest jayvee team improved to 3-0 with a 41-6 home victory over West Johnston Thursday evening.

Jonah Caliri took the ball 59 yards for an apparent touchdown on the first return, but the play was called back by a block in the back penalty. But on fourth and two from the Wildcat 40, Dee Kirkpatrick went the distance. The first of five extra point kicks by Matt Epley made it 7-0.

On the first play after Epley put the kickoff in the end zone, Patriot defensive lineman Zarrick Boyd picked up a Wildcat fumble and rumbled 20 yards for a touchdown.

Epley put the next kickoff in the end zone, too. Following a Wildcat punt, the Pats struck again on the first play. Quarterback Eli Black connected with tight end Frankie Painter over the middle for a 52-yard yard touchdown, making it 20-0.

Early in the second period, a 44-yard scoring jaunt by Justin Sengkhampong increased the Patriot advantage to 27-0.

A rash of fumbles and penalties helped keep the Patriot offense at bay for the remainder of the half and into the third quarter.

The fourth interception in two games by defensive back Sam Brower helped turn away a late second quarter threat by the Wildcats. A fumble recovery and return by Brandon Bonner turned away another threat at the Patriot 17 on the first series of the third period.

A fumbled snap on a punt set up the home team at the Wildcat 21 early in the fourth quarter. Moments later, Black took it in from eight yards out for the first Patriot points of the second half.

A 63-yard scoring burst by the Cats' Cavron Harrington spoiled the Patriot shutout bid. But the home team got the points right back on a 65-yard kick off return for a touchdown by Kirkpatrick.

O'Neal Harriers Finish Fifth

The O'Neal School cross-country teams ran to a pair of fifth place finishes at the Village Christian Cross Country Invitational at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford Wednesday.

The Falcon boys finished with 111 points. Juniors Austin Puleo (captain) and Evan Davies both earned medals for placing sixth and 10th, respectively, at 19:30 and 20:14. The O'Neal team score was rounded out by sophomore Ian Maynor (19th, 21:27), eighth grader Josh Hager (40th, 24:45) and sophomore Maxwell Winter (42nd, 25:02).

The boys' team also saw improvements across the board for its up-and-coming pack of seventhth graders. Matt Hutchens and Tomi Lawal picked up the final scoring spots for the boys' team at 46th (25:22) and 49th (25:43) place. Evan Miles (50th, 25:46), John Anderson (61st, 29:36), Nick Manning (65th, 31:11), and TC Mann (67th, 33:27) followed in trail and established new personal records.

For the Falcon girls, another medal was taken by junior Teresa Berg (captain) for her 10th place finish (24:24). Right behind her was junior Alana Godbey (captain) coming in at 24:42 for a 12th place finish.

Sophomore Courtney Morrison was next at 29th with a 28:12. Morrison was followed by seventh grader Hunter Atkinson who set a new personal best for the season at 29:26. Freshman Micaela Wilkinson closed out the girls' teams score with a 31:30 in 43rd place. Final scoring positions were placed at 46th and 65th by fellow freshmen Aleksandra Majka (32:52) and Allison Johnson (42:29).

Albemarle Tennis Tops N.M.

The North Moore girls' tennis team lost to Albemarle 6-3 on Thursday.

In singles play, Julie Williams and April Warren picked up wins for the Mustangs. Williams def. Maria Konbourr 6-3, and Warren def. Karina Aniquer 6-0, 6-4.

For Albemarle, Sophia Pastorini def. Shannon Marley 6-1, 6-0; A.C. Futterer def. Camilla Cockman 6-2, 6-4; Juliana Mallon def. Maria Uriquza 7-6 (7-5) 6-3; and Mallory Fuller def. Ciera McDonald 6-3, 6-1.

In doubles, Warren and Williams teamed together pick up another point for North Moore. They defeated Cassie Morgan and Salik Che, 8-1.

In the other doubles matches, Pastorini and Fuller def. Marley and Cockman, 8-5; Mallon and Fuller def. Uriquza and McDonald, 8-1.

Pinecrest Volleyball Wins

A 15-point service run by Ashleigh Welton set the stage for the Pinecrest volleyball team's 25-14, 25-14 and 25-23 home victory over Lumberton Thursday evening.

Leading 5-4 early in the Southeastern Conference opener, the hard-serving Welton had seven aces as the Patriots burst out to a 20-4 lead. They took a 10-1 overall record into Saturday's match at Wilmington Laney.

Welton finished with 22 service points in all. Addie Nelson also served tough, recording 14 points to go with five digs. Keegan Lynch was credited with 13 assists.

In the attacking department, Addy George led with 12 kills and also had five digs. Janea Williams added five kills and three blocks. Uniqwa Morrison had four kills and Felicia Painter added two kills to go with eight service points.

Earlier, the Pinecrest jayvee team also improved to 10-1. The Patriots allowed the Pirates to overcome a large second game deficit to extend the match to a third game. But they ran away with the decisive set 25-7 to secure a 2-1 victory.

PHS Wins XC Tri-Meet

The Pinecrest girls grabbed the first five places in Tuesday's first Southeastern Conference cross country tri-meet of the season. The Patriot boys also finished in front of Richmond Senior and Hoke County at the race held in Raeford.

Sarah Pressley was the winner of the girls' race with a time of 21:22. Completing the sweep were teammates Kara Zoellner (21:55), Hana Bornhorst (23:10), Jenna Woronoff (23:29) and Haley Germain (23:40). Katie Hayes (24:58), Kaitlyn Newman (25:30) and Mary-Katherine Johnston (26:53) finished in the sixth, eighth and 10th spots, respectively.

Richmond Senior runners Eli Locklear (18:13) and Randy Altman (18:16) took first and second place in the boys' race, but the Patriots took the next five spots to win by a comfortable margin.

Landon Sherwood (18:21), Connor Kelly (18:21), George Hayes (18:21), Tyler Clark (18:22), and Jacob Troutman (18:26) all figured in the Patriot scoring. Matthew Harmody (18:26), Nathan Frederique and Becket Killam of the Patriots all finished in the top 10.

Mustang Volleyball Now 4-3

The North Moore volleyball team swept South Stanly on the road Thursday, improving its record to 4-3 on the year.

The Mustangs won the match by the scores of 25-15, 26-24 and 25-23.

Shakorya Brower led the team with 11 kills. Katelyn Sheffield tallied 20 assists and Cadie Lowe finished with 4 service aces.

The Mustangs host Jordan-Matthews Monday at 5 p.m.