Backup quarterback Kyle Ocheltree ran for two scores and passed for another as Pinecrest improved to 6-0 with a 37-0 victory over visiting St. Pauls Friday night.

The senior's touchdown runs were set up by interception returns of 40 and 35 yards by John Brown on consecutive second quarter Bulldog possessions. Both advanced the ball to the visitor's 5-yard line. Brown, defensive lineman James Harrison and linebacker David Smith each recovered a Bulldog fumble. The rushing attack of the visitors was limited to 48 yards on 36 carries as the Patriots recorded their third shutout of the season.

Ocheltree was one of the team's wide receivers until starting quarterback Travis Scales went down with a knee injury in the first quarter of last week's 31-0 victory at Western Harnett. The junior underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus earlier in the day.

"It's not what I planned, but I played the position on the jayvee team [in 2008]," Ocheltree said. "I've been getting just as many reps in practice as Travis. When we're faced with adversity, we adapt to it. That's why we were prepared to make that transition."

The Patriot kicking game, led by Dillon Maples, helped saddle the Bulldogs with an average starting field position of their own 17-yard line on its first 11 possessions.

A roughing the kicker penalty helped the Patriots get on the board near the end of the first quarter. Starting at midfield after the infraction, Damion Pride capped the scoring drive with a 25-yard run up the middle. The first of three PATs by Maples made it 7-0.

Three touchdowns within a four minute stretch of the second period put the home team in complete control.

Pat Moore made a diving grab on a slant from Ocheltree for a 6-yard score to start the scoring barrage. Ocheltree then converted the two opportunities provided by the Brown interceptions, expanding the lead to 27-0.

"It feels real good," Brown said of seeing the daylight in front of him after the interceptions. "We work hard in practice everyday and we're just doing what the coaches tell us."

On the way to rushing for more than 100 yards for the third time this season, Pride gained 54 on the first play from scrimmage of the second half. The senior finished with 116 yards on 10 carries. Dee Kirkpatrick took the ball the final three yards for a touchdown. A 28-yard field goal following the Harrison fumble recovery completed the scoring early in the third period.

"Whether we have Travis or me in there, as long as we make the reads the coaches teach us we know exactly what to do," Ocheltree said. "We're prepared for anything that comes at us."

The longest gain of the night was a 68-yard fumble return by defensive lineman Devon Currie of the Bulldogs, now 1-5 on the season.

Pinecrest is the only undefeated member of the six-team Southeastern Conference after Laney defeated Lumberton 50-33 Friday night. Following a bye week, the Patriots open conference play on homecoming night against Lumberton.

The Pinecrest jayvee team (5-0) defeated St. Paul's 47-12 on Thursday.

St. Pauls 0 0 0 0 0

Pinecrest 7 20 10 0 37

Scoring - (P) Pride 25-run (Maples kick); (P) Moore 6-pass from K. Ocheltree (Maples kick); (P) K. Ocheltree 5-run (Maples kick); K. Ocheltree 3-run (Pass failed); (P) Kirkpatrick 3-run (Brock kick); (P) Maples 28-field goal

Teams stats: First downs - (S) 8 (P) 9; Rushing - (S) 36-44 (P) 33-169; Passing - (S) 4-13, 85 yds., 2 int. (P) 4-6, 40 yds. , td.; Penalties - (S) 6-46 (P) 7-45; Fumbles - (S) 5-3 (P) 4-3; Punts - (S) 3-20.0 (P) 1-55.0

Individual stat leaders: Rushing - (S) Williams 11-27 (P) Pride 10-116, Ocheltree 6-25, Kirkpatrick 7-21, Whitten 4-14; Passing - (S) Hunt 4-13, 85 yds., 2 int. (P) K. Ocheltree 4-6, 40 yds., td. Receiving - (S) Lowder 2-35, Henderson 1-38 (P) Monroe 2-26, Pride 1-8, Moore 1-6