Don’t look now, but North Moore is on a winning streak. Meanwhile, Pinecrest bounced back from a surprising loss, and Union Pines continues to roll. All three area teams posted wins on the gridiron last weekend.
It was just the second time in the last two years that all three county teams won on the same day and the first since Sept. 1, 2023. It was the first time Pinecrest, Union Pines and North Moore all won conference games on the same Football Friday since Oct. 27, 2022.
All three teams are in a good place as we enter the home stretch, with only four football Fridays remaining in the regular season.
Union Pines
The Vikings came back from their bye with a second straight win to improve to 5-1 on the season. North Moore already has its most wins in a season since 2019, and the Vikings have their best six-game start since 2014. They have two conference wins for the first time since the 2020-21 pandemic season and are 2-0 in the league for the first time since 2007.
The Vikings beat Scotland, 37-23, on Friday. Anthony Goswick threw three touchdown passes, all to Hayne Tobias, and the Union Pines defense had two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt on special teams to key the victory.
This week, the head to Richmond for another Sandhills Conference game. The Raiders are 5-2, 3-0 in conference, and coming off of a 44-20 win over Hoke County.
Pinecrest
After losing their first regular season game in two years, Pinecrest got back on the winning track with a 42-13 road win at Southern Lee. The Patriots rushed for 328 yards and six touchdowns. Zymire Spencer led the way with 127 yards and two scores, while the defense had three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Pinecrest is now 5-1, 1-1 in the Sandhills. This week, they remain on the road with a league game at Lee County. The Yellow Jackets are 4-2, 1-1 in the Sandhills and had a bye week last Friday. Their last game was a 24-20 win at Hoke on Sept. 28.
North Moore
Break up the Mustangs. After starting 0-4, North Moore has now won two straight, putting up 109 wins in the process. On Friday, North Moore hammered Bartlett Yancey at home, 55-22. The Mustangs had 488 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in the win. They also had 15 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, five turnovers and a blocked punt as the defense throttled the Buccaneers.
North Moore is now 2-4, 2-2 in the Mid-Carolina Conference. This week, they head to Seaforth for another conference tilt. The Hawks are 2-3, 2-2 in the Mid-Carolina, and coming off of a 9-6 loss at Northwood in the Battle for Pittsboro.
Moore County Week Eight High School Schedule:
Friday Oct. 11, 7:30 PM, Pinecrest Patriots (5-1, 1-1 in Sandhills) at Lee County Yellow Jackets (4-2, 1-1) *Sandhills Conference game
Friday Oct. 11, 7:00 PM, North Moore Mustangs (2-4, 2-2 in Mid-Carolina) at Seaforth Hawks (2-3, 2-2) *Mid-Carolina Conference game
Friday Oct. 11, 7:30 PM, Union Pines Vikings (5-1, 2-0 in Sandhills) at Richmond Raiders (5-2, 3-0) *Sandhills Conference game