Team of the Week: East Columbus snaps 17-game losing streak
LAKE WACCAMAW, N.C. (WWAY) — While every football team wants to win a state championship, some have reason to celebrate by picking up just a single win.
East Columbus knocked off Chatham Central last Friday 22-20, snapping their 17-game losing streak dating back 707 days.
It marked the first victory for Head Coach Fred Pedro, who was just as happy as his players were after all the adversity they faced as a program.
“We did get punched in the mouth a little bit, but they bent but didn’t break,” Pedro said. “Neither did anyone lay down at any point in time. I think it carries over to show them that confidence. Regardless of where we are and the matter of a game, we can overcome anything that we need to and we can push forward.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
The game was as exciting as any the Cape Fear will offer this season.
The Gators trailed by six when getting the ball back at their own 45 with three minutes left. Their strong running game trotted down the field as the drive was capped off with a 15-yard rushing touchdown from Christian Norton with 40 seconds to go. After that tied the game, Dawson Crosby scored on the ensuing two-point conversion to put East Columbus ahead for good.
This is Norton’s first season on the team and was thrilled to have his number called in the biggest moment.
“It felt good,” Norton said. “I had a lot of confidence. I was a little scared. I had a lot of adrenaline pumping. But I had faith in God that I was going to score and made it happen on the outside.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
East Columbus celebrated by holding a team cookout on Sunday, but that was nothing compared to Friday night.
The road game was very long drive away and the bus ride back was full of positive vibes for the Gators.
“It was off the chain,” Pedro said. “It was like a party for two hours on the way back where we were just able to really unfold the things that we had went through. Us coaches just talking as in, ‘man, I can’t believe what we just accomplished.’”
“We had a speaker on the bus,” Norton said. “I wish it was a little louder because we were louder than the speaker. We had a lot of fun. Went around the roundabout about three or four times. Celebrated all the way back and stayed in the parking lot after the game and talked about the game.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
Also on Friday, South Brunswick managed to snap a 19-game losing streak by beating Heide Trask 23-22. That game was also decided on a two-point conversion in the final seconds.
Hear from the Cougars after that win by watching last week’s episode of The 5th Quarter.
