Pender stands up to Louisburg in playoff win

Familiarity has bred success for the Pender football team, which went to Louisburg for the second season in a row and again came back with a playoff victory.

Kelvin Smith scored on a sweep around left end early in the fourth quarter for the lead, and Pender made a late defensive stand for a 24-20 victory in the second round of the 1AA playoffs.

"I think it does mean a little bit to have a little tradition now," said coach Tom Eanes, whose team has reached the third round of the playoffs for the third year in a row. "But there's no guarantee ever that you'll ever get this far. The kids really came back on this one to get a win."

Hynef Collins and Keith Pearsall scored in the first half of a 12-12 game at halftime before Louisburg scored in the third for the lead. But Benjamin Jacobs returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to keep the Patriots close.

After taking the lead, Pender stopped Louisburg on its own 40, then ran out the final three minutes for a trip to East Bladen in the third round next week.

Eanes credited a full roster for the team's late-season surge.

"You hate to say it when it's an excuse ... this year we've had an ultimate amount of (injuries)," he said. "But we're starting getting those guys back for the last couple games.

"I think getting healthy has been the big thing."

And for the third year in a row, the Patriots will celebrate Thanksgiving Day together on the practice field.

"The kids are excited about that," Eanes said. "They were in the locker room, yelling 'Turkey day! Turkey day!' They're excited about getting to play one more week."