Herald-Sun correspondent
OXFORD -- Often overlooked, extra points can prove vital in tight games. That certainly was true Friday night in Northwood's 21-20 overtime playoff victory against South Granville.
With the Vikings leading for the first time in the game after a 5-yard Ian Bosley touchdown on the first series of overtime, freshman Corey Phillips' point-after attempt never made it past the line of scrimmage. Northwood defensive tackle Donyea Rhodes broke through the Vikings' line and got his hand on the ball.
"The key was getting to overtime and blocking that extra point," Northwood coach Bill Hall said. "Donyea's a senior, a three-year letterman on varsity. He's got a future, going to play somewhere else some day."
Northwood's Shannon Peppers quickly tied the score with a 10-yard touchdown on the Chargers' first overtime offensive play. And Northwood kicker Josue Pena didn't disappoint his teammates, putting the ball through the uprights and sending his Chargers to the third round of the 2-AA playoffs.
"What can you say about Josue?" Hall said. "All the pressure in the world with him, and he boots it right down the pipe. And that's after struggling the last three or four games with his kicking."
The Chargers will host Kinston in the third round of the playoffs Friday. Kinston advanced by upsetting East Duplin 17-14.
NORTHWOOD 21, S. GRANVILLE 20
Northwood 0 7 7 0 7--21
South Granville 0 0 7 7 6--20
N--AJ Farmer 69 pass from Sam Griffin (Josue Pena kick)
SG--Cory Hicks 9 pass from Josh Thorpe (Corey Phillips kick)
N--Tra Chandler 87 kickoff return (kick Josue Pena)
SG--Ian Bosley 54 run (Phillips kick)
SG--Bosley 5 run (kick blocked)
N--Peppers 10 run (kick Josue Pena)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Northwood (Shannon Peppers 13-49, Tra Chandler 3-22, Paul Shackelford 4-12, Sam Griffin 5-3), South Granville (Ian Bosley 27-175, Clarence Peace 11-42, Darien Smith 2-(-5), Josh Thorpe 6-(-20), Cedric Cash 1-(-22)).
PASSING--Northwood (Sam Griffin 7-15-2 88), South Granville (Josh Thorpe 3-4-1 30).
RECEIVING--Northwood (AJ Farmer 1-90, Harold Baldwin 1-9- Tra Chandler 1-2, Shannon Peppers 3-(-1)), South Granville (Cory Hicks 2-21, Clarence Peace 1-9).
