Published: 10:37 AM, Sat Aug 18, 2012
Jack Britt downs Pinecrest, 34-15, in coach Brian Rimpf's debut
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer
A new era in Jack Britt High School football began Friday evening with results similar to the past.
The Buccaneers endured a 98-minute delay for bad weather before errupting for 20 third-quarter points to down Pinecrest 34-15 in the season opener for both teams.
It was the first victory for Jack Britt's new head coach, former East Carolina offensive lineman Brian Rimpf, who took over the highly successful program in June.
Rimpf replaced the only coach in school history, Richard Bailey, who left in May to become head coach at Scotland High. Bailey departed after leading the Buccaneeers to a 12-year record of 119-44.
"It feels great,'' Rimpf said. "First game, first win ... it was a trying game with a lot of adversity. I'm glad we got the win.''
Jack Britt, which went 11-3 last season under Bailey, scored on its first two offensive possessions to take a 14-3 lead. But lightning from an approaching storm caused the game to be halted and the Jack Britt stadium cleared of fans with 30.1 seconds left in the first period.
Both teams appeared sluggish when they returned to the field more than an hour later and the score remained unchanged through halftime.
Murphy returns
The Buccaneeers struck a decisive blow on the opening kickoff of the second half when junior defensive back Quintin Murphy produced a 79-yard touchdown return.
"That was a big turning point,'' Rimpf said. "It was a big play and an explosion play for us that got us emotionally back in the game after the long delay.''
Britt would ring up touchdowns on its next two possessions to take command.
McDaniel gets up
Senior receiver Jalen McDaniel out-jumped a Pinecrest defender to grab a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mark McRae that put the Bucs ahead, 27-3.
Then a 26-yard touchdown run by Edmond Grant on a receiver sweep with 39.8 seconds left in the third period made it, 34-3.
Pinecrest added two fourth-quarter scores, mainly against Jack Britt's second-team defensive unit.
Jack Britt 34, Pinecrest 15
JB - Mark McRae 1 run (Nick Lee kick)
P - FG Connor Hees 27
JB - Eric Carter 35 run (Lee kick)
JB - Quintin Murphy 79 kick return (Lee kick)
JB - Jalen McDaneil 15 pass from Mark McRae (kick failed)
JB - Edmond Grant 26 run (Lee kick)
P - Dwayne Simpson 1 run (run failed)
P - Simpson run (run failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: PC - Dwayne Simpson 21-142, Joe Anderson 3-32, Aaron Reimer 11-16. JB - Mark McRae 10-30, Marquis Foshee 15-123, Eric Carter 7-79, Equel Easterling 2-7, Jalen McDaniel 1-4, Edmond Grant 2-28, Harrison Strother 1-(-5).
Passing: PC - Aaron Reimer 5-12-1, 25, Dwayne Simpson 0-2-0, 0. JB - Mark McRae 3-10-0, 35.
Receiving: PC - Sam Brower 2-11, Dwayne Simpson 1-3, Juwanza Harris 1-5. JB - Jalen McDaniel 1-15, Eric Carter 1-10, Edmond Grant 1-10.
Records: Pinecrest 0-1, Jack Britt 1-0
Next game: Overhills at Pinecrest, Lumberton at Jack Britt
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.