Written by Christian Bateman
Currituck — The wrecking ball of explosiveness, the contact and brutality of the Knights’ run game, and winning the turnover battle proved to be the difference as Currituck came out on top in the Byrd Bowl Friday night.
The game marked the second Byrd Bowl that Camden County head coach Ja'Kori Evans has had the honor of coaching in. His Bruins fought every step of the way, especially in the second half, but post-snap penalties ultimately doomed Camden despite the Bruins going on a 16-7 scoring run over the final two quarters.
Camden County delivered the first jolt of energy to the stadium thanks to freshman up-and-comer David Whitaker. After the Bruins methodically wore down the clock, Whitaker powered his way through the Currituck defense and into the end zone early in the second quarter.
The SportsCenter-worthy play of the night came when Shane Raferty fired a short pass toward the corner of the end zone for Wyatt Doneff. Doneff showed off the footwork and body control, getting both feet down in the corner for the score to tie the game at 6-6.
But Camden’s struggles stopping the run quickly became evident.
Bubby Smith was absolutely punishing anyone who stood in his way. “Brutal Bubby” lowered his shoulder, ran through contact and eventually found paydirt, giving the Knights the spark they needed to seize control of the momentum.
Camden County also lost its kicker to an ejection in the first half following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Meanwhile, Currituck controlled the football and dominated time of possession, forcing the Bruins to play from behind as the game developed into a shootout.
Still, Camden had one final opportunity to stun everyone inside the Red Kingdom.
With the Bruins driving late, quarterback Gabriel Norman did an excellent job escaping the pocket, extending plays and showing flashes of a high football IQ under pressure. With Camden threatening, Norman heaved a pass into a crowded end zone looking to give the Bruins a chance.
Currituck’s Kemari Whitehurst had other plans.
Whitehurst came down with the interception, shutting the door on Camden’s comeback attempt and ensuring the Byrd Bowl trophy would remain inside the Red Kingdom.
For Currituck, the victory keeps its Byrd Bowl run alive and sends the Knights into another major test next Friday night. They’ll hit the road to face Paul Hoggard’s John A. Holmes Aces, who have looked like one of the hottest 2A teams in Eastern North Carolina.
Camden, meanwhile, gets a week to regroup, correct the mistakes that hurt the Bruins in the Byrd Bowl and prepare for its next opponent, Pasquotank.
The trophy stays in Currituck.
The Byrd Bowl belongs to the Knights once again.