Maynor’s performance was a key part of the Bucks’ first win of the season, ending a four-game losing streak marked by some close losses.

“I told the kids that this was coming,” first-year Bucks’ coach David Jorgensen said. “Not turning the ball over was the biggest thing. We limited our mistakes. We still made some, but less than we have been.”

The Bulls (2-3) would get the ball back, taking over on their own 1 after making a goal-line stop to keep hope of a last-minute scoring drive alive.

But the Bulls made it only as far as the Hoke 49-yard line before time expired.

“We don’t want our team to think it’s over until there are triple zeros on the clock,” Jorgensen said. “We knew E.E. Smith had to drive 99 yards, and I knew we’d be tough to do that against. But when their last ball was incomplete, I can’t describe how awesome it felt.”

The teams had battled back and forth since the start of the game. Hoke struck first, scoring on their first possession.

Thorpe connected with Andre Pegues on a 15-yard pass that the receiver caught at the Bulls’ 5-yard line, where he fumbled the ball in the hands of teammate Tyler Crowder, who ran the ball the remaining 5 yards for the touchdown.

Thorpe, who sat only the one series when Maynor played at quarterback, finished with 99 yards in the air, completing five of 11 attempts and throwing one interception.

Peruse was the Bucks’ top target, catching three passes for 80 yards.

The Bulls answered that opening score, going 72 yards on 13 plays. Bullock connected with Zaire McIntyre on a 13-yard pass to finish the drive.

Bullock completed seven of 17 attempts, throwing for 162 yards and two touchdowns with one pick.

The Bucks scored twice more in the first half to take an 18-12 lead into halftime. Deazwun Campbell scored on a 31-yard rush, and Thorpe and Pegues met up again for the touchdowns.

First-year Bulls’ head coach Deron Donald said the team’s play was marred by poor execution despite a strong effort from his players.

“We just didn’t execute,” Donald said. “Defensively, we couldn’t get off the field on third downs. Overall, I know my kids played hard, but we’ve got to do a better job and figure out ways to finish ballgames.”

The Bulls’ defense had a pair of big plays late.

The team tied the game on a big defensive play from Rayshawn Blake, who picked off Thorpe inside Bulls’ territory and returned the ball 70 yards to tie the score at 18 with 1:31 left in the third quarter.

The Bulls’ defense stopped the Bucks from capitalizing on Maynor’s interception with a goal-line stand that forced a turnover on downs at the Bull 1.

The Bulls moved 50 yards, but a final Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete.

Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at 609-0651 or shambaughj@fayobserver.com.

Hoke County 25, E.E. Smith 18

E.E. Smith6 6 6 0—18

Hoke County6 12 0 7—25

HC — Tyler Crowder 5 fumble return (kick failed)

EES — Zaire McIntyre 13 pass from Xeaiver Bullock (conversion failed)

HC — Deazwun Campbell 31 run (conversion failed)

EES — Jurrod Hall 52 pass from Bullock (conversion failed)

HC — Pegues 47 pass from K.J. Thorpe (conversion failed)

EES — Rayshawn Blake 70 interception return (kick failed)

HC — Pegues 18 pass from Quinn Maynor (Gerardo Mendez kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: EES — Rahsaan Young 12-54, Bullock 17-75, Antwan Church 2-5, Hall 1-2, Blake 1-8. HC — Campbell 27-164, Thorpe 10-25, Jaleel Ray 3-19, Maynor 4-43

Passing: EES — Bullock 7-17-1, 162. HC — Thorpe 5-11-1, 99. Maynor 1-1-0, 18

Receiving: EES — Young 1-15, McIntyre 1-13, Hall, 1-52, Church 1-0, Toshiro Spivey 1-36, Blake 2-46. HC — Campbell 2-34, Pegues 3-80, Tyheim Purdie 1-3

Records: E.E. Smith 2-3, Hoke County 1-4

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Seventy-First 41, Hoke County 22

Hoke County   0   16  0   6—22

Seventy-First 14   7  7   13—41

SF — Elijah McFadyen 1 run (Noah Lunsford kick)

SF — McFadyen 2 run (Lunsford kick)

HC — Andre Pegues 91 pass from K.J. Thorpe (Tyler Crowder pass from Thorpe)

SF — McFadyen 63 run (Lunsford kick)

HC — Nykeem Shaw 12 pass from Thorpe (Dillon Dorisme run)

SF — Jaylon Jackson 41 run (Lunsford kick)

SF — Julien Williams 22 pass from Kyler Davis (kick failed)

SF — Jackson 5 run (Lunsford kick)

HC — Thorpe 4 run (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: HC — Thorpe 19-42, Shaw 7-5, Deazwun Campbell 3-(7); SF — SF — McFadyen 22-213, Jackson 9-102, Davis 6-12, Juan Maddox 4-38, Justin Hayes 1-15

Passing: HC — Thorpe 8-17-0 172; SF — Davis 4-11-2 59

Receiving: HC — Pegues 3-129, Shaw 4-24, Jaleel Ray 1-19; SF — Williams 2-42, Reggie Bryant 1-4, Thomas Barker 1-13

Records: Hoke County 0-3, Seventy-First 2-1

Next game: Hoke County at South View, Seventy-First at Lumberton