PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Johnson C. Smith quarterback Jordan Lane looks to pass while as Wingate defensive end Cardell Rawlings pursues in the football season opener for both teams Saturday. Wingate won 38-28.

WINGATE – Johnson C. Smith showed its youth – and competitiveness – in its season opener.

Wingate beat the Golden Bulls 38-28 at Irwin Belk Stadium Saturday, but JCSU wasn’t overwhelmed, pulling to within a field goal with 9:27 to play. Mallard Creek High graduate Lawrence Pittman’s 50-yard run 68 seconds later sealed the deal for Wingate, which is 4-0 in the series.  

“There’s no doubt in my mind that our young guys are going to fight every time they play,” Golden Bulls coach Kermit Blount said. “That’s the way they practice, that’s the way we push them to practice. I’m not surprised they kept fighting and didn’t give up.”

Wingate, which racked up 493 yards on offense, gained 342 rushing, 135 more than JCSU’s total. Pittman accounted for 133 yards on 16 carries while quarterback Kyle Johnson accounted for 82. Johnson also hit 15-of-26 passes for 179 yards and a pair of scores.

JCSU trailed 31-14 in the second half when All-America safety Carlo Thomas picked off a pair of passes. A 71-yard return of the first interception led to Jordan Lane’s 26-yard touchdown strike to Rod Carter. The second – a 48 yarder in which he wove through the Bulldogs to reach the end zone – made the score 31-28.

“We came out with high energy. We just made too many mistakes,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a great team and great chemistry, but if we limit our mistakes, we’re going to be a great football team.”

The Golden Bulls’ mistakes cost them, with 16 penalties for 142 yards and five sacks allowed as Wingate’s pass rush successfully squeezed Lane from the corners. Despite hitting only 12-of-28 passes, Lane accumulated 227 yards and a couple of scores, with an 82-yarder to Demarcus Berry.

“This is a whole new team we have compared to last year,” Lane said. “We know that the game is never over. No matter how much we’re down by, we’re going to continue to fight. That’s what I love about this group.”

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