Greene Central survives North Pitt, moves to 4-0

Sep 13

Sep 13 Greene Central survives North Pitt, moves to 4-0

Greene Central survives North Pitt, moves to 4-0

Greene Central’s fast start and late defensive stand pushed the Rams to 4-0 after a 40-36 win over North Pitt on Friday night.

The Rams opened with fireworks when senior Kam Vandiford returned the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. On the next kick, North Pitt mishandled the return, setting up a quick strike as quarterback Josh Cetnar found Sam Avent for a 35-yard score.

Cetnar finished 6-of-8 for 143 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, also rushing four times for 18 yards and a score. Avent hauled in three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Divan Brewington added a 24-yard TD catch, while Trey Bynum (18-yard reception) and Deuce Wilson (20-yard catch) also contributed.

North Pitt kept the game tight behind a ground attack that tallied 185 yards on 40 carries. Defensive end Ethan Wilson, at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, made his presence felt with a strip-sack and later a fourth-quarter tipped ball that turned into a pick and temporary Panther lead.

Greene Central answered with key plays, including Cetnar’s highlight 33-yard touchdown to Avent on a scramble play late in the third quarter. Running back Dejuan Cobb carried the Rams in the second half, finishing with 21 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown. JoJo Sanders added four rushes for 23 yards, and Reggie ran 11 times for 57 yards.

Cobb’s 7-yard score in the fourth made it 40-30, and after a North Pitt touchdown, the Rams’ defense held firm to seal the win.

“We needed that game,” head coach Jay Wilson said. “We’ve been mowing through. We needed some adversity, we needed to be down, we needed someone to look us in the eye and play ball, and we did. That’s exactly what kind of game we needed in game four.”

Wilson credited Cobb’s leadership beyond his rushing numbers. “From day one, he’s been the catalyst whether the weight room, whether it’s practice, when it comes to energy, his enthusiasm, his impact to the team—the guys meet him there every day. He doesn’t accept anything less than the best.”

Cobb said he’s focused on the team’s success. “I’m going to always do what I can do to contribute to the team and get the win,” he said.

Offensive coordinator Demarcus Whitehurst highlighted the group’s resilience. “It was our word of the week—execution. We give them a word every week, and these boys executed no matter what happened. Interception, fumbles, we bounced back. They also kept their composure. We have one of the best lines and running backs in the state.”

Greene Central has now won eight of the last 10 meetings with North Pitt. The Rams’ 4-0 start is their best since 2022, when they opened 8-0.

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