The Daily Sentinel

The latest chapter of the Pisgah-North Sand Mountain gridiron rivalry went to the visitors Friday night.

The Pisgah Eagles built a 14-0 halftime lead on the way to a 30-0 victory over NSM Friday at Lloyd Dobbins Field in Higdon.

Pisgah (8-2) stretched its lead in the series to 27-10 with the win, its first at NSM since the 2003 season. That's also the last time the Eagles won as many as eight games.

Both teams' offenses came out flat early, trading punts before Pisgah's Josh Sensor ripped off the first of his touchdown runs on the night with just 51 seconds left in the opening quarter of play. This one from 66 yards out was on the first play of the drive. Blaine Smith's extra point put the Eagles on top 7-0.

After a few punts back and forth, Pisgah found the end zone again on its final drive of the half with under a minute to go. Blair Kenimer hit a wide open Brandon Sensor on the sideline setting up the Eagles on the 2-yard line. Josh Sensor then pounded out the 2-yard score, capping an eight-play, 56-yard drive. Smith nailed the point after and Pisgah took a 14-0 lead into the break.

Josh Sensor racked up 123 yards in the first half alone. Kenimer finished the half a perfect 2-for-2 passing for 28 yards.

Dalton Gilliam led the Herd rushing attack with 54 yards on seven carries, but had to be helped off the field after an injury in the second quarter. He would not return to the game, but would remain the leading rusher for the team on the night.

Josh Sensor then reeled off what has become somewhat of a signature drive for the Eagles' workhorse. He carried the ball all five times for 81 yards on the second half's opening drive before racing to a 46-yard score to push the Eagles ahead 21-0.

The ensuing drive would end with North Sand Mountain attempting to punt, but the ball sailed high over the head of Andrew Duncan and out of the end zone for an Eagles safety.

Kenimer and Jeb Woods then led the Eagles to the Bison 11-yard line before Kenimer was sacked and a penalty backed Pisgah into a long second down.

On the next play, Kenimer lofted a pass to the end zone for Zack Peek, but the ball was under thrown and intercepted, stalling a promising drive.

North Sand Mountain could not capitalize, however, and were forced to punt on the next drive.

After attempting a fourth down conversion and being denied on a spectacular defensive play by Bret Hill of North Sand Mountain, Pisgah once again stalled inside Bison territory.

The Herd then put together a long, promising drive consisting of 12 plays, but a penalty and loss of yardage on three consecutive plays forced another punt.

The Eagles then sent Billy Tidmore and Scott Tuten to carry the load Josh Sensor had put on his shoulders, and the two put Pisgah in good field position after a couple key runs on third down. Kenimer then sliced through the Bison defense to the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring.

Pisgah's stingy defense held the Bison to just 140 total yards on the night, including keeping the Bison's workhorse running back Max Kirby in check. Kirby only managed 50 yards on the ground on 16 carries.

Tyler Vann threw for 22 yards on 3-of-6 passing. His counterpart, Kenimer finished a solid performance 5-of-9 for 84 yards.

Josh Sensor ended his night with 215 yards on 21 carries with three scores. He also hauled in two passes for 28 yards.

Pisgah will make a trip to the playoffs next week as the third seed in the region due to tie-breaking procedures. The Eagles travel to Piedmont to take on the Bulldogs in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

NSM ended its season at 2-8.

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