GASTON – Northampton West scored on the game’s very first play and the Hurricanes never looked back.

Paul Smith returned the opening kick-off 80 yards to start a dominating performance for the Hurricanes and leading to a 40 – 6 defeat of the Weldon Chargers.

The Hurricanes finished the regular season 10 -1 and claimed the Tar-Roanoke conference championship.

&uot;I feel ecstatic&uot; Northampton West head coach Diego Hasty said. &uot;I am so proud of these young men and this coaching staff.&uot;

Hurricane senior running back Titus Lee spun and twisted his way to another masterful performance scoring two touchdowns, rushing for 162 yards and returning punts and kicks for a total of 67 yards.

Hasty’s coaching experience and expertise was evident on the Hurricane’s second drive. Facing fourth and two in their own territory, Northampton West decided to go for it. Hasty told his quarterback to modify his cadence, which pulled Weldon offsides, giving West a first down.

After the West drive stalled, Weldon marched down the field and scored on a 25 yard pass play. The score would prove to be the last for the Chargers as they failed on the two point conversion attempt and never crossed the goal line again.

West responded with a 47 yard kick-off return from Lee and scored three plays later on a 38 yard quarterback keeper from junior Randy Turner.

West’s defense continued to dominate forcing a three and out from Weldon on the next drive.

Behind a powerful offensive line and the strong running of freshman running back Devin Williams, the Hurricanes marched down to the 16 yard line. Lee scored his first touchdown of the game on shifty run to give West a 20 – 6 lead with 2:30 left in the half. The two point conversion was no good.

Lee added another touchdown with 28 seconds left in the half, spinning his way through a swarm of Weldon defenders. West converted the two point conversion and took a 28 – 6 lead into halftime.

Williams added another touchdown for West at the 7:24 mark in the third quarter following a shifty run and nice pitch from Turner on an option play.

Weldon missed a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard for the second time, but a wide open Charger receiver dropped a perfect pass.

A few plays later and with 3:31 left in the third quarter, Turner hit Northampton West senior receiver Aljerald Butcher on a 55 yard touchdown, giving West a 40 – 6 lead. Turner went over 1,000 yards passing on the final score of the game.

&uot;To win ten games and a conference championship you have to have great players and this team has some great players.&uot; Hasty said.

&uot;Weldon played physical and we had some big plays. The real season starts next week.&uot;

West will host their first round playoff game next Friday and should be a high seed.