North Carolina Football Association (NCFA)

With 3:16 left in the 2nd quarter Thaddeus Schlotter hit Todd Dirks for an 8yd touchdown to put Burlington up 20-0.  It seemed to be just another Burlington first round playoff game, but then something happened Gastonia veteran HB Ken Francis changed everything with a 54yd kickoff return that setup a Marco Quinlinn 45yd FG.  Now it was 21-3 and the Pirates could go into the half at least knowing they wouldn't be left out.  But this score changed the momentum of the game and Gastonia came out the second half playing much better.  Win Iverson would make the next big play for Gastonia when he picked Schlotter giving Gastonia a first down on the Burlington 25yd line.  They again had to settle for a Quinlinn FG but the game seemed different somehow, especially when Burlington got called for a delay of game on the start of their next posession.  After a back and forth this time it was Gastonia's veteran LB Chris Moxie coming up with the big play picking up a Greg Caufield fumble and returning it to the Burlington 3yd line to setup a Darrell Sparks to Ken Francis TD.  With 1:33 left in the 3rd quarter suddenly it was a close game.  Burlington's defense continued to play great but one more mistake by their offense would put Burlington into deeper trouble.  This time it would come with 11:27 left in the game when Dino Snider fumbled and Iverson picked it up to run 67yds for a Touchdown.  With 10:57 left in the game down by 2 Gastonia decided to kick the PAT instead of going for two and so the score sat 21-20 Burlington.  With a one point lead and the Bees offense struggling the defense knew it was up to them and they didn't disappoint never giving Gastonia another chance at points. 

There was not one dominant performance on Burlington's defense they just did their job completely restricting the Gastonia offense.  Darrell Sparks finished the game going 15/34 for 102yds with 1TD and 1Int.  Konrad Wahler was completely restricted getting only 16yds.  The defense was another matter for Gastonia led by Win Iverson with 10 tackles 1Int 1 fumble recovery and a TD.  As good as the Burlington defense played in this game the offense was great in the first half.  Thaddeus Schlotter was 18/27 for 184yds with 3TDs and an Int.  Caufield would end the game with 114yds on 21 carries.  But he had 2 fumbles to go with Dino Snider who had a fumble and only 38yds rushing.  Todd Dirks had a fantastic game with 12 receptions for 81yds and 2TDs.