FOUR OAKS - It was exam time for South Johnston's football team last Friday night as they played host to the Saints of Southern Wayne. A week after an emotional win over C.B. Aycock nudged the Trojans to the top of the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference standings, the scene was set for a possible letdown.

The Trojans, however, passed the trap test with flying colors easily dropping the Saints, 42-0, to stay atop the conference standings, improving their record to 8-1 and 3-0 in conference.

South received another top-notch performance from quarterback Pat Dunigan, who rushed for two scores, while also finding "Old Reliable," Dee Williams, twice for touchdown tosses.

"We just knew that it was the perfect setup to have a big trap game and a letdown after the big win last week," said South coach Joe Salas. "They practiced great and played fantastic. We wanted to start fast and finish strong and that's exactly what they did."

Midway through the second quarter and with the Trojans holding a 14-0 lead, the special teams made its impact on the game. After a Dee Williams' 40-yard touchdown reception and subsequent extra point, South Johnston kicker Edgar Herrera sailed the kickoff through the end zone, setting the Saints up on their own 20-yard line.

Three rushing plays with a net of negative three yards later; Southern Wayne (1-8, 1-2) was forced to punt deep in its own end.

Eric Long had no chance to get the kick off as Shaun Wright and Rogelio Morales made a beeline for the Saints punter. The Trojans turned the blocked punt into six points as Cris Crumity retrieved the ill-fated kick and raced in from 16 yards out to put the Trojans up by three scores.

On the ensuing kickoff, Herrera surprised the already shocked Saints with an onside kick. Shaun Wright was in the right place and corralled the loose ball, advancing it to the 23-yard line. Two plays later, Dunigan found Williams in the corner of the end zone for a juggling touchdown catch.

The 21 points amassed in less than 180 seconds propelled by the special teams unit put the game out of reach for Southern Wayne.

"It went from a scary game to opening it up for us," said Salas. "Our special teams have been gigantic all year long. Edgar's been bugging me to kick that one in the end zone and he did it.

"Then with the punt block and the onsides one after the other... that was pretty big."

Not to be left out was the strong defensive showing put in by the upperclassmen-laden defense. They shut down the Saints' running game, giving up just a hair over three yards per carry.

Shawn Williams was a beast at nose tackle as he dominated at the point of attack. Linebackers Josh Barbour, Tyler Benson and Erasto Simmons hit anything that moved. Wright added an interception to his list of things accomplished as the Trojans secured their third shutout of the season.

"Southern Wayne looked fantastic on film on offense and our defense stepped up and did a great job," Salas said. "We're proud of them. The Wing-T is tough and they did a good job with it, the whole bunch. You've got 11 all flying around on every tackle-it's a sight to watch."

South's Anthony Crumity turned in a yeoman-like performance with 90 yards on 15 carries including a touchdown to add to the cause.

The Trojans take a six-game win streak with them as they travel to La Grange this Friday night to take on North Lenoir.