SMITHFIELD - Big plays were all the rage in last Thursday night's contest between Smithfield-Selma and West Johnston as the two teams met in a pivotal battle with playoff ramifications. In the end, the Spartans had a few more bullets in their guns than the visiting Wildcats, as SSS outlasted West, 49-38.

The win moved the Spartans (4-6 overall, 3-3 conference) a game ahead of the Wildcats (3-7, 2-4) in the race to fifth place in the GNRC as well as a possible state playoff berth with one week left in the regular season.

SSS had scoring plays covering 96, 80, and 72 yards as momentum shifted back-and-forth between the two clubs as quickly as the numbers on the scoreboard changed.

Although defense was not the order of the night, two key interceptions turned in by the Smithfield-Selma secondary in the third quarter helped to put some distance between the two teams. Both interceptions led to long, time-consuming scoring drives for the Spartans as SSS dominated the time of possession in the third quarter (9:28 to 2:32).

Just as important, the turnovers kept the ball out of the hands of the Wildcats and the throwing arm of West Johnston junior quarterback Patrick Crocker.

When Marquel Gathers bulldozed his way to an eight-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter, the Spartans had extended their slim five-point halftime lead to a 42-23 margin. SSS then looked to salt the game away after Carlos Ryals picked off Patrick Crocker on West's next possession.

On first-and-10 from the Wildcats' 11-yard line, Kyle Wilson rumbled ahead for 10 yards before being stripped of the ball at the goal line.

West Johnston's Greg Duncan scooped up the ball a yard deep in the end zone and proceeded to run 101 yards for an improbable Wildcats score.

The two teams then traded scores before Marquel Gathers recovered Gustavo Gonzalez's onside kick with under a minute left to put an end to the wild affair.

The two teams went about their offensive onslaughts in different ways: West through the air and SSS on the ground.

The Spartans totaled 370 rushing yards on 51 carries. SSS received the usual jaw-dropping exhibition from Josh Snead, who ran for 195 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

The Spartans also received an outstanding contribution from sophomore Marquel Gathers who turned in a 112-yard, two-touchdown performance.

Damon Barnes added 32 tough-nosed yards as well to help keep the chains moving for SSS.

"We wanted to dominate up front and the offensive line did a great job," said SSS coach Anthony Barbour. "They carried us the whole game and up front is where we won the football game.

"We wanted to get another back going. Marquel Gathers and Damon Barnes gave us two more guys that could run the ball hard."

West Johnston's Patrick Crocker threw for 282 yards and three touchdown passes as five different receivers had at least four catches for the Wildcats. Crocker and company closed the lead to five points on two separate occasions, both times having seemingly grabbed the momentum.

The Wildcats executed a 14-play, 73-yard drive to end the first half. Crocker found Ray Harrington in the corner of the end zone with two seconds remaining to bring West within 21-16.

After Josh Snead's third rushing touchdown of the night put the Spartans out in front by two scores midway through the third quarter, West's Dashawn Ray took the ensuing kickoff back 98 yards to find pay dirt and again bring the Wildcats to within five points at 28-23.

The momentum didn't stay on the side of the Wildcats for long, however, as Josh Snead answered Ray's dazzling play with an electrifying return of his own. Snead collected the kickoff at his own 4-yard line and ran towards the middle of the field before darting to the outside.

Snead was able to get to the corner and tiptoed down the sideline to put the Spartans up by 12 points.

"Every time we did something good, we turned around and did something bad," said West Johnston coach Bennett Jones. "We have good plays and we have bad plays: that's the story of our season. We just didn't string enough good plays together."

SSS visits Clayton Friday in another audition for the playoffs. With a win, the Spartans assure themselves of a playoff bid.

West Johnston needs a Senior Night win over highly-touted Southeast Raleigh and some help to make postseason play.