PRINCETON - Princeton led from the first play from scrimmage and gained the inside track on a second-place finish in the Carolina 1-A Conference in a 55-14 Senior Night victory over Ayden-Grifton on Friday.

The Bulldogs got their early lead on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Myers to Dillon Daughtry on their first play from scrimmage. The victory, which snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Chargers, lifted the Dawgs to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Carolina Conference. The Dawgs knocked the Chargers out of a share of first place with Goldsboro, dropping the Chargers to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in the Carolina Conference. A Princeton win over Rosewood gives the Bulldogs second place in the league, and potentially a first-round playoff game. Myers' aerial was the first of six TD passes on the night by the Bulldogs, five by senior signal caller David Gurganus, who threw for 232 yards on14-of-23passing against the Chargers.

"We had talked all week long about coming out and getting on them (Chargers) early," said Princeton coach Russell Williamson. "And focusing on playing well. We felt like we played well last week (in a loss to Goldsboro), we just didn't get any breaks."

Gurganus used the hitch pass to perfection as he found Patrick Jacobs for pass-and run scores of 37, 35 and 49 yards, while Benton Myers added a 14-yard catch for a first quarter score and Daughtry a 40-yard second period tally.

Jacobs had seven catches on the night for 187 yards, while Daughtry added six grabs for 108 yards.

The Dawgs utilized both aspects of its offense, as Javontae Davis contributed a 20-yard touchdown run to culminate the first-period scoring. Princeton entered the second period owning a 22-0 lead and stretched that to 41-0 at the half. Princeton didn't need any breaks against the Chargers, who were stunned by the opening score.

The Bulldogs defense rose to the occasion and held the Chargers to a single first down on their opening possession, then forced three consecutive three-and-outs, leading to three consecutive scores.

"We have a good team, there's no doubt about it," Williamson said. "We're still not where we want to be. We have a lot of things we need to work on. "The flea-flicker is one of the things that the Dawgs have working to perfection- five times on five attempts the play has clicked for scores. "We felt we had to do something to get on them early," Williamson reiterated. The defense got into the act in the second half, after Amber Brush's kickoff to start the half buried the Chargers at their own four-yard line.

After a short run by AG's Justin Whitaker took the ball to the six, a bad exchange led to fumble in the end zone that Gary Allen fell on for a 48-0 lead. The Chargers, who had been denied by the Dawgs' stout defensive effort, broke through on the next possession for a 78-yard touchdown run by Whitaker, spoiling the shutout bid. Whitaker, held in check most of the night, finished the evening with 134 yards. Quan Green, who added a 44-yard run for a meaningless score, finished with 83 yards on nine attempts for the Chargers.

Princeton answered Whitaker's score when Gurganus found Jacobs along the left sideline for the 49-yard score and a 55-6 bulge midway though the thirdperiod. Gurganus then yielded the quarterbacking duties to Dylan Myers for the fourth quarter. "Patrick's done a good job for us all year," Williamson said, "And he and David have formed quite a combination. Hopefully it will continue."

Ayden-Grifton's defense proved to lead to its demise, as Princeton took advantage of the secondary after the Chargers stopped the Dawgs' running game.

Williamson said the team is aware of its post-season position, as well of its conference title hopes. "We're determined to take care of our own goals," he said. "And let the other things take care of themselves."