LITTLETON - Northwest Halifax outlasted a banged up North Johnston squad for a 22-14 victory Friday night in a Northern Carolina 2-A football clash.

The Panthers (3-6 overall, 1-3 conference) lost three key offensive players for the remainder or portions of the game. North quarterback Laquan Cox and running back Brandon Crocker left the game with injuries in the second half and did not return. Running back Jacques Alston missed some time in the game but returned to the lineup later.

The Panthers led 7-6 at the half on a 28-yard touchdown run by Alston and a Harrison Grady extra point.

Northwest pulled ahead 14-7 in the third, then pushed the lead to 22-7 in the fourth. North Johnston cut the gap to 22-14 when Crocker recovered a botched Panthers' handoff in the end zone.

Alston had another 100-yard night for the Panthers, gaining 120 yards on 26 carries, while Cox added 56 yards rushing.

North Johnston will host Roanoke Rapids Friday night at 7:30.