FOUR OAKS - South Johnston's offensive unit was obviously upset with its performance in the Trojans' 10-7 victory over Eastern Guilford in the opening round of the NCHSAA 3-AA football playoffs.

So much so, they were determined such an effort would not be forthcoming against perennial power Rocky Mount in Friday night's second-round matchup.

That unit delivered the goods, as South scored on its first four possessions en route to a convincing 35-18 triumph.

"They felt like they were kind of the stepchild last week," said South coach Joe Salas of his team's offense. "And guaranteed they would step up and be the tip of the spear tonight, and they sure did."

Behind senior quarterback Pat Dunigan, senior wide receiver Dee Williams and senior tailback Anthony Crumity, the Trojans moved the ball with ease against the vaunted Gryphons defense. South scored on drives of 72, 38, 65 and 51 yards in building a 28-6 lead through the first three minutes of the second half.

Crumity rushed for 97 yards on 17 carries and touchdowns of 19 and four yards, respectively, while Dunigan used his legs and arm to move the Trojans offense. Dunigan rushed for 44 yards on nine attempts while completing 14-of-20 passes for 162 yards and three scores. He completed 10 of his first 11 passes on the night.

Williams was the recipient of two of those touchdown strikes, finishing the night with seven catches for 82 yards.

His first score came when hauled in a pass over the middle at the Rocky Mount 25 and rambled the remaining distance for a 36-yard strike and a 14-0 Trojans lead.

After Rocky Mount had closed within 14-6 late in the second quarter on a 56-yard march, Williams out-wrestled the Gryphons' Hashem Hatu in the left corner of the end zone for a 24-yard corner fade connection, culminating a five-play, 65-yard drivefor the Trojans' third score of the night.

South continued to burn the Gryphons secondary with big plays at the outset of the third quarter, with Dunigan rushing for 21 yards for a first down, then three plays later connected with Chris Crumity for a 15-yard score, pushing the Trojan lead to 28-6.

"Anthony and Pat ran the ball well tonight," Salas said. "Pat and the receiving corps had a good night. We told the big dogs we were going to put the ball in their hands and let them win it. That's exactly what they did."

The Trojans would need all those points against an aggressive Rocky Mount offensive unit, which moved the ball effectively the entire night.

With Marquavis Alston leading the ground attack and Collins Cuthrell keeping the Trojans honest with his passing game, the Gryphons churned out 393 yards in total offense.

Alston rambled for 125 yards on 18 attempts while Damien Bynum added 63 on eight tries at the Gryphons bulled through South's defense for 224 total yards.

That ground attack took advantage of the ability of the Gryphons offensive line to open holes for the backs to pick up yardage in chunks when necessary for first downs.

Cuthrell, although inconsistent, found enough receivers to keep drives alive, completing 10-of-24 aerials for 169 yards with one interception.

"We usually have a bend-but-don't -break defense," Salas said. "Rocky Mount is better in person than they are on film. They did a great job of mixing run and pass all night and kept us off-balance."

Cuthrell's biggest play came early in the fourth quarter with the Gryphons backed upon their 13-yard line and facing fourth down

Rolling to his right on a fake punt, Cuthrell threw a screen pass across the field to Javon Ford, who carried the ball 65 yards to the Trojans' 22.

The Gryphons took advantage of the momentum from the trickeration, scoring three plays later on a one-yard plunge by Ford, trimming South's lead to 28-18.

South, however, stopped Alston on the two-point conversion try, and Williams' return of the ensuing kickoff to the Rocky Mount 13 set up Anthony Crumity's game-sealing score from the four-yard line.

The victory sends the Trojans of the Eastern Carolina Conference into the third round Friday night at home against another traditional power, Fayetteville Douglas Byrd.

"Mental toughness and senior leadership is what has gotten us here," Salas said. "We have to go to work next week. We scrimmaged Byrd earlier this season and know they are a tough physical team. We have a lot of work to do this week."