Defense was the star Friday night as the Enterprise YellowJackets defeated the visiting Mt. Olive Pirates 14-12 on Harry ColeField. The Enterprise defense held Mt. Olive to 250 total yardswhile the hosts could manage only 215 yards.

“Our offense struggled,” said Enterprise assistant coach ScottLeggett, “but our defense stepped up. We gave it all we had andthey (Mt. Olive) did, too. Mt. Olive is a good team. They’re gonnawin some games this year.”

Enterprise (3-1, 2-0 in Region 4-1A) put the first points on thescoreboard after a blocked punt by Rufus Allen gave them the ballat the Pirates’ 37-yard line. A 23-yard touchdown run by seniorShermaine Vaughn capped a short four-play drive. Scott Sasser’s PATgave the Jackets a 7-0 lead with 8:51 to play in the firstquarter.

The Pirates (0-4) reached paydirt on their next possession.Marching 61 yards in five plays, they scored on a 37-yard run byQuentin Carter at the 6:26 mark of the first quarter. The PATattempt was blocked, leaving the score at 7-6.

The Yellow Jackets appeared ready to score again as the firstquarter drew to a close. Taking over the ball on their own 34 with6:18 to play, they put together a 14-play drive to the Mt. Olive11. A fumble ended the drive as the second quarter began.

After Mt. Olive failed to move the ball on its next possession,Enterprise regained control at their own 48-yard line. After atwo-yard pickup by Gerard Vaughn, junior quarterback Justin Kyzarconnected with Monti Crotwell for a 50-yard scoring pass with justunder nine minutes before the end of the half. Sasser again addedthe PAT for a 14-6 lead at the break.

The only points of the second half came from Mt Olive, with 5:44to play in the third quarter. Martel McNair hit Reggie Price for a40-yard scoring strike. The two-point conversion attempt failedleaving the final margin.

Enterprise had one last serious scoring attempt, in the fourthquarter, moving from their own 20-yard line to the Pirates’ two.Another lost fumble ended the threat.

Carter led the Pirates’ offense with 120 rushing yards on 14carries. McNair completed one of nine passes. Mt. Olive picked up10 first downs and was penalized 11 times for 81 yards. The Piratespunted four times for a 26.0-yard average.

Shermaine Vaughn topped the Yellow Jackets’ offense with 118yards on 16 carries. Bobby Smith, Crotwell & Gerard Vaughn alsoadded rushing yards. Kyzar completed two of eight passes for 55yards. Receiving the passes were Crotwell and Allen.

On defense, Shermaine Vaughn again was theleader with 15 total tackles. Chase Raiford added 10 tackles andKody Burns and Pierre Hathorne both contributed eight. Crotwellalso had an interception.

Offensively, Enterprise tallied nine first downs on the night.The Jackets were penalized four times for 20 yards and lost twofumbles. Crotwell punted two times for a 30.5 yard average.

Enterprise will celebrate homecoming Friday as the Jackets hostthe Salem Wildcats. Mt. Olive returns home to try for its first winof the season, hosting the winless West Lincoln Bears.