The Tarboro Vikings shook off a shaky first half, by their standards, and scored four touchdowns in the third quarter to defeat the North Pitt Panthers 49-7 in the first Eastern Plain Conference game of the season Friday night in Bethel and remain undefeated. The Vikings led 14-0 at halftime.

“We didn’t play good in the first half so I challenge the guys to step up in the second half and they did,” said Vikings Coach Jeff Craddock. “We stopped them on their first possession and then we scored. We got the ball back and we scored again.”

Holding the Vikings’ high powered offense to two touchdowns in the first half was somewhat of a morale victory for the Panthers. But that would change quickly in the third quarter.

Tarboro’s defense set tone of the first series by stopping the Panthers on a fourth down play on the North Pitt’s 34 yard line. On the very first play of the series, Brandon Dozier bolted up the middle for the touchdown. Ricardo Arias kicked the third of his seven extra points and the Vikings led 21-0.

On the ensuing possesion, the Vikings’ defense held the Panthers to another four-down series and a short punt gave the Vikings (6-0) the ball on the Panthers 46 yard lines.

Quarterback Jamias Williams completed a six-play drive by connecting with Lakevious Battle, who was wide open in the endzone, for a 11-yard touchdown.

On the Panther’s next possession, the Vikings’ defense again prevailed when Mike Hilliard picked off a pass and returned it to the Panthers’ 35 yard line. Two plays later, Demarius Harper dashed up the middle virtually untouched for a 31-yard touchdown.

The nightmare continued for the Panthers on their next possession when Viking Markell Pettaway intercepted the ball and returned it to the 12 yard line. On the Vikings’ first play of that series, Williams scored. Arias added the extra point and the Vikings led 42-0.

“We did exactly what we talked about in the locker room at halftime,” Craddock said. “We wanted to go out and score quickly and put the game away.”

Tarboro’s defense held the Panthers to 85 yard rushing. They also made four interceptions including two by Pettaway. Pettaway’s highlight interception came in the second quarter when he dived in front of an offender and caught the ball in his left arm. Pettaway was the starting quarterback until he broke his wrist about two weeks ago. He is playing with a cast on his right hand.

Pettaway’s quarterback replacement has handle the chore well. Against North Pitt Williams went 4-5 for 90 yards and one touchdown.

Other stars in the game were Demarius Harper, who scored two touchdowns and linebacker Michael Graham made an interception.

The Vikings has a bye on Friday. They will resume play against Greene Central on Oct. 9.

“I feel good about us right now,” Craddock said. “This is the best start that I ever had.”