Senior safety Logan Huffman intercepts for Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Biurgett)

Harnett Central fell victim to an overtime field goal in a season-opening 37-34 nonconference loss at West Johnston on Friday night.

The Trojans were on top, 21-6, at the half on three scoring passes from Koby Howard to D.J. Brown.

“Special teams were the deciding factor,” said Central coach Cory Barnes. “They got two onside kicks that kept our offense off the field and wore our defense down.”

The Trojans got a touchdown on an 11-yard run by Cody Ammons with 39 seconds left to tie the score at 34, but the extra point kick was blocked.

West had the ball first in overtime and opted for a field goal by Kevin Rojas on fourth down at the Central 2.

A bad snap on third down at the Wildcats’ 5 in overtime left the Trojans at the 16. An incomplete pass on fourth down ended the game.

Central returns to action on Thursday night with its home opener against Princeton.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 21-20 loss at home to South Johnston. .

“They’re a hard-nosed football team,” Barnes said of Princeton. “They’re a power football team and they come right at you. We’ll have to be physical.

“Offensively, we have to get the ball to our athletes in space.”

Sophomore quarterback Koby Howard passes for the Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Ethyn Muhammad runs for Central at West Johnston on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

D.J. Brown is headed to the end zone with a reception for Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Landon Culbreth breaks free with a TD catch for the Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)