DOBSON — Surry Central only needed a win to pick up a playoff berth, but got a blowout instead.

The host Golden Eagles (2-9, 2-5 Northwest 1A/2A) pounded South Stokes (0-11, 0-7) by a 55-0 count Friday night to earn a NCHSAA 2A playoff spot.

“I’m ecstatic, the kids are overjoyed,” Surry Central coach Monty Southern said. “We knew we had to win this and we came out and played like it.”

Dual-threat quarterback Dave Wilmoth rushed for 190 yards and four scores and went more than 1,000 yards rushing for the season. He also passed for 185 yards. Cousin Alex Wilmoth added two more scores, one rushing and one receiving. The shutout was the first of the season for the Golden Eagles.

The NCHSAA playoff brackets come out today, so the Golden Eagles did not know who their playoff opponent would be as of last night.

“It’s going to be someone who’s really good,” Southern said, alluding to the fact his two-win squad will draw a team with a high winning percentage.

Things went well for the Golden Eagles from the opening kickoff, as they forced a fumble and scored shortly thereafter when Wilmoth took it in from 19 yards out. The home team took a 41-0 lead into the locker room after breaking the game open with a 27-point second quarter.

Wilmoth had his third consecutive game with at least 150 yards rushing. He has scored 10 times in that same span.

“He just kind of stayed on the path he’s been on,” Southern said of Wilmoth’s performance. “He’s really come along at the end of the season.”

However, the news wasn’t all good for Surry Central. Freshman Wes Brown, a pivotal member of both the offense and defense, was removed the game in the second half after a scrum broke out.

“From what I saw, there was a pile of kids on top of him and he was getting beat up,” Southern said. “It was an unfortunate way to end the game.”

As the adage goes, the first guy to throw a punch never gets caught. As of last night, there was no ruling whether Brown was officially ejected, which could lead to a suspension for the first-round playoff game.

Earlier this season, a playoff spot for Surry Central seemed improbable after the Golden Eagles got off to an 0-8 start. But the players and coaches kept working hard and never quit, resulting in a 2-1 finish propelled by newly-found offensive firepower.

“I thought we would, (make the playoffs),” said senior wide receiver Shane Johnson, who proved why he was an all-conference wideout a year ago with a 55-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. “We just needed to keep our heads and keep working hard.

“I think we have a lot of momentum going into the playoffs.”

Contact Ed Phillipps ephillipps@mtairynews.com or 719-1921.

Surry Central 55,

South Stokes 0

Dave Wilmoth 19 run (Ben Earnest kick)

Casey Felts 13 run (Earnest kick)

Alex Wilmoth 26 run (Earnest kick)

Dave Wilmoth 33 run (kick blocked)

Dave Wilmoth 28 run (Earnest kick)

Alex Wilmoth 12 pass from Dave Wilmoth (Earnest kick)

Shane Johnson 55 pass from Dave Wilmoth (Earnest kick)

Dave Wilmoth 28 run (Earnest kick)