Unfortunately for the Knights, penalties didn't let up either. The Knights were yellow flagged numerous, costly times in the first half, and coach Kamelio Johnson said the second half was no better. The team finished the game with seven penalties for 75 yards to Millbrook's five for 50.

"It was penalties in both halves that hurt us on the offensive side of the ball," the second year coach said. "We're still trying to get to where we execute properly. A good defense like Millbrook will make you work for every single yard you get. That's what we needed on our last drive of the game and that's what they held us to."

Knightdale drew first blood after the ball slipped out of the Wildcats' grip on their first possession of the game and Adrian McDowell recovered. From there a burst of offense put Marcus Hinnant in position for the 1-yard dash for 6, and the Craig Gage extra point was good.

Millbrook got the wheel turning just minutes later in the first quarter for the last score of the half by either team. Sophomore Keith Marshall, who left the game at the side of emergency medical personnel in the third quarter, broke free down the left sideline from 12 yards, and senior Matt Knudson split the uprights for the halftime tie.

Wildcat quarterback Trey McFarland posed a serious threat when he broke free from the pocket with under a minute to play in the half and was taken down at the 4-yard line, but once again Millbrook fumbled and Knightdale recovered to prevent what appeared to be a certain score.

An anomaly to the stat book and possibly the big difference in a win or loss for the Knights, Millbrook broke loose on a third quarter pass and took it to the house. The only passing touchdown from either team was a 55-yarder from McFarland to Scott Gray. Knightdale's Andre'von Watford kept things even through three quarters on a 7-yard rush, but after McFarland snuck one in from 5 yards out in the fourth Knightdale couldn't fill the void on its last possession.

The Knights' rushing was led by Terrence Davis (5-56), Ben Bolling (10-21), Obinna Uzoma (1-19) and Watford (3-9). Bolling was 8-18 with 116 yards and no picks. Senior Ira Tripp (2-57) led in receiving, followed by Aaron Smith (3-33) and Devin Johnson (2-20).

"You're never pleased 100 percent with a loss, but I thought we played better than week before," Johnson said. "We still need to work on eliminating some penalties. Hopefully it's the right direction for us in getting over this hump."

Johnson said Millbrook's three fumbles, two lost, helped his squad, but the Knights had some passes go through their hands as well, so the weather might have had an even effect on the two teams.

"I can't really say it gave us an advantage - if it did we might have won the game," he said.

Johnson said he felt his offense was more efficient in the second half, but Millbrook was one step ahead on both ends of the ball. More importantly for the Knights, Johnson noted the team won't forget what it learned in week two. The team faces Wakefield on the road this week, and he thinks the game should result in the first addition to the W column.

Looking ahead to the conference opener at Smithfield-Selma two weeks from Friday's matchup at Wakefield, Johnson said it's still too early to tell. What he did say is top to bottom the Greater Neuse River Conference is as tough, if not the toughest, around.

"I think everyone's still knocking out the wrinkles, and I don't think records are indicators. An 0-6 team rolling into conference play is just as dangerous as anyone, but we're focusing on us, getting one day better, and letting things then happen the way they're supposed to happen."