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AHOSKIE – Lynwood Harmon Jr. and Jordan Staton each came up with a turnover in the second half that set-up touchdowns as Hertford County survived a scare from a one-win Manteo team, defeating the Redskins 32-12 here Friday night.

The win, which came on Senior Night, was the third straight for the Bears who improved to 4-5 overall while evening their record at 3-3 in the Northeastern Coastal Conference.

Despite a great effort by the visitors, Manteo fell to 1-8 overall (0-6 in the conference).

Clinging to a surprisingly close 14-6 halftime lead, the Bears caught a huge break on the first snap of the third quarter where Manteo fumbled and Harmon recovered at the Redskins 35 yardline.

Highlighted by a 29-yard pass from Rucker Nixon to Rimiez Williams, the Bears cashed in that turnover three plays later when Nixon and Williams hooked up on a six-yard touchdown pass. The conversion pass failed, but HCHS had extended their lead to 20-6 at the 10:32 mark of the third quarter.

The HCHS defense came up with another big play on Manteo’s ensuing possession. The Redskins had put together a 56-yard drive, all on the ground, and reached the Bears 24 yardline. However, Manteo opted to throw the ball at that point and Hertford County’s Jalen Burnell made a leaping interception at his 13 yardline.

But the Bears gave the ball right back on the game’s ensuing snap, losing a fumble at their own seven yardline. Manteo’s Jaheem Banks scored on a 7-yard run on the next play, trimming his team’s deficit to 20-12 with 5:07 left in the third period.

After a three-and-out by the Bears, Manteo got the ball back at their own 15 following a punt. Seven plays later, Manteo had to punt, but it was blocked by Staton, putting the Bears in business at the Redskins 20 yardline.

Three plays later, on the second snap of the fourth quarter, Nixon scored on a 4-yard run. The conversion pass failed, but the Bears had given themselves a bit of a cushion, leading 26-12 with 11:10 left in the game.

HCHS iced the game away on their next possession, driving 71 yards in 10 plays capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Nixon to Williams, accounting for the 32-12 finale.

Manteo stunned the Hertford County crowd early in the game, using bullish runs by Banks to march 60 yards in 11 plays. Banks ended the drive with a 21-yard scamper to paydirt. The conversion run failed, but the visitors had a 6-0 lead at the 1:23 mark of the first quarter.

The Bears answered quickly. After Derek Joyner’s 22-yard kick-off return allowed HCHS to start a drive at Manteo’s 49 yardline, the Bears scored two plays later on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Nixon to Williams. The PAT kick failed, leaving the two teams tied at 6-6 with 40 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Hertford County added a touchdown in the second period where Nixon tossed a 69-yard scoring pass to Jaxon Davis. Nixon and Caden Woods hooked up on the conversion pass, helping the Bears build a 14-6 halftime lead.

With their ground game struggling (18 carries for only 59 yards), the Bears turned to Nixon for an offensive spark and the sophomore southpaw delivered, throwing for 211 yards (12-of-16) and four touchdowns. Williams was top receiver, grabbing nine passes for 130 yards.

Manteo finished with 219 total yards, all on the ground. Banks led that effort with a game-high 139 rushing yards on 23 carries.

The Bears will finish out the regular season on Friday, Nov. 1 when they visit J.H. Holmes High School in Edenton. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.