It wasn’t just that the Enterprise Yellow Jackets went on the road Friday and returned from Lumberton with a win over the defending 1A state champion Panthers. It’s how the Jackets got that win that had the whole state double checking the score late that night.

Lumberton led 20-0 before coach Trey Woodard’s team caught fire in a 52-38 win. Senior quarterback Matthews Burns was a big part of sparking the route for EAC. Burns went 13-of-23 passing for 152 yards, two scores and one interception. On the ground, he rushed 14 times for 127 yards and four more scores.

For his six-score night, Burns has been named The Daily Leader Offensive Player of the Week.

Burns rarely stepped off the field as he also made 10 tackles and recovered a fumble on defense and serves as the punter too.

Woodard is the play caller and offensive coordinator for his team. The third-year head coach isn’t married to one scheme or one formation. He tries to best fit his offense to the personnel that his team is returning.

This season as Burns and freshman Wyatt Garrett have split time at quarterback, the Jackets have developed a passing game that’s hit for some explosive plays thus far.

Burns spread his completions out to five different receivers against LHS. Jona “Trap” Caldwell caught a 34-yarder for a score and tight end Tre Baker also snagged a 33-yard pass that went for six.

Winning the turnover battle was a huge reason for the Jackets victory as they recovered five Lumberton turnovers while only coughing the ball up twice.

It was the best passing night of the season for Burns since he went for 217 yards and three scores against Hillcrest Christian in the opener.

Burns has also caught a touchdown pass this season and his 127 rushing yards against Lumberton was also a season high in that category.

Something that Woodard has stressed is his upperclassmen setting the example of what it takes to win and the hard work that comes before those desired results.

Burns and his all-out effort has been part of that as the Yellow Jackets have 16 freshmen on the varsity roster.

Those ninth graders all played a huge part in following Burns’ lead and knocking off Lumberton for one of the best wins in program history.