Two big plays saved Ellis’ football team from what would have been a discouraging loss. North Davie coach George Newman coaxed all he could out of his defense. While the Jaguars were expected to beat North, they had their hands full while pulling out a low-scoring struggle, 14-0, at North.

Matt Wininger and Hite Merrifield provided the long-distance touchdowns that stopped Ellis’ losing streak at two. Ellis defeated North for the fourth consecutive year to improve to 4-2. North fell to 1-4.

Ellis hasn’t lost three straight since ‘09. It avoided that fate by riding Wininger’s 90-yard TD and quarterback Merrifield’s 45-yard score up the middle. Efrain Villatoro made one of two extra-point kicks.

“North turned the ball over twice, but we didn’t take advantage of them like we did earlier in the season,” Ellis coach Johnny Hill said. “We have been faced with some adversity over the last two weeks, and we just continue trying to impress upon our kids that adversity can only stop you or slow you down if you allow it.”

Hill said Damian Garcia, Mason …