AIKEN --- North Augusta coach Dan Pippin called it a "sloppy" win, but he'll take it.

The Yellow Jackets broke open a defensive struggle with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter Thursday night, rolling to a 21-0 victory over South Aiken.

The game was moved up a day because of the threat of inclement weather from Tropical Storm Hanna. Both teams were sloppy, as Pippin put it, in their own ways: North Augusta (2-0) was penalized 12 times for 85 yards, and South Aiken (0-2) was kept out of the end zone for the second week in a row.

"We got a win, but that's about it. We were sloppy," said Pippin, who coached at South Aiken before moving to North Augusta three seasons ago. "I'd hate to see how many penalties we got."

Both defenses were solid in the first half, but South Aiken cracked first. After an exchange of interceptions, North Augusta took possession at the South Aiken 44. The Yellow Jackets moved down to the 13, but penalties and incomplete passes stalled the drive.

On fourth and 14 at the 17, quarterback Travis Murphy rolled to his left and fired a strike to Matt Hazel in the end zone.

"That was a real big play," said Hazel, who caught six passes for 85 yards.

South Aiken was plagued by poor field position in the first half, and it gained only one first down before halftime. The Thoroughbreds' best start came at their own 44 after they partially blocked Brett Johnson's punt. The Yellow Jackets led 7-0 at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Yellow Jackets scored twice in the fourth.

North Augusta's most impressive drive covered 78 yards and 14 plays. The Yellow Jackets relied almost exclusively on running back Tidy Johnson, but the big play came on third and 15 from their own 27. Hazel broke free and hauled in a 30-yard reception that moved North Augusta into South Aiken's territory, and quarterback Murphy found the end zone from 5 yards out.

Johnson closed out the scoring 3 minutes later with a 39-yard burst up the middle. He shrugged off several tackles and outraced the Thoroughbreds to the end zone.

"We've got to do better," Pippin said. "The kids responded well. It's good you can not play very well and still score 21 points. Defensively, we played outstanding."

For South Aiken coach Robert Wrightenberry, he knows the Thoroughbreds must make adjustments on offense. Running back Denzell Washington was cleared Thursday afternoon to play after sitting out the season opener, but he was ineffective with seven carries for 19 yards. Sophomore quarterback Tanner Hawley completed only three passes, all to Archie Adams, as he was under pressure from North Augusta for much of the night.

"It ain't no secret. Until we start moving the ball, we're going to be hurting," Wrightenberry said. "Our defense was on the field three quarters. We got worn down. They started pushing us around a little bit in the fourth quarter."