Early Eagle surge knocks out Cougars

By David Williams
Published in Sports on September 17, 2004 1:56 PM

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Behind every cloud is a silver lining for Goldsboro head football coach Maurice Jackson -- as long as it doesn't contain a hurricane. Even though his Cougars lost to West Craven 41-6 Thursday, the second-year mentor sees nothing but positives for his charges in the weeks and games ahead.

The loss puts Goldsboro's record at 0-2 in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play and 0-5 overall. West Craven remains in first place in league standings at 2-0 and 4-1 for the year.

"It was a game of two halves," said Jackson. "For the first two quarters, we seemed to stand around in awe of playing the third seed in the state. Once we woke up, it was a different ball game."

While Goldsboro was watching, coach Clay Jordan's Eagles had their running offense soaring.

"We have six backs who can run," he said.

Run they did, as they amassed 307 yards on 43 carries.

Running back Charles Morgan -- only a sophomore -- took Brandon Herring's opening kick at his own 15 and took it back 85 yards for a touchdown.

Quarterback John Switzer relied on Morgan and two other tenth graders -- Deondrea Jones and Jermaine Moore -- to do the bulk of the running. Once close to the end zone, the senior signal-caller capped the drives three times on quarterback sneaks.

Down 14-0 going into the second quarter, Goldsboro put on a running show of their own.

Starting at their own 44 after to a 24-yard punt return by Coriante Thompson, Goldsboro quarterback Treme Boone got his club rolling. Three runs by Kelvin Ingram and an 11-yard reception by Charles Grantham moved the ball to the Eagle 28.

On a second and nine call, Ingram raced around left end on a power sweep, scoring with 8:03 left until halftime. Ingram was the Cougars' leading rusher on the night, gaining 54 yards on 11 carries. Grantham was the top receiver, snaring four catches good for 37 yards.

Goldsboro came out firing to start the second half. Starting at their own 35, Boone engineered a nifty 16-play drive, balancing passes to Grantham with Ingram's running. The drive stalled at the West Craven 15, as a pass went off Grantham's fingertips.

"We're very pleased with our offense," said Jackson. "Our big back-little back runners of Ingram and Quantterio Battle moved the ball. Our back-up quarterback, Adrian Lewis, got some snaps. You'll be seeing more of this."

Jackson also lauded the offiensive line's pass-blocking and bility to open holes. "Our freshmen and sophomores are stepping up," he said. "We must finish the job, though, and score."

Big defensive hits were made by Khayeff Marsh and Aaron Phifer.

Goldsboro will entertain Washington next Friday night.

West Craven 14 21 0 6 -- 41

Goldsboro 0 6 0 0 -- 0

First Quarter

WC -- Morgan 85 kick off return 11:45 (kick blocked)

WC -- Switzer 6 run 4:03 (Jones 2pt run)

Second Quarter

G -- Ingram 28 run 8:03 (Edwards kick)

WC -- Switzer 4 run 4:00 (Murphy kick)

WC -- Moore 59 run 2:34 (Murphy kick)

WC -- Switzer 1 run :42 (Murphy kick)

Fourth Quarter

WC -- Morgan 39 run 11:02 (kick blocked)

WC G

First downs 20 12

Rushes-yds 43-307 25-64

Pass yds 47 92

Total yds 354 156

Comp-att-int 3-8-0 9-20-1

Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-1

Punts-ave 1-41 2-30.5

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- West Craven -- Jermaine Moore 11-96 TD; Deondrea Jones 9-78; Charles Morgan 3-50 2TD; Russell Canady 7-45; Jeremy Davis 2-23; Larry Tyler 1-9; Torian King 2-7; Aaron Crawford 2-0; John Switzer 6-(-1), 3TD. Goldsboro -- Kelvin Ingram 11-54 TD; Quantterio Battle 8-14; Adrian Lewis 3-13; Treme Boone 3-(-17).

PASSING -- West Craven -- John Switzer 3-8-47-0. Goldsboro -- Treme Boone 7-14-62-1; Adrian Lewis 2-6-30-0.

RECEIVING -- West Craven -- Charles Morgan 1-34; Raheim Ellison 1-7; Dewayne Murphy 1-6. Goldsboro -- Brandon Herring 3-38; Charles Grantham 4-37; Tyshon Lofton 1-15; Jacob Sykes 1-2.