Prep football -- Cougars get first win

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 3, 2004 2:00 AM

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MOREHEAD CITY -- Goldsboro running back Kelvin Ingram posted a season-high 127 yards on 24 carries as the Cougars claimed a 14-10 road win at West Carteret on Friday.

The win was Goldsboro's first of the season as it improved it to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference play. West Carteret (2-4 overall) dropped to 0-3 in the ECC.

The Cougars trailed 10-6 with 5:23 left before Aaron Phifer's 10-yard score with just over one minute left. On West Carteret's final drive, Phifer turned in the game-winning interception to seal the win.

Coach Maurice Jackson was quick to praise his young offensive line and the effort of his defense.

"We've been waiting on that all year. We can't say enough about the offensive line," Jackson said. "We didn't give up one sack and our backs had holes to choose from. It's good to see the kids growing up and coming of age.

"We grew up a little last night. We went down 7-6 and 10-6 and nobody got down. We kept fighting hard and believing in the offense."

Goldsboro's Mario Spencer got his first start at right guard and was key to the running attack.

The Patriots' only touchdown, which came midway through the second quarter, came on a short-field situation. Linebacker Coriante Thompson had 16 tackles and was applauded by Jackson for being a coach on the field in the absence of defensive coordinator Tavares Oates. Tyshon Loftin added 12 tackles for Goldsboro.

Ingram took a hand-off from junior quarterback Adrian Lewis late in the first quarter to put Goldsboro up 6-0 after a 10:52 drive. Lewis, making his first start of the season, was eight-for-11 passing for 88 yards.

"We just made that change last night. We felt that Treme (Boone) can help us on the defensive side of the ball," said Jackson about the quarterback change. "It's time to see what we can get out of him (Lewis). Last night he showed us he was ready to play."

The Cougars travel to Winterville to face winless South Central on Friday.

Goldsboro 6 0 0 8 -- 14

W. Carteret 0 7 0 3 -- 10

First quarter

GHS -- Ingram 3 run (kick failed)

Second quarter

WC -- Desteunder 1 run (#3 kick)

Fourth quarter

WC -- Dode 9-yard field goal

GHS -- Pfifer 10 run (Ingram run)

GHS

First downs 12

Rushes-yds 30-145

Passing yds 88

Total yards 233

Att.-Comp.-Int. 11-8-0

Fumbles-lost 1-0

Punts-avg. 5-33.4

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Goldsboro -- Kelvin Ingram 24-127, TD; Aaron Pfifer 3-17, TD; Adrian Lewis 2-1.

PASSING -- Goldsboro -- Adrian Lewis 8-11-0 88.

RECEIVING -- Goldsboro -- Jerry Gills 3-49; Charles Grantham 2-24; Aaron Pfifer 2-12; Jacob Sykes 1-5.