GHS-Jones Sr.

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on September 4, 2005 2:14 AM

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By GABE WHISNANT

News-Argus Sports Writer

TRENTON -- Third-year Goldsboro coach Maurice Jackson knows tougher tests await his Cougar squad than Friday night's 42-8, one-sided win over Jones Senior on the road.

Still, there was plenty of reasons for Goldsboro to enjoy its first victory of 2005 and first in six games overall dating back to last season.

Facing a Trojan squad with only 16 players dressed out, the Cougars (1-2) posted their highest point total and had one of their best rushing and defensive performances during Jackson's tenure.

"With 16 players, we felt we could wear them down with the run," Jackson said. "We just wanted to work on things for the weeks to come ... cutting down on penalties and silly fouls. We wanted to make sure we executed on offense and defense.

"We dictated the game, and that's what we wanted to do."

Sophomore Treme Boone rushed for 164 yards on 21 totes (7.8 per carry) and had a whopping, five touchdowns -- a career-best effort. In the opening quarter, Boone rushed for Goldsboro's first score at the 7:54 mark, before Aaron Phifter carried in from 5-yards out to give the Cougars a 15-0 lead after Monquavius Edwards' extra point.

Boone scored once more, one minute before halftime on a 14-yard rumble, then rambled for three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter -- including one 32-yarder down the right sideline with effective downfield-blocking by wide receiver Brandon Herring.

For the game, seven Goldsboro rushers combined for 265 yards on 40 carries (6.6 yards per carry) with 10 of its 12 first downs coming on the ground. Both Boone and his coach were complementary of the line's and receiver's blocking.

"We've just been working hard in practice. I've got to give it up to the line because they did a good job," Boone said. "The receivers had good techniques."

Defensively, seniors Jeremy Sessions (11 tackles, three assists) and Coriante Thompson (seven tackles, four assists) led a Cougar unit that yielded only six first downs and 132 yards of total offense with most of Jones' yardage coming on only two plays.

On the Trojans' third drive of the first quarter, Pablo Legister picked up 50 yards on an option play down the left sideline that put Jones on the Goldsboro 27. That drive eventually stalled and resulted in a turnover on downs. The Trojans (0-3) punted six times and turned it over on downs twice.

On the final play of the half, Jones quarterback Don Hall connected with Jefferson Williams on a 64-yard strike down the left flank -- resulting in the Trojans only score of the game. The two-point conversion cut Goldsboro's lead to 22-8 at the half, but the Cougars pitched a shutout in the second half -- yielding only two first downs.

It appeared as if Goldsboro's defense would put points on the board late in the third quarter as an apparent touchdown on an interception by Sessions was called back due to an inadvertent whistle. The interception put the ball at the Trojan six as Boone scored two plays later for his final touchdown.

On special teams, Branden Davis blocked a punt attempt as Rashaad Croom recovered -- setting up the Cougars' second touchdown of the game.

"We always talk about bending but not break. Tonight, we gave up that touchdown, but we stuck with it," Jackson said. "They didn't score again after halftime, so the guys held them down."

Goldsboro faces county rival Charles B. Aycock (1-2) at home on Friday in its first home game of the season. The Golden Falcons won last year's contest 23-6 in Pikeville.