Game of the Week: Eastern Wayne 17, Goldsboro 12

By Rob Craig
Published in Sports on August 26, 2007 2:22 AM

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Rarely do big games live up to the hype.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, Goldsboro-Eastern Wayne was one of those few games that managed to fulfill its promise. Dwight Ulmer's 43-yard touchdown run capped a second-half comeback for the Warriors, who prevailed 17-12 at Little Big Horn on Friday evening.

The game was a stark contrast from last week when both teams won by 40-plus points.

"We got exactly what we expected tonight," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jeff Price. "It was a dog fight. Players know each other and everyone is all jacked up. We're just fortunate to come out on top."

The game was a battle from the outset with defenses dominating during the first quarter.

It took a Goldsboro turnover to ignite the Eastern Wayne offense. The Warriors' Orlando Midgette picked up an Iveon Sprangle fumble and got stopped at the Cougar 41-yard line.

The Warriors (2-0 overall) put together a nine-play drive that ended on Ulmer's 7-yard touchdown run with 3:20 left before halftime.

Goldsboro answered in unexpected fashion.

After the Cougars (1-1) chewed up Rosewood for more than 400 yards rushing last week, Eastern Wayne expected to see a two-pronged attack -- Hykeem Coley and Anthony Council. But only Coley suited up for the game, while Council was sidelined with minor injuries from a car accident.

"He wanted to play, but we thought better of it," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid. "Hopefully he'll be back in the next week or so."

Without Council, Eastern Wayne keyed on Coley and held the running back to just 48 yards on 15 carries. With the run stymied, Goldsboro looked to quarterback Dustin Uzzardo.

On a third-and-4 play from the Cougars' 30-yard line, Uzzardo connected with Enrique Moses for a 70-yard touchdown. The extra point failed as Goldsboro pulled within 7-6.

Following a missed field goal by the Warriors, Goldsboro got the ball back at its 20-yard line with less than 30 seconds to play in the half.

Instead of taking a knee, the Cougars went for the score. After a 12-yard screen pass to Coley, Uzzardo threw deep for Moses who hauled in the pass in between two defenders and coasted for a 68-yard touchdown. The score gave Goldsboro a 12-7 lead with only 1.8 seconds left on the clock.

"I thought that one right before halftime was the one that would take the wind out of them," said Reid. "Unfortunately, it didn't work."

In the locker room, the Warrior defense held spirited chat.

"In the second half, we were an angry bunch," said Price. "We came out ready to play."

Eastern Wayne's defensive front and linebackers shut down the Cougar attack. Rushing yards were non-existent.

On offense, the Warriors got a 36-yard field goal from Wooten to pull to within 12-10. In the fourth quarter, Ulmer came up with the biggest play of the night.

The 5-foot-11 senior, who Price calls a "good speed guy," showed off that speed as he took the hand-off from quarterback Michael Mintz. He darted through the line and down the sidelines for the 43-yard, game-winning score with 7:23 to play.

"It was great call by coach (Steve) Moats," said Price. "He shot through there like lightning."

Plagued by penalties the entire second half, Goldsboro could never get any closer than the Warriors 36-yard line the rest of the game. It seemed only fitting that a sack by Nolan Lancaster would end the game.

"I thought we played well all night long except for two passes," said Price. "It feels good to be 2-0."

Goldsboro 0 12 0 0 -- 12

Eastern Wayne 0 7 3 7 -- 17

Second quarter

EW -- Ulmer 7 yard run (Hughes kick) 3:20

G -- Moses 70 yard pass from Uzzardo (Kick failed) 1:39

G -- Moses 68 yard pass from Uzzardo (Run failed) 0:01

Third quarter

EW -- Wooten 36 yard field goal 0:49

Fourth quarter

EW -- Ulmer 43 yard run (Hughes kick) 7:23

Goldsboro Eastern Wayne

First downs 5 11

Rushes-yds 34-53 45-188

Passing yds 170 27

Total yards 223 215

A-C-I 8-5-0 7-2-1

Fumbles-lost 3-1 3-0

Punts-avg. 6-77 4-29

Penalties-yds 11-75 4-47

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Goldsboro -- Hykeem Coley 15-48; Antonio Parker 11-34; Iveon Sprangle 3-8; Dustin Uzzardo 5- -37. Eastern Wayne -- Dwight Ulmer 11-88; Hassan Best 15-40; Eric Brofft 14-57; Michael Mintz 5-3.

PASSING -- Goldsboro -- Dustin Uzzardo 5-8-0 170. Eastern Wayne -- Michael Mintz 2-7-1 27.

RECEIVING -- Goldsboro -- Enrique Moses 3-155, 2 TDs; Hykeem Coley 1-12; Antonio Parker 1-3. Eastern Wayne -- Eric Brofft 2-27.