Game of the Week - Southern Wayne at Goldsboro

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 13, 2007 2:41 PM

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Winning and losing can be equally as motivating.

Southern Wayne's Bob Warren and Goldsboro's Eric Reid have seen their clubs learn from both aspects this season. After guiding their teams to the winner's circle last week, the pair hope the confidence bred by success, mixed with the sting of earlier losing streaks, will be just the combination needed for a win' on Friday night.

The Saints snapped a three-game skid with a 36-0 shelling of Jones Senior. Goldsboro (2-2 overall) comforted the wounds from a two-game skid with a 59-7 trouncing of county foe Charles B. Aycock.

"We just try to make improvement every week," Warren said. "We felt like especially during the second half (on Friday) we did that. It does help to get on the winning track."

Each team carries an effective ground scheme into Friday's game.

Southern Wayne piled up more than 400 yards rushing behind Kelvin Flow (115 yards), Tristan Bass (96) and Eric Hinton (74).

Goldsboro surrendered just 158 rushing yards to C.B. Aycock a week ago, and the Golden Falcons mustered only 173 yards of total offense. Reid hopes his defense can turn in another stonewall performance on Friday night.

"You can't look past the offense that Coach Warren has over there," Reid said. "Kelvin Flow is a heck of a back. He is a bruiser, and if he gets a full head of steam you have a long night at hand. If we can contain him I think we have done our job.

"By implementing the Wing-T offense, it helps us defend it a little bit better. I'm thinking it is going to be an asset in our corner. "

The Cougars accumulated 427 yards rushing against the Golden Falcons. Hykeem Coley, who busted loose for a 74-yard touchdown run on the game's first play, and backfield mate Anthony Council combined for 359 yards and five touchdowns.

Can the Saints slow them down?

"Goldsboro has a very talented team," Warren said. "We're preparing just like we prepare for anyone else. It all boils down to tackling and blocking. They certainly have an awful lot of talent, and we have to play our very best game to be in position to win."

The two run-oriented offenses undoubtedly erase precious seconds off the clock and eventually tire out a defense. The passing game could certainly factor into the outcome and Goldsboro proved how critical an aerial attack can be last week.

The Cougars baited the Golden Falcon defense and concluded the first half with a long touchdown pass. Quarterback Dustin Uzzardo (7 of 9, 193 yards) hit Andrew Phifer with a 94-yard bomb. That deflated C.B. Aycock.

"That's our lost art," Reid said. "Everybody is keying on our running game, and we lull them to sleep and then we go to the air. Once you get eight or nine men in the box and you're focusing on Council and Coley, its hard to keep your mind focused on that receiver or tight end out there."

The Saints' Jordan Williams was just 1-for-6 through the air for 39 yards last week. With his running game seemingly clicking on all cylinders, Warren doesn't anticipate using the passing attack unless the situation calls for it.

"We're not a passing team," Warren said. We are going to throw the football when needed, but we have to move the football on the ground. It does open up our passing game, but we're definitely trying to run the football."

Southern Wayne and Goldsboro benefited from turnovers last week. The Saints recorded three second-half touchdowns off four Jones Senior fumbles. The Cougars picked off two Aycock passes and recovered a fumble.

"I think if we have good ball control and limit our mistakes and penalties we can make some positive things happen," Reid said. "I told my guys the winning team usually has less mistakes and turnovers, and is playing every play at 110 percent."