Goldsboro backs still running strong

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 9, 2008 2:00 PM

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A.J. Parker, Andre Montgomery and Freddie Jones heard the whispers during the offseason.

There was no way a senior more suited for playing linebacker and a pair of sophomores could replace the heralded Goldsboro tandem of Hykeem Coley and Anthony Council. Council and Coley combined to rush for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2007.

They ignored the murmurs.

Instead, they listened to head coach Eric Reid, who encouraged them write their own legacy.

"Coach Reid talked to us about that a lot," said Parker. "A whole lot of people were saying that we weren't going to be the same team that we were with them. Everybody thought they were the best backs that Goldsboro had in a long time.

"We worked hard during the offseason and we always go out together, we lift weights together and work hard together."

Parker, Montgomery and Jones have responded by combining to rush for nearly 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in just six games. Equally eye-popping is their yards per carry -- an average of 8.5 per down.

Coaxing the backs into sharing the workload and managing their egos hasn't been a problem for Reid.

"I'm blessed to replace Council and Coley with these three guys. It's definitely something special," said Reid. "I knew that they were good but I didn't realize that they were this good. What's special about it is one likes to see the other one go off.

"They thrive for it. I haven't seen backs block with the fuel that they do in a long time."

Versatility is one of the main characteristics that has led to effectiveness of Goldsboro's three-headed monster, which has received the nickname 'The 30 Boys.' Montgomery wears No. 30, Jones is No. 33 and Parker is No. 35.

Both Parker (5-foot-10, 218 pounds) and Montgomery enjoy contact, and love to pound the ball between the tackles. Jones is more speedier and prefers to bounce outside.

All three can play any position in the Cougars' wing-T scheme. They wear wristbands that include three pages of plays. With those plays, any one of the backs can receive the handoff or catch at any spot on the field.

"We're more versatile offensively for the simple fact that we're not caught up in one particular situation the whole night," said Reid. "Each back brings something different to the table. One thing that I've noticed is that their carries per game are pretty equal.

"It's not something that we plan it just works out that way."

A senior and a middle linebacker on defense, Parker provides leadership for Montgomery and Jones, who are both sophomores. Despite being described by Reid as quiet, Parker speaks when needed and has the experience necessary to guide a pair of young -- but talented -- backs through the rigors of a long and grueling season.

"We look up to him for leadership because he shows us a lot of stuff that we haven't learned yet," said Jones of Parker. "When we're feeling down he'll get us hype. He'll tell us 'Freddie you know you can do this or Andre you know you can do this.' Basically, he shows us love and he gives us leadership."

After winning three straight games to open the season and playing 4-A power Durham Hillside to a 14-14 tie, Goldsboro gained a renewed sense of perspective a week later in a 16-13 loss at Charles B. Aycock in mid-September.

"Going into the Aycock game I think we were too big-headed," said Montgomery. "So, we went in too big-headed and it knocked us back down a level. It helped us stay humble."

Goldsboro (4-1-1 overall) begins defense of its Eastern Plains 2-A Conference title with a stiff test Friday evening. State-ranked Tarboro (5-1) yields just over seven points a game. The Cougars won last year's meeting 20-0.

"This is going to be a good test for us this week because Tarboro is a wonderfully-coached team and they do some good things very well," said Reid. "This is going to be a good measuring stick for us."