Cougars' offense erupts in 2nd half

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 19, 2008 2:00 AM

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SNOW HILL -- Wins don't get much uglier.

Goldsboro overcame eight turnovers and 11 penalties, and survived for a 30-19, Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference victory over Greene Central Friday evening.

The Cougars (5-2-1 overall, 1-1 EPC) lost three fumbles, failed on three fourth-down conversions and quarterback Devante Waters threw a pair of interceptions. Five turnovers occurred in the first half.

"If you take away the turnovers, we would have probably been up two or three touchdowns at the half," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid "Fumbles, holding penalties, stuff like that is what we're trying to get out of our football. We're trying to execute to the fullest and tonight we didn't do that.

"I tried to tell the guys, 'hey, it's raining on their side too.' So, we can't use that as an excuse."

The Cougars benefited from a Rams safety and Andre Montgomery's 35-yard touchdown run, his fourth score of the night, to hold off Greene Central. Montgomery finished with 186 yards on 22 carries, and had 110 of his yards and three scores in the second half.

"I think we came out a little bit more focused in the second half," said Reid. "We capitalized on some breaks and luckily we came out on top. I think in the second half we kind of picked up the tempo a little bit, but I'm proud of our kids for that, but we still have some more work to do."

Minutes after Montgomery's 6-yard touchdown run gave Goldsboro a 22-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Cougars appeared to be in business after Lamar Hicks' interception.

The Rams answered with a turnover as T.J. McPhail returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown. Greene Central (2-6, 0-2) climbed within 22-19 with just under five minutes left.

"I couldn't be more proud of our guys," said Rams head coach Ken Grantham. "They never gave up, they kept battling and kept finding ways to stay in the game and to win the game. Our defense made some big plays and got the ball on the ground, and gave us a chance to score there, too."

The Rams led 13-6 at the half before Goldsboro had a drive stay alive thanks to a roughing the passer penalty. Three plays later, Montgomery found the end zone from three yards out. Freddie Jones' two-point conversion put the Cougars in front for good.

Reggie Sanders raced 67 yards to the end zone late in the first quarter to give Greene Central its first lead and Aaron Harper added a short touchdown run as time expired in the second quarter. However, the Rams were outgained 369-151 and committed four turnovers of their own.

Goldsboro returns home Friday to face Farmville Central, while Greene Central is the guest of state-ranked Tarboro.