Goldsboro converts miscues
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 20, 2009 2:00 AM
Washington obliged with special teams mistakes and Goldsboro benefited the Pam Pack's gracious gifts Friday evening.
The Cougars converted two blocked punts into touchdowns in a 26-14, non-conference victory at Cougar Stadium.
Despite the erratic play, the Pam Pack had a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Down by a touchdown, Washington gained possession at the Goldsboro 43-yard line with 11 minutes left in the game.
The Pam Pack drove into the red zone. On second-and-10 from the Cougars' 12-yard line, quarterback Tony Turnage pitched the ball to Lindsey Harris, who raced around right end and into the end zone.
However, a holding penalty negated the score. Turnage misfired on three consecutive pass attempts and Washington turned the ball over on downs.
"Washington has a good ball team and we dodged a lot of bullets," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid. "We needed this win at home and we made enough plays to get it done."
Andre Montgomery's 43-yard touchdown run sealed the Cougars' first home victory of 2009.
Goldsboro (3-2 overall) seized a 6-0 advantage in the first quarter when a fumbled punt snap led to a poor attempt that was knocked down by a trio of Cougar rushers. Jarran Reed fell on the ball in the end zone.
The Pam Pack tied the game on the their next possession and it appeared that both teams were in for a slugfest. Washington took the lead early in the second quarter on a 58-yard shovel pass from Turnage to Lindsey.
Undaunted, the Cougars tied the game with two minutes to play before halftime on Freddie Jones 2-yard plunge. The home team pulled away on the ensuing Pam Pack possession when another bad punt snap led to a fumble and a 12-yard touchdown return by Vontarius Kornegay.
"That was the biggest play of the game," said Reid. "That play gave our defense a lot of confidence and took some pressure off the offense."
On the night the Pam Pack out-gained the Cougars 293-177 in total offense, but the GHS defense set the tone throughout the game. Jones led the Cougar offense with 69 yards on 11 carries. Montgomery added 51 yards on seven totes.
Cortez Sprangle completed two passes for 65 yards.
Goldsboro entertains Southern Wayne on Friday.