Cougars roll on

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 22, 2009 1:50 AM

• Print
• Email

Don't be fooled by the scoreboard.

Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid knows his team's 41-8 victory over Southeast Halifax in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA (large-school) state playoffs on Friday evening isn't indicative of what's to come.

After outscoring their opponents 83-14 in the first two rounds the Cougars play host to Tri-County Conference member Heide Trask next Friday night. The Titans have pulled off two consecutive postseason upsets.

"It's getting harder each round," said Reid. "We were lucky to put up over 40 points in both games and in reality that's not going to happen every week. We know next week we're going to have our hands full.

"We've got to keep the kids grounded and we can't be satisfied. We're going back to work Monday like we lost 41-8."

Vontarius Kornegay, Freddie Jones and Andre Montgomery each scored rushing touchdowns as Goldsboro built a 20-0 lead after one quarter. Meanwhile, the Trojans failed to record a first down and had a punt blocked during the first 12 minutes.

"We knew we had to come out and establish momentum and get them out of their gameplan," said Reid. "They were riding high coming off a nice victory last week. I stressed to my guys to get started early and not let down."

Jones' 1-yard score midway through the second quarter gave the Cougars a 27-0 cushion. Southeast Halifax cut the margin to 27-8 just before halftime on Kiante Stallings' 1-yard run and Terrell Lowe's two-point conversion.

Goldsboro (11-2 overall) limited the Trojans to just 156 yards of total offense and eight first downs. Southeast Halifax (4-9) had seven plays that resulted in negative yardage and Kornegay picked off Stallings in the third quarter.

"They had some speed on the corners," said Reid. "We knew we had our job cut out for us and our hands full. The defense stepped up. They prepared this week and it showed."

Cougars' defensive lineman Jarran Reed forced a safety early in the third quarter and Demetrio Irby hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Corteiz Sprangle. Wayne Hammonds tacked on a 5-yard touchdown run late in third quarter.

Montgomery paced the Goldsboro ground attack with 146 yards and freshman Jalen Sprueil contributed 80 yards on two carries. Jones finished with 79 yards. The Cougars rushed for over 350 yards for the second consecutive week.

"I think we really wore them down," said Reid. "Our guys are a force to be reckoned with when they get a head of steam. Andre and Freddie really gave us some momentum tonight. They did a wonderful job."