Pinkowski's brainstorm instant hit with community

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on October 18, 2010 1:47 PM

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Charles B. Aycock head football coach Randy Pinkowski wondered if he did the right thing. He got his answer just before kickoff against South Johnston on Friday evening.

Earlier in the week, Pinkowski decided he wanted the Little Falcon football teams (8-Under, 10-U and 12-U) and the Norwayne Middle School team to run onto the field with his varsity team before the game.

The groups listened to Pinkowski's pre-game speech in the locker room and joined the Golden Falcons in prayer. The anticipation grew as they exited the locker room, gathered in the end zone and watched the clock trickle to 0:00.

Their time had come.

The band played the school fight song and a sea of blue- and white-clad players rushed onto the field. They met Pinkowski on the sideline, started to jump up and down and their infectious energy electrified a late-arriving crowd at Hardy Talton Stadium.

"Lord, have mercy," said Pinkowski, a father of five children. "I make that decision and all I've heard about all week long (is) those kids breaking that banner. We've always had this Little Falcon-Norwayne Night and I've never gotten to see it because I've always been so busy at halftime. To see all those kids together and all those coaches ... they're having tremendous seasons and it did my heart good.

"It's going to be a tradition now."

The players, cheerleaders and coaches were introduced at halftime.

Pinkowski, again, was busy at halftime and didn't get to greet each one face to face as their name was called. But he certainly won't forget the early part of the night.

"It's high school football," said Pinkowski. "It should be fun and there shouldn't be so much pressure to win. Everybody loves to win and have a great football team. It's more about learning to have a good time, working hard and having fun.

"You can't take the fun out of this thing. If you do that, I'm gonna have to get out of it."

Getting into the groove

Aycock is not the same team it was three weeks ago.

The Golden Falcons are maturing.

Senior quarterback Tyler Farmer is taking command of the team. Craig Murdock and North Carolina signee Jarrod James are showing quality leadership.

Now, opposing defensive coordinators have to worry about two more Golden Falcons -- A.J. Mundle and Elijah Murray. Mundle proved he could be on anyone's "good hands" team after catching passes on the run and gaining considerable yardage afterwards against South Johnston.

Mundle hauled in seven passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

"This is why he's going to be a super tight end because he will catch it in traffic, take a pounding and hold onto the football," said Pinkowski. "I've seen him hold onto several balls this year that the average high school kid doesn't hold onto when he takes the hit.

"He's my type of tight end ... my type of kid."

Murray finished with three catches for 71 yards, including a 39-yard scoring strike in the opening quarter.

"Elijah is that offside guy if you overplay Craig, he's going to open up and catch the ball, and get us first downs," said Pinkowski.

Farmer completed 22 passes to five different receivers and finished with 276 yards in the air. The senior signal caller also rushed for 47 yards, and another touchdown in the 39-36, shootout loss to South Johnston.

The Golden Falcons travel to Eastern Wayne, the hottest team in ECC play right now, on Friday. The Warriors are 6-2 overall and riding a five-game win streak after a loss to Wilmington New Hanover during the third week of regular-season play.