Eastern Wayne dramatic wins
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 21, 2010 1:47 PM
Eastern Wayne doesn't offer a drama/theatre club to its students. School officials might consider starting a group with head football coach Bubba Williams as its lead thespian.
Be sure to sign up the football squad, too.
The Warriors (6-2 overall) have been saving their best edge-of-your-seat moments for the final minutes on Friday nights this fall. Those nail-biting endings have undoubtedly made Williams a little anxious on the sideline.
"There have been some nervous moments but we have had some guys come up big in big situations," said Williams. "I think we came out flat a couple of times in those games and put ourselves in a position where we had to come back, but we pulled it off."
Eastern Wayne has won three games in the final 60 seconds this season. The ability to close those outings has resonated with Williams and his coaching staff.
"I think it's a testament to these kids and the work that they have put in," said Williams. "I think the big thing is that the players believe in themselves and they believe in each other. That makes getting them to play with confidence a little bit easier."
The late-game heroics began in the second week of the season when the Warriors shocked archrival Goldsboro 23-20 on Kyle Sasser's 28-yard field goal in overtime. Until then, Sasser had never booted a field goal at any level.
Just two weeks ago, Sasser got the call again. The junior calmly split the uprights from 20 yards out, and the Warriors shocked South Johnston, the 2009 Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference champion.
"I have a lot of confidence that we can make a kick in that situation because we have already done it twice," said Williams. "It's something that (Sasser) feels good about and I have confidence in his ability."
Last Friday, Dashon Brown's 73-yard "pick six" capped a come-from-behind victory over Triton. The Warriors trailed 14-0 after one period.
Eastern Wayne (6-2 overall) claimed sole possession of the ECC lead at 2-0. It's unfamiliar territory for a team that claimed just one victory last season.
The Warriors entertain cross-county rival Charles B. Aycock on Friday. The Golden Falcons (3-5, 1-1) dropped a three-point shootout loss to South Johnston last week.
Williams hopes his team can pull off a victory without putting on such an Oscar-worthy performance.
"There is no such thing as a bad win, but obviously we want our guys to play well from the beginning," said Williams. "I think a lot of our guys remember some of the beatings we took last season and that has kind of motivated them to get the job done this year any way they can."