Goldsboro gets statement win over James Kenan

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 21, 2010 1:51 AM

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The much-anticipated battle between eastern North Carolina football powerhouses Goldsboro and James Kenan turned into a one-sided blowout Friday evening.

Cougar tailbacks Andre Montgomery and Freddie Jones combined to rush for 326 yards in a 42-13 rout of the Tigers in their second-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA Mideast region playoff game at Cougar Stadium.

Goldsboro (10-3 overall) took the game's opening possession and marched 80 yards in just eight plays. Montgomery ripped off runs of 28 and 22 yards on the drive. His 2-yard touchdown run capped the possession.

After Kenan chose to go for it on fourth-and-long deep in its own territory and failed, Goldsboro took over at the Tigers' 18-yard line. Jones' 18-yard touchdown run on the next play and a blocked extra point gave the Cougars a 13-0 lead.

Jones rushed for 173 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries. Montgomery added 153 yards and two scores on 14 carries.

"Our offensive line stepped up and did a wonderful job," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid. "They're communicating and trusting the man next to them, and it's showing. From tackle to tackle and from tight end to tight end they did a wonderful job."

E.J. Smith's 26-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-three pulled Kenan to within 13-7 with a little more than three minutes left in the first half.

The Tigers (7-6) played without starting quarterback Parker Jones, who missed the game with a concussion. Jonathan Webster finished 8 for 14 passing for 127 yards.

The Cougars' defense turned in a dominating, physical performance. Goldsboro recorded seven tackles for loss and held Kenan to 4 for 12 on third-down conversion attempts. The Tigers were whistled for 13 penalties for 127 yards and big-play receiver James Owens was held to five catches for 67 yards.

"Our defense won this game for us," said Reid. "Nobody can say our secondary is suspect. They showed up tonight and proved it. They came into this game serious and I think we truly turned the corner.

"We told our kids all week if you want to be the best you've got to play the best. I think they stepped up to that challenge and they were like bees swarming all over the place."

Jones turned in a highlight-reel run just before halftime. The senior took the handoff, cut toward the right sideline, hurdled a Tigers' defender and raced 60 yards to the end zone. The Cougars led 19-7 at the half.

Montgomery's 46-yard touchdown run and Jones' two-point conversion pushed Goldsboro's lead to 27-7 early in the third quarter. Jones tacked on a 31-yard score and Corteiz Sprangle's two-point conversion increased the margin to 35-7.

Jones and Montgomery combined for six runs that went for more than 20 yards. Jones scored his fourth touchdown from 40 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Webster scored on a late fourth-quarter touchdown run.

"We couldn't stop them," said Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr. "We knew we were going to have to score some ... get enough offense to make it interesting. They've got a good team and they put it on us tonight."