Prep football notebook
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 31, 2011 1:48 PM
Southern Wayne found itself entrenched in a four-game losing streak from late September to mid-October after starting the season 4-0. The Saints' playoff hopes were fading before they reeled off two consecutive wins.
Coach David Lee's team regained confidence in its power running game and its solid defense. The Saints defeated Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference foes North Lenoir and Charles B. Aycock over the final two weeks of the regular-season play, and received an at-large playoff berth.
Southern Wayne has built some momentum for the playoffs.
"If we can just get everybody focused at practice at the same time without any discipline or injuries I really think we've got a shot," said Lee. "We just relish that opportunity because two games ago it was up in the air. We're going in relishing that opportunity knowing we can play with good teams.
"We know we can."
The Saints (6-4 overall) open the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs Friday at Southern Vance. It's the first-ever postseason meeting between the two schools.
Will that spark us?
Trailing 14-0 and seeking any kind of momentum, Goldsboro got a much-needed boost when Rakim Floyd returned a shanked punt 21 yards for a second-quarter touchdown against Ayden-Grifton.
"I thought that was going to turn it around," said Cougars head coach Eric Reid.
The euphoria didn't last long.
The state-ranked Chargers punched in two touchdowns and held a 28-12 lead at halftime. They eventually won 42-18 and handed Goldsboro its first league in 15 outings since joining the Carolina 1-A Conference in 2009.