FOOTBALL TAB -- C.B. Aycock preview

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 16, 2012 1:48 PM

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Charles B. Aycock expects to feast on offense this season.

The Golden Falcons have just enough chicken salad to cover all the bread.

"We may not be big, but we've got some athletes that can play and we've got some speed," CBA head coach Randy Pinkowski said. "When you've got that, you're going to be in ballgames. With the more athletes that you have, the more coaching you can do.

Opposing defenses can't concentrate on stopping returning quarterback Austin Snowden, who was Aycock's top offensive weapon and an all-Eastern Carolina Conference 3-A selection in 2011.

Senior AJ Mundle has fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. He's added 25 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame and has boosted his strength in the weight room.

"He looks like a big-time tight end right now, catching the ball well," Pinkowski grinned. "But I need him for his leadership and we need him to block. He's the type of guy that you're going to have to know where he is (on the field).

"Having him back is a big, big plus."

Juniors Austin Westbrook and Neil Clark (5-11, 181) played quality minutes a year ago and should give Snowden targets in the Golden Falcons' short passing game. Devin Graves (5-9, 168) transferred from Texas and gives Pinkowski a stalwart athlete on both sides of the ball.

"Last year, it was the 'Snowden Show' and everybody knew it," Pinkowski said. "Every athlete we add to the field this year takes the pressure off of Austin. As you take the pressure off of Austin, you open up the coaching possibilities."

Pinkowski expects Snowden (5-10, 170) to play offense a majority of the time on Friday evenings. Back-up quarterback Cody Garris (5-9, 175) will see more action at outside linebacker, but will relieve Snowden when the opportunity arises.

Garris, ranked No. 2 academically in the senior class, doesn't possess the same athleticism as Snowden. Pinkowski trusts Garris' ability and intelligence to direct the offense, while he knows that Snowden has the knack for breaking a big play.

Snowden orchestrated a ball-control, possession-type offense that put up some solid numbers last season and chewed up the yardage. Aycock collected two or more touchdowns in six of 10 contests, but surrendered an average of 34.8 points per outing.

Aycock's defense must be better this season.

"Offense is nothing but smoke and mirrors," Pinkowski said. "We have to play lights-out defense, got to get some stops this year. I think that's a big key for us. With the speed quotient on defense, I think we can do some (good) things."

Garris, Snowden and Graves will keep order in the linebacking and secondary corps. Pinkowski said the defensive line is a question mark.

"We're not big and huge, we're going to have to hit and move and run to the football," Pinkowski said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to do that."

The Golden Falcons open their 2012 season Friday at county rival Rosewood. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m. at Branch Pope Field.