Golden Falcons have found some confidence

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 19, 2012 1:48 PM

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The biggest burden for the Charles B. Aycock football coaching staff has faced this season is getting the players to believe in themselves.

The Golden Falcons have finally found that self confidence.

They're 4-5 overall, playoff bound and in position to finish fourth in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play. Not too bad for a team that 21/2 months ago was picked sixth in the preseason coaches' poll.

"Yeah, we are where we want to be," CBA head coach Randy Pinkowski said. "I'd like to be able to have one or two more victories. If 'ifs and buts' were nickels and dimes, we'd all be millionaires. The kids are confident, they've got great attitudes and most importantly, we're healthy this late in the season which is something that hasn't happened in a long time around here.

"It's not about me, but it's about them. We've got 19 seniors who want some redemption for what they went through last year."

Aycock is off this week and concludes regular-season play Oct. 26 at Southern Wayne. The Golden Falcons have won seven of 11 contests after a bye week since 2001.

Pinkowski and his staff emphasized improving the defense during the offseason. While some scores don't show the progress, Pinkowski reminds his team they've been one controversial play and fumble away from upending South Johnston, battled state-ranked Cleveland to a one-touchdown game at halftime and had ECC co-leader Triton on the ropes until early in the second half.

All three of those teams are expected to reach the postseason.

"I'd have to say we have played much better defense this year," Pinkowski said. "The kids have bought into our philosophy and I think it's paid big dividends. Going into the Eastern Wayne game, I told the players that 'I want you to think about yourselves only in comparison to teams that you have played well against that people think are more superior to you and more physical.

"You are not far behind them'."

The Golden Falcons handed the Warriors a 26-point defeat and snapped a two-game skid.

Pinkowski said the road win helped shed some of the burden he's carried when trying to build the players' self confidence. Aycock is beating the teams it should and giving more-talented teams fits along the way.

"The kids know Coach Pink is not just blowing smoke," Pinkowski said.

Aycock hasn't won five games in a season or reached the playoffs since 2009 when Marcus Cobb roamed the backfield. That squad finished 10-3 and came within eight points of winning the ECC regular-season championship.