C.B. Aycock faces another tough road challenge
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 7, 2012 1:48 PM
Charles B. Aycock has been used to wearing the "underdog" tag during most of its football games this season.
This week is no different.
The fifth-seeded Golden Falcons (6-5 overall) are the guests of state-ranked and top-seeded Eastern Alamance (11-1) in the Mideast Region of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-AA (large-school) playoffs Friday. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m.
"They're good ... one of the better teams we've seen this year," CBA head coach Randy Pinkowski said as he watched them on film. "It's going to be an uphill battle for the Golden Falcons."
And it's an opportunity to rewrite the program's history book since Aycock is 0-3 all-time in second-round playoff games. The Golden Falcons are 5-7 overall in the postseason since 1981.
Eastern Alamance presents a formidable challenge.
The Eagles run and throw the ball equally well, which will undoubtedly stretch the Golden Falcons' defense. Quarterback Josh Long has completed nearly 58 percent of his passes for 2,135 yards and 32 touchdowns. His top target is junior Malik Wilson, who has 735 yards and 14 touchdowns on 28 receptions.
Senior Josh Jurgevich handles the running duties. The 170-pounder has churned out 1,134 yards and 11 touchdowns on 182 totes. The Eagles average 188 rushing yards as a team.
Add overall team speed to the equation and Pinkowski has the task of deciding how he's going to dictate the tempo.
"Defensively, the framework we've used all season has worked well against these types of teams," Pinkowski said. "The thing I have to look at is how do we match up athletically and speed-wise, and can we get these matchups at favorable positions?
"We'll have to do some shifts to avoid favorable matchups for them."
Eastern's defense is just as good.
Senior Kameron Williams has recorded an eye-popping 126 tackles and spearheads a unit that's recorded 43 quarterback sacks. The Eagles have forced 22 turnovers and held opponents to a single touchdown in six games this season.
Aycock will need to play a possession-style game to keep its defense fresh.
"We can't give them anything cheap, have to make them earn what they get and maybe we can stay in the game," Pinkowski said. "We've faced enough good competition that they're not fearful of playing anyone.
"I know they're going to give their best effort and let the chips fall where they may. This group is not ready to quit playing ... feel like they're just now getting into their stride."