The front men: Warriors' quintet paving way for successful offense

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 19, 2013 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams has preached the same message -- "be 1-0 at the end of the week" -- to his team all season.

The Warriors have met Williams' challenge every week.

Williams' squad is 4-0 -- a first in program history as they remain quietly confident and focused during their bye week. The Warriors open Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference play Sept. 27 at South Central.

"The main thing we try to preach to our kids is they have to show up every week," Williams said. "At the end of the week they are either going to be 1-0 or 0-1. The opponent's record doesn't matter. We are going to play them and they are going to play us."

Eastern Wayne's biggest question mark prior to the start of the season was its offensive and defensive lines. The Warriors have to put to rest some of those questions with its play up front, particularly on offense.

Despite losing lineman Tony Carmon to an injury, Eastern Wayne has rushed for 881 yards and 12 touchdowns. The group of Shaquan Bell, Quadrick Williams, Chris Pridgen, Darius Evans and Josh Jones have paved the way for Eastern Wayne's talented group of backs in Carmon's absence.

The Warriors average 40 points a game and have outscored their opponents 160-56.

"Our offensive line has done a good job," Williams said. "They've come off the ball and they've gelled. The other guys have filled in nicely when we've had injuries. We've stressed being able to run the ball this year.

"I think we have the quarterback and receivers to throw the ball, but that all starts with being able to run it."

Eastern Wayne discovered a big-play threat in last week's 50-20 win at Greene Central. Sophomore tailback Kamone Best rushed for a career-high 257 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Best had touchdown runs of 26, 69 and 83 yards.

"Kamone ran the ball hard the other night," Williams said. "Greene Central took away the quarterback and the pitch, and it opened up the running game. He got his shot and he made the best of it.

"I knew Kamone had the ability. He hit his lanes and the front side got their blocks and we sealed it off well on the back side. All those things have to come together."