Williams likes having stable of running backs

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 26, 2013 1:47 PM

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Bubba Williams has a good problem on his hands at Eastern Wayne.

The Warriors' head coach faces the dilemma of trying to split carries between a multitude of capable backs and a quarterback who has proven he can makes plays with his feet and his arm.

Through four games, Eastern Wayne has used 11 different ball carriers who have combined for 841 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Kamone Best, who possesses a mixture of speed and power, leads the team with 313 yards and three TDs.

Speedy back Lavoris Vick has gained 283 yards and scored five TDs.

The duo has displayed the ability to shoulder the offensive load at various times this season. Vick rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in a 43-22 victory over Red Springs.

Best posted a career-best, 257 yards and scored three TDs in a 50-20 win at Greene Central just two weeks ago.

Quarterback Mitch Pike has contributed to the running game by making solid decisions on read-option plays. Pike has rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown.

"I think that's the main thing is having multiple guys," Williams said. "We're able to rotate guys through with all of them being fresh throughout the game. We've kind of been using a rotation with each of them picking their spots."

Williams anticipates the return of Craig Smith, a power back who missed the last two games with a wrist injury. He has rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown.

"Craig is more of our power guy and Lavoris is our speed guy," Williams said. "K.K. is more of a mix of both. They each hit their holes well. Craig is going to get you four or five tough yards and break tackles. If we get can Lavoris on the edge, people are going to have trouble with that.

"K.K. can break a tackle and out run some people."

Eastern Wayne is 4-0 for the first time in program history and begins Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference play at South Central (1-3) on Friday evening. Williams expects his team to be tested over the next four weeks as it faces South Central, defending state champion New Bern, J.H. Rose and D.H. Conley. Those four teams are a combined 13-7.

"We're about to hit the meat of our schedule," Williams said. "Last year we went to Cleveland and the atmosphere was more than what most of our guys had seen. We have to show up ready to play a football game every Friday instead of ready to look around.

"We have to be ready to compete instead of being wide-eyed and hesitant."