Goldsboro reflects on back-to-back losses

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 11, 2013 1:48 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

Goldsboro's recent two-game losing streak gave it a chance to look at itself in the mirror and also the comfort of knowing its most-talented opponents are in the rear-view mirror.

The Cougars lost 24-0 to Jacksonville Northside at home two weeks ago, and were handed a 35-14 defeat by perennial 4-A powerhouse Scotland County last Friday. Each setback allowed Goldsboro to honestly evaluate itself as a team.

"We learned the last two weeks that we've got some fight in us," Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid said. "We don't give up and the kids play hard. Any time you play a 4-A school of that caliber and you come out healthy, that's a good thing. We won't face anyone conference wise or in the postseason the caliber of Scotland County."

The Cougars (2-4 overall) surrendered 320 yards of offense in its loss to Northside and managed to gain just 106 yards of offense.

Against Scotland, the No. 2-ranked team in the latest 4-A poll, Goldsboro again allowed more than 300 yards of offense, but managed to hold the Scots to seven points in the second half.

Cougar tailback Rasheid Malette showed signs of improvement from an ankle injury that has bothered him the last month. The senior rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against the Scots, and boosted his season totals to 703 yards and 10 TDs.

"That ankle took a little bit longer than we expected," Reid said. "Rasheid is back to 99.9 percent. That's going to be a bigger boost for us from a mental stand point. It should give us some momentum because our kids rally behind him."

Sophomore quarterback Nashir Bowden took another step forward in his maturation process with a solid outing against Scotland County. Bowden completed 14 of 24 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Bowden didn't throw an interception against a defense that showed the young quarterback a variety of coverages that he hasn't seen this season.

"Nashir did a good job, especially in the second half," Reid said. "Certain things he saw really opened up his mind and helped him see what we're trying to do to be successful. He hasn't shied away from the criticism from us as coaches. He understands that as a quarterback when you're doing well you're going to get those accolades and that sometimes you're going to get the negative treatment.

"If the car wrecks they're going to blame the driver."

Goldsboro plays host to South Lenoir in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference opener for both teams Friday evening.