Missed scoring chances haunt Goldsboro

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 26, 2013 11:40 PM

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rhanchett@newsargus.com

Nothing seemed to go right for Goldsboro on Friday night.

The Cougars got behind early and had to scrap their game plan, they failed to convert on two trips inside the red zone and were even put behind the chains thanks to a delay of game penalty when the senior night halftime show took too long.

The end result was a 21-7 Ayden-Grifton victory. The Chargers remain tied with Kinston for first place in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference standings at 3-0.

"We were hoping to get a win tonight and stay in the conference race," Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid said. "Now we have to come out Monday and try to get better and try to win our last two conference games and get ready for the playoffs."

Goldsboro caught a break on the first play of the game when the Chargers fumbled the opening kickoff. The Cougars recovered at the 16-yard line, but failed to gain a single yard before turning the ball over on downs.

Drew Turnage capped the ensuing Ayden-Grifton drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Chargers added to their lead in the second quarter when R.J. Nelson broke free for an 8-yard touchdown run that made the score 14-0.

Goldsboro got the ball back and proceeded to drive the ball 80 yards to the Chargers' one-yard line. On fourth and goal the Cougars fumbled the snap and turned the ball over on downs for the second time in the half.

"We have been snake bitten in the red zone for two weeks," Reid said. "We missed out on two chances to score last week and tonight we missed two more. We have to get better in that area."

Goldsboro got on the board in the third quarter when Rasheid Malette scored on a four-yard touchdown run.

Ayden-Grifton put the game away on the first possession of the fourth quarter when Turnage capped a 13-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run that completed the 21-7 final score.

The Chargers finished with 330 yards on the ground. Nelson led the attack with 180 yards. Turnage added 125 yards on 15 carries.

Malette finished with 65 rushing yards for Goldsboro. The Cougars finished with 50 yards on the ground as a team. Nashir Bowden completed 19 passes in 38 attempts for 203 yards.

Goldsboro travels to North Lenoir next week.